Course Title: Bio-Remediation
Course Level: Under-graduates
Bio-remediation Overview:
Why relevant today?
This course is intended to expand your knowledge of alternative methods of soil and groundwater treatment that can sustainably remediate this issue.
- Bio-remediation is a field of engineering which combines elements of biology, chemistry, geology, and public health.
- The word bio-remediation comes from bio (meaning living), and remediation (meaning to improve the condition of something).
- In practice, it is simply a sustainable method for cleaning up contaminated soil or water by enhancing natural biological processes to occur. Microorganisms/plants are able to break-down many types of contamination (e.g. fuels, oil, explosives, pesticides...) by a clean, efficient & relatively inexpensive biological process.
Why relevant today?
- During 2010, The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed almost 3,000 new cases of contamination from underground storage tanks. This brings the cumulative total to 491,572 releases since just 1984. Over 96,000 of these sites still require remedial action. (Source: Semi-annual Report of UST Performance Measures, Mid Fiscal Year 2010, 3/31/2010.).
- These leaks pose a worrying threat to our health and environment by contaminating groundwater and soil...not to mention the devastating oil spills that often occur.
This course is intended to expand your knowledge of alternative methods of soil and groundwater treatment that can sustainably remediate this issue.
Course Description:
This course serves as an introduction to bioremediation in the environment, with emphasis given to the treatment of soil, waste-water and sludge. It is divided into three main parts:
Note:
The course is intended to be self-contained so although some slides may seem rather full, no text is required for the course. I would refer you to: Bioremediation Principles. Eweis, Ergas, Chang, and Schroeder. WCB McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-057732-3 if you feel supportive literature would be an advantageous supplement to the content provided. Chapters 1-10 contain information regarding each aspect covered.
Learning Objectives:
Upon Completing this course, you should be able to:
Student Responsibilities/Expectations:
Your Opinion Matters!
Throughout the course, your thoughts on the structure, content and quality are crucial to the success of this study.
If you would prefer to make suggestions/give feedback via email, I will aim to respond within 24hours. I have also posted 3 forums regarding different aspects of the website structure/course content and any feedback or thoughts posted are extremely beneficial.
I am looking to see whether the learning style and learning elements provided have enhanced your outcome, as well as improvements that each student feels would enhance their development and satisfaction.
Course Evaluation Survey
As part of this evaluation, I will be undertaking an online survey to evaluate the eLearning programme.
Your participation in the survey is essential for the success of the evaluation.
The survey will be accessible to those who agree to participate from 10/03/12 and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
Please complete the evaluation survey by : 25/03/12.
Your contact details will not be shared and all replies to the survey will remain confidential.
I will be very grateful to those who take part.
Software:
Windows operating system, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Reader.
Student Disabilities Services:
Any student who needs special accommodations to participate in the class should contact me, as well as the Student Disabilities Services Office, as early in the semester as possible so the appropriate accommodations can be arranged.
This course serves as an introduction to bioremediation in the environment, with emphasis given to the treatment of soil, waste-water and sludge. It is divided into three main parts:
- The first section covers bioremediation today; an overview of the bioremediation process, key terms and definitions, the chemical transformations, microbial ecology, metabolism and the required conditions for optimum bioremediation rates.
- The second section covers the bioremediation strategies (in situ and ex situ) for contaminated wastewater, sludge, vapours and soils, with emphasis also placed on natural attenuation and phyto-remediation.
- The third section concludes applications of bioremediation (for fuels, explosives and oil pollutants) and is rounded off with a the Exxon Valdez case study - a devastating oil leak cleaned up using bioremediation.
Note:
- For those who begin with no previous knowledge in the area, foundational information is provided regarding the subsurface environment and the transport of contaminants through different medium.
- In addition, further learning content has been prepared for your interest. This includes relevant case studies, practical applications, short videos and external links for the bioremediation strategies. It is with hope these enhance your learning outcome by applying the material to a real world context. Content has also been prepared on conventional non-biological remediation techniques and land-filling waste.
- Some problem sheets have been provided to work through if you are interested. Solutions can be given and you are more than welcome to contact me for any guidance you require.
- Links to additional information and relevant expertise are provided throughout; please don’t be daunted by these - they are for your personal interest and will not be necessary for the end-of-lecture quizzes.
The course is intended to be self-contained so although some slides may seem rather full, no text is required for the course. I would refer you to: Bioremediation Principles. Eweis, Ergas, Chang, and Schroeder. WCB McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-057732-3 if you feel supportive literature would be an advantageous supplement to the content provided. Chapters 1-10 contain information regarding each aspect covered.
Learning Objectives:
Upon Completing this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and importance of bioremediation.
- Define bioremediation and when each strategy would be most applicable.
- Understand the influence of site characteristics: hydraulic conductivity, soil type, microbial presence, and groundwater properties.
- Understand the influence of contaminant characteristics to bioremediation (e.g. chemical structure, toxicity, and solubility).
- Demonstrate the use of course concepts to solve problems in real world applications.
Student Responsibilities/Expectations:
- To study the lecture slide-shows and complete each of the short quizzes.
- To actively participate in the forum discussions.
- To complete the evaluation survey with as much detail as you can provide.
Your Opinion Matters!
Throughout the course, your thoughts on the structure, content and quality are crucial to the success of this study.
If you would prefer to make suggestions/give feedback via email, I will aim to respond within 24hours. I have also posted 3 forums regarding different aspects of the website structure/course content and any feedback or thoughts posted are extremely beneficial.
I am looking to see whether the learning style and learning elements provided have enhanced your outcome, as well as improvements that each student feels would enhance their development and satisfaction.
Course Evaluation Survey
As part of this evaluation, I will be undertaking an online survey to evaluate the eLearning programme.
Your participation in the survey is essential for the success of the evaluation.
The survey will be accessible to those who agree to participate from 10/03/12 and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
Please complete the evaluation survey by : 25/03/12.
Your contact details will not be shared and all replies to the survey will remain confidential.
I will be very grateful to those who take part.
Software:
Windows operating system, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Reader.
Student Disabilities Services:
Any student who needs special accommodations to participate in the class should contact me, as well as the Student Disabilities Services Office, as early in the semester as possible so the appropriate accommodations can be arranged.
Prerequisites:
References
LaGrega, M., Buckingham, P., Evans, J. & The Environmental Resources Management Group. Hazardous Waste Management. USA: McGraw-Hill, 1994. ISBN:0-07-019552-8.
Bioremediation Principles. Eweis, Ergas, Chang, and Schroeder. WCB McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-057732-3. The text contains basic information that may be helpful.
Chapter 10 (May 1995), of the EPA publication EPA 510-R-04-002, How to Evaluate Alternative Cleanup Technologies for Underground Storage Tank Sites: A Guide for Corrective Action Plan Reviewers. Updated May 2004.
- None
References
LaGrega, M., Buckingham, P., Evans, J. & The Environmental Resources Management Group. Hazardous Waste Management. USA: McGraw-Hill, 1994. ISBN:0-07-019552-8.
Bioremediation Principles. Eweis, Ergas, Chang, and Schroeder. WCB McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-057732-3. The text contains basic information that may be helpful.
Chapter 10 (May 1995), of the EPA publication EPA 510-R-04-002, How to Evaluate Alternative Cleanup Technologies for Underground Storage Tank Sites: A Guide for Corrective Action Plan Reviewers. Updated May 2004.