ESC2042

Environmental geoscience I

(SCI)

Dr Ian Cartwright and Dr D C "Bear" McPhail

6 points + Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical per week + One or two 1-day field excursions + Second semester + Clayton

Synopsis: Introduction to the theory of groundwater flow in porous media. Chemistry of groundwater. Stable isotopes as tracers of groundwater. Radiogenic isotopes and dating groundwater. Introduction to of aqueous geochemistry relevant to the geochemistry of waters related to environmental problems, eg acid-base and redox reactions, mineral and gas solubilities in waters and speciation of elements in waters. Present-day environmental problems, eg acid-mine drainage, contamination from land fill/waste sites, and algal blooms in surface waters.

Assessment: Examinations (3 hours): 50% + Laboratory work/assignments/field excursions: 50%