ENVS3007
10 units
3000 level
Course handbook
Description
Contamination of soil and water may result from a variety of human activities, for example urban, industrial, mining and agriculture. The potential and actual impacts of contamination from these activities on natural ecosystems, and the resultant need for remediation are in many cases well documented. This course will introduce the subject of soil and water pollution from a wide range of sources and examine the mobility of contaminant constituents in soil and water ecosystems. Different remediation technologies and strategies to overcome the resultant environmental problems will be examined in relation to degraded urban, agricultural and industrial landscapes.
Availability
Not currently offered.
This Course was last offered in Semester 1 - 2024.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate mass balance and pollution calculations;
2. Demonstrate the basic concepts of pollution, the effects of environmental contamination and the various remediation technologies which may be employed;
3. Categorise and differentiate between contamination and degradation caused by various types of urban, industrial and agricultural development;
4. Assess, distinguish and critique the scientific and engineering approaches to landscape degradation and rehabilitation and demonstrate knowledge of various remediation technologies.
Content
Soil and groundwater pollution from different types of development and their behaviour and transport pathways in the environment will be examined. The remediation and treatment of contaminated land forms a major part of this course along with the issues associated with the treatment, reuse and land application of liquid and solid wastes. Pollution control methodologies will be examined and various treatment and remediation technologies covered. Material presented will also deal with the measurement and interpretation of a range of biological, chemical and microbiological pollutants.Mining in different environments will be examined and issues such as siting of mine infrastructure, disposal and storage of overburden and topsoil, tailings disposal and site rehabilitation will be discussed. Advanced geomorphic techniques will be used to develop mine site rehabilitation plans. The chemical, petroleum and minerals processing industries and the effects that they have on soil and water contamination will be examined as well as methods of rehabilitating and remediating former industrial and mining sites.
Requisite
This course replaces EMGT3100. If you have successfully completed EMGT3100 you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
GEOS2050
Assessment items
Report: Written Field Trip Report
Written Assignment: Written Assignment
Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Practical Work - Laboratory Exercises
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.
Formal Examination: Final Examination
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement 40% - Must obtain 40% in this assessment item to pass the course.
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.