Module Identifier EAM2120  
Module Title TECHNIQUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Nicholas J G Pearce  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Bill Perkins  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours.  
  Practical   12 Hours.  
  Other   Field course, Anglesey, 3.5 days  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Report on field sampling exercise, 1500 words25%
Semester Assessment Report on the application of individual analytical methods to particular media 2000 words25%
Semester Assessment Report on suggested remediation metods for the field site to appropriate environmental quality guidelines 3000 words50%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmit failed elements of coursework. No resit available if student failed to attend the fieldtrip without documented and approved special circumstances. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Devise and implement a sampling programme for geochemical analyses

2. Prepare water samples in the laboratory for geochemical analyses

3. Make rational, scientific judgements on the validity and application of particular analytical methods to particular environmental media

4. Select appropriate environmental quality guidelines for water and soil quality

Content

Themes covered include:

1. Methodology for sampling waters, sediments and soils for geochemical analysis and field measurement

2. Field course to Anglesey for field sampling of contaminated sediments and waters

3. Introduction to laboratory sample preparation and analyses for AAS, ICP-MS and ion chromatography

4. Environmental quality guidelines (geochemical) for waters and soils

Brief description

A Masters level module which provides and introduction to practical environmental geochemistry. This course will provide students with the introduction to basic sampling of waters and sediments for geochemical analysis. The sampling programme will be team based and devised "on the day" by students attending a long weekend field course in Anglesey. This course will also demonstrate all necessary field measurement and collection methods (pH, Eh, conductivity), and will form the basis of a small report on sampling. Geochemical analyses of the materials collected will be conducted back in the laboratory, each technique used being included in laboratory reports, and the full data set will be integrated into a final repoprt suggesting remediation methods for the area sampled.

Module Skills

Problem_solving Devise a sampling strategy for waters from a river system in the field  
Research skills Researching and applying methods for presentation and interpretation of geochemical data. Researching remediation techniques.  
Communication Scientific report writing  
Improving own Learning and Performance Develop inedepent work associated with practical classes  
Team work Field sampling exercise condcuted as a team  
Information Technology Use of computers and spreadsheets for performing/plotting geocehmical data. Students will have to search the internet for information on remediation techniques and quality standards e.g. data from the EC, EA, USEPA, WHO. The students will make use of BIDS/WoK etc and other searching facilities to obtain informatioon which will be included in the remediation report.  
Application of Number Numerical handling is required in calculating concentrations, interpreting analytical data.  
Personal Development and Career planning Discussion with staff involved concerning relevance of examples to real life applications, and relevance to careers.  
Subject Specific Skills The development of sampling strategies and field measurement techniques, the implementation of sampling methods, the appropriate application of a range of analytical methods in environmental geochemistry.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
A.W. Rose, H.E. Hawkes and J.S. Webb (1979) Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration Academic Press
Donald Langmuir (1997) Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry Prentice Hall
Gunter Faure (1998) Principles and Application of Geochemistry Prentice Hall
James I. Drever (1997) The Geochemistry of Natural Waters Prentice Hall
R.C.O. Gill (1998) Modern Analytical geochemistry Longman
R.M. Garrells and C.L. Christ (1990) Solutions, Minerals and Equilibria Harper/Geoscience/Jones and Bartlett

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7