Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Marine Pollution: Source, Transport and Impact (250568) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

In this course, the concepts of Marine Pollution (particularly in coastal and estuarine waters) and its impact from anthropogenic pollutants (fluvial, urban, port, etc.) on Water Quality will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on the main sources of pollution, types of pollutants, and the physicochemical processes involved in their transport. Solutions for preventing marine pollution will also be discussed. The underlying concepts of Fick's laws and their application to the modeling of pollutant dispersion will be reviewed. 1.- Understanding the different sources and transfer processes of pollution to the marine environment, as well as the main types of pollutants. 2.- Understanding the different mechanisms of transport, both physical and non-physical, of contaminant substances in the sea. 3.- Understanding the potential impact of pollution on the marine and coastal systems, including biological and physical components. 4.- Understanding the solutions for preventing marine pollution. This course aims for students to gain an understanding of real environmental problems in the marine environment from a perspective that combines chemistry and biology with mathematical techniques to address these problems (Marine Ecology, Ecosystems, and Productive Processes). It also covers the chemical, biological, and physical tools needed to solve common problems in coastal and shelf waters (Marine Pollution: Origin, Transport, and Impacts). Additionally, this course includes applied techniques in the visualization, interpretation, and resolution of the problems addressed within the subject matter.

Competencies

Especific

To know and apply the lexicon and concepts of the Marine Sciences and Technologies and other related fields.

Establish a good practice in the integration of common numerical, laboratory and field techniques in the analysis of any problem related to the marine environment.

Address the most relevant processes and their interactions related to their physical / chemical / biological / geological components, applying technical and scientific knowledge and criteria.

To set, evaluate and propose solutions to the different conflicts of use and exploitation in the marine and coastal environment resources based on scientific and technical criteria.

Carry out environmental impact, management and protection studies of the marine environment and adjacent coastal areas, including the corresponding infrastructures and their related impacts.

Develop a conceptual framework to address the sustainability of the marine environment and the related socio-economic activities at different scales, explaining the effects of climate change.

Write technical reports and disseminate knowledge about the different components of the marine system, considering the applicable legal framework.

Apply the necessary tools to analyze the economic and legal aspects of human actions and the related impacts on the marine environment, including technical advice and representation of companies and administrations.

Generic

Develop a professional activity in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies.

Address in a comprehensive manner the analysis and preservation of the marine environment with sustainability criteria.

Apply state-of-the-art methods and techniques in oceanography and marine climate, jointly covering the physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects.

Apply knowledge and academic experience to the biotic and abiotic resources of the marine environment, explaining their interactions with the socio-economic activities that take place in it.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 52.8h 88.00 %
Medium group 3h 5.00 %
Laboratory classes 4.2h 7.00 %
Self Study 90h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 4 hours per week of classroom activity. There are 2 tipes of classrooms: - theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. - solving practical problems win order to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. The language in which the course is taught will depend on the teacher. In particular, professor Enrica Uggetti will teach in Spanish,while professors Marc Mestres will teach in Catalan Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

Exam I (40%) + Exam II (40%) + Problems (10%) + Report of the practical work in class (5%) + Report of practices (5%). To pass it is necessary to obtain an overall grade> 4.9 The exams are test type 5% of the Exam II (of the total 40%) will refer to the technical visit. Attendance at the visit is mandatory. Students who do not attend the visit will have a 0 in the part corresponding to 5%. Attendance at laboratory practice and class work is mandatory in order to deliver the reports. Students who do not attend the practice will have a grade of 0 in the report. Students who, having carried out all the evaluation acts, have not approved will be able to carry out a re-evaluation exam, which will be exclusively of the type of test. Students who have not attended the practice and/or the technical visit will not be able to perform the requalification exam. Adopting the re-evaluation exam means having a rating of 5.0

Office Hours

Before and after classes or by email

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary