Environmental geochemistry
The course provides students with knowledge of how basic chemical theory can be applied on different types of soil and water systems, e.g. in environmental risk assessments, environmental monitoring or providing advice on plant nutrition issues. Teaching takes the form of lectures, calculation, computer exercises, laboratory practicals and seminars, where computer exercises, laboratory practicals and seminars are mandatory. The course deals with the following topics:
• characterisation of solid soil components,
• processes in the water phase, and equilibrium with various mineral phases,
• sorption of ions and organic contaminants to soil and sediment materials,
• redox processes and their importance for the solubility of different elements in the soil and water systems,
• acidifying and acid-neutralising processes in soil and water systems,
• geochemical modelling,
• methods for risk assessment of soils contaminated with metals and organic pollutants,
• overview of remediation methods for contaminated soils,
• applications of soil and water chemistry theory within agriculture, forestry and environmental research.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
MV0218-20050 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for MV0218
Academic year 2023/2024
Environmental geochemistry (MV0218-20205)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2021/2022
Environmental geochemistry (MV0218-20092)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2020/2021
Environmental geochemistry (MV0218-20156)
2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17
Academic year 2019/2020
Environmental geochemistry (MV0218-20103)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Academic year 2018/2019
Environmental geochemistry (MV0218-20083)
2018-11-05 - 2019-01-20
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
MV0218 Environmental geochemistry, 15.0 Credits
MiljögeokemiSubjects
Environmental Science Soil Science Soil science Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | 8.0 | 0202 |
| Lab and computer exercises | 6.0 | 0203 |
| Seminar | 1.0 | 0204 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to:• 150 ECTS first-cycle courses, including
• 60 ECTS in a scientific subject such as Biology, Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science or Technology,
• 15 ECTS Chemistry,
• 15 ECTS Soil Science, Earth Sciences or Biology
and
• a level of English equivalent to upper-seconday-school English (Engelska 6).
Objectives
The overall objective of the course is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the processes that control solubility and transport of metals, nutrients and organic contaminants in soil and water systems, and give an introduction to risk assessment of contaminated soils. The course will provide students with a good theoretical foundation within the subject of soil and water chemistry for further studies at advanced level.
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
• describe how soil mineral and organic material is built up, and how it affects the chemical composition of soil water,
• describe the basic chemical principles controlling solubility of different types of elements and compounds, including organic contaminants, in the soil-water system,
• carry out quantitative calculations for various types of applied soil and water chemistry problems,
• present insight into the methodology used for risk assessment of areas contaminated with heavy metals and/or organic compounds,
• give an overview of common remediation methods used for contaminated soils,
• use some common computer-based geochemical model to quantitatively describe the distribution of elements and compounds in the soil-water system.
Content
The course provides students with knowledge of how basic chemical theory can be applied on different types of soil and water systems, e.g. in environmental risk assessments, environmental monitoring or providing advice on plant nutrition issues. Teaching takes the form of lectures, calculation, computer exercises, laboratory practicals and seminars, where computer exercises, laboratory practicals and seminars are mandatory. The course deals with the following topics:
• characterisation of solid soil components,
• processes in the water phase, and equilibrium with various mineral phases,
• sorption of ions and organic contaminants to soil and sediment materials,
• redox processes and their importance for the solubility of different elements in the soil and water systems,
• acidifying and acid-neutralising processes in soil and water systems,
• geochemical modelling,
• methods for risk assessment of soils contaminated with metals and organic pollutants,
• overview of remediation methods for contaminated soils,
• applications of soil and water chemistry theory within agriculture, forestry and environmental research.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The following is required for a pass mark on the course:
• approved written examination,
• passed written assignments,
• approved participation in compulsory exercises.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Soil and Environment
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading criteria: Environmental geochemistry, 15 HEC (MV0218), 2021
|
Objectives |
Grade 3 - pass |
Grade 4 – pass with credit |
Grade 5 – pass with distinction |
|
I. Describe how soil minerals and organic matter are built up, and how they affect the chemical composition of the soil water.
|
The student should be able to describe
|
In addition, the student should be able to
|
In addition, the student should be able to
|
|
Objectives |
Grade 3 - pass |
Grade 4 – pass with credit |
Grade 5 – pass with distinction |
|
II. Describe basic chemical principles controlling the solid-solution partitioning of inorganic elements and organic pollutants in the soil-water system. |
The student should be able to
|
The student should have a deeper understanding of:
|
In addition, the student should be able to explain in detail
|
|
Objectives |
Grade 3 - pass |
Grade 4 – pass with credit |
Grade 5 – pass with distinction |
|
III. Analyse and quantitatively describe various applied soil and water chemistry problems. |
The student should be able to
|
The student should be able to
|
The student should be able to
|
|
IV. Use common computer-based geochemical models. |
The student should be able to use a computer-based geochemical model and give an overview of its main structure. |
The student should be able to use a computer-based geochemical model and explain and discuss in detail its main structure. |
The student should be able to use a computer-based geochemical model and reflect on its strengths, weaknesses and limitations. |
Specific requirements of grading levels (only applicable on the whole course)
Mark 3 – Pass
- The student should achieve at least 50% of the maximal number of points of the written exam
- Participation in the laboratory exercise pH-dependent solubility of metals or phosphorus in soil
- Compile a satisfactory report of the laboratory exercise pH-dependent solubility of metals or phosphorus in soil.
- Participation in the computer exercises on Geochemical modelling with Visual MINTEQ with a satisfactorily completed individual assignment
- Participation in the exercise Fugacity modelling and written report
- Participation in the exercise Environmental chemistry of PFAS and oral presentation and short written report
- Oral presentation and short Abstract of the seminar task “Research themes”
Mark 4 – Pass with credit
- All requirements mentioned above (Mark 3) must be achieved.
- Compile a satisfactory report of the laboratory exercise pH-dependent solubility of metals or phosphorus in soil submitted before the deadline (deadline is announced in Canvas).
- The student should achieve at least 65% of the maximal number of points of the written exam.
Mark 5 – Pass with Distinction
- All requirements mentioned above (Mark 4) must be achieved.
- The student should achieve at least 80% of the maximal number of points of the written exam.
Specific requirements for passing the course parts (no grading)
Theory (8 credits)
- The student should achieve at least 50% of the maximal number of points of the written exam
Lab and computer exercises (6 credits)
- Participation in the laboratory exercises on pH-dependent solubility of metals or phosphorus in soil
- Compile a satisfactory report of the laboratory exercises on pH-dependent solubility of metals or phosphorus in soil.
- Participation in the computer exercises on Geochemical modelling with Visual MINTEQ and completion of individual assignment
- Participation in the exercise Fugacity modelling and written report
- Participation in the exercise Environmental chemistry of PFAS and oral presentation and short written report
Calculation exercises, seminars (1 credit)
- Oral presentation and Abstract of the seminar task “Research themes”
Litterature list
The main textbook we use is:
"Soil and Water Chemistry: An integrative Approach" (Michael E. Essington).
We use paper versions of the second edition, but the first edition is available for free online and differences with the first edition are insignificant.
Other important literature:
Gustafsson, J.P., Jacks, G., Simonsson, M. Nilsson, I. 2005. Soil and water chemistry. Compendium. 119 pp.
• Report 4639. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), 1997. Development of generic guideline values. Model and data used for generic guideline values for contaminated soils in Sweden. https://www.naturvardsverket.se/Om-Naturvardsverket/Publikationer/ISBN/4000/91-620-4639-x/
Others:
• Schwartzenbach, R.P., Escher, B.I., Fenner, K., Hofstetter, T.B., Johnson, C.A., von Gunten, U., Wehrli, B. 2006. The challenge of micropollutants in aquatic systems. Science, 310, 1072-1077.
• Campos Pereira, H., Ullberg, M., Kleja, D.B., Gustafsson, J.P., Ahrens, L. 2018. Sorption of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to an organic soil horizon - Effect of cation composition and pH. Chemosphere 207: 183-191.
• UNIDO. Survey of Soil Remediation Technology. http://www.unido.org/
• Dermont et al. 2008. Metal-Contaminated Soils: Remediation Practices and Treatment Technologies. Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management, 12:188-209.
• Dermont et al. 2008. Soil washing for metal removal: A review of physical/chemical technologies and field applications. Journal of Hazardous Materials 152: 1–31.