Metals: sources, modelling of species in soil, distribution, bioavailability, effects on plants and micro-organisms, critical loads, remediation. Organic chemicals in the environment: fate of organic chemicals in the environment with focus on soil and water remediation. Climate change: terrestrial and aquatic prosesses with focus on carbon. Phosphorus in soil and on a watershed scale. Soil acidification and greenhouse gas emissions due to atmogenic deposition of nitrogen and sulphur Each topic: 10 hours (4h lecture, 4h group work with guidance, 2h presentation and discussion of scientific papers).

To understand how soils functions as reactors in biogeochemical cycles. In-depth understanding of how the terrestrial ecosystem reacts to anthropogenic impacts on soils, such as pollution (organic compounds and trace metals), nutrients (NPK), land use change and warming. This necessitates a deep understanding of soil as an ecosystem, with particular emphasis on its robustness and resilience.

The topic is interdisciplinary and requires collection and use of knowledge from different sources. The lectures are used for communication of facts and dialogue to promote a good link to previous topics, but they are also important for giving the topic a uniform profile. The group work is used for in-depth studies in parts of the topic. The results of these works are presented for discussion. Each student give a presentation of a scientific paper for each of the five topics. Based on the same papers a 500 word essay have to be prepared for the general public.

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Sections from the textbooks Soils and Environmental Quality (Pierzynski, G.M., Sims, J.T. Vance, G.F. 3rd edition 2005)and selected internationally published literature.

MINA200.

JORD200, JORD210, VANN200.

Mandatory activity: All essays needs to be approved.

Oral examination counts 50% and presentation of own scientific essays counts 50%. All of the evaluated elements in the course must be passed to pass the course. Grading scale A-E / Not passed.

Total workload: 300 hours. Lectures + group work + discussion of the group work: 50 hours. Individual contribution: 250 hours (preparation, additional work with the group work, presentation and discussion preparation, preparation of essays).

Special requirements in Science

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Lectures: 20 hours. Group work with guidance: 20 hours. Presentation and discussion of scientific papers: 10 hours.

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The external examiner will be involved in the planning, execution and revision (evaluation) of the course. The external examiner participates in the  final (oral) examination.