Soil pollution and monitoring
(objectives)
1 - COURSE OBJECTIVES The aim of the course is to present the soil as a proper ecosystem, and to make students capable of understanding and predicting, in principle: i) the behaviour and fate of natural and xenobiotic compounds in soils upon intentional or accidental additions; ii) the possible effects of these compounds on soil ecosystems; iii) the possible resilience of soils upon such events. To achieve such target, information will be provided on soil abiotic and biotic components, the relative physical, chemical and biochemical properties, and the mutual interactions and relationships. Interactions between soil and plants will be also illustrated. Information will be also supplied on the monitoring of soil ecosystems in both natural conditions and upon perturbation.
2 - LEARNING OUTCOMES
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Knowledge of the various components of natural soils and of the interactions between these components. Knowledge of the physical, chemical and physico-chemical principles causing the natural and anthropic compounds (e.g. contaminants) to interact with the diverse components of soils, once they have been added to it. Knowledge of the possible approaches and monitoring systems (traditional vs. advanced) of both natural and perturbed soils.
ABILITY TO USE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION Capacity of identifying the main drivers of natural and perturbed soils, and of integrating and applying in specific contexts the information assimilated in the course: i) of such ecosystems, to understand the possible dynamics herein already present and ongoing; ii) of the monitoring systems, to assess the presence of perturbations and of dynamics in such ecosystems.
MAKING JUDGEMENT To be able to interpret results obtained by observations and measurements (monitoring) to evaluate the extent of soil perturbation of and possible actions to make.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Capacity of communicating appropriately (i.e. precisely and with proper terminology) the assimilated information, concepts, dynamics and processes possibly present in soil ecosystems and described in the course. Capacity of expressing the concepts synthetically, but providing details when requested. Capacity of catching the main features characterising natural and perturbed soils.
LEARNING SKILLS Capacity of assimilating the requested knowledge by using the various materials provided in the course, but mainly of expressing curiosity in understanding the causes of events occurring in perturbed soils, relative to the natural ones. Capacity of having an open mind to other standpoints and opinions, discussing them critically, without prejudices, and calling themselves into question.
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Code
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17123 |
Language
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ENG |
Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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6
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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AGR/13
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Contact Hours
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48
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Type of Activity
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Teacher
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DE CESARE Fabrizio
(syllabus)
• Soil components
• Soil properties - Physical - Chemical - Biological/biochemical
• Soil as a proper ecosystem (holistic approach)
• Soil interaction with plants (a typical ecosystem) - Rhizosphere - Soil-Plant interactions in problem solving (pollution)
• Soil perturbations in urban environments - Temperature - Water regimes - Waste disposal - Contaminants/pollutants
• Soil contamination/pollution - Sources of soil contamination/pollution in urban environments - Nature and features of contaminants/pollutants in urban environments - Fate of contaminants/pollutants in soil (adsorption/fixation, absorption, volatilisation, degradation, leaching) - Interactions of contaminants/pollutants with soil
• Monitoring soils in urban environments - Monitoring soil quality (indicators, indices, and so further) - Monitoring soil pollutants (metals, organics, nanomaterials, biomolecules, and so further) - Traditional approaches in soil monitoring (lab analyses) - Smart approaches in soil monitoring (sensors, biosensors, nano(bio)sensors, probes and (hybrid) sensing systems).
(reference books)
• E.A. Paul (2015). Soil microbiology, ecology, and biochemistry (4th Edition). Academic Press. • I.L. Pepper, C.P. Gerba, M.L. Brusseau (2006). Environmental and Pollution Science (2nd Edition). Academic Press. • H.F. Hemond, E.J. Fechner 2015). Chemical fate and transport in the environment (3rd Edition). Academic Press. • N.C. Brady, R.R. Weil (2010). Elements of the nature and properties of soils. Pearson. / Alternatively: N.C. Brady, R.R. Weil (2016). The nature and properties of soils (Global Edition). Pearson.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From 24/09/2018 to 11/01/2019 |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
At a distance
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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