Overview

The biogeochemical cycling of elemental nutrients controls earth's climate, the health of ecosystems and the sustainability of human societies. This unit explores how environmental cycling of the elements (1) shapes the nature of earth's surface (2) sustains our living planet and (3) may be managed to solve environmental and industrial … For more content click the Read More button below.

Offerings

S1-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Dr Andrew Frierdich

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Andrew Frierdich

Notes

A 1 day field trip during the semester on a Saturday or Sunday is a work requirement of this unit.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1.

Explain the processes that underpin earth's major nutrient (ie. C, N, P and S) cycles.

2.

Comprehend the importance of metal cycling in the earth system.

3.

Describe the roles of microorganisms and minerals in environmental cycles.

4.

Develop an understanding of how anthropogenic influence on environment cycles can either cause pollution or be used to remediate it.

5.

Use geochemical tracer methods to identify sources and sinks for elements in natural and contaminated systems.

6.

Analyse and interpret geochemical datasets from natural and contaminated environments.

Assessment summary

Online workshops: 45%
Quizzes: 4%
Discussion forum participation: 6%
Presentation: 10%
Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes): 35%

Workload requirements

Workload