Discuss and explain water and air pollution.

this is two parts of assessment A and B

for part A you can chose one of these

• Ozone (O3)

• Particulate Matter (PM10 or PM2.5)

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

and for part B I will upload the Data

Assessment:

This second unit assessment relates to term two teaching blocks 3 (air pollution) and 4 (water quality) and comprises two parts.

Please note that these two parts should be submitted together as a single package. However, please staple together the pages for each component individually, so that they can be easily separated from one another, with a distinct front page for each part. Please attach a cover sheet to each of the two parts.

Part A: Air pollution report (1250 words)

For this part of the assignment you are required to investigate the concentrations of an air pollutant in a region of your choice.

Choose ONE of the following pollutants:

• Ozone (O3)

• Particulate Matter (PM10 or PM2.5)

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Research the recently monitored levels of your chosen pollutant in a UK or international region by collecting a set of air pollution data from (a) suitable monitoring site(s). NB if you choose a very broad geographic region you may find it more difficult to produce a succinct detailed report in 1250 words. The dataset should be reasonably detailed (i.e. daily data should be considered as part of the dataset rather than just annual summaries) and the density of data should be sufficient to discuss both the daily and seasonal trends. Write a report discussing the observed concentrations, the problems the air pollution may cause in the region studied and the management strategies to deal with the air pollution problem.

You should structure the report using your own section headings, but it should cover the following areas:

1. Executive Summary, which should not exceed 1 page. (10%)

2. Introduction. (10%)

2. Researching and presentation of the available air pollutant data. Ideally this section should utilise appropriate graphs and/or tables to summarise the data. (25%)

3. Discussion of the air pollutant concentration data. (25%)

4. Either 4a):

Critically assess the health and/or environmental impacts of the pollutant concentrations reported, and how this can be (or is being) managed. (30%)

Or 4b):

Discuss the chemistry of your chosen gaseous pollutant (i.e. O3 or NO2) showing the most common reactions that it undergoes in an urban atmosphere, and the role those reactions play in its environmental or health impacts.

If your chosen pollutant is PM10 or PM2.5 discuss the relationship between particulate size and particle number and different formation pathways. Discuss the role of particle size and number in its environmental or health pathways. (30%)

The report must be fully referenced, making full use of the available literature and internet resources. All references cited in the text should be included in a reference section at the end of the report.

Part B: Water quality laboratory report (1250 words, plus supporting data tables and figures)

During teaching block four you will complete laboratory measurements to determine several water quality parameters in unknown water samples, the aim of that practical exercise being development of your understanding of water quality parameters and ultimately your identification of the sources (from a list provided) of the water samples measured. You are required to write a succinct report that summarises and interprets the data collected during the laboratory sessions. More details on this write up will be provided within the booklet provided for the laboratory classes. Marks will be awarded as follows:

1. Report layout and presentation. (10 marks)

2. Brief introduction. (10 marks)

3. Summary of laboratory methods. (10 marks)

4. Supporting data tables and data figures. (20 marks)

5. Discussion of the collected water quality data, specifically to include your rationale for identification of the unknown water samples, as well as the highlighting of significant water quality issues and any remedial actions possible. The discussion should integrate the data collected with published reports and/or scientific journal articles. (40 marks)

6. Brief conclusions. (10 marks)

The following resources are relevant to the first assessed component:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/protecting-and-enhancing-our-urban-and-natural-environment-to-improve-public-health-and-wellbeing/supporting-pages/international-european-and-national-standards-for-air-quality – UK national air quality strategy

• http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/air_pollution/l28159_en.htm – EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution. The EU council directive 96/62/EC on Management and quality of ambient air can be found at: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/other/l28031a_en.htm

• http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/air/air-quality/map/airbase/airbase – EU validated monitoring data and maps

• http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/data/ – official UK air pollution monitoring data archive. The data selector tool will allow you to quickly obtain a sufficiently detailed dataset for this assignment

• http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ – US air monitoring data hub

http://datacenter.mep.gov.cn/report/air_daily/air_dairy_en.jsp – China monitoring data – nb China routinely issue an Air Pollution Index rather than concentrations but there are still some interesting data to be seen here

All websites are correct as of September 2014.

Supporting resources for the second assessed component will be made available during the introductory lecture, laboratory practical classes and via Moodle.

Assessment criteria/Marking scheme/Grade descriptors:

Marking scheme attached. Please also refer to the generic assessment criteria and grade descriptors that are posted on Moodle.

Word/Page limit (delete as appropriate):

Coursework that exceeds stated page limit will be penalised according to the following scheme:

• If your work exceeds the stated word/page limit by more than 10% your mark will be reduced by 10% (ie one degree class).

• If your work exceeds the stated word/page limit by more than 30% your mark will be capped at 40%.

WORD/PAGE LIMIT:

Part A = 1250 words

Part B = 1250 words WORD PROCESSED:

YES

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

Assignments MUST be submitted by Monday 27th April 2015.

Work submitted later than the above date will receive 0% (zero %)

Student’s marking scheme guidance for Part A

Executive Summary (this should not exceed 1 page) (10 marks)

A good summary should summarise the salient points of the report and in particular include key results and their significance, and how any AQ problems are currently being managed in the region in question.

Introduction (10 marks)

A good introduction should discuss the pollutant under investigation with some additional contextual material such as why that pollutant is considered to be a problem

Researching and presentation of the available data (25 marks)

Good responses will indicate how the data was collected and its source. An excellent answer would discuss quality assurance. Data should be presented graphically where possible and there should be sufficient density of data to cover both daily and seasonal trends in the data set

Discussion of the concentration data found (25 marks)

Student should be able to discuss trends in data and discuss probable reasons for these. Specifics will vary upon data set and area under discussion.

Critical assessment of the health and/or environmental impacts of the concentrations reported, and how this can be (or is being) managed. (30 marks)

Student should relate pollutant levels to local relevant AQ standards and articulate these. Management should relate to control of sources, creation of AQMA. Where necessary the student can discuss the difficulties of controlling sources for secondary pollutants. The more insight demonstrated the better.

Chemistry discussion of PM or NOx / O3 (30 marks)

Key part of assessment – student should relate observed pollutant levels show key reactions Finally the report should be referenced.

[continued]

Student’s Marking scheme guidance for Part B

1. Report layout and presentation. (10%)

Up to 10 marks to be awarded for general layout and presentation of the report, e.g. use of page numbers and subheadings (where required), juxtaposition of figures/tables with text and use of suitably numbered figure and table captions.

2. Brief introduction. (10%)

The introduction to the report should succinctly summarise the aims of, and rationale for, the water quality measurement exercise.

3. Summary of laboratory methods. (10%)

The methods should succinctly explain how the water quality measurements completed in the laboratory were undertaken.

4. Use of supporting data tables and data figures. (20%)

The water quality report text should be supported by appropriate figures and data tables. The highest marks will be awarded where there is evidence of synthesis of data.

5. Discussion of the collected water quality data, specifically to include your rationale for identification of the unknown water samples, as well as the highlighting of significant water quality issues and any remedial actions possible. The discussion should integrate the data collected with published reports and/or scientific journal articles. (40 marks)

The highest marks will only be awarded where there is clear evidence of comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the water quality data, in combination with interpretation and discussion of the data collected. The results of the water quality measurements should be integrated with published reports and scientific journal articles

6. Brief conclusions. (10%)

The conclusions to the report should succinctly summarise the outcomes of the water quality testing measurements.

The UK government faces its final hearing in the Supreme Court today over failures to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels in urban areas including Manchester. The hearing is due to legal challenges from Environmental Pressure Groups, and depending on the judgement could lead to stronger legislation and action plans on urban air quality. Althoug a final judgement is not due to July (after the election) Keep a look out on the news media in the next few days for announcements which may influence some of your thoughts on your assignments.

http://www.localgov.co.uk/Government-in-Supreme-Court-over-illegal-air-pollution-levels/38506

http://www.airqualitynews.com/2015/04/16/clientearth-braced-for-final-uk-air-quality-court-hearing/

2. As some of you may have seen recently in the press, one of the websites I pointed you to for collecting air quality data for the assignment, the UK air site operated by DEFRA, has been hacked by a group calling itself Moroccan Islamic Union-Mail.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/07/islamist-hackers-defra-air-quality-website-saddam-hussein

Whilst the current air quality information and forecast service has been restored the air quality database is likely to be unavailable for a while. Obviously as the assignment was set in January most of you will already have your data (I suspect the majority of you will have actually completed this part of the assessment weeks ago) and be unaffected by this development, but unfortunately you may not be able to return to this site before the assignment due data if you feel the need to check or acquire further data from the UK site.

For the ‘odd’ student who has yet to start this assignment then I suggest you use one of the other non-UK data sites that were also indicated on the assignment cover sheet to aquire your data. This will then allow you to complete the assignment, in the normal manner.


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