Students
ENVS705 – Air and Water Quality
2019 – S2 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Vladimir Strezov
12WW 5.10
Lecturer
Scott Wilson
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
ENVS805 Air and Water Quality
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on the chemical and physical aspects of air and water pollution. The aims of the unit are to show how a number of major chemical pollutants are released into the environment, how they react, move and impact the environment and human health. The presentation is set in a context of the science and management of air and water quality. The unit includes treatment of problems in air pollution, global atmospheric change, water pollution and the water resources of Australia.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldtrip journal | 20% | No | Week 6 |
| Water quality analysis report | 30% | No | Week 8 |
| Air quality exercise | 20% | No | Week 12 |
| Impact Assessment | 30% | No | Week 13 |
Fieldtrip journal
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task will consist of a fieldtrip journal to summarise the problems encountered and solutions applied for the sites visited during the Week 4 fieldtrip. This assessment should be written in 1000 words, excluding title page, any tables, figures and references used.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Water quality analysis report
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
The assignment will consist of analysis of water quality from the Week 7 fieldtrip and Week 8 laboratory analysis. The assignment should be prepared as a short consulting report to present the state of water and sediment quality for the site visited during the fieldtrip. The assignment is limited to 1,500 words excluding title page, abstract, tables, figures and references.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Air quality exercise
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
A take home exercise will be distributed in Week 10, due for submission in Week 12. The exercise will comprise of several questions concerning environmental modelling, pollutant distribution, interpretation of the data and short essay answers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
Impact Assessment
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Students will be grouped to work on a project for impact assessment of industrial activities on air and water quality using the impact assessment modelling tools learnt during Week 11. The students will be grouped in Week 8 and will be assigned group topics. The assignment will consist of 3,000 word group report, which will be marked 20 out of 30 and a one page of individual contribution submitted by each group member, which will be used to assess individual participation in the group project and contribute to 10 out of 30 for the mark. The 3,000 word assignment should be prepared in an original research paper format, as outlined in Week 11.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Delivery and Resources
There is no set text for this unit. The following lists some useful references.
A. Specialist texts
Bunce N 1994 Environmental Chemistry Wuerz, Winnipeg.
Harrison RM 1999 Understanding our Environment: An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Pollution (3rd ed.) Royal Society of Chemistry, London.
Manahan SE 1999 Environmental Chemistry (7th ed.), Lewis, Chelsea.
O'Neill P Environmental Chemistry.
Stoker HS & Seager SL Environmental Chemistry: Air and Water Pollution, (2nd ed).
vanLoon GW and Duffy SJ 2000 Environmental Chemistry - a global perspective.
B. Reports
Goedkoop, M. et al. ReCiPe A life cycle impact assessment method which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level, 2009
State of the Environment Reports 1996, 2001, 2006 & 2011 published by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities are key resources which summarise many of the important issues which will be treated in this course, and also contains a comprehensive bibliography in many of the areas. Web site http://soe.environment.nsw.gov.au/
Simpson, S.L. et al. Handbook for Sediment Quality Assessment, CSIRO, Lucas Heights, Australia, 2005.
C. Books
Boyd CE, 2000 Water Quality: An Introduction, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Connell DW 1993 Water Pollution: Causes and Effects in Australia and New Zealand 3rd ed. Uni Qld Press, Brisbane.
Laws E.A 1993 Aquatic Pollution: An Introductory Text 2nd edition John Wiley.
Pigram J. J 1986 Issues in the Management of Australia's Water Resources Longman, Melbourne.
Stensel D, Tchobanoglous G & Burton FL 2002 Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf & Eddy McGraw Hill, New York.
Williams W.D. (ed.) An Ecological Basis for Water Resource Management. American Public Health Association 1995 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (19 ed.) APHA, AWWA, WPCF, Washington.
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters ANZECC, Canberra. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council 2000.
Seinfeld, J.H. 2006. Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry of Air Pollution, Wiley.
Jacobson, M.Z. 2002. Atmospheric pollution: history, science, and regulation, Cambridge University Press, New York.
Unit Schedule
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Date |
Subject |
Lecturer |
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1 August |
Introduction to unit Air and water quality research trends |
V. Strezov |
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8 August |
Urban water quality |
S. Wilson |
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15 August |
Stormwater, sewage and water quality cycle |
S. Wilson |
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22 August (9am - 4pm) |
Fieldtrip 1 - Drinking water quality and urban water quality |
V. Strezov |
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27 August |
Water quality monitoring and assessment |
V. Strezov |
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5 September (9am - 4pm) |
Fieldtrip 2 - Water quality sampling and measurements |
V. Strezov |
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12 September |
Water and sediment quality laboratory analysis |
V. Strezov |
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MID SEMESTER BREAK |
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3 October |
Combustion and air toxics |
V. Strezov |
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10 October |
Particles, photochemical smog and acid deposition |
V. Strezov |
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17 October |
Air pollution meteorology and dispersion |
V. Strezov |
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24 October |
Impact assessment of industrial activities on air and water quality |
V. Strezov |
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31 October |
Groupwork project |
V. Strezov |
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7 November |
Groupwork project |
V. Strezov |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
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Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
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Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
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Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Assessment tasks
- Water quality analysis report
- Impact Assessment
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
Assessment tasks
- Fieldtrip journal
- Water quality analysis report
- Air quality exercise
- Impact Assessment
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the language and fundamental principles of air and water quality science.
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
Assessment tasks
- Fieldtrip journal
- Water quality analysis report
- Air quality exercise
- Impact Assessment
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Interpret raw data in environmentally significant terms.
- Appreciate the uncertainty of the air and water quality data and specialist outputs such as air and water quality models.
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Locate sources of air and water quality information.
Assessment tasks
- Water quality analysis report
- Impact Assessment
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Define the content and scope of air and water quality problems.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Assessment tasks
- Fieldtrip journal
- Water quality analysis report
- Air quality exercise
- Impact Assessment
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Define air and water quality management problems in scientific terms.
- Write clear and cogent reports, assessing air and water quality matters for management and public audiences.
Assessment tasks
- Fieldtrip journal
- Water quality analysis report
- Impact Assessment