MV0218, Environmental geochemistry, 15.0 Hp
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Syllabus

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Soil Science, Environmental Science

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.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

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.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

The following is required for a pass mark on the course: • approved written examination, • passed written assignments, • approved participation in compulsory exercises.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Soil and Environment

Supplementary information

Included in program

• EnvEuro - European Master in Environmental Science
• Soil, Water and Environment - Master's Programme

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Theory	8.0	0202
Lab and computer exercises	6.0	0203
Seminar	1.0	0204

The Course Replaces

MV0205, BI1094 (delvis)