units

ESC3190

Faculty of Science

18 September 2017 22 December 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Science
Organisational UnitSchool of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
OfferedClayton First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Sasha Wilson

Synopsis

Advanced concepts of groundwater flow. Sustainable use of groundwater and mineral resources. Chemistry of groundwater and water rock interaction. Groundwater-surface water interactions. Weathering processes in relation to nutrient and contaminant cycling. CO2 sequestration. Mine site processes.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Understand the hydrologic cycle, in particular groundwater;

  1. Understand the physical controls on groundwater flow and the impacts that pumping, artificial recharge and land use changes have on natural flow systems;

  1. Understand the origins of solutes in groundwater and water-rock interaction, groundwater-surface water interaction, processes of weathering of natural and anthropogenically impacted sites;

  1. Understand how weathering processes affect natural and anthropogenic element cycles. Applications include CO2 sequestration, monitoring air pollution and mineral-microbe interactions;

  1. Understand the environmental impacts of mineral wastes and learn strategies for managing and remediating contamination.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%
Laboratory work/assignments/field excursions: 40%

Students must pass the theory examination to achieve an overall pass grade. Students who do not pass the theory examination will receive a mark of 45%, unless their aggregate mark is lower in which case that mark will be recorded.

Workload requirements

Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical per week, and one 1 or 2-day field excursion

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Sasha Wilson

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geosciences

Prerequisites

ESC 2111 and ESC2122