Land3001 Contaminant Management in Soils

Course profile – LAND 3001

 

Course code                     LAND 3001	Course name Management of                        Contaminated Soils
Faculty or school            Land and Food Sciences
Units                               2	Committed student hours/week (or contact hours and locations) 3 lectures and   1 three hour prac
Year of offering              3rd/4th	Semester(s) offered                     2
Teaching and learning modes  (e.g. internal / external / flexible) Internal
Course coordinator (name)              Assoc Prof Bing So                                                             School of Land and Food Sciences
Other contributors (if relevant)      Assoc Prof Neal Menzies                                                             Dr Peter Dart                                                             School of Land and Food Sciences

 

Brief description

 This course is an elective subject for B Env Sc and B Ag Sc (Soil and Plant Sc) and will cover the application of soil science in the context of the management and rehabilitation of contaminated soils. The focus will be on the movement of solutes and contaminants in soils, solid/solution phase partitioning of solutes, contaminants mobility in soils and the remediation of contaminated soils. It will introduce students to modelling of water and solute movement.

 The course will challenge the students to develop their library search skills, their critical faculties and ability to think laterally. The course expects an input of approximately 12 hours/week (3 lectures + 3hour practical) from the students and for part of this the student will be expected to use the library resources effectively. They will be set on the correct path through a set of lectures that provides the basic fundamental knowledge required. Then they will be expected to write a report/assignment on a specific topic and extend that basic knowledge to an applied setting as if they are to solve a problem. The lecturer will then arrange a discussion session to consolidate the findings from the class.

 The subject will be approached at two levels:

(1) each section starts with a set of lectures to introduce students to the basics of that section: i.e. a) water and solute movement in soils, b) chemistry of solutes in soils and the phase partitioning and c) biotechnology and the remediation of contaminated soils

(2) lectures are followed by an assignment where the student is expected to use the literature to pursue the subject further and express their views, opinions and critique on the subject. It is important that assignments are submitted on time as the lecturer will then follow up with a one to two hour discussion of the subject to consolidate what the student has achieved with the literature study.

 

Objectives 
 

1. Understand and appreciate the complexity of the physical and chemical interaction between soil and contaminants
2. Understand how biotechnology can be employed usefully in the remediation of contaminated soils.
    

Graduate attributes
 

Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives	Teaching and Learning Styles	Assessment Activities	Graduate Attributes Developed
Understanding of basic principles of coupled water and solute movement	·         Lectures ·         Assignment with library search of literature	·         Assessment of assignment	·         Independence, creative  and critical thinking ·         Lateral thinking ·         Library skills
Understanding of chemical interactions of soil and contaminants	·         Lectures ·         Assignment with library search of literature	·         Assessment of assignment	·         Independence, creative  and critical thinking ·         Lateral thinking ·         Library skills
Understanding of the principles and use of biotechnology to the remediation of soil contamination	·         Lectures ·         Assignment with library search of literature	·         Assessment of assignment	·         Independence, creative  and critical thinking ·         Lateral thinking ·         Library skills
Summary:			·         Skills in the diagnosis and solving soil contamination problems

 

 

Assumed background
 

1. Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. 
2. Knowledge of the basic concepts of soil science. 
3. Computer literacy

 

 

Introduction to staff 

Assoc Prof Bing So is a Reader in Soil Physics and Soil Management in the School of Land and Food Sciences. He has extensive teaching and research experience is aspects of soil physics, in particular the coupled movement of water and solutes in soils.

Contact: Room 248 Hartley Teakle Bldg, phone (07) 3365-2888,

email h.so@uq.edu.au

 

Assoc Prof Neal Menzies is a Reader in Soil Chemistry and Fertility in the School of Land and Food Sciences with extensive experience in the chemistry of solute adsorption and desorption.

Contact: Room 226 Hartley Teakle Bldg, (07) 3365-2059,

email n.menzies@uq.edu.au

 

Dr Peter Dart is a principal Research Fellow in Soil Microbiology in the School of Land and Food Sciences. He has extensive experience in the areas of soil Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Contact: Room 314 Hartley Teakle Bldg, (07) 3365-2867,

Email: p.dart@uq.edu.au

 

Required texts/resources 

Not applicable

 

Recommended texts/resources  

Water and solute movement in soils.

1.      Selim, HM and Amacher, MC (1997). Reactivity and transport of heavy metals in soils. (section on transport(p 120) and application (p127)).

2.      Jury, WA and Roth, K (1990) Transfer functions and solute movement through soils: Theory and application.

3.      Nelson, DW; Elrick, DE and Tanji, KK (1993). Chemical mobility and reactivity in soil systems. SSSA Special publication No 11

4.      Russo, D and Dagan, G (1993) Water flow and solute transport in soils. Developments and applications. Advanced series in Agriculture Sciences.

5.      Land and water resources research and development corporation (1999) Contamination of Australian Groundwaters Systems with Nitrate. Occasional paper no 03/99

6.      Letey, J and Farmwer, WJ (1974) Movement of pesticides in soils. In Guenzi et al (Eds) Pesticides in Soil and water. SSSA, Madison, Wisc.

7.      Books on pollution and contamination in section TD 878, Biol Sci Library.

 

Solution phase partitioning

 

Bioremediation of Contaminated Soils

 

Course home page/WebCT site 

The WebCT page for this course is the main communication channel between Teaching staff and students besides lectures and practical sessions. All lectures, assignment topics and announcements will be made through the WebCT and all assignments are to be submitted through the WebCT.

 

Student support 

Important information on examinations and support services can be found on the web at http://www.uq.edu.au/nravs/  and the Student Support Services site at http://www.sss.uq.edu.au/

 Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services.

 

How to study this course 

Lectures provides the basic fundamental knowledge required to further develop knowledge and skills in the important aspects of management of contaminated soils. These lectures should point the students in the correct direction for studying the subject. Students are expected to develop skills in searching for the required literature and develop their personal knowledge in this area.

 

Study chart

Lectures: Tuesday 8.00 – 11.00 am

Practicals: Wednesday 8.00 – 11.00 am 

LAND 3001	Management of contaminated soils	S2  2003
Week No.	Activity	Assessment
1 28 July	L: Introduction to course: (Assoc Prof Bing So)        Subject overview. What are solutes and contaminants, types and sources (a philosophical question).  Solute mobility / bioavailability   Legislation.  Risk assessment / diet scenarios approach (Cd). P: No prac
2 4 August	Contaminant Movement in soils (Assoc Prof Bing So) L: The water balance as a basis for dealing with non-point source pollution and solute movement in the landscape. P: PC Lab: Modelling water movement in soils
3 11 August	L: Coupled water and solute movement in soils.- principles. Transport equations for solutes (piston flow, hydrodynamic dispersion ….) P: PC Lab: Modelling water and solute flow in soils.
4 18 August	L: Effect of Preferential or bypass flow on solute transport. Movement of solutes in overland flow Modelling of water and solute transport: indifferent conservative elements vs solid/solution phase partitioning P: No Prac
5 25 August	Assignment 1(include prac report) due Friday 29 August 2003: Application of coupled water and solute movement principles [eg. land disposal systems (water quality issues – salinity / SAR, nutrients, pathogens),  Nitrate contamination from agricultural land]	Assignment & report: 40 %
6 1 Sept	L: Discussion re assignment 1 (A/Prof Bing So)
7 8 Sept	Chemical partitioning (Assoc Prof N Menzies) L: Solid / solution phase partitioning of inorganic contaminants.  Review of solubility, exchange, and adsorption concepts.  Effects of organic complexation P: PC Lab: Modelling chemical partitioning
8 15 Sept	L:  Solid solution phase partitioning of organic contaminants.  Types of organic contaminants and their behaviour.  Octanol / water partitioning. Modelling of contaminant behaviour -  Introduction to PHREEQC. P: PC Lab: Modelling PHREEQC
9 22 Sept	Assignment 2 (include prac report) due Friday 26 Sept 2003 Solid/solution phase partitioning and bioavailability of trace elements. (Describe the reactions controlling the partitioning of zinc, copper and arsenic between the solid and solution phase in a soil system. Your discussion should consider how these reactions affect both the mobility and bioavailability of these elements )	Assignment and report 40 %
29 Sept	Mid-semester break
10 6 October	L: Discussion on assignment 2 (A/Prof Neal Menzies)
11 13 October	Remediation of Contaminated Soils (Dr P Dart) L: Overview of treatment strategies (and engineering solutions).  P: No prac
12 20 October	L:  Phytoremediation – potential and limitations.     Bioremediation  - organisms / strategies / case studies P: No Prac
13 27 October	Assignment 3 due 7 Nov 2003: Bioremediation of contaminated soils. (Discuss opportunities for the remediation of sites contaminated with inorganic (esp zinc, copper and arsenic), and organic (esp hydrocarbon compounds) contaminants. Include in your consideration how the site can be managed in order to facilitate the remediation process) P: No prac	Assignment 20 %
14 3 November	Revision Period
15/16 10-21 November	Examination Period

 

Assessment details
 

Summary 

Item no.	Weighting	Details	Due date
Assignment/prac reports	100  %

 2 x Combined Assignment and Practical reports and 1 assignment makes up the total assessment for this course.

The combined assignment/prac reports are worth 40 % each (2 x 40% = 80%) of the final mark and the assignment only is worth 20 % of the final mark.  Attendance at practicals is compulsory and exemption are given only on medical grounds (medical certificate required). 

A variation in assessment is possible for students with a disability (see HUPP 3.30.3 Special Arrangements for Examinations for Students with a Disability). 

Other requirements 

Students must attend and complete the practical components for this course before they are eligible for a passing grade. Exemption will be granted only on medical grounds (medical certificate required) and not on clashes with other courses. 

Outcomes of assessment 

The assessment are intended to prepare the students meet the objectives of this course 

Availability of feedback 

A/Prof Bing So, A/Prof Neal Menzies and Dr Peter Dart maintains an open door policy. They are available for student contact through e-mail and WebCT any time, through telephone or in their offices when on site.  In some cases ad-hoc meeting are possible, but students are encouraged to give reasonable notice if they wish to meet with the course lecturers. 

Assessment guidelines
 

Presentation of assignments

 

For written work (assignments and reports), assessment will be based on:

Marks	Component
10%	Introduction (provides a preamble of the topic)
45%	Body (main part dealing with the topic:  includes citations if relevant,  assessment and evaluation of information,  analyses and synthesises information, evaluates other’s opinions and suggests alternative views)
20%	Conclusion (states main findings, provides own opinion, or suggests solution to problems)
5%	Evidence of scientific writing (structure and approach)
5%	Evidence of clarity and logic of thought
5%	Definitions of terms used
5%	Effective use of figures, tables and/or appendices if appropriate
5%	Citation of references (if relevant), Correct length, Correct spelling, grammar and legibility
100%

 

Plagiarism 

Refer to the Library website http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/plagiarism.html  or to any other relevant School publication

See HUPP 3.40.12 Plagiarism, see URL: http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=40&s3=12 

The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism:

"Plagiarism is the action or practice of taking and using as one’s own the thoughts or writings of another, without acknowledgment. The following practices constitute acts of plagiarism and are a major infringement of the University’s academic values:

• Where paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence are copied directly, and are not enclosed in quotation marks and appropriately footnoted;
• Where direct quotations are not used, but are paraphrased or summarised, and the source of the material is not acknowledged either by footnoting or other simple reference within the text of the paper; and
• Where an idea which appears elsewhere in printed, electronic or audio-visual material is used or developed without reference being made to the author or the source of that material."

 

Assignment 1
 

Due date                    29 August 2003

Weighting                  40 % of final mark

Word length               2000-2500 words

Topic                          Application of coupled water and solute movement principles [eg. land disposal systems (water quality issues – salinity / SAR, nutrients, pathogens),  Nitrate contamination from agricultural land ]
 

Assessment criteria 

·               This assignment should be integrated with  results from the practicals in week 2 and 3

  

Assignment 2
 

Due date                    26 September 2003

Weighting                  40 % of final mark

Word length               2000-2500 words

Topic                          Solid/solution phase partitioning and bioavailability of trace elements. (Describe the reactions controlling the partitioning of zinc, copper and arsenic between the solid and solution phase in a soil system. Your discussion should consider how these reactions affect both the mobility and bioavailability of these elements ) 

Assessment criteria 

·               This assignment should be integrated with practicals/modelling in week 7 and 8 .

 

Assignment 3
 

Due date                    7 November 2003

Weighting                  20 % of final mark

Word length               1500-2000 words

Topic                           Bioremediation of contaminated soils. (Discuss opportunities for the remediation of sites contaminated with inorganic (esp zinc, copper and arsenic), and organic (esp hydrocarbon compounds) contaminants. Include in your consideration how the site can be managed in order to facilitate the remediation process) 

Exam 

No examination.