Rhedir gan School of Natural Sciences

10.000 Credyd neu 5.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 1

Trefnydd: Dr Graham Bird

This module focuses primarily upon inorganic geochemistry (notably trace metals) within the secondary environment. The module is concerned with understanding the natural and anthropogenic factors that influence the abundance of toxic and non-toxic elements within the environment. It considers how we can establish 'normal' elemental abundance and how we can establish the presence of potentially toxic elements. The module looks at contamination issues within different environments (riverine & riparian, atmospheric, soils) and the implications for human health and environmental legislation and are considered along with approaches to environmental/geochemical monitoring and implications for environmental management and remediation.

1. Context and major concepts: key terminology, introduction to the primary environment and natural elemental abundance, importance of mineralization.
2. Introduction to the secondary environment. Geochemical behaviour in the secondary environment, cations and valency, processes of sorption, importance of pH and Eh.
3. Natural release of metals to the environment: processes of physical, biological and chemical weathering, volcanic activity, determining `background' metal concentrations.
4. Mapping of environmental geochemistry and the use of geochemical maps.
5. Human activities as sources of metals to the environment: mining, smelting, petrol combustion, waste incineration, use of sewage sludge.
6. Geochemistry and human health: toxicity and deficiency.
7. The importance of the fluvial environment in pollutant dispersal and storage.
8. Remediation techniques.

trothwy

Grade D- to D+ Adequate knowledge of the key concepts in inorganic geochemistry. Presentation of appropriate examples to illustrate geochemical processes. Structured, accurate and relevant description of the impacts of trace metal contamination on environmental and human health. Limited quantification, but with some errors and no critical evaluation.

C- i C+

Grade C- to C+ Adequate understanding and knowledge of the key concepts in inorganic geochemistry but with no or very limited evidence of reading and knowledge of recent developments in the subject. Multidisciplinary issues are not emphasised, with a limited and unbalanced description of natural and anthropogenically-influenced geochemical processes. Mostly accurate quantification but limited critical evaluation. Adequate standard of presentation.

da

Grade B- to B+ Clear understanding and thorough knowledge of the key concepts in inorganic geochemistry with evidence of reading and knowledge of recent developments in the subject. Multidisciplinary issues emphasised, and thoroughly described with a balanced review of natural and anthropogenically-influenced geochemical processes. Thorough quantification and critical evaluation of case studies. High standard of presentation.

ardderchog

Grade A- and above Clear understanding, wide and thorough knowledge of the key concepts in inorganic geochemistry. Evidence of substantial reading, and appreciation of recent and potential future research developments. Multidisciplinary issues emphasised, and thoroughly described with a balanced review of natural and anthropogenically-influenced geochemical processes. Detailed quantification and explanation of derivations. Critical evaluation with well reasoned opinion. Elegant and flowing presentation, with flair for subject.

1. Analyse geochemical data using appropriate statistical techniques and draw appropriate conclusions.

2. Demonstrate an accurate understanding of elemental behaviour in the secondary environment.

3. Evaluate and exemplify the role of human activity and natural processes in releasing elements into the environment.

4. Assess the role of geochemistry in human health.

Math	Enw	Disgrifiad	Pwysau
GWAITH CWRS	Consultancy-style report		60.00
ARHOLIAD	Exam		40.00

		Oriau
Workshop	1 x 1 hour drop-in session	1
Private study	Private and guided self-study including completing assessment and revision.	70
Lecture	10*2 hour lectures	20
Fieldwork	1 x 4 and 1 x 5 hour field visits	9

• Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
• Rhifedd - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio rhifau ar lefelau priodol o gywirdeb
• Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
• Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
• Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
• Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
• Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
• Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
• Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.

• Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
• Awareness of the concepts of spatial and temporal scale in understanding processes and relationships.
• Appreciation of the reciprocal nature of human-environmental relationships.
• Apply appropriate techniques for presenting spatial and/or temporal trends in data.
• Preparation of effective maps, diagrams and visualizations.

Goblygiadau o ran adnoddau ar gyfer myfyrwyr

Students will require standard fieldwork clothing.

Rhestrau Darllen Bangor (Talis)

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/dxx-3001.html

Gorfodol mewn cyrsiau:

• F900: BSC Environmental Science year 3 (BSC/ES)
• 8U71: BSc Environmental Science (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/ESIE)
• F850: Master of Environmental Science year 3 (M/ENVSCI)

Opsiynol mewn cyrsiau:

• F841: BSC Coastal Geography year 3 (BSC/COASTG)
• F890: Coastal Water Resources year 3 (BSC/CWR)
• F803: BSc Geography with Environmental Forestry year 3 (BSC/GEF)
• F804: BSc Geography with Environmental Forestry year 4 (BSC/GEF4)
• F800: BSC Geography year 3 (BSC/GEOG)
• F802: BSc Geography (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/GEOGIE)
• F842: BSc Marine Geography year 3 (BSC/MARG)
• F710: BSC Marine Environmental Studies year 3 (BSC/MES)
• F713: BSc Marine Environmental Stud with International Experience year 4 (BSC/MESIE)
• F840: BSc Physical Geography and Oceanography year 3 (BSC/PGO)
• F801: MGeog Geography year 3 (MGEOG/G)
• F805: MGeog Geography with International Experience year 4 (MGEOG/GIE)