Module Information
Module Identifier
EAM1820
Module Title
The Water Framework Directive, Water Quality and Hydrological Extremes
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 hours of lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 7 hours of discussion groups |
| Practical | 2 hour workshop |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | ORAL PRESENTATION | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | REPORT 1,500 word technical report 4000 words | 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmission of failed elements of coursework. Presentation marks are carried forward. Presentation marks to be carried forward. Resubmit elements of coursework. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe and evaluate the management actions required to achieve the principles of drainage-basin scale water management as outlined in the Water Framework Directive (2000).
Critically evaluate the place of daughter Directives in establishing numerical standards for 'protected area' as illustrated using the Bathing Water Directive (2006) and the implications for: (i) catchment microbial dynamics; (ii) legal compliance at WFD Annex 4 'protected areas'; and (iii) public health.
Critically evaluate the concept of 'good ecological' status for EU waters and be able to apply environmental data within an appropriate operationally derived modelling framework to determine the ecological status of coastal waters using a data set and case study based on the Island of Jersey and its near-shore waters.
Present succinct and well focused science information and conclusions
Brief description
The module is split into two sections. The first uses the example of catchment microbial dynamics to illustrate the implementation of the WFD in UK and EU catchment systems. Parallels with the US Clean Water Act are drawn and the wider literature on River Basin management and planning is used in this context. The current implementation of the revised Bathing Water Directive (2006) from 2012 to 2015 is used to illustrate the processes and evidence bases required for WFD implementation.
The second topic explains and explores the concept of `Good Ecological? status (or condition) which is a central aim of the WFD. Here, interaction between land-based nutrient flux and coastal eutrophication is illustrated using a case study centred on the Island of Jersey. The Comprehensive Studies Task Team (1994, and 1997) reports are used to illustrate the UK/EU approach to eutrophication risk assessment and an empirical data base, describing nutrient flux, near-shore water quality and key driving variables is made available to the class together with a simple numerical model which can be used for scenario testing. This case study forms the core of the student coursework assessment.
The second topic explains and explores the concept of `Good Ecological? status (or condition) which is a central aim of the WFD. Here, interaction between land-based nutrient flux and coastal eutrophication is illustrated using a case study centred on the Island of Jersey. The Comprehensive Studies Task Team (1994, and 1997) reports are used to illustrate the UK/EU approach to eutrophication risk assessment and an empirical data base, describing nutrient flux, near-shore water quality and key driving variables is made available to the class together with a simple numerical model which can be used for scenario testing. This case study forms the core of the student coursework assessment.
Content
1. Principles of the `English Directive? the WFD.
2. Catchment microbial dynamics.
3. Public health and epidemiology ? derivation of health-based microbial standards.
4. Real-time regulation the WHO `predict and protect? philosophy.
5. Modelling microbial flux and concentrations challenges in terrestrial and near-shore systems.
6. Good ecological condition: nutrient drivers; eutrophication processes effects and impacts.
7. Measurement approaches; invertebrates; algae; diatoms.
8. The Jersey case study: a history of diffuse nutrient flux and regulatory challenges.
9. The CSTT eutrophication risk model and its application
10. Critical appraisal of the CSTT model and its data requirements and introduction to the coursework unit
2. Catchment microbial dynamics.
3. Public health and epidemiology ? derivation of health-based microbial standards.
4. Real-time regulation the WHO `predict and protect? philosophy.
5. Modelling microbial flux and concentrations challenges in terrestrial and near-shore systems.
6. Good ecological condition: nutrient drivers; eutrophication processes effects and impacts.
7. Measurement approaches; invertebrates; algae; diatoms.
8. The Jersey case study: a history of diffuse nutrient flux and regulatory challenges.
9. The CSTT eutrophication risk model and its application
10. Critical appraisal of the CSTT model and its data requirements and introduction to the coursework unit
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Numerical analysis is core to the work |
| Communication | Principally written communication of research findings with a supplementary scientific presentation |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Individual study and problem solving through the project work |
| Information Technology | Central to the project delivery using the Excel model provided as part of the CSTT evaluation |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The students undertake a policy-relevant analysis |
| Problem solving | The project is developing the use of empirical data to produce a policy relevant evidence base and problem solving ability. |
| Research skills | Critical evaluation of field data and analysis of said quantitative data |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Reading List
Recommended TextAstebøl S.O., Hvitved-Jacobson T. & Simonson Ø. (2004) Science of the Total Environment Sustainable stormwater management at Fornebu ¿ from an airport to an industrial and residential area of the city of Oslo, Norway 334-335:239-249 Primo search Ellis J.B., Deutsch J.-C., Mouchel J. ¿M., Scholes L. & Revitt M.D. (2004) Science of the Total Environment Multicriteria decision approaches to support sustainable drainage options for the treatment of highway and urban runoff 334-335:251-260 Primo search Harremoës P. (2002) Water Science and Technology Integrated urban drainage status and perspectives 45 (3):1-10 Primo search Harremoës P. (1998) Water Science and Technology Upgrading our inherited drainage systems 37 (9):1-8 Primo search Kay D., Bartram J., Prüss A., Ashbolt N., Wyer M.D., Fleisher J.M., Fewtrell L., Rogers A. & Rees G. (2004) Water Research Derivation of numerical values for the World Health Organization guidelines for recreational waters. 38, 1296-1304 Primo search Nordeidet B., Nordeide T., Astebøl S.O. & Hvitved-Jacobson T. (2004) Science of the Total Environment Prioritising and planning of urban stormwater treatment in the Alna watercourse in Oslo 334-335:231-238 Primo search Waters D., Watt W.E., Marsalek J. & Anderson B.C. (2003) Journal of Environmental Planning and Management Adaptation of a storm drainage system to accommodate increased rainfall resulting from climate change 46(5): 755-770 Primo search NERC (1999) The Flood Estimation Handbook Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK Primo search WHO (2004) Guidelines for drinking water WHO Geneva Primo search WHO (2004) Guidelines for safe recreational water environments Vol II WHO Geneva Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7