This advanced module aims to expand the students’ knowledge of environmental sustainability, water, sediment and air in the environment. This includes mechanisms for the atmospheric degradation of primary pollutants, sampling and measurement methods for atmospheric gases and environmental impact of air pollutants. A comprehensive knowledge of advanced analytical techniques to assess sediment and water quality will be provided.
Water and Sediments
Water, soils and sediment sampling, storage, pre-treatment, extraction and analysis for organic and inorganic components. Persistent organic Pollutants (POPs) and Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in the environment. Transport and distribution of pollutants, bioconcentration and bioaccumulation factors. Biodegradability for product design. Advanced analytical method selection and operation for POPs and PPCPs in the environment (HPLC, GC, LC-MSMS, GC-MSMS, IC, ICP-OES & ICP-MS). Chromatography column and detector selection for environmental analysis. Dioxin analysis in the environment. PAHs in the environment, sample pre-concentration, solid phase extraction (SPE) and online sample concentration. Fingerprinting oil spill samples and bioredediation. Metal ion analysis at trace levels. Challenges for marine water testing.
Air
Primary and secondary pollutants and removal processes, Fine particles, Instrumental methods for air analysis, climate change, greenhouse gases, global warming potential, carbon capture and storage, alternative energy sources and alternative fuels. Sampling and analysis of atmospheres, absorption trains, passive and active samplers, personal samplers, workplace atmospheres, analysis techniques for gases, vapours and particulate components.
Laboratory Work
Laboratory work which complements the lecture material is sourced from the Laboratory Manual.
Delivery by means of lectures (20 hours), tutorials (4 hours), laboratory practicals (8 hours) and self-study (68 hours) to include computational problems and report writing.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 75 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 25 |