Contaminated Soils (4 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course student:
- knows the concepts related to contaminated soils
- knows main soil pollutants
- knows the processes of soil contamination
- knows remediation and management technologies of contaminated soils
- can monitor contaminated soil quality
- can plan and implement remediation projects for contaminated land areas
- get competence in taking environmental samples.

Content (course unit)

Soil contaminants, sampling, analysis and measurement methods, treatment and bioremediation methods, field visits and practical work.

Prerequisites (course unit)

This course is primarily aimed for the environmental engineering, Double Degree, and exchange students. Before taking this course you need to have all basic studies done, especially all chemistry, physics and mathematics courses. In addition, it is required that you have completed Soils Science and Engineering or equivalent course.

Double Degree and exchange students planning to take the course, has to have experience and training in working in laboratory and should have an introductory soil engineering and chemistry courses done before taking this course.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assessment of the course is based on weekly assignments (10 pcs, 60 %) and final report (40 %). In order to pass the course, all assignments have to be returned. There are deadlines for all assignments, if assignments are after the given deadlines, it will have an effect on the final grade.

Self-evaluation and group evaluation are mandatory parts of the course and shall be returned to teachers as instructed by the end of the course. In addition, all fieldwork exercises are a mandatory part of the course.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises, weakly assignments, group discussions, field work (sampling), field- and laboratory measurements, group exam.

Learning materials

Keijzer et al. 2006. In situ soil and groundwater remediation: theory and practice. Tauw, the Netherlands
Lecture materials and literature related to the subject.

Student workload

Contact lessons and laboratory exercises 50 hours
Self-study (reports, exercises, exam) 58 hours
Total 108 hours
Please note that the allocation for independent study is more than half of the time allocated to the course, so this requires significant self-study input.

Completion alternatives

If you have work experience from contaminated soils and groundwater, you have a possibility to negotiate for alternative ways to complete the course. Also, if you have taken a course with a similar kind of content, please contact the teachers.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Competences required have not been achieved in a sufficient level and/or indicators of the competences are missing: Participation on the course activities, assignments and reports are deficient, belated or missing. Achieved competence in design, study and report contaminated soil project have not been shown with sufficient input and knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena are not proven.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Achieved competence in design, study and report contaminated soil project is sufficient, but narrow. Knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena, like fate and transport of chemicals in soil, analysis methods, remediation methods are mainly adopted. Basic skills in soil sampling, site investigation, analysis and reporting and ability to do the analyses in practise when instructed and supervised. Basic theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering and soil pollution.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Achieved competence in design, study and report contaminated soil project is structured and applied. Fluent knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena, like fate and transport of chemicals in soil, analysis methods, remediation methods. Sufficient skills and ability in independent soil sampling, site investigation, analysis and reporting and ability to do the analyses in practise. Fluent theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering and soil pollution.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Achieved competence is wide, creative and developing. Fluent knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and phenomena like fate and transport of chemicals in soil, analysis methods, remediation methods. In addition, ability to apply the knowledge in new situations. Sufficient skills and understanding in independent soil sampling, site investigation, analysis and reporting and ability to make suggestions for developing and/or improving these methods. Fluent theoretical knowledge and understanding in geotechnical engineering and soil pollution and positive attitude to develop oneself in these fields.