6 ECTS credits
159 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4015845FNR for all students in the 2nd semester of odd academic years (e.g. 2013-2014) at a (F) Master - specialised level.
Different aspects related to environmental sampling (focussed on water and sediment sampling) are discussed such as:
• Environmental quality guidelines, (e.g. EU water framework directives, sediment quality guidelines, clean air quality, …)
• Monitoring strategies
• Specific sampling requirements for trace metals, organics, in different matrices (water, sediments) and at varying concentration levels (open ocean, rivers, wastewater, …)
• Screening methods, in situ analysis, passive samplers
• Quality control
Water sampling
• Physico-chemical parameters; carbonate chemistry (alkalinity, DIC; pH; O2; isotopic composition of DIC, O2)
• Suspended organic carbon, Chlorophyll
• Clean sampling protocols for trace metals
• Passive samplers: DET/DGT probes: advantages, capabilities and limitations, speciation capabilities
• Field analysis: portable instrumentation, discrete and continuous measurements, speciation capabilities of voltametric methods
• Sampling methods from ship, RIB and river bank
• Sample handing, pre-treatment and storage
Sediment and porewater sampling
• Bulk sampling or core sampling
• Porewater sampling: centrifugation, squeezing, dialysis sampler, DET/DGT probes
• Measurements of physicochemical parameters
• Flux measurements at the sediment-water interface
The course involves a 1-2 day field trip on the Scheldt estuary in which water and sediment samples are taken for metals, nutrients and stable isotopes of C and N. Next to the above mentioned sampling techniques, the students are learn to interpret the results and achieve an understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients and trace metals in estuaries
Additional information
For further information please contact M. Leermakers (mleermak@vub.ac.be) and Frank Dehairs (fdehairs@vub.ac.be)
The course contents are available as slides (pdf) accessible via the VUB learning platform, together with specific scientific publications. Further general and specific information on specific topics is available from books accessible in the General library and the library of the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (VUB) (e.g. ‘In-situ Monitoring of Aquatic Systems’ by Buffle and Horvai; Trace Element Speciation for Environment, Food and Health, by Ebdon et al.; Metal Speciation and Bioavailability in Aquatic Systems, by Tessier and Turner)
The student
• will have acquired expertise in the use of specific sampling techniques of water, sediments and is able to perform the sampling in acorrect amnner
• is aware of the importance of avoiding contamination during sampling
• has gained insight in the potential of in-situ analysis, analysis in the field, continuous monitoring and screening methods
-is able to perform nutrient analysis on board of the ship
-is able to perform sample handling for metals and nutrients ina correct manner
-is able to interpret the results and has gained a basic knowlegde on biogeochemistry of metals and nutrients in an estuarine environment
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
PRAC Lab Work determines 25% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 75% of the final mark.
Within the PRAC Lab Work category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Practicals: Permanent evaluation of the practical lab work, both during the field expedition as in the lab
Report: The students make a report on the field sampling expedition, showing the aquired knowledge on the aspects of field sampling and the interpretations of the results.
Final scores
Consist of the weighted average of the scores obtained for the report and the permanent evaluation
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: chemie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)