FACULTY OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

COURSE NUMBER: ENV 2205

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Environmental Technology

CREDITS: 3

Exemptions: No Exemptions (for A’ Levels, CAPE, Certificates from other tertiary

institutions, etc.).

Pre-requisites: No Pre-requisites/Co-requisites/Follow-On Courses.

Course Description
The course provides an introduction to the application of basic scientific and technology skills to
environmental protection. It covers the fundamentals of material and energy cycles in nature and the
consequences of human intervention. It recognizes the methods for evaluating the quality of natural
environments, gaseous, liquid and solid, and for the quantification of pollutant emissions. Technology
solutions will be introduced in terms of measurement and monitoring as well as mitigation and abatement
and pollution prevention and control. The course covers aspects of air, water and soil pollution abatement
technology. It also introduced the concepts of greenhouse gas monitoring and technology and
instrumentation used in measurement. Some introduction to the concepts of best available technology
(BAT) for pollution mitigation and abatement are also introduced. Topics include identifying and
selecting available technologies for the treatment of gaseous and liquid effluents and of solid wastes, and
for the remediation of contaminated environments; and integrating these skills in the framework of
economic activities.

Student Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the fundamentals of material and energy cycles in Nature and the consequences of human
intervention.

2. Identify and describe the methods for evaluating the quality of natural environments, gaseous,
liquid and solid, and for the quantification of pollutant emissions.

3. Justify and explain the treatment of gaseous and particulate emissions, liquid effluents and the
remediation of contaminated environments.

4. Use available technologies for the treatment of gaseous and particulate emissions, liquid effluents
and for the remediation of contaminated environments.
 5. Discuss how the use of the environmental technologies could be used in achieving respective
standards and regulations.

Course Content
 Environmental Technology in Developing Countries (2 lectures)
History of technological development; Definition and role and drivers of environmental
technology in Environmental management; introduction to standards, regulations and
environmental technology solutions, economics of pollution abatement

 Air Quality Measurement and Monitoring Technology (2 lectures)

Air quality: Emissions, origins; Characterization of emissions; technology solutions to air
pollution impacts: Local, regional and global scales.

 Air Quality Mitigation and Abatement Technology (2 lectures)

Factors to be considered in selecting technological abatement options; Abatement techniques for
common particulate and gaseous atmospheric pollutants from various process sources

 Greenhouse Gases (2 lectures)

Introduction to greenhouse gas measurement, monitoring, mitigation and abatement technology;
Appropriate Technology usage in industry processes; Greenhouse Gas inventory systems;
vehicular and transportation emissions reduction technology

 Water Quality Measurement and Monitoring Technology (2 lectures)

Water management and quality; technology involved in chemical and physical processes of
potable water treatment; water pollution impacts and technology solutions to mitigation and
abatement; groundwater and aquifer pollution prevention and control technology

 Wastewater Origins, Characteristics, and Treatment Strategies (2 lectures)

Wastewater treatment: Preliminary and primary treatment; secondary treatment; activated sludge
systems; advanced N and P removal; biofilm processes; anaerobic processes; tertiary treatment;
treated water discharge and reuse; sludge treatment; treatment ponds; treatment in soils and
constructed wetlands.

 Land and Soil Pollution Measurement, Control and Prevention Technology (I) (2 lectures)
Soil remediation processes: bioremediation (microbiological); natural systems; physico-chemical
treatments; introduction to engineered and landfill systems; in-situ controls; linkages to aquifer
system impacts

 Land and Soil Pollution Measurement, Control and Prevention Technology (2) (2 lectures)
‘Clean’ and ‘green’ production concepts; technology solutions, techniques and tools used in the
mining industry Impacts of mining (gold, diamonds, bauxite), agro-processing, heavy
manufacturing and chemicals, oil and gas and other industrial processes.

 Environmental Technology Applications in Emergencies (2 lectures)

Hazardous and toxic chemical spill abatement technology; Oil spill hazards and spills abatement
and mitigation technology (onshore and offshore); environmental health and safety systems and
planning
 Solid Waste Management Technology (2 lectures)
Solid waste, municipal waste and commercial waste management; technology solutions and
 practices for waste stream identification; recycling; reclamation; safe disposal; physical and
chemical treatments; practices in Guyana and the Caribbean

 ‘Clean’ Technology Challenges and Opportunities (2 lectures)

Technology transfer from industrialized to developing countries; technology adoption, adaptation
and cooperation policies; national innovation, science and technology progress

 Student project presentations and revision classes

Methods of Teaching
 Presentations/Lectures
o Face-to-face-lectures
 Classroom Discussions
o Open Discussion
o Group Discussions
 Interactive Activities/ Collaborative Learning
o Group Activities

 Field Trip
o To wastewater treatment facility and/or municipal water treatment plant

This course presents several opportunities to compliment classroom learning with participatory and
observational learning through field trips. At least one and no more than three field trips are to be
considered. Lecturers are to be creative in proposal of field trips, which could be a few hours long and
need not require travel over long distances. For example, a guided tour of the nearest municipal
wastewater treatment facility, landfill or glass bottle recycling plant are instructive. A visit to a larger
manufacturing site where abatement controls can be seen actively in work and being monitored (e.g. air
scrubbers and cooling towers) can also be important opportunities.

 Laboratory Demonstrations of Technology, equipment and tools

o Water and wastewater pollution abatement and control
o Air quality and greenhouse gases pollution abatement and control
o Soil pollution abatement and control
o Environmental health and safety equipment (e.g. dust masks, containment suits, radiation
protection etc.

Laboratory activities emphasize the demonstration of the use of environmental technology, equipment,
tools and machinery used in practice; how it is used, when and where and by whom in what situations.
Students can also work in teams to conceptualize and build mini models of basic abatement equipment
that demonstrate the scientific principles behind abatement. This can be readily done to demonstrate
concepts such as, for example, microbial degradation of oils and fats; flocculation, water filtration and
airborne particulate catchment.

Methods of Assessment (50/50)

Mid Term Test (15%)

A comprehensive examination of the material covered by the mid-point of the course material coverage.

Field Trip Reflection Essay (10%)

Students will write a reflective essay based on (one of) the field trips they attended. The objective of the
essay exercise is for students to document their understanding of the field trip activities and the lessons
they were exposed to on the field. This is to be augmented with their own additional reading and research
around the focus technology/ practices exposed to on the field trip. Lastly, as a reflection assignment,
students are encouraged to provide their own perspectives and opinions on the technology and practices
they were exposed to (or lack thereof).

Laboratory demonstration or Laboratory Project Research Presentation (25%)

Each student – working in a small group - will present a power point presentation of their chosen
environmental technology project or research assignment. The presentation will be presented via Power
Point slides – and include a one page handout of major talking points – outlined using bullets.

Final Comprehensive Exam (50%)

There will be a comprehensive exam covering all material and topics explored in the course.

Required Readings

Marinova, D., Annandale, D., & Phillimore, J. (eds) (2010). The International Handbook on
Environmental Technology Management. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Nathanson, J.A. & Schneider, R.A. (2015). Basic environmental technology: Water supply, waste
management, and pollution control, 6th Edition. Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.

Recommended Readings

Tchobanoglous, F. L. Burton, H. D. Stensel , Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. (2003). Wastewater Engineering:
Treatment And Reuse, 4th edition, G., McGraw-Hill, New York

Williams, P.T. (2005). Waste Treatment and Disposal. 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons