On satisfactory completion of CHEM 41440, students will be able to:
1) Quantify the components of soil pollution. This will include considering gross amounts of pollutant and the influences of movement underground, dilution/concentration, and speciation to determine how much pollutant will exist in any one form and location.
2) Describe and quantify the impact of changing pH and oxidation potential in determining the speciation of any inorganic contaminant.
3) Describe the decomposition of organic matter (including the formation of fulvic and humic acids) and the impacts these materials have on the speciation of inorganic materials.
4) Describe the influences of microorganisms on the chemistry of soil pollutants.
5) Describe the influences on different mineral species on the speciation of soil contaminants.
6) Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of studying these chemical reactions in a ambient air laboratory environment.
7) Discuss ways to remediate soil to eliminate particular contaminant species and the practicality of each option.

1) Typical soil pollutants found in Ireland and globally: focusing on specific case studies.
2) Calculation of concentration of various chemical species based on dilution factors, movement underground, chemical reactions and equilibria.
3) Reduction potentials and pH as they pertain to soil environments. How do these factors related to speciation of soil contaminants as a function of depth.
4) The cycling of soil contaminants in three dimensions.
5) Role of ground water movement on soil contaminant locations and speciation.
6) Laboratory methods used to research soil pollution chemistry.
7) Options in remediation of soil contamination with an examination of the cost and practicality of each.
8) Typical mineral types found in soil and the chemistry of these minerals with soil contaminants.
9) Brief examination on biological influences on soil chemistry with focus on microorganisms.
10) Examination of the decomposition of organic matter (primarily plant matter) and how this process is couples with inorganic speciation in soil.

Not applicable to this module.

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

Oral presentations would be evaluated using a standard rubric and feedback provided from the instructor. Feedback from written presentations would be provided while class is in session. Peer review feedback would be immediate.