ENS5330 · Water security and environmental pollution

Overview

This unit will provide you with the knowledge and perspectives to manage groundwater and surface water resources for human consumption, recreation and ecological values. The unit will commence by covering the basics of the hydrological cycle and the factors controlling groundwater and surface water availability. Fundamentals of water quality and pollutants and their behaviour including, metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and algal blooms, pathogens and water treatment will also be addressed. Application of this knowledge will then be applied to case studies of contaminated systems, their assessment and remediation approaches. Finally the unit will cover the policy approaches used to manage water resources around the world including local and international examples of the development of water quality guidelines and frameworks. Current approaches used to balance the needs of ecological values and human water needs, will also be discussed with global and local examples.

Areas of study: Environmental security

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Articulate the key aspects of the hydrological cycle that control surface and groundwater availability and evaluate approaches used to quantify and predict this.
2. Describe and understand the key physical, chemical and biological threats to water quality, including the key classes and behaviour of pollutants such as metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and acidity.
3. Understand, apply and design water quality guidelines to protect different water uses and purposes.
4. Design management strategies to maintain, improve and remediate water availability and quality in surface groundwater and marine systems.
5. Effectively communicate the key issues associated with water quantity and quality to the public and policy makers.

Workload

Total 144 hours over 12 weeks, which includes: • Four hours of in-class workshops per week; • A 1-day field trip and • Additional self-directed learning activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.