GG32910 - SOIL, GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

Module Identifier	GG32910
Module Title	SOIL, GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENT
Academic Year	2002/2003
Co-ordinator	Dr Peter W Abrahams
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-Requisite	GG10410
Course delivery	Lecture	20 Hours 10 x 2 hours
Assessment	Semester Exam	2 Hours 2-hour Written exam. Answer 2 questions from 4. Resit has same format.	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of :-

the long term interaction of people and soils

the environmental consequences to plants and animals of anthropogenic modification of soils

remedial strategies which may be successfully applied to restore landscapes and help minimise environmental damage

Content

Normally, the following themes will be covered:

1. The history of soil: human interactions.

2. Archaeology and soil science.

3. Soil and fertilisers.

4. Soil and pesticides.

5. Trace-element geochemistry - geochemical mapping, trace-element deficiencies and toxicities in
plants and animals.

6. Soil and human health/geophagy.

7. Soil acidification and the impact of acid rain on soils.

8. Radionuclides in soils.

The module is primarily concerned with the U.K. environment, and will include a historical approach to many of the issues covered. Students are reminded that the course deals with soil chemistry, although the principles involved will be treated in such a way that the majority of students will be able to follow the topics.

Aims

(1) To give students knowledge some of the environmental issues which centre around soil, by concentrating primarily on how human beings have either deliberately or involuntarily altered the chemical status of soil; (2) to provide knowledge to students on how such environmental issues and their impacts can be minimised.

Reading Lists

Books
Wild, A.. (1993) Soils and the Environment: an Introduction. Cambridge University Press