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National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour Session 2 Session 2
Online Session 2 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Advanced

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

192 credit points

Unit aim

Provides a multidisciplinary approach to defining the major types of chemical, physical, and biological pollutants that impact upon marine environments. Also examines pathways, fates and effects of these pollutants on marine ecosystems and human health. Examines different approaches to the design of monitoring programs for detecting pollutants, and techniques for controlling pollutants. Students gain skills in sampling techniques and analysis of polluted samples.

Unit content

Read the study guide topics and directed readings.

An Introduction to Marine Pollution

Nutrients and oxygen-demanding wastes

Oil and hydrocarbons

Antifoulants, past and present

Metals and mining

Compartments, distribution processes and community response – case studies on sediments and dredging

Plastic wastes – the floaters

Radioactivity

Water and sediment quality monitoring, risk assessment and compliance testing. Risk assessment tools: Ecotoxicology, multiple lines of evidence, community response

Understanding management actions and legislation that can reduce and minimise pollution.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate their understanding of pollution issues, their sources and the relationship humans have with the ocean as a source of food and a sink for waste
2 evaluate the way different pollutants behave in the marine environment and their impacts on marine ecosystems including nutrients, oil, metal pollution, pesticides and herbicides, solid plastics, antifoulants, radioactivity
3 describe the compartments and distribution processes of pollutants in the marine environment using case studies
4 develop tools that expand their inquiry to support management decisions
5 write sound scientific arguments related to research and data collection associated with marine pollution
6 research and present sound scientific information for appropriate audiences.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate their understanding of pollution issues, their sources and the relationship humans have with the ocean as a source of food and a sink for waste
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  2. evaluate the way different pollutants behave in the marine environment and their impacts on marine ecosystems including nutrients, oil, metal pollution, pesticides and herbicides, solid plastics, antifoulants, radioactivity
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  3. describe the compartments and distribution processes of pollutants in the marine environment using case studies
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. develop tools that expand their inquiry to support management decisions
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  5. write sound scientific arguments related to research and data collection associated with marine pollution
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  6. research and present sound scientific information for appropriate audiences.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.