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Syllabus

TE0020 Contaminated soils - risk assessment and remediation, 20.0 Credits

Förorenad mark - riskbedömning och åtgärder

Subjects

Soil Science Technique Soil science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Theory module	10.0	0202
Project module	10.0	0203

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to:

• 120 ECTS first-cycle courses, including

• 70 ECTS Technology,

• 15 ECTS Chemistry,

• 10 ECTS Biology,

• 10 ECTS Soil Sciences or Earth Sciences

and

• a level of Swedish equivalent to the general entry requirements to Swedish first-cycle courses and study programmes.

Objectives

The general aim of the course is to make students capable of handling the chain of actions pertaining to remediation of contaminated land, ranging from investigation and risk assessment to design of soil remediation and control programmes; they should also acquire a good understanding of the underlying theories and assumptions of computing models used to estimate contaminant transport and risk assessment.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• carry out a preliminary investigation as well as design a sampling protocol for contaminated land,

• carry out both a simplified and detailed risk assessments for areas contaminated with metals and/or organic substances,

• understand mechanisms of transport, turnover and effects in the environment of different organic pollutants and metals,

• use some common computer-based models for transport of contaminants in soil and groundwater,

• carry out an investigation and risk evaluation for different types of contaminated areas,

• account for preconditions and methods for remediation of contaminated soil,

• search and evaluate scientific information critically.

Content

The course is part of the ‘Soil and Environment’ semester within the programme. It consists of a 10-ECTS project and a 10-ECTS theoretical part intimately connected to the project. The project part is carried out as case assignments performed by student groups and dealing with, for instance, land set aside for building and previously exposed to contamination from a petrol station, surface treatment of metals or wood impregnation etc. Although the project is introduced in the beginning of the course, its major part is performed during the second half of the course. The project is divided into parts that that reflect the phases of realistic treatment of contaminated land.

The course content follows the different parts of the project: site investigation, risk assessment, remediation design and monitoring programs. The site-investigation part treats data collection from existing sources, sampling techniques (soil, sediment, surface water and ground water), as well as design of a sampling protocol. Central concepts in the risk assessment part are soil- and water chemistry of contaminants, transport of contaminants in soil- and groundwater as well as toxicology. Strong emphasis is placed on The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s risk assessment protocol, which is used and critically examined during the course. The remediation-design part treats different methods for soil remediation, including the preconditions for soil remediation. New, ‘green’ methods, such as bio- and phytoremediation, are described as well as conventional methods like soil washing. The remediation-design part also includes general costing estimates for remediation, risk evaluation and design of control programs.

The teaching is given as lectures, case studies, study visits, computer exercises and seminars. The project work is carried out in collaboration with companies and/or public authorities and is followed by oral and/or written presentation. Also guest lectures by representatives from companies and public authorities occur. Active participation in exercises as well as implementation and presentation of project work are compulsory.

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 course:

• passed written examination,

• passed presentations of exercises and literature assignments,

• passed written and/or oral presentations of the project,

• approved participation in compulsory components.

• 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 examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the 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

Cooperating departments: