Environmental Pollution and Management

Module description

The key educational aims of the module are:

• To provide a critical understanding of the sources, behaviour and transport of a range of current and emerging pollutants in the environment with a particular focus on the hydro-environment.
• To critically evaluate current risk assessment procedures used to assess the potential impacts to human and environmental health associated with the distribution of pollutants in the environment.
• To develop an awareness of a range of pollution management strategies and legislative frameworks within which pollution control measures are carried out using case studies in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Assessment details

2000 word report (100%)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, student should:

• have an understanding of key physical and chemical processes and pathways which control the behaviour and transport of pollutants in the hydro-environment
• have the critical ability to apply risk assessment strategies available for evaluating the relationships between different pollutant types and human health effects
• be able to appreciate the source-pathway-receptor approach to assessing pollution risks to environmental health
• have a critical understanding of pollution management strategies for different pollutant types and relevant legislative drivers for pollution control.

Many of the BSc Physical Geography graduates move into fields such as environmental management and consulting. This module will prepare students for employment within these fields by helping them develop the needed hard skills as well as soft skills particularly effective communication and literacy skills, the ability to critically listen and question, problem solving skills and time management skills.

Teaching pattern

The module is delivered through a series of highly interactive 2-hour lectures and a 2-hour seminar. Indicative lecture context (note that these are subject to change):

• Sources of pollution in the aquatic environment
• Wastewater management & management frameworks
• Agricultural diffuse pollution
• Transport and fate of pollution in the aquatic environment
• Transport and fate of pollution in aquatic biota
• Sustainable urban drainage
• Techniques for analysing contaminants in freshwater environment
• Risk Assessment
• Plastic pollution in the aquatic environment

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.