ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: RSSS20347o15Semester: 2015/2016 winter
Name: Remediation of soils polluted with heavy metals
Major: Environmental Protection
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 2
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: Prof. Anna Karczewska
Language of instruction: Polish / English
Learning outcomes: Knowledge: Students possess theoretical and practical knowledge on heavy metals biogeochemistry, environmental migration, effects on living organisms, as well as assessment of environmental risk in the systems polluted with heavy metals. They know legal regulation concerning remediation requirements and risk assessment. They also know the technical and biological methods of remediation as well as the conditions that decide on their applicability. Skills: Students are able to assess the state of soil pollution with heavy metals and to predict the fate of metals in the environment, in relation to present conditions. They are able to choose the most appropriate methods for remediation of metal-polluted lands, and to design the remediation measures according to the strategy of metals immobilization or soil decontamination. They assess potential effects of phytoremediation measures, and take decisions on the choice of plant species most suitable for phytostabilization or phytoextraction,
Competences: Personal and social competences: Students are aware of the hazards that may result from contamination of the environment with heavy metals. They can indicate the methods that may be applied to minimize environmental risk and the threats to human health. They are able to provide reliable, professional and interesting information concerning environmental pollution with heavy metals from a variety of sources, including the literature.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Environmental chemistry, soil science, fundamentals of land reclamation
Course content: Course contents: Basic knowledge on biogeochemistry of heavy metals in the environment, including crucial factors that govern the fate of metals in the soils and their effects on biota. Occurrence of heavy-metals polluted soils. Assessment of the risk caused by soil pollution with heavy metals. The need of soil remediation. Remediation strategies. The factors that decide on the choice of immobilization strategy. The methods of metals immobilization. Decontamination of metal-polluted soils. Phytoremediation. Examples of the remediation process applied in selected cases and the assessment of remediation effects.
Recommended literature: Recommended literature (in English, including Internet sources): 1). Adriano D. 1986: Trace elements in the terrestrial environment. Springer. 2) Kabata-Pendias A. 2010: Trace Elements in Soils and Plants, 4th ed., CRC 3) Alloway B.J. 1995: Heavy metals in soils. Springer 4) Bradl H. (ed.) 2005: Heavy Metals in the Environment: Origin, Interaction and Remediation, Volume 6. Academic Press.
Assessment methods: Assessment methods: Exam. Obligatory passing practical, written final test.
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