Environmental Geoscience

This subject examines anthropogenic perturbations in a range of environmental systems by determining changes to physical-chemical processes at the Earth’s surface. Case studies are presented discussing issues such as groundwater drawdown from mining, ocean acidification from rising CO2 in the atmosphere, acid mine drainage and the risks and benefits of geological CO2 storage and of unconventional gas production. The underlying processes are illustrated and the impacts are both qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, for example, by using a mass balance approach, reconstructing the groundwater flow field or by deriving imposed changes to chemical reactions and reaction rates at the Earth surface. Time scales of current perturbations are examined in the context of environmental changes in the geological past.

运用地球科学原理解决环境问题，如污染、水资源和土地利用。

• 1Demonstrate the ability to identify anthropogenic perturbations to physical-chemical processes at the Earth surface related to the utilisation of geo-resources
• 2Critically assess and evaluate the cause and effects of anthropogenic perturbations to the physical environment
• 3Apply concepts of conditions and processes controlling the physical environment
• 4Explain the concepts for paleo-environmental reconstruction
• 5Critically assess the cumulative impact of different subsurface perturbations at regional scale