Heavy Metals in Environment

Timetable

Timetable: first classes will take place on 12th of October at 11:00 (room 311). Place: Collegium Geographicum.

Module aim (aims)

• Know the basic definition of heavy metals, can explain reasons and sources of soil contamination by heavy metals• Know the main places of ore mining in Poland and in the World• Know and can determine forms of heavy metals in soils using different methods• Can specify the main methods of heavy metals analysis and give main difference between them.• Can explain the influence of high concentration of heavy metals on microorganism and plants and uptake pathways• Know different methods of soil remediation and their advantages and disadvantages• Can find data in different sources: library, internet• Be able to prepare a research project as well as to present it in public audience

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge about chemical and physical phenomenon. Knowledge of fundamental frameworks of environmental protection and ecology. Basic skills in Office programs like Excel, Word, Power Point.

Syllabus

Week 1: Heavy metals: definition, toxicity, examples of environmental disasters.
Week 2: Mines in Poland and in the World
Week 3: Heavy metals speciation in soil and water environment
Week 4: Methods of heavy metals determination in soil samples
Week 5: Toxicity of selected trace elements on plants and microorganisms
Week 6: Soil remediation possibilities
Week 7: Phytoremediation
Week 8: Exam

Reading list

1. Alloway B.J. 2013. Heavy metals in soils. Springer.
2. Kabata-Pendias A. 2011. Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC Press.
3. Kabata-Pendias A., Mukherjee A.B. 2007. Trace elements from soil to human. Springer.