GEOL483-19S2 (C) Semester Two 2019

Coal and Environmental Geology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 15 July 2019
End Date: Sunday, 10 November 2019
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 26 July 2019
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 27 September 2019

Description

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.

Learning Outcomes

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable Note

Time and place
Weekly seminars to be centrally timetabled.  

Provisional schedule of topics (12 Lectures)

Week #  -  Seminars (topic and content)  -  who
1  -  Introduction to Geochemistry  -  Definitions, Properties of water, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics  -  Hana Christenson
2  -  Chemical Weathering -  Definitions, Weathering rates, Weathering products, Soils  -  Hana Christenson
3  -  Biogeochemistry -  Definitions, Biogeochemical cycles, Geochemistry, Case studies  -  Hana Christenson
4  -  Iron geochemistry  -  Aquatic chemistry, pH and Eh control, Minerals, Case studies  -  Hana Christenson
5  -  Trace element geochemistry  -  Classification and relevance, Distribution, Adsorption, Case studies  -  Hana Christenson
6  -  New Zealand coal quality and geology  -  Coal Characteristics and Analysis, Commonly measured properties, Methods, Utilisation, NZ coal properties  -  James Pope
7  -  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 Pope
8  -  Environmental aspects of mining  -  Coal mine drainage geochemistry, formation of acid mine drainage, downstream effects of acid mine drainage  -  Dave Trumm
9  -  Environmental aspects of mining  -  Mine drainage treatment - I, treatment geochemistry, active and passive treatment systems   -  Dave Trumm
10  -  Environmental aspects of mining   -  Mine drainage treatment - II , case studies  -  Dave Trumm
11 Environmental aspects of mining  -   Trace elements in mine drainage - I, Arsenic, antimony , Mobility and treatment case studies  -  Dave Trumm
12  -  Environmental aspects of mining  -  Trace elements in mine drainage - II, Manganese, ferrous iron, Mobility and treatment case studies  -  Dave Trumm

Course Coordinator

For further information see School of Earth and Environment Head of Department

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Internal Assessment 35% Internal Assessment
Final Examination 65% Final Examination

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,072.00

* 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 .

All GEOL483 Occurrences

  • GEOL483-19S2 (C) Semester Two 2019