Module manager: Simon Poulton
Email: S.Poulton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
A Level Chemistry A-C Grade or SOEE1135 Foundation Chemistry
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores the complex nature of land and water contamination through a series of lectures covering a wide range of contaminated environment issues. Detail is provided on the methods used to monitor and assess levels of contamination, and the legal and institutional frameworks used to manage contamination are incorporated into the module. The technology and options for remediation are also covered. During the latter half of the module the experience of being a junior environmental consultant required to investigate a site identified by a client as potentially suitable for residential development is reproduced. Students are shown where there are useful sources of information, and how to use them.
The main aim of this module is to give students an understanding of key contaminants in the environment, their behaviour and remediation, and the legal framework that underpins this. Students will have a thorough understanding of the complex interactions involved in the contamination of land, groundwater and surface water systems through a series of lectures.
The inter-disciplinary nature of issues on contaminated environments will be examined through the relationships between the lithosphere, atmosphere, human activity and the hydrosphere at local and regional scales.
The human response to these issues will be examined with reference to legal and managerial frameworks of land, groundwater and surface water quality control within the UK and European contexts. This will be delivered by lectures, with ethical considerations also included via a workshop.
The module explores the Source-Pathway-Receptor approach as used by governments and regulatory agencies to identify the hazards arising from contaminated land and pollutant migration. This is delivered via lectures and forms an integral part of the environmental contamination report
The module lectures provide emphasis on the impact of water and land pollution on ecosystems and consequences to public health.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSLO1. Critically evaluate the causes, consequences and options for managerial remediation of a broad range of contemporary and relevant issues in land contamination.
SSLO2. Critically evaluate the causes, consequences and options for managerial remediation of a broad range of contemporary and relevant issues in water quality.
SSLO3. Develop the analytical skills required to interrogate information relating to a real and complex case study. The case study will be approached from a broad range of contexts, and the student will be expected to evaluate the interdisciplinary nature of the case study.
SSLO4. Apply knowledge of water contamination to deal with a contaminated environment incident response scenario, in a setting with several possible causes of contamination. This will give experience of producing an environmental response action plan.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1. Academic – Critical thinking. The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
SKLO2. Work Ready – Problem solving and analytical skills. The ability to take an effective approach to solving problems.
SKLO3. Enterprise – Managing uncertainty, ambiguity and risk. Developing effectiveness in achieving goals when faced by uncertain, ambiguous and risky situations.
SKLO4. Digital – Information, data and media literacies. The ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats and media, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources that you use and of the ideas that they help you to generate.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | 1 | 36 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 159 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 41 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback is given after the group presentations in week 7. Short quizzes are used in lectures.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Coursework | Online Time-Limited Assessment | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team