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The majority of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels. In New Zealand, Australasia and Asia, oil and gas are derived ultimately from coal and coal-bearing strata. Therefore, any exploration of oil and gas must be well founded in a basic understanding of coal geology. The use of coal and other carbon-based energy sources presents many challenges, not only in exploration but also in the downstream environmental effects. Today's geologists need to understand those consequences and risks.
Environmental geology is a wide field which applies geological principles to environmental management. Geochemistry studies the chemical composition of the earth. These fields are increasingly important and interrelated, particularly in understanding and managing anthropogenic effects on the environment. This course explores these fields largely in the context of mineral extraction activities.The majority of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels. In New Zealand, Australasia and Asia, oil and gas are derived ultimately from coal and coal-bearing strata. Therefore, any exploration of oil and gas must be well founded in a basic understanding of coal geology. The use of coal and other carbon-based energy sources presents many challenges, not only in exploration but also in the downstream environmental effects. Today's geologists need to understand those consequences and risks.The Coal Geo-science course will include information on coal quality analysis procedures and the interpretation and implications of this data in relation to New Zealand coals. Seminars include material on a selection of current coal related research topics or resource developments that are occurring in New Zealand or internationally. Specifically, material on, new mining operations in New Zealand, gasification processes, and others. In the second half we will focus on environmental issues related to mining and current research within New Zealand to mitigate the impact of mining on drainages.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Provisional schedule of topics (12 Lectures)Week # - Seminars - Topic & Content - Who 1 - Introduction to Geochemistry - Definitions, Properties of water, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics - Hana Christenson2 - Chemical Weathering - Definitions, Weathering rates, Weathering products, Soils - Hana Christenson3 - Biogeochemistry - Definitions, Biogeochemical cycles, Geochemistry, Case studies - Hana Christenson4 - Iron geochemistry - Aquatic chemistry, pH and Eh control, Minerals, Case studies - Hana Christenson5 - Trace element geochemistry - Classification and relevance, Distribution, Adsorption, Case studies - Hana Christenson6 - New Zealand coal quality and geology - Coal Characteristics and Analysis, Commonly measured properties , Methods, Utilisation, NZ coal properties - James Pope7 - New Zealand coal quality and geology - Coal Seam Gas and its Exploration, Measurement of coal seam gas, Geology of Coal Seam Gas exploration, Integration of geological, hydrogeological, analytical data - James Pope8 - Environmental aspects of mining - Coal mine drainage geochemistry, Formation of acid mine drainage, downstream effects of acid mine drainage - Dave Trumm9 - Environmental aspects of mining Mine drainage treatment I - Treatment geochemistry, active and passive treatment systems - Dave Trumm10 - Environmental aspects of mining - Mine drainage treatment II - case studies - Dave Trumm11 - Environmental aspects of mining - Trace elements in mine drainage I, Arsenic, antimony, Mobility and treatment case studies - Dave Trumm12 - Environmental aspects of mining - Trace elements in mine drainage II, Manganese, ferrous iron, Mobility and treatment case studies - Dave Trumm
For further information see School of Earth and Environment Head of Department
Time and placeWeekly seminars to be centrally timetabled.
Domestic fee $1,051.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .