Marine Pollution: Source, Transport and Impact (250568) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Contents
The physical processes that contribute to the transport of pollution in the sea at different scales will be presented, and taking into account the particularities of the source (eg, marine outfalls) and of the environment (eg, coastal zone) Physical transport mechanisms - Problems
Specific Objectives
Know the physical mechanisms that contribute to reduce the concentration of pollutants Know the relative importance of the different mechanisms (orders of magnitude) Know the specific transport mechanisms for particular cases
Dedication
8h Large group + 8h Self StudyThe definition of marine pollution will be introduced, and its main sources and the characteristics that determine its behavior in the marine environment will be seen. Emphasis will be placed on the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus
Specific Objectives
Knowing what constitutes marine pollution Knowing the main sources and types of pollution in the sea Knowing the main biogeochemical cycles that take place at sea
Dedication
2h Large group + 4h Self StudyThe marine pollution due to urban waste water spills will be analyzed. The main types of organic and inorganic contamination will be presented, as well as the role of wastewater treatment plants
Specific Objectives
Understand the particularities of marine pollution by waste water Knowing their main types of pollution (organic and inorganic) Knowing the role of sewage plants to reduce this type of pollution
Dedication
6h Large group + 6h Laboratory classes + 9h 56m Self StudyIt will present all the problems associated with microbial contamination, including the definition of indicator microorganisms and the microbiological decay process. It will analyze how it affects the quality of the beaches, and how it is acted to reduce the impact.
Specific Objectives
Knowing what microbial contamination is and what generates it Knowing what the process of microbiological decay is, and how it can be characterized Knowing how it affects the quality of water on the beaches
Dedication
4h Large group + 5h Self StudyLaboratory analysis will be carried out of the main water quality parameters we have seen in the previous classes Visit to a wastewater treatment plant A puzzle-type dynamic will be carried out on the reading of scientific articles Other types of pollution present in the marine environment, their characteristics, their impacts, and how to prevent them will be introduced. Persistent compounds, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and / or plastics will be analyzed
Specific Objectives
Learn to measure the main water quality parameters Learn about other types of marine pollution and their particularities. Know how to prevent, avoid or reduce pollution by these substances
Dedication
12h Large group + 10h Laboratory classes + 30h 48m Self StudyThe concept, causes and effects of water eutrophication, as well as measures to prevent it, will be introduced.
Specific Objectives
Knowing what is and what are the causes of the eutrophication of water bodies Know what measures can be applied to avoid eutrophication Know what impacts is eutrophication on the aquatic environment
Dedication
3h Large group + 7h Self StudyThe main polluting substances from agricultural drainage waters, as well as their impact on the marine environment and techniques to minimize it, will be introduced
Specific Objectives
Knowing the impact of agricultural waters on the marine environment Knowing methodologies to reduce the impact
Dedication
4h Large group + 6h Self StudyThe basic concepts of numerical modeling, as well as different types of models, their fields of application, and their reliability (validation, calibration, limitations, ...) will be presented. Examples will be analyzed, and applied to realistic cases. Numerical modeling of the dispersion
Specific Objectives
Know the basic types of dispersion models, and know the applicability and limitations. Know how to apply different dispersion models to example cases, making a critical evaluation of the results.
Dedication
2h Large group + 6h Medium group + 12h 40m Self Study