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AFM510Agricultural Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Water Quality Management And Pollution Control

This course introduces the importance of water quality in meeting designated uses. It explores natural and anthropogenic activities that introduce contaminants into aquatic environments and emphasizes the need for control and prevention to maintain good water quality for human needs. Topics include water composition, chemistry, nutrient cycling, biological characteristics of water, sampling methods, and management of marine, brackish, and fresh waters. The course also covers water pollution control frameworks, prevention methods, and clean-up strategies.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Water QualityPollution ControlNutrient CyclesSampling MethodsAquatic Environment

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Water Composition and Chemistry

2

Nutrient Cycles in Aquatic Environments

3

Biological Characteristics of Polluted Water

4

Water Quality Sampling Methods

5

Water Pollution Control Frameworks

6

Water Quality Improvement Methods

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Water Quality Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Fisheries Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Aquaculture Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental MonitoringWater TreatmentAquacultureFisheries ManagementPollution Control

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Physical Composition of Water Bodies

8h

Unit 1: Physical Composition of Water Bodies

8 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Understand the structure of water molecules and their electrochemical properties.
  • •Study the three states of water and how molecules rearrange during state changes.
  • •Review the unique properties of water, including its high specific heat capacity and neutrality.
Week
2

Module 1: Physical Composition of Water Bodies

8h

Unit 2: Water Chemistry

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Learn about the chemical composition of natural water, including ions and mineral elements.
  • •Understand the role of phosphorus, hydrogen ions, and dissolved gases in water chemistry.
  • •Examine the significance of electrical conductivity, pH, salinity, and temperature in water quality.
Week
3

Module 2: Nutrient Cycles

8h

Unit 1: Nutrient Cycles

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 1: Understand the processes of the nitrogen cycle, including nitrogen fixation and assimilation.
  • •Learn about ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
  • •Discuss the importance of the nitrogen cycle and human influences on it.
Week
4

Module 2: Nutrient Cycles

8h

Unit 2: Impacts of Human Activities on Nutrient Cycles

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Examine human impacts on nutrient cycles, including shifts in land use and increased fertilization.
  • •Learn about nutrient input and output processes.
  • •Discuss the consequences of changes to nutrient cycles, such as eutrophication.
Week
5

Module 2: Nutrient Cycles

8h

Unit 3: Biological Characteristics of Water

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 3: Learn about the biological characteristics of natural water, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
  • •Understand the role of algae in water ecosystems.
  • •Review the characteristics of different microorganisms found in water.
Week
6

Module 3: Sampling Methods

8h

Unit 1: Sampling Methods

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 1: Learn about site selection processes for water sampling.
  • •Understand different sampling methods, including manual, integrated, and automatic sampling.
  • •Examine physical habitat and biological assessments.
Week
7

Module 3: Sampling Methods

8h

Unit 2: Sampling for Specific Water Quality Parameters

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Learn about sampling and measuring specific water quality parameters, including electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen.
  • •Understand the measurement of pH, salinity, temperature, and turbidity.
  • •Examine sampling procedures for total and volatile suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Week
8

Module 3: Sampling Methods

8h

Unit 3: Management of Selected Marine, Brackish and Fresh Waters

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 3: Learn about the management of selected marine, brackish, and fresh waters.
  • •Understand the sources and management of groundwater pollution.
  • •Examine wetland management and estuary/coastal pollution.
Week
9

Module 4: Framework for Water Pollution Control

8h

Unit 1: Framework for Water Pollution Control

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 1: Learn about the principles and recommendations for sound water resources management.
  • •Understand the initial analysis and identification of water quality problems.
  • •Examine the categorization and prioritization of water quality problems.
Week
10

Module 4: Framework for Water Pollution Control

8h

Unit 2: Water Quality Standards

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Learn about fixed emission and environmental quality standard approaches.
  • •Understand economic instruments and factors affecting their implementation.
  • •Examine the differences between regulatory and economic instruments.
Week
11

Module 4: Framework for Water Pollution Control

16h

Unit 3: Water Quality Monitoring

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 3: Learn about water quality monitoring and its definition.
  • •Understand the design of an operational and adequate monitoring system.
  • •Examine the elements to consider in implementing and functioning a monitoring system.

Unit 4: Clean Up and Control of Specific Pollutants

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 4: Learn about cleaning up metal pollution.
  • •Understand the processes of bioremediation and phytoremediation.
  • •Examine methods for reducing pesticides through integrated pest management (IPM).
Week
12

Module 5: Chemical, Mechanical and Biological Methods of Improving Water Quality

8h

Unit 1: Chemical, Mechanical and Biological Methods of Improving Water Quality

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 1: Learn about chemical, mechanical, and biological methods of improving water quality.
  • •Understand wastewater treatment and methods of improving drinking water quality.
  • •Examine reusing wastewater, constructing wetlands, and reducing nonpoint sources of pollution.
Week
13

Module 5: Chemical, Mechanical and Biological Methods of Improving Water Quality

16h

Unit 2: Biological and Ecological Characteristics of Polluted Waters

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 2: Learn about the biological and ecological characteristics of polluted waters.
  • •Understand eutrophication, acidification, and salinization.
  • •Examine the effects of trace metals, mercury, pesticides, and oil spills on water quality.

Unit 3: Effects of Pollutants on Fish, Plankton, Benthic Macro Invertebrates, Algae and Water Quality

8 study hours
  • •Study Unit 3: Learn about the effects of pollutants on fish, plankton, benthic macro invertebrates, algae, and water quality.
  • •Understand the impact of pollutants on aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
  • •Review the overall effects of pollution on water quality.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all study units, focusing on key definitions and concepts related to water quality parameters.

2

Create detailed notes summarizing the different sampling methods and their applications.

3

Practice applying water quality standards to various scenarios and interpret their implications.

4

Focus on understanding the effects of pollutants on different aquatic organisms and ecosystems.

5

Review the different methods of improving water quality, including chemical, mechanical, and biological approaches.

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