This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module GEOL3041: Environmental Geochemistry
Department: Earth Sciences
GEOL3041: Environmental Geochemistry
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 3 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- GEOL1111 Environmental Earth Science OR GEOL2101 Fieldwork (Environmental) OR A-level Chemistry at Grade B or above.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To understand the origin, transport, reactions, effects, and fates of the most important natural and anthropogenic chemical species on Earth.
Content
- Chemistry basics relevant to environmental systems.
- Chemical thermodynamics and kinetics
- Global biogeochemical cycles.
- Critical Zone science.
- River hydrochemistry.
- Soil chemistry.
- Organic and inorganic carbon cycle.
- Introduction to pollution and remediation.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- To understand the controls and behaviour of chemical systems at a fundamental level.
- To explain the processes controlling the chemical composition of the Earth surface environment.
- To apply biogeochemical principles to range of common environmental questions in natural and anthropogenic systems.
- To develop thinking on methods for tackling and remediation of environmental problems.
Subject-specific Skills
- Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
Key Skills
- Critical analysis
- Research capability
- Basic statistical and uncertainty analysis
- Scholarship
- Practical competency
- Independent learning
- Numeracy
- IT skills
- Information skills
- Literacy
- Time management
- Continuing personal development
- Environmental awareness
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The module is delivered through flexible three-hour sessions, each comprising a mix of lecture and practical hands-on exercises supported by handouts, directed reading and web-based assignments.
- The practicals form an important component of the module allowing "hands on" learning and experience.
- Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 Hour | 20 | Yes |
| Practicals | 40 | Yes | |||
| Preparation and Reading | 140 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 60% | On Campus Written Examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Continual Assessment | 40% | Report | 50% | ||
| Report | 50% |
Formative Assessment
Example exam questions based on practical exercises.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.