ENS5330 - Water security and environmental pollution

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Overview

This unit will provide you with the knowledge and perspectives to manage groundwater and surface water resources for human consumption, recreation and ecological values. The unit will commence by covering the basics of the hydrological cycle and the factors controlling groundwater and surface water availability. Fundamentals of water quality and … For more content click the Read More button below. Finally the unit will cover the policy approaches used to manage water resources around the world including local and international examples of the development of water quality guidelines and frameworks. Current approaches used to balance the needs of ecological values and human water needs, will also be discussed with global and local examples.

Fundamentals of water quality and pollutants and their behaviour including, metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and algal blooms, pathogens and water treatment will also be addressed. Application of this knowledge will then be applied to case studies of contaminated systems, their assessment and remediation approaches.

Finally the unit will cover the policy approaches used to manage water resources around the world including local and international examples of the development of water quality guidelines and frameworks. Current approaches used to balance the needs of ecological values and human water needs, will also be discussed with global and local examples.

Offerings

S2-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

Rules

Enrolment Rule

PREREQUISITE: : This is a specialist core unit for the Environmental Security specialisation. Non-cognate students in this specialisation must complete preparatory studies (Part B) or ENS5010 prior to undertaking this specialist unit. If you are undertaking this unit as an elective within other specialisations you must consult with the unit coordinator about assumed foundational knowledge and preparatory material.

Students enrolled in S6004 Master of Food Science and Agribusiness will require manual enrolment.

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Professor Ian Cartwright

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Ian Cartwright

Learning outcomes

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

Articulate the key aspects of the hydrological cycle that control surface and groundwater availability and evaluate approaches used to quantify and predict this.

Describe and understand the key physical, chemical and biological threats to water quality, including the key classes and behaviour of pollutants such as metals, organic contaminants, nutrients and acidity.

Understand, apply and design water quality guidelines to protect different water uses and purposes.

Design management strategies to maintain, improve and remediate water availability and quality in surface groundwater and marine systems.

Effectively communicate the key issues associated with water quantity and quality to the public and policy makers.

Teaching approach

Online learning

Enquiry-based learning

Case-based teaching

Active learning

Assessment

1 - Online quizzes and in-class assessments

2 - Assignment 1: Water allocation

3 - Assignment 2: Water quality assessment

4 - Assignment 3: Wastewater treatment

5 - Assignment 4: Contaminants

6 - Posters

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

Availability in areas of study

Environmental security