Environmental Pollution

Base Knowledge

The student should have a good knowledge of chemistry, biology and pedology. For the best progression of the student in the contents of this CU, it is highly recommended that they have passed the basic CUs mentioned above.

Teaching Methodologies

To achieve the objectives of each of the aspects covered in the curricular unit and provide students with the expected competences, the teaching and learning process is based on:

a) studying specific cases, accompanied by a set of instructions that lead the student to a critical evaluation, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions;

b) carrying out practical work to apply theoretical concepts;

c) bibliographical research necessary to complement the information obtained in class and to produce reports.

Learning Results

The aim of this course is to develop the following skills in students who successfully complete it:

1. Atmospheric pollution and noise pollution: a) Recognize the sources of atmospheric pollution and the cycles of atmospheric pollutants, as well as the risks of atmospheric pollution to human health and the environment; b) Understand the current situation in relation to noise pollution and assess the levels of noise pollution using appropriate methodology and the risks to human health and the environment; c) Familiarize yourself with the legislation regulating air quality and environmental noise.

2. Soil and water pollution: a) Know the main sources of soil and water pollution and the effects of pollutants on ecosystems; b) Know the physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the reactions and transport of pollutants in soil and water; c) Know the techniques for soil conservation and the methods used in remediation; d) Specific problems of soil and water pollution caused by agriculture: knowing the polluting factors and effects caused by agricultural activity and livestock activity; e) Familiarization with basic regulatory legislation (NREAP, CBPA and Agri-environmental measures).

Program

1. Atmospheric pollution: Atmospheric pollutants and their effects on human health and the environment; sources of primary and secondary atmospheric pollution; legislation for ambient air quality.

2. Noise pollution: Noise and its consequences for public health and the environment; equivalent sound level and noise maps; noise control methodologies; legislation governing environmental noise.

3. Soil and water pollution: physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the reactions and transport of pollutants in soil and water; main sources of water pollution and soil degradation; soil conservation and remediation methods; vulnerable areas in Europe.

4. Agricultural and Livestock Pollution: sources of contamination and instruments for reducing the environmental impacts caused by agricultural inputs; biological and toxicological characterization of inputs; regulations applied to the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and organic compounds; livestock farming as a source of air, soil and water contamination; regulations applied to livestock farms and the protection of agricultural ecosystems.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Alloway, B.J. & Ayres, D.C. Chemical principles of environmental pollution. Blackie Academic & Professional, 1993.

Brusseau, M.L.; I.L. Pepper and C.P. Gerba. Environmental and Pollution Science. 3ª edição Elsevier, eBook ISBN: 9780128147207, 2019.

Calouro, F. Actividades Agrícolas e Ambiente. Colecção Agricultura e Ambiente. Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação. Porto, 2005.

Cunha, M.J., Casau, F., Amaro, R. & Oliveira, A. Tecnologias Limpas em Agro-Pecuária. Colecção Agricultura e Ambiente. Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação. Porto, 2005.

DEFRA. Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing ammonia emissions. Published 27 July 2018 U.K., 2018.

Mirsal, I. Soil Pollution: Origin, Monitoring & Remediation. Springer 2nd edition, 2008.

MADRP. Manual Básico de Práticas Agrícolas: Conservação do Solo e da Água. INGA Ed., 1999

Merrington, G.; L. Winder, R. Parkinson & M. Redman. Agricultural Pollution: Problems and Practical Solutions. Ed. Spon Press, NY, USA, 2002.

Ministério do Ambiente, Agricultura, Florestas e Desenvolvimento Rural. Código de Boas Práticas Agrícolas – Despacho n.º 1230/2018 de 5 de fevereiro de 2018. DR 2.ª série — N.º 25, 2018.

Patnaik, P. Handbook of Environmental Analysis: Chemical Pollutants in Air, Water, Soil and Solid Wastes. 2nd edition, CRC Press, 2010.

Santos, J.Q. Fertilização e Ambiente. Publicações Europa América, Coleção EuroAgro, 2001.

Simões, J.S. Utilização de Produtos Fitofarmacêuticos na Agricultura. Colecção Agricultura e Ambiente. Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação. Porto, 2005.

Spellman F. R. & N. Whiting. Environmental management of concentrated animal feeding operations. Ed. Taylor & Francis Group, FL, USA, 2007.

Spellman, F. R. The Science of Environmental Pollution. CRC Press, ISBN 9781032016832, 464 pp., 2021.

Varennes A. Produtividade dos Solos e Ambiente. Escolar editora. 2003

Wild, A. Soils and the environment: an introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1993.

 *Outras a serem indicadas/fornecidas pelos docentes na permanente atualização dos conteúdos abordados na UC.