Unit name | Environmental Field Analysis |
---|---|
Unit code | EASCM0023 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Professor. Sherman |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of years 1, 2 and 3 of the Environmental Geoscience degree programme curriculum |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The aim of this field and laboratory unit is to gain practical experience in field sampling, chemical analysis and geochemical modelling. Field sampling will be undertaken during a one week field trip to the Rio Tinto watershed in Andalucia, Spain. This site offers one of the world's most extreme examples of acid mine drainage. Water and sediment sampling will be done together with in situ analyses in the field. Samples will be further analyses in the laboratory at Bristol.
From the analytical data obtained, bio - geochemical processes controlling the composition of the Rio Tinto as it evolves from the mine drainage to the Huelva estuary will be identifies. Thermodynamic and kinetic modelling will be used to identify equilibrium on water chemistry.
On successful completion of the class you will be able to:
Practical laboratory work including 2 lectures in the labs, fieldwork and 3 on-site lectures. Lab and on-site lectures will last approximately one hour.
The course will be assessed (100%) by a written report that describes the field problem, reviews the existing literature, outlines the methods used, presents the analytical data and provides an interpretation of the results. The report should be no more than 20 pages, excluding figures and tables. Part of the overall assessment (15%) will be based on the quality of both the written and graphical presentation.
Sanchez-Espana et al., (2005). Acid mine drainage in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Odiel river watershed, Huelva, Spain): Geochemistry, mineralogy and environmental implications. Applied Geochemistry, 20-7, 1232-1358