GG32910 - SOIL, GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

Module Identifier

GG32910

Module Title

SOIL, GEOCHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Dr Peter W Abrahams

Semester

Intended for use in future years

Next year offered

N/A

Next semester offered

N/A

Pre-Requisite

GG10410

Course delivery

Lecture

20 Hours 10 x 2 hours

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6