University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
E R M 433
Transformation of Pollutants in Soils (3) Processes regulating fate and transport of metals, organics, nutrients, salts, pathogens, and radionuclides in soil systems.
E R M 433 Transformation of Pollutants in Soils (3)
The course provides the chemical and biological basis for understanding, predicting and controlling the fate of pollutants added to the soil. The material falls distinctly into two major sections: Section I discusses the fundamental concepts of soil science as they relate to the fate of pollutants in soil systems. Section II provides specific coverage of important classes of soil pollutants. The environmental impacts associated with soil enrichment of these pollutant groups are discussed. Primary emphasis is given to pollutants having adverse effects on human health via water and the food supply, namely, trace elements, trace organic contaminants, pathogens, and radionuclides. The major plant nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, warrant coverage because of their potential negative impacts on aquatic systems. Salts can harm soil productivity and structure and thus represent a third distinct pollutant category.
Instructional Objectives: The course objectives are twofold: 1) to provide the chemical and biological basis for understanding the fate of pollutants added to the soil, and 2) to provide specific coverage of the important classes of soil pollutants. The students should gain the ability to predict the behavior and fate of pollutants in soils on the basis of various tabulated chemical and biological pollutant parameters.
Evaluation Methods: Performance will be evaluated based on three roughly equally weight factors: homework/quizzes; midterm exam; and final exam.
Relationship to Other Courses: This is a conversion of E R M 426 into a three credit course.
Relationship to Major, Option, Minor or General Education: The restructuring of the E R M major will require students to select two of the three credit ERM 43x courses as Prescribed Courses. In addition, E R M 430 and 432 will be on the list of courses for the ecology selection, and appropriate 43x courses could be taken in the student's specialization. Thus, it is possible that a student would take all four of the 43x course and have them "count" toward meeting the requirements in their major.
Frequency of Offering and Enrollment: E R M 433 will be offered once each year. This course has traditionally attracted 30-50 students and the future enrollments are likely to be similar or perhaps larger. The changing to three credits may actually increase enrollments from students outside the Environmental Resource Management major, including graduate programs.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.