WATR07009 2019 Water Quality in Irish River Basin Districts
Full Title
Water Quality in Irish River Basin Districts
Transcript Title
Water Quality in Irish River B
Code
WATR07009
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
WATR - Water Studies
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
07 - NFQ Level 7
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Declan Feeney, Lisa Cronin
Programme Membership
SG_SENVI_J07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (Add-on)
SG_SENVI_J07 202300 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management (Add-on)
Description
The module will enable students to evaluate and appraise issues relating to water quality in Ireland today. The activities of man create various pollution sources and associated environmental impacts in Irish river basin districts. Principles of water quality control will be given in terms of best practice, health and safety, and legislation and includes assessment of water quality with a focus on the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. The module examines water protection measures with respect to intercepting and breaking nutrient transport pathways, and considers how land management activities are linked to nutrient delivery to the catchment. The principles for designing or reviewing a monitoring programme to detect potential impacts of land-use activities on water quality and the interpretation of biological and chemical water quality are included.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Define water types, quality, river basin district and water pollution
2.
Categorise water pollution sources related to man's sectoral activities and examine nutrient transport pathways
3.
Appraise the impacts of water pollution in Ireland both as an individual and in a teamwork exercise
4.
Explain various methods to control water pollution and improve water quality
5.
List relevant Irish and European water legislation
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The students will be given live on-line lectures and activities for the duration of the module. Lectures will be uploaded on to moodle with additional reading material and references for other resources.
Module Assessment Strategies
This module is 50% Continuous Assessment and 50% Final Exam.
Continuous assessment consists of MCQ on MOODLE, team work exercise and written assessment to challenge the student to resource, share and analyse information on aspects of current water quality.
Repeat Assessments
Repeat Continuous Assessment and/or Final Exam
Indicative Syllabus
Hydrological Cycle
Management of Water quality parameters including S.I. units
Health and Safety Issues: sampling, pathogens, aquatic invasive species
Water Pollution: definition, interpretation and categories
Sectoral sources and impacts of water pollution
Nutrient transport pathways and how land management activities are linked to nutrient delivery to the catchment
Water Quality of surface, transitional and coastal waters in Ireland
Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management Plan for Ireland
Biological monitoring of Water Quality for the Water Framework Directive
Designing or reviewing a monitoring programme to detect potential impacts of land-use activities on water quality and the interpretation of biological and chemical water quality
Control of Water Pollution: waste water treatment, agricultural good practice, legislation
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
50 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
50 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Choice Two MCQ tests | Coursework Assessment | UNKNOWN | 10 % | OnGoing | 1,4,5 |
| 2 | Group Project teamwork exercise at workshop | Coursework Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | Week 8 | 3 |
| 3 | Assignment River Basin District | Coursework Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | Week 10 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Exam | Final Exam | UNKNOWN | 50 % | End of Term | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Part Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directed Learning | Online | Online lectures, directed reading and assignments | 4 | Weekly | 4.00 |
| Workshop / Seminar | Offsite Facility | Group work assignment | 5 | UNKNOWN | 5.00 |
| Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Researching, reading and reflectiing | 40 | UNKNOWN | 40.00 |
Total Part Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 9.00 Hours
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Mason, C.F. (2002) Biology of freshwater pollution. Longman.
WRBD (2008) Water Matters, Have your Say.
Journal Resources
None
URL Resources
EPA Water Quality Reports 1999-2018 http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/waterqua/
River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 - https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/rbmp_report_english_web_version_final_0.pdf
Catchments Water to sea - www.catchments.ie
Other Resources
Pc and Broadband connection
Additional Information
None