GV2ECH-Environmental Chemistry

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: GV1A3 Chemistry of the Earth and Environment
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Udeme Dickson
Email: u.j.dickson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Through a series of interactive lectures, laboratory practicals and computer classes, this module provides the skills necessary to predict how environmentally relevant elements behave in the chemical environment.

Aims:
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of and ability to predict key chemical processes that occur in contaminated and natural environments.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, you should be able to: - Predict the solubility of minerals - Calculate the speciation of metals in solution - Analyse soils and waters in a chemistry laboratory - Use computer programmes to model the fate of metals in water and soil - Differentiate non-specific and specific adsorption

Additional outcomes:
You will enhance your teamwork, mathematical, laboratory, data handling and reporting skills.

Outline content:

This module is designed to help you develop your ability to predict reactions in the water and soil environment. The course will use examples of reactions pertinent to agriculture, contamination, and water quality. The Interactive Lecture Content covers: - Skills in Environmental Chemistry - Solubility - Aqueous complexes - Specific and non-specific adsorption - Sorption modelling and pollutant movement



The Practical Content covers: - Preparation of water samples for chemical analysis - Use of geochemical models - Batch sorption experiments

Global context:

Understanding how elements react in the environment and how we can analyse and predict their behaviour is critical to many of the global challenges facing 21st century communities, including Climate Change, Environmental Pollution, Food Security and the exploitation of Natural Resources.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be -ÌýFive interactive lectures - Three laboratory practicals - Two computer classes