Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE EMP5029

 
TITLE Soil and Land Monitoring: Pollution and Remediation

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Environmental Management and Planning

 
DESCRIPTION This study unit concerns the monitoring of soil in order to identify its degradation at early stages. It introduces the student to soil by giving a general description of its basic properties and then focuses on the processes that lead to soils degradation and loss. Methods of monitoring these degradation processes will be highlighted and complemented with remediation procedures. The study unit will cover the following topics:

A) A brief but informative introduction to soil and its processes;
B) The function and importance of soil in the environment;
C) Threats to soil, and soil degradation. The following soil threats will be discussed in detail:

a) Erosion;
b) Pollution;
c) Salinity and sodicity;
e) Loss of organic carbon;
f) Loss of biodiversity;
g) Compaction and sealing;
h) Nutrient loss;
i) Acidification;
j) Desertification.

D) Methods of monitoring soil threats. The following topics will be covered:

a) Soil sampling strategies;
b) Permanent on-site and remote soil health monitoring methods;
c) Methods of soil analyses. This will cover chemical, physical and biological analyses;
d) Soil degradation-prediction models. This will focus mainly on erosion and desertification.

E) Remediation methods of degraded and polluted soil. This will cover aspects of biological, chemical and physical soil remediation and protection methods.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of the study-unit is to give the student the theoretical and practical knowledge of soil monitoring by highlighting the importance of soil and providing a thorough understanding of the processes leading to its degradation. This study-unit combines lectures, discussions, and practical sessions on the various methods and indicators used to monitor soil health and degradation, and will also look into measures used to prevent soil deterioration and methods used for the remediation of degraded soil. The main focus will be on monitoring: changes in soil organic carbon, nutrients loss, acidification, salinisation and sodication, compaction and sealing, erosion, loss of biodiversity, and pollution.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

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

1) Describe the basic elements of soil physical and chemical properties;
2) Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the importance of soil in the environment;
3) Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of soil quality and soil health;
4) Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the processes leading to soil deterioration, contamination and loss.

2. Skills:

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

1) Describe the general criteria for a risk-based methodology for assessing soil health;
2) Carry out a dynamic assessment of soil health;
3) Identify anthropogenic factors and natural processes that lead to the degradation of soil;
4) Set up systems and methods for monitoring soil organic carbon, salinity and sodicity, pollution, erosion, compaction, loss of biodiversity, acidification and alkalisation, and desertification;
5) Produce and interpret laboratory data concerning soil health;
6) Set up strategies for soil protection;
7) Set up procedures for the remediation of degenerated soil.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Pankhurst C. E., B. M. Doube and V. V. S. R. Gupta. 1997. Biological Indicators of Soil Health. Cab Publishing.
- Patnaik P.. 2018. Handbook of Environmental Analysis Chemical Pollutants in Air, Water, Soil, and Solid Wastes. Taylor Francis, CRC Press.
- Morgan R.P.C.2005. Soil Erosion and Conservation. Blackwell Publishing
- Saha J. K., R. Selladurai, M. Vassandra Coumar , M.L. Dotaniya, S. Kundu, A. K. Patra. 2017. Soil Pollution-An Emerging Threat to Agriculture. Springer Publishers.
- Sherameti I. and A. Varma (eds.). 2015.Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils : Monitoring and Remediation. Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland.

Additional Texts:

- Essington M. 2015. Soil and Water Chemistry: An Integrative Approach.
- Strawn D. G., H. L. Bohn and G. A. O'Connor. 2020. Soil Chemistry. Wiley Blackwell.
- White R.E. 2010. Principles and Practices of Soil. Blackwell Publishing.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Practical and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation SEM1 Yes 20%
Practical SEM1 Yes 40%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 40%

 
LECTURER/S Anthony Sacco

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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