AGRICULTURE AND POLLUTION

Transcription

1 LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE Department of Chemistry STUDY SUBJECT DESCRIPTION AGRICULTURE AND POLLUTION Study level: BSc Number of ECTS credit points: 4,5 Teaching method: This module is designed as the traditional distance education course using printed learning materials as the basic medium. Prerequisities: Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology and agronomy. Teaching aids: The course delivery is supported by the printed student and tutor guides, Web page as well as a video-programme, which demonstrates the most recent methods used for elimination of impact of soil pollution. 5 case studies are available to support the development of students competencies to solve relevant practical environmental problems. Examination method: In the regular course schedule the students are expected to submit 5 written coursework assignments and must pass the final written/oral examination. The successful students get credits and successful external learners are awarded the formal Certificate as a proof of expertise in the subject field. Registration for course: Two weeks before the beginning of the course. Registration for examination: