ES5011 Pollution and Aqueous Chemistry

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr N Allison

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr N Allison and Dr E Stueeken

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module considers the behaviour of aqueous contaminants and provides a broad introduction to the modelling of aqueous chemistry. We study key aqueous pollutants (e.g. metals, organic contaminants), their partitioning in different waters and soils/sediments (speciation, mobility, bioavailability and toxicity) and methods of remediation. We undertake a field trip to investigate a water quality issue. Students will receive a broad introduction to geochemical modelling with a focus on environmental issues and natural environmental endmembers. This will include training in the Geochemist’s Workbench® software package and a set of lectures discussing the geochemical properties of ‘extreme’ natural settings.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

UNDERGRADUATE: BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS ES3008

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

80% written exam, 20% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1 hr lecture per week, 1 x 3 hr lab every second week, 1 x 1/2 day field excursion

Scheduled learning hours

44

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

100

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.