Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Course Number: ENV 2205 Course Title: Introduction To Environmental Technology Credits: 3
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Course Number: ENV 2205 Course Title: Introduction To Environmental Technology Credits: 3
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences Course Number: ENV 2205 Course Title: Introduction To Environmental Technology Credits: 3
CREDITS: 3
Course Description
The course provides an introduction to the application of basic scientific and technology skills to
environmental protection. It covers the fundamentals of material and energy cycles in nature and the
consequences of human intervention. It recognizes the methods for evaluating the quality of natural
environments, gaseous, liquid and solid, and for the quantification of pollutant emissions. Technology
solutions will be introduced in terms of measurement and monitoring as well as mitigation and abatement
and pollution prevention and control. The course covers aspects of air, water and soil pollution abatement
technology. It also introduced the concepts of greenhouse gas monitoring and technology and
instrumentation used in measurement. Some introduction to the concepts of best available technology
(BAT) for pollution mitigation and abatement are also introduced. Topics include identifying and
selecting available technologies for the treatment of gaseous and liquid effluents and of solid wastes, and
for the remediation of contaminated environments; and integrating these skills in the framework of
economic activities.
1. Explain the fundamentals of material and energy cycles in Nature and the consequences of human
intervention.
2. Identify and describe the methods for evaluating the quality of natural environments, gaseous,
liquid and solid, and for the quantification of pollutant emissions.
3. Justify and explain the treatment of gaseous and particulate emissions, liquid effluents and the
remediation of contaminated environments.
4. Use available technologies for the treatment of gaseous and particulate emissions, liquid effluents
and for the remediation of contaminated environments.
5. Discuss how the use of the environmental technologies could be used in achieving respective
standards and regulations.
Course Content
Environmental Technology in Developing Countries (2 lectures)
History of technological development; Definition and role and drivers of environmental
technology in Environmental management; introduction to standards, regulations and
environmental technology solutions, economics of pollution abatement
Land and Soil Pollution Measurement, Control and Prevention Technology (I) (2 lectures)
Soil remediation processes: bioremediation (microbiological); natural systems; physico-chemical
treatments; introduction to engineered and landfill systems; in-situ controls; linkages to aquifer
system impacts
Land and Soil Pollution Measurement, Control and Prevention Technology (2) (2 lectures)
‘Clean’ and ‘green’ production concepts; technology solutions, techniques and tools used in the
mining industry Impacts of mining (gold, diamonds, bauxite), agro-processing, heavy
manufacturing and chemicals, oil and gas and other industrial processes.
Field Trip
o To wastewater treatment facility and/or municipal water treatment plant
This course presents several opportunities to compliment classroom learning with participatory and
observational learning through field trips. At least one and no more than three field trips are to be
considered. Lecturers are to be creative in proposal of field trips, which could be a few hours long and
need not require travel over long distances. For example, a guided tour of the nearest municipal
wastewater treatment facility, landfill or glass bottle recycling plant are instructive. A visit to a larger
manufacturing site where abatement controls can be seen actively in work and being monitored (e.g. air
scrubbers and cooling towers) can also be important opportunities.
Laboratory activities emphasize the demonstration of the use of environmental technology, equipment,
tools and machinery used in practice; how it is used, when and where and by whom in what situations.
Students can also work in teams to conceptualize and build mini models of basic abatement equipment
that demonstrate the scientific principles behind abatement. This can be readily done to demonstrate
concepts such as, for example, microbial degradation of oils and fats; flocculation, water filtration and
airborne particulate catchment.
Required Readings
Marinova, D., Annandale, D., & Phillimore, J. (eds) (2010). The International Handbook on
Environmental Technology Management. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Nathanson, J.A. & Schneider, R.A. (2015). Basic environmental technology: Water supply, waste
management, and pollution control, 6th Edition. Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.
Recommended Readings
Tchobanoglous, F. L. Burton, H. D. Stensel , Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater Engineering:
Treatment And Reuse, 4th edition, G., McGraw-Hill, New York
Williams, P.T. (2005). Waste Treatment and Disposal. 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons