VISIES-EMP5031-SEM2-A-2024-5-F - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

EMP5031 - Water Monitoring and Assessment

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

8 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Day

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications.

Need help? Request more information

Apply

Please check your eligibility to join this short course and time-tabling details with the Institute of Earth Systems. The short course will only be delivered subject to a minimum number of applications being received.

This study-unit focuses on the monitoring and assessment of freshwater and marine, groundwater and surface water bodies. The study-unit will utilise class, case-study, laboratory and field-based learning to equip students with the skills necessary to design an effective monitoring and assessment programme.

It will delve into the essential concepts of the water body's hydrological, chemical and biological interactions and natural influences on water quality and their vulnerability to contamination.

This study-unit will also examine the various features of monitoring and assessment in the marine environment. This includes an integration of biological, chemical and physical aspects. The study-unit will discuss survey and fieldwork techniques needed to monitor various parameters in the marine environment.

The key biological aspects that need to be taken into account for a holistic monitoring programme will be described. Key considerations for the monitoring of pressures including non-indigenous species within protected areas and hotspot (port) areas will be explored. The pathways of introduction of non-indigenous species will be assessed. The study-unit also addresses the monitoring and assessment of the sustainability of exploitation (including fisheries).

Main Reading List

BOYD, C.E., 2015. Water Quality. 2. ed. edn. Cham [u.a.]: Springer.
LI, D. and LIU, S., 2019. Water Quality Monitoring and Management. Academic Press.
Coll, M., C. Piroddi, J. Steenbeek, K. Kaschner, F.B.R. Lasram, J…… E. Voultsiadou. (2010). The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: estimates, patterns, and threats. PLoS One 5, e11842. Available online

Supplementary Reading List

ROBINSON, M. and WARD, R.C., 2017. Hydrology : Principles and Processes. London: IWA Publishing.
SHAW, E.M., 2011. Hydrology in practice. Fourth edition.. edn. London; New York : Spon.
STUMM, W. and MORGAN, J.J., 2012. Aquatic Chemistry: Chemical Equilibria and Rates in Natural Waters. New York: New York: Wiley.
Orfanidis, S., Panayotidis, P., & Ugland, K. (2011). Ecological Evaluation Index continuous formula (EEI-c) application: a step forward for functional groups, the formula and reference condition values. Mediterranean marine science, 12(1), 199-232. Available online
Araújo, R., Somma, F., Aigars, J., Axe, P., Bartolo, A.G., De Cauwer, K., ... & Wilkes, R. (2019). Eutrophication in marine waters: harmonization of MSFD methodological standards at EU level. JRC Technical Report. Publications Office of the European Union. Available online
Tsiamis, K., Palialexis, A., Stefanova, K., Gladan, Ž. N., Skejic, S., Despalatovic, M., ... & Cardoso, A. C. (2019). Non-indigenous species refined national baseline inventories: A synthesis in the context of the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 145, 429-435. Available online

Study-unit Aims

To provide students with the ability to undertake hydrological, chemical and biological characterisation of groundwater and surface water bodies and;
To teach students on the use of this information in order to assess the status of the freshwater resource and be able to design an appropriate monitoring programme;
To familiarise students with survey and fieldwork techniques needed to monitor the biological, chemical and physical aspects of the marine environment in a holistic manner;
To teach students about the monitoring and assessment of key descriptors of the marine environment including biodiversity, non-indigenous species, eutrophication, contaminants and fisheries;
To familiarise students with contemporary-related issues in the monitoring of the marine environment including the emergence of novel techniques of monitoring.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

describe the geological, geomorphological, climatological and anthropogenic factors that influence the quantitativ and qualitative status of surface water and groundwater bodies;
appreciate the monitoring requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other relevant legislation;
describe the main approaches to monitoring water bodies' hydrological, chemical and biological characteristics;
analyse and interpret this data with respect to monitoring requirements;
describe the monitoring and assessment aspects of key descriptors in the marine environment including biodiversity, non-indigenous species, eutrophication, contaminants and fisheries;
articulate key aspects of contemporary-related issues in the monitoring of the marine environment including the emergence of novel techniques of monitoring.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

demonstrate the ability to plan a freshwater sampling campaign, including collecting water samples and performing water quality field measures whilst applying appropriate quality assurance procedures to guarantee the integrity of monitoring data;
design monitoring networks for different types of surface and groundwater bodies in relation to set objectives and be able to evaluate the quality of the data being collected;
report the results of qualitative and quantitative assessment and monitoring programmes using appropriate statistical tools to interpret and present large data sets;
demonstrate research skills including fieldwork and laboratory-work to monitor and assess the marine environment;
identify species that are characteristic of the marine environment and apply biological indicators to assess water quality;
apply the knowledge on monitoring and assessment to the work environment to inform policy.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR750

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.