| Module Identifier |
BS33310 |
| Module Title |
TECHNIQUES AND ECOLOGY OF LAND REHABILITATION |
| Academic Year |
2006/2007 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr John Scullion |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
Dr Gareth W Griffith |
| Course delivery |
Other | 4 x 3h practicals/workshops |
| |
Other | 4 Hours. Field Work. 1 x 4 hours |
| |
Lecture | 20 x 1h lectures |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Field Visit / Case Study: To be submitted during the last week of Semester 2. | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 2 Hours One 2-hour written examination (plus resubmission of failed coursework or an alternative) | |
|
Learning outcomes
Students completing the module should
-
be aware of the range of problems and treatments associated with major examples of degraded or contaminated land
-
appreciate how rehabilitation objectives vary and how this influences choice of reclamation option
-
understand how investigation of engineering and ecological aspects of land rehabilitation may be integrated under realistic conditions.
-
be familiar with issues of sustainable reclamation to a range of afteruses.
Aims
The module consists of an integrated series of lectures and field trips covering the main examples of land degradation and contamination resulting from industrial, mining and civil engineering activities. It describes the sources of these environmental problems, their consequences and the scientific basis of reclamation and remediation to sustainable, 'soft' end-uses.
Content
The lecture course begins with a review of the extent of rehabilitation need in the UK, of the varying objectives for differing end use, of approaches to site assessment and investigation, and of differing national approaches to contaminated land issues. It then deals with the problems associated with particular types of land degradation or contamination and provides an understanding of the science underlying their alleviation.
A number of specific topics is then considered. The causes of extreme acidity are investigated and mitigation measures explained. Hazards associated with the behaviour of metals and organic contaminants are described. Engineering and clean-up approaches to alleviating these hazards are then reviewed. Finally, the management of physically degraded and nutrient deficient soils is considered. Rehabilitation to agriculture, amenity and woodland is described in terms of reclamation and subsequent management. The special problems associated with landfill sites and with conservation end-uses are also considered.
A field visit illustrates examples of particular rehabilitation problems or approaches. Workshops use case studies to demonstrate the practical and economic constraints which influence the selection of rehabilitation option.
Reading Lists
Books
Alexander,M (1994) Biodegradation and bioremediation
Academic Press.
Alloway,BJ (1990) Heavy metals in soils
Blackie, Glasgow.
Bradshaw,AD & Chadwick,MJ (1980) The restoration of land
Blackwell, Oxford.
Cairney,T (1993) Contaminated land.Problems and solutions
Blackie Academic & Professional.
Cairney,T (1995) The re-use of contaminated land.A handbook of Risk Assessment
Wiley.
Chadwick,MJ & Goodman,GT (1975) The ecology of resource degradation and renewal
Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
Harris, J.A., Birch, P. & Palmer, J.P. (1996) Land restoration and reclaimation: principles and practice.
Iskandar, I.K. (2001) Environmental restoration of metals-contaminated soils
Richards,IG, Palmer,JP & Barrett,PA (1993) The reclamation of former coal mines and steelworks
Elsevier.
Scullion,J (1994) Restoring farmland after coal
British Coal, Mansfield.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6