Module Information
Module Identifier
EA30120
Module Title
Environmental Geochemistry
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay: 2,500 words | 25% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours | 75% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Re-submission: failed elements | 25% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours Re-sit | 75% |
Learning Outcomes
On sucessful completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate :-
- knowledge of geochemical mapping and monitoring and their applicability to environmental problems
- general basic knowledge of element behaviour in the secondary environment and an understanding of some of the problems caused by anthropogenic activities
- general ability to estimate the role of human intervention in the environment
- knowledge of the role of environmental geochemistry on human and animal health
Aims
To introduce the concept of geochemistry of the total environment and outline some of the problems posed to the biosphere.
Content
Geochemical Maps
- Media used for geochemical mapping
- Establishment of baselines
- Use of geochemical maps (UK and other countries) to identify geochemical 'hotspots'
- Crustal chemistry
- Weathering processes and element behaviour
- Urban Geochemistry
- Influence of agriculture and industry
- Past and present mining and extractive industries
- Trace elements essential and detrimental to human and animal health
- Pathways of elements into biosphere
- Chemical quality of potable waters
- Radon, sources and problems
- Anthropogenically derived radioactivity, sources and problems
- Uses of stable isotopes in environmental geochemistry
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6