EMP5029 - Soil and Land Monitoring: Pollution and Remediation

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 1

5 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Day

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 brief but informative introduction to soil and its processes;
The function and importance of soil in the environment;
Threats to soil, and soil degradation. The following soil threats will be discussed in detail:
1. Erosion;
2. Pollution;
3. Salinity and sodicity;
4. Loss of organic carbon;
5. Loss of biodiversity;
6. Compaction and sealing;
7. Nutrient loss;
8. Acidification;
9. Desertification.
Methods of monitoring soil threats. The following topics will be covered:

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

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

Method of Assessment

Assessment Component/s

Weighting

Presentation

20%

Practical

40%

Assignment

40%

Main Reading List

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.

Supplementary Reading List

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.

Need help?

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.

Information for International applicants

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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: Knowledge and Understanding

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

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

Learning Outcomes: Skills

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

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

Non EU Applicants:

EUR500

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