ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2A
THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
COURSE HANDBOOK
AND
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
2011-2012
FOREWORD
On behalf of all the staff may I welcome you into Environmental Chemistry. Some of you have met us
before in Environmental Science 1, while for others it will be your first experience of Environmental
Chemistry. I hope that you will find the course interesting and rewarding, but more importantly that you
enjoy your time with us.
The state of our environment is something that affects all of us, whether it is a global issue such as
climate change or the problems of contaminated land in Glasgow. In order to tackle such problems
we need to understand how the environment works and what effect human activity has on it. This is
the essence of our courses in Environmental Chemistry. In Environmental Chemistry 2A we will deal
with the composition of the natural environment, the processes that occur in it and how the different
components interact. Environmental Chemistry 2B, taken in the second semester, deals with the
consequences of human activity on the environment. Throughout both courses the laboratory classes
will illustrate how we can measure the chemical constituents of the environment. For those of you who
want to continue studying Environmental Chemistry, these aspects are considered in more detail in
our various third and fourth year courses.
There is a high demand for graduates who understand environmental issues and over recent years
our students have gone into a variety of jobs, especially in environmental consultancy and
environmental monitoring.
We hope that we can pass on to you some of our enthusiasm for
Environmental Chemistry, which will prepare you for life beyond university in your chosen field.
I wish you all success in your studies over the coming year.
Dr Ian Pulford
Head of Environmental Chemistry
2
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2A – THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
COURSE AIMS:
By using a combination of lectures and laboratory classes, this course aims to describe the chemistry
and functioning of the components of the natural environment, the interactions between these
components and the processes that operate within and between them.
This will provide an
understanding of the chemistry of rocks, soils, sediments, water, air and living organisms. Particular
attention will be paid to the processes that cause mobilisation or immobilisation of chemical species,
their mobility and cycling between the different environmental components.
The chemistry of environmental materials and processes and the chemical analysis of environmental
samples are strongly emphasised to provide a sound scientific background for understanding the
functioning of the natural environment. This knowledge is then applied in Environmental Chemistry 2B
to the monitoring, controlling and remediation of pollution of the environment due to human activity.
Students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the basic facts and
experimental basis of environmental chemistry. They should be able to solve problems of a numerical
and logical nature in the context of this understanding and be able to demonstrate practical skills in
techniques in environmental chemistry.
The course acts as an introduction, along with Environmental Chemistry 2B, to the subjects covered in
greater detail in the honours programmes in Environmental Chemistry (M.Sci. and B.Sc.);
Environmental Biogeochemistry and Environmental Chemistry and Geography.
Environmental
Chemistry 2B, Environmental Systems and Pollution, should be taken following this course to provide
entry to the honours programmes, but each is a complete course in its own right, suitable for students
intending to proceed to a three year degree or honours in other subjects. These two courses also
provide an appropriate chemical background for students intending honours in biological or earth
sciences.
3
ACADEMIC STAFF
Dr. I. D. Pulford
Room C5-07
Joseph Black Building
(Class Head)
Tel Ext. 5950
E-mail: Ian.Pulford@glasgow.ac.uk
Dr. T. H. Flowers
Room C5-05
Joseph Black Building
Tel Ext. 5952
E-mail: Hugh.Flowers@glasgow.ac.uk
EXTERNAL EXAMINER
Professor M.E. Hodson, Department of Geography & Environmental Science, University of Reading
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Normally a grade D in Chemistry-1.
A grade C in Environmental Science-1 will be accepted with an appropriate pre-University qualification
in chemistry.
TIMETABLE
When taught: First semester (weeks 1-11)
Lectures: 1pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Lecture theatre A5-04, Joseph Black Building
Laboratory classes: 2 – 5pm on Monday and Friday.
Laboratory C5-09, Joseph Black Building
CLASS WEBSITE
The address of the class website is www.chem.gla.ac.uk/environment. It can also be accessed from
the chemistry Department website: follow the links Teaching  Student Notices  Environmental
Chemistry. Class notices and downloadable course material will be posted on this site
The website can also be accessed through Moodle.
Please check the website regularly for information.
4
COURSE WORK
The course work consists of:

Lectures and associated reading

Laboratory classes

Laboratory reports and other continuously assessed work

2 class exams

1 degree exam
The formal contact hours break down as follows:
Lectures
44 hours
Class exams
2 hours
Labs (incl tutorials)
72 hours
Total notional learning hours
300 hours
Credit rating
30
LECTURES
Title
Lecturer
Hours

Introduction to the Natural Environment and Environmental Chemical
Processes
IDP
11

The Soil and Sediment Environments
IDP
9

The Aquatic Environment
THF
3

The Atmospheric Environment
THF
3

The Biological Environment
THF
4

Biophysical Processes in the Environment
THF
10

Environmental Nitrogen Cycle
THF
4
These lectures form the basis for communicating the key ideas and concepts of the subject. The
notes you take at the lectures will form the core of information that you will use to gain an
understanding of environmental chemistry and should be supplemented by reading of textbooks, by
talking with the lecturers and by information gained in laboratory classes and tutorials. It is therefore,
extremely important that you attend the lectures and obtain a good set of lecture notes – copying other
peoples’ notes is always a poor substitute to having your own.
The lectures are illustrated using
PowerPoint, overhead transparencies and 35 mm slides, supported by handouts containing detailed
material and additional reading for you to follow up the ideas and concepts for yourself.
5
If you are having difficulty in taking good notes, or in deciding what are the key points, discuss
it with the lecturer who will be happy to guide you.
A tutorial session dealing with examination techniques is held in week 11.
Support information for the course, including previous class examination papers and laboratory data,
is available on the course website.
To access the material use the following when prompted:
User name: envchem
Password: afeweb
LABORATORY CLASSES
The program of laboratory classes is designated to:1.
Support and augment the theoretical background covered in the lecture modules.
2.
Teach safe working practices in the chemical laboratory.
3.
Develop the necessary technical skills for the environmental chemist.
4.
Provide hands on experience in the use of a range of analytical instruments.
5.
Teach analytical techniques for the environmental chemist.
6.
Develop independence and initiative.
7.
Teach skills in the interpretation of analytical data.
8.
Develop report-writing skills.
LABORATORY MODULES
Analysis of environmental materials (IDP)
Introduction to the soil and biosphere (THF)
At the end of each laboratory module the completed laboratory manual will be collected for a final
assessment.
6
C0NTINUOUS ASSESSMENT WORK
The continuously assessed work constitutes 60% of the final grade and is spread throughout the
course as follows
End week 4 – Friday 14 Oct
Hand in reports for Analytical
labs (IDP)
10%
Hand in data for phosphatase
(soil lab reports book 1)
End week 5 – Friday 21 Oct
Hand in answers to old exam
questions (IDP)
Week 6 – beginning 24 Oct
Class Exam 1
End week 7 – Friday 4 Nov
Hand in soil lab reports book 2
(Preliminary laboratory
measurements) (THF)
5%
End week 8 – Friday 11 Nov
Hand in phosphatase essay
5%
Week 10 – beginning 21 Nov
Class Exam 2
10%
Thursday week 11 – 1 Dec
Hand in soil lab reports book 3
(Chemical and biological data)
(THF)
15%
5%
10%
7
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF CREDIT
The class work comprises all lectures, laboratory classes and class exams, and is compulsory.
The minimum requirement to qualify for credit for the course will normally be:
a)
attendance at 75% of laboratory classes.
b)
completion and submission of work equivalent to 75% of the continuous assessment marks.
c)
completion of both class exams.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in credit for the course being refused. Medical or
compassionate grounds for non-completion may be taken into account at the discretion of the
examination board, but these cannot be used to excuse failure to complete more than 50% of the
course work.
Attendance will be reviewed continuously and students whose performance falls below the required
standard will be notified.
ABSENCE FROM CLASSES
Any student who is absent from any part of the course should follow the procedure laid down in the
University Student Absence Policy: http://senate.gla.ac.uk/academic/policies/student_absence_policy
8
ASSESSMENT
The course is assessed by continuous assessment and a final examination as follows:
Laboratory reports and
other continuously assessed work
40%
Class exam - 2 @ 10%
20%
Final exam (1.5 hour paper)
40%
CLASS EXAMS
There are two 1-hour class exams held in weeks 6 and 11 during a lecture period, covering the
previous section of the course. Each class exam constitutes 10% of the final degree mark. Absence
must be supported by valid documentation. This will be considered by the Examination Board, which
will consider the evidence presented and decide whether good cause has been established.
Previous class exam papers are displayed on the notice board prior to each exam, are available on
the course website and copies are held by the Librarian in the Chemistry Branch Library.
LABORATORY WORK AND OTHER CONTINUOUSLY ASSESSED WORK
The laboratory work and other continuously assessed work is an integral part of the course and
marks gained constitute 40% of the final grade.
Laboratory reports must be handed in by the deadline set for work, which will be given by the lecturer
concerned both orally and on the notice board. Work handed in after the deadline will be assessed
according to the university policy laid out in the University Calendar (see below).
Laboratory marks are calculated as follows. This average mark for submitted work will be multiplied
by the fraction of laboratory classes attended and the work completed. If you hand in a completed
report for a laboratory class that you did not attend, the mark for that report will be used to calculate
the overall average mark, but will not be counted towards the number of labs attended and completed
for the purposes of awarding credit. You are encouraged to write up all laboratory reports, whether or
not you attended the relevant laboratory class, as they are an important part of the teaching and
learning process and are examinable.
To ensure consistency in marking all reports for each laboratory are marked by a single person using
a strict marking scheme laid down by the lecturer in charge. Any queries should be first discussed
with the person marking the report. The lecturer in charge of the laboratory module will be the final
arbiter of the mark for a report.
9
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT MARKS
All marks awarded for continuously assessed work are strictly provisional and for your guidance only.
The marks are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and the external examiner at the end
of the year. You must retain copies of all marked work as you may be required to submit them for
examination at the end of the year.
Penalties for late submission of coursework (extract from University calander)
16.25 Deadlines for the submission of coursework which is to be formally assessed will be published in course
documentation, and work which is submitted later than the deadline will be subject to penalty as set out below.
Where the work in question is a dissertation or other independent work for which, in order to qualify for the
degree, a minimum grade is prescribed, the penalty will be discounted for the purpose of determining whether
that prescription has been met.
16.26 Except as modified by §16.27 - §16.28, the primary grade and secondary band awarded for coursework
which is submitted after the published deadline will be calculated as follows:
(a) in respect of work submitted not more than five working days after the deadline:
(i) the work will be assessed in the usual way;
(ii) the primary grade and secondary band so determined will then be reduced by two secondary bands
for each working day (or part of a working day) the work was submitted late.
(b) work submitted more than five working days after the deadline will be awarded Grade H.
16.27 Penalties for late submission of coursework will not be imposed if good cause is established for the late
submission in terms of the definitions and procedures set out in §16.45 - §16.53.
16.28 Without prejudice to the regulations governing good cause for late submission of coursework set out in
§16.45 - §16.53, a candidate who is unable to submit coursework by the published deadline, or who anticipates
being unable to so submit, may apply for a deferral of the deadline, or exemption from the penalties set out in
§16.26 (a). Any such application will be subject to the following constraints.
(a) The application will be submitted to, and considered by, the person (normally the course convener)
identified in course documentation as responsible for coursework assessment.
(b) The outcome of the application will be determined at the discretion of the person responsible for
coursework assessment who will require to be satisfied that the candidate submitting the application
has been prevented by circumstances beyond his or her control from submitting the relevant work on
time.
(c) Deferral of the submission deadline, or exemption from a late penalty, will be commensurate with the
duration of the circumstances causing the late submission, and will be subject to a limit of three days.
(d) Where the application is not submitted until after the deadline for submission of the work itself, relief
from a late penalty will normally be granted only where the circumstances preventing the candidate
from submitting work on time have also prevented application for a deferral of the deadline for
submission.
10
DEGREE EXAMINATIONS
There will be one 1.5 hour written paper. The paper will consist of two sections each containing 4
questions.
The student will be required to answer 2 questions from each section (a total of 4
questions).
The examination papers are complied by the teaching staff and are then checked and approved by an
external examiner.
Previous examination papers are displayed on the notice board and available on the course website
prior to the examination, and copies are held by the Librarian in the Chemistry Branch Library.
EXAM PAPER MARKING
The papers are marked by a team of examiners including the external examiner according to the
University marking scheme. Marking of degree examinations is anonymous.
Each question is first marked by the lecturer setting the question and then checked by a second
marker. The marks for each candidate are totalled, grades assigned and borderline cases identified.
Each student’s final grade is considered individually at an examiners’ meeting and by the external
examiner. Periods of illness covered by a medical certificate and other mitigating circumstances are
considered at these meetings. In the event of a difference of opinion between the examiners the
external examiner is the final arbiter.
Assessment is made using the University Code of Assessment (see page 13).
Please note that it is not possible to resit any component of assessment based on laboratory
