Soil and Water Pollution - Experimental Assessment
Course content
This is an experimental method-based course covering key soil and water chemical and microbiological topics. The aim of the course is to give the students practical and theoretical skills regarding methods used in environmental chemistry and microbiology for studies of polluted environments.
Each student will select two topics for experimental based
project work. Examples of topic areas are:
- Pesticide fate and degradation pathways:
mineralization assays using 14C-compounds, molecular detection of
the microbial degraders and activity in the environment.
- Natural toxins fate and degradation pathways.
- Metal-microbe interactions: Heavy metal bioavailabilty in
soil, use of biosensors, microbial activity, metal resistance,
co-selection for antibiotic resistance, metal-antibiotic-biocide
cocktail effects.
- Soil remediation and effect on bioavailability and
metal speciation.
MSc Programme in Environmental Science
Learning outcome:
The learning objectives of the course are to qualify and expand theoretical learning by experimentally method-based teaching in the areas of i) soil and water responses to pollutant load; ii) fate of pollutant in terrestrial and aquatic systems with focus on both chemical and microbiological remedial options for polluted soils and waters, and iii) new technologies for cleaning soils and water.
When the course is finished you should be able to:
Knowledge:
- Recognize chemical and microbiological properties typical of
polluted soil and water systems
- Describe methods available for predicting the fate of chemical
substances in soil and aquatic environments
-Describe analytical procedures, monitoring and remediation
strategies for pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic systems
- Display an overview of microbiological methods to study presence
and activity of degrader populations
- Display an overview of chemical and microbiological methods to
determine bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants in the
environment
- Describe methods to determine microbial resistance to
anthropogenic pollutants
- Possess detailed knowledge on selected speciation,
availability, and degradation experiments.
Skills:
- Evaluate the critical variables and methods that may be used
to quantify a contaminant’s distribution and transformation
rate
- Evaluate methods for analysis of microbial degrader
populations, microbial activity and transport in soil and
water environments
- Evaluate the physicochemical properties, fate and
environmental effect of natural and anthropogenic contaminants from
own environmental laboratory data.
Competences:
- Select and discuss utility of chemical and microbiological
methods to investigate polluted environments
- Operate selected laboratory set-up and instruments
- Conduct a scientific evaluation of the environmental fate and
effects of a contaminant
- Evaluate the potential for biodegradation of environmental
pollutants
- Prepare and complete a written report involving laboratory
assessments
- Demonstrate overview over selected remediation technologies
and understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
- To be prepared for making master thesis
work.
Experimentally based project work complemented by colloquia and
lectures at an advanced level. The experimental methods comprise
modern state-of-the-art techniques used in environmental chemistry
and environmental microbiology. Specific exercises may change from
year to year as they will reflect current research activities among
the participating research groups.
The goal is to provide students with a hands-on understanding of
the fates and effects of pollutants in environmental and biological
systems.
Lecture hand out notes.
Original journal papers.
Laboratory exercise manual.
Further information will be available on Absalon.
This course is a continuation of Soil and Water Pollution which
is also a compulsory course for the Msc Programme in Environmental
Chemistry and Health. This course assumes competences equivalent to
Soil and Water Pollution.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is
recommended.
The teachers give oral feedback on the kolloquie presentations and the students presentations of the projects.
Likewise will the students give peerfeedback on the kolloquie.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination, 30 min
- Type of assessment details
- A time period of 30 min is used for preparation for the exam.
The grade is based on: There will be examined in the background for the project report and the results obtained: (50%); and examination in textbook, reviews and original papers: (50%) - Exam registration requirements
-
Submit project report
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examinators
- Re-exam
-
As the ordinary exam.
If the requirements has not been met the report needs to be handed in 2 weeks before signing up for re-examination.
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 16
- Class Instruction
- 16
- Preparation
- 94
- Laboratory
- 64
- Exam
- 16
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NPLK14029U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedulegroup
-
C
- Capacity
- 40
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student. - Studyboard
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Peter Engelund Holm (4-776c6f764777736c7535727c356b72)
Teacher
Peter E. Holm, Hans Chr. Bruun Hansen, Bjarne W. Strobel, Kristian K. Brandt
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