Fall 2021 - EASC 315W D100

Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3)

Class Number: 1308

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 17, 2021
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CHEM 122 and 126. Corequisite or prerequisite: EASC 304. All with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Emphasis is on the fundamentals of water-rock interactions and the chemistry of natural waters, developing an understanding of the physical and chemical principles that govern the geochemistry of water within Earth's crust. Topics will include water sample collection and analysis, chemical thermodynamics, gas-water-rock interactions and geochemical modeling. The applications range from weathering and recharge to acid rock drainage and diagenesis. Students with credit for EASC 412 and/or EASC 315 may not complete this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

General:
This course examines the fundamentals of aqueous geochemistry as applied to natural waters. The emphasis is on developing an understanding of the physical and chemical principles that govern the interaction of water with the geochemical environment. Topics will include water sample collection and analysis, chemical thermodynamics, gas-water-rock interactions, groundwater hydrogeochemistry and geochemical modelling. The course is taught in a lecture/laboratory format where the majority of the writing instruction will be provided during the laboratory.

Course Topics:

  1. Water Quality, Sampling and Analysis
  2. Solutions, Minerals and Equilibria
  3. From Rainwater to Groundwater
  4. The Carbonate System
  5. Mineral Weathering and Silicates
  6. Clay Minerals and Ion Exchange
  7. Flow and Transport Processes
  8. Reduction Oxidation
  9. Adsorption and Trace Metals
  10. Isotopes
  11. Kinetics
  12. Geochemical Modelling (throughout course)

Course Organization:
One 2-hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week. The assignments are based on the theory part of the course, and these will be distributed during lab time. ALL lectures and labs will be remote. Lectures and labs will be synchronous at the times shown in the course schedule. This means that students are expected to be online at the lecture and lab times.

The midterm and final exams will be held remotely. The midterm is scheduled during regular lecture time on Thursday, October 21st, 2021. The final exam will be held during the regular exam period (date to be determined).

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical processes that control the geochemistry of water
  • demonstrate an understanding of geochemical thermodynamics and its application to determining the factors impacting water quality
  • demonstrate the ability to develop a conceptual model of groundwater water quality problems and identify the geochemical processes impacting water chemistry
  • evaluate water composition data using the appropriate plotting methods and construct simple geochemical models to identify data trends and processes impacting water composition
  • demonstrate improved technical writing skills in the form of consulting or government reports

Grading

  • Assignments 35%
  • Term Project 25%
  • Mid-term Exam 15%
  • Final Exam 25%

NOTES:

The fall offering of EASC 315W is via remote instruction.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Technology Requirements:
Computer with webcam and headset with microphone, reliable high-speed internet access. Instructions on how to remotely connect to the EASC Computing Lab will be shared prior to the start of classes.

REQUIRED READING:

Course E-Text:

Appelo, C.A.J. and Postma, D.  2005. Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution, 2nd edition. CRC Press
*Available through online access from the library
ISBN: 9781439833544

RECOMMENDED READING:

Morel and Hering, Principles and Applications of Aquatic Chemistry, Wiley-Interscience, 558pp. Available through online access from the library

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.