or group work, or when there has been corrected work returned for formative assessment.
11
REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO LEVEL 3 COURSES
Environmental Chemistry 3M:
At least a grade B in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B, and a grade
point average > 12.
Environmental Chemistry 3H:
Normally a grade C or better in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B,
and a grade point average > 9.
Environmental Chemistry 3:
Normally a grade D or better in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B,
and a grade point average > 9.
Environmental Chemistry and Geography 3H:
Normally a grade C in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B, and a
grade B in Geography 2, and a grade point average > 9.
Geography, Chemistry and the Environment 3:
Normally a grade D or better in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B,
and in Geography 2, and a grade point average > 9.
Environmental Biogeochemistry 3H:
Normally completion of all credit-bearing Earth Science courses from Level 2 at grade C or better, and
Environmental Chemistry 2A and 2B at grade C or better, and a grade point average > 9.
Environmental Biogeochemistry 3:
Normally a grade D or better in both Environmental Chemistry 2A and Environmental Chemistry 2B,
and all credit-bearing Earth Science courses from Level 2 at grade D or better, and a grade point
average > 9.
12
SCHEDULE A
Non-Honours
Courses
Primary
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Gloss
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Weak
Secondary Bands &
Aggregation Scores
Secondary
Band*
Aggregation
Score
1
22
2
21
3
20
4
19
5
18
1
17
2
16
3
15
1
14
2
13
3
12
1
11
2
10
3
9
1
8
2
7
3
6
Primary verbal descriptors for attainment
of Intended Learning Objectives
Honours
Courses
Primary
Honours
Class
Exemplary range and depth of attainment
of intended learning outcomes, secured
by discriminating command of a
comprehensive range of relevant
materials and analyses, and by
deployment of considered judgement
relating to key issues, concepts and
procedures
Conclusive attainment of virtually all
intended outcomes, clearly grounded on a
close familiarity with a wide range of
supporting evidence, constructively
utilised to reveal appreciative depth of
understanding
Clear attainment of most of the intended
learning outcomes, some more securely
grasped than others, resting on
circumscribed range of evidence and
displaying a variable depth of
understanding
Acceptable attainment of intended
learning outcomes, displaying a qualified
familiarity with a minimally sufficient
range of relevant materials, and a grasp
of the analytical issues and concepts
which is generally reasonable, albeit
secure
Attainment deficient in respect of specific
learning outcomes, with mixed evidence
as to the depth of knowledge and weak
deployment of arguments or deficient
manipulations
First
Upper
Second
Lower
Second
Third
Weak
BDS
BVMS
MBChB
Honours
Commendation
Pass
Pass
Fail
5
F
Poor
4
Attainment of intended learning outcomes
appreciably deficient in critical respects,
lacking secure basis in relevant factual
and analytical dimensions
Poor
Fail
3
G
Very Poor
1
2
2
H
CR
CREDIT REFUSED
1
Attainment of intended learning outcomes
markedly deficient in respect of nearly all
intended learning outcomes, with
Very Poor
irrelevant use of materials and incomplete
and flawed explanation
Fail
0
No convincing evidence of attainment of
intended learning outcomes, such
treatment of the subject as is in evidence
being directionless and fragmentary
Fail
No credit
Secondary Bands &
Aggregation Scores
Secondary
Band*
Aggregation
Score
1
22
2
21
3
20
4
19
5
18
1
17
2
16
3
15
1
14
2
13
3
12
1
11
2
10
3
9
1
8
2
7
3
6
1
5
2
4
3
3
1
2
2
1
0
Failure to comply, in the absence of good cause, with the published requirements of the course or programme
and/or a serious breach of regulations
PLAGIARISM (see The University of Glasgow Plagiarism Statement - page 23)
Students are reminded that this regulation applies to all work contributing to assessment, including lab
reports and projects. All assessed work must be your own individual effort. Copying of lab reports, for
example, is plagiarism. You may share data, where appropriate, but the calculations, answers to
assignment questions and the discussion of results must be your own work. You need not cite
references to textbooks used to answer assignment questions but you should follow the above rules
when writing an extended discussion of results.
All work submitted for assessment must be accompanied by a completed Declaration of Originality
Form (see page 24). Copies of these forms will be incorporated in laboratory handbooks, or will be
available in the laboratory for inclusion with submitted work.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Students’ opinion on course content and presentation is welcomed either informally or through the
staff-student committee. Feedback is obtained through formal questionnaires and informal discussion
sessions.
STAFF STUDENT COMMITTEE
Two student representatives will be elected to represent this class at meetings of the Chemistry
Department Staff-Student Committee.
CHARGE FOR LAB MANUALS, LECTURE HANDOUTS ETC.
A charge of £20.00 will be made at the start of the course to cover the cost of laboratory manuals,
lecture handouts, etc.
TEXTBOOKS
Some aspects of the course are not adequately covered in any textbook. Therefore attendance at
lectures is vital, more so than in most other courses.
The following textbooks are recommended.
For Environmental Chemistry 2A and 2B:

Environmental Chemistry at a Glance. Pulford, Ian and Flowers, Hugh. Blackwell Publishing,
2006
If you intend to continue in Environmental Chemistry beyond Level 2:

An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry. Andrews, J.E., Brimblecombe, P., Jickells, T.D.,
Liss, P.S. and Reid, B.J. Blackwell Publishing, 2004.
The following textbooks may be useful for consultation for different parts of the course.
All are
available on short loan in the Chemistry Branch Library.

Principles of Environmental Chemistry. R M Harrison. Royal Society of Chemistry 2007

Environmental Chemistry. O’Neill P. Chapman Hall 3rd edition 1998

Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Soil Science. White R E. Blackwell Scientific
Publications, 3rd edition 1997

Environmental Science. Cunningham W P and Saigo B W. W C Brown Publishers 7th edition
2003

Soil Science: methods and applications. Rowell D L. Longmann 1994

Environmental Chemistry. Manahan S E. Lewis Publishers 7th edition 2000

Introductory Chemistry for the Environmental Sciences. R M Harrison et al. Cambridge
University Press 2nd edition 1996
15
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2A – THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
AIMS AND INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Title:
Introduction to the Natural Environment and Environmental Processes
Duration:
IDP – 11 lectures
Aims:
To provide an overall picture of the natural environment and the basic chemical
concepts underlying this course: to describe the main types of rocks and minerals
and the weathering processes acting on them; to describe the main processes
which control chemical mobility in the environment and the factors which influence
them.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Describe the components of the natural environment and interactions between
them.

Describe the properties of the main rock types, silicate minerals, aluminosilicate
clay minerals, and major non-silicate minerals - oxides, carbonates, sulphides,
phosphates.

Explain the role of the components listed above in processes in the surface
environment.

Describe the weathering processes acting on rocks and minerals - dissolution,
hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, oxidation, complexation

Describe the processes of dissolution/precipitation, ion exchange, adsorption,
complexation/chelation.

Explain the role of the above processes in the surface environment.

Explain the concept of pH; identify causes of acidity/alkalinity; buffering; explain the
effects of pH changes in environmental systems

Explain the concept of redox potential and describe how it is measured. Describe
and explain the chemical changes due to changes in redox potential. Describe abd
explain the effects of redox changes in environmental systems.
16
Title:
The Soil and Sediment Environment
Duration:
IDP – 9 lectures
Aims:
To provide a basic understanding of the nature and properties of soil and
sediments.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Explain the concepts of soil profiles and horizons, and describe the system of
horizon nomenclature and the properties of specified soil horizons.

Describe the morphology of common, specified soil types and the processes that
occur in such soils.

List the five forming factors and illustrate how they influence soil development.

Describe and explain the properties and behaviour of clays and illustrate their
effects in soil.

Describe and explain the nature and chemical properties of soil organic matter and
its influence in soil. Summarise methods for the extraction and fractionation of
humic material. Explain the role of humic substances in the environment.

Define soil texture and illustrate its influence on soil. Define soil structure and
describe the main types of structural units found in soil and their effects on soil
properties. Explain and illustrate the mechanisms by which mineral and organic soil
components aggregate together.

Describe and explain the main types of sediments and the way they are transported
and deposited.

Describe and explain diagenetic processes in sediments.
17
Title:
The Atmospheric Environment
Duration:
THF - 3 lectures
Aims:
To provide a basic understanding of the chemistry and functioning of the
atmosphere.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Describe and explain the formation of the atmosphere.

Classify regions of the atmosphere, and describe temperature and pressure profiles,
chemical composition of the earth’s atmosphere and mixing of gases within the
atmosphere.

Describe and explain solar radiation and energy balance in the atmosphere, Hadley
cells, Coriolos effects, jet stream and global circulation models

Describe and explain atmospheric circulation and the UK weather, high and low
pressure systems, the weather associated with Atlantic depressions.

Describe and explain atmosphere-ocean interactions, ocean current systems and El
Niño
18
Title:
The Aquatic Environment
Duration:
THF – 3 lectures
Aims:
To provide a basic understanding of the chemistry and functioning of the
hydrosphere.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Describe the physical and chemical properties of water.

Describe and explain the hydrological cycle, and illustrate and quantify the main
reservoirs and fluxes.

Describe the processes of evaporation and precipitation, and the chemical
composition of rain water.

Describe and explain groundwater chemical composition and the structure of
aquifers, rivers’ chemical composition and river flow, thermal stratification of lakes
and structure of estuaries.

Describe and explain the chemical composition and chemical balance of the
oceans, inputs and losses, salinity and ocean circulation.
19
Title:
The Biological Environment
Duration:
THF – 4 lectures
Aims:
To provide an understanding of the role of living organisms in the functioning of the
natural environment.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Describe and explain the energy and nutrient flows in the biosphere; primary
production, food chains and decomposition processes.

Describe the 6 Kingdoms of living organisms and review their forms and interactions
with environmental systems from the perspective of the Environmental Chemist.
20
Title:
Biophysical Processes in the Environment
Duration:
THF – 10 lectures
Aims:
To provide an understanding of the effects of the chemical and physical
environment on primary production and decomposition processes.
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:
Intended
learning
outcomes:
(a)
Describe and explain the following factors affecting primary production:
(b)

Light, light intensity, light profile of water bodies

Inorganic nutrients (macro, micro, essential, beneficial); role in plants and animals

Total vs available nutrients; chemical forms in solution; root uptake processes (root
growth, mass flow, diffusion); mycorrhiza

Temperature, UK climate, heat balance. Temperature profiles of soils and water
bodies

Aeration in soil, sediments in water, the need for oxygen, gas exchange

Water, hydrological cycle and UK climate, soil water holding, plant available water,
soil water potential, water movement through soils and sediments, soil profiles in
relation to aeration and drainage.
Describe and explain the following factors affecting decomposition processes

The global C cycle, decomposition of plant litter, nutrient supply, heterotrophic and
autotrophic nutrition, pH

Acidophiles, neutrophiles, alkalophiles, temperature, psyctrophiles, mesophiles,
thermophiles

Aeration, aerobes, facultative anaerobes, obligate anaerobes, fermentation
processes.

The Rhizosphere, the nature of humic material.
21
Title:
Environmental Nitrogen Cycle
Duration:
THF - 4 lectures
Aims:
To provide an understanding of the chemistry and functioning of the nitrogen cycle
in the environment.
Intended
learning
outcomes:
At the end of this series of lectures, students should be able to:

Describe the global N cycle and explain the requirements for N and effects of N on
growth of plants.

Describe the processes of mineralisation and immobilisation, and explain their
importance in environmental systems.

Define nitrification; leaching of N; denitrification; inorganic chemistry of
ammonium/ammonia; N fixation organisms, non-symbioic and symbiotic
relationships, and explain their importance in environmental systems.
22
The University of Glasgow Plagiarism Statement
The following is an extract from the University of Glasgow Plagiarism Statement.
The full statement can be found in the University Calendar at
http://senate.gla.ac.uk/calendar/current/02-feesandgeneral.pdf#page=53.
This should be read in conjunction with the discipline specific guidance provided by
the Department at Insert link.
31.1 The University's degrees and other academic awards are given in recognition of
a student's personal achievement. All work submitted by students for assessment
is accepted on the understanding that it is the student's own effort.
31.2 Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form,
which is not one's own, without acknowledgement of the sources. Special cases
of plagiarism can also arise from one student copying another student's work or from
inappropriate collaboration.
31.3 The incorporation of material without formal and proper acknowledgement
(even with no deliberate intent to cheat) can constitute plagiarism.
Work may be considered to be plagiarised if it consists of:
 a direct quotation;
 a close paraphrase;
 an unacknowledged summary of a source;
 direct copying or transcription.
With regard to essays, reports and dissertations, the rule is: if information or ideas
are obtained from any source, that source must be acknowledged according to the
appropriate convention in that discipline; and any direct quotation must be placed
in quotation marks and the source cited immediately. Any failure to acknowledge
adequately or to cite properly other sources in submitted work is plagiarism. Under
examination conditions, material learnt by rote or close paraphrase will be expected
to follow the usual rules of reference citation otherwise it will be considered as
plagiarism. Departments should provide guidance on other appropriate use of
references in examination conditions.
31.4 Plagiarism is considered to be an act of fraudulence and an offence against
University discipline. Alleged plagiarism, at whatever stage of a student's studies,
whether before or after graduation, will be investigated and dealt with appropriately
by the University.
31.5 The University reserves the right to use plagiarism detection systems, which
may be externally based, in the interests of improving academic standards when
assessing student work.
If you are still unsure or unclear about what plagiarism is or need advice on how to
avoid it, SEEK HELP NOW!
You can contact any one of the following for assistance:
Lecturer
Course Leader
Dissertation Supervisor
Adviser of Studies
Student Learning Service
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Declaration of Originality Form
This form must be completed and signed and submitted with all assignments.
Please complete the information below (using BLOCK CAPITALS).
Name.............................................................................................................................
Student Number ............................................................................................................
Course Name ................................................................................................................
Assignment Number/Name ...........................................................................................
An extract from the University’s Statement on Plagiarism is provided overleaf. Please
read carefully THEN read and sign the declaration below.
I confirm that this assignment is my own work and that I have:
Read and understood the guidance on plagiarism in the Undergraduate
Handbook, including the University of Glasgow Statement on Plagiarism
Clearly referenced, in both the text and the bibliography or references, all
sources used in the work
Fully referenced (including page numbers) and used inverted commas for all
text quoted from books, journals, web etc. (Please check with the Department
which referencing style is to be used)
Provided the sources for all tables, figures, data etc. that are not my own work
Not made use of the work of any other student(s) past or present without
acknowledgement. This includes any of my own work, that has been
previously, or concurrently, submitted for assessment, either at this or any other
educational institution, including school (see overleaf at 31.2)
Not sought or used the services of any professional agencies to produce this
work
In addition, I understand that any false claim in respect of this work will result in
disciplinary action in accordance with University regulations

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
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DECLARATION:
I am aware of and understand the University’s policy on plagiarism and I certify that
this assignment is my own work, except where indicated by referencing, and that I
have followed the good academic practices noted above
Signed ...........................................................................................................................
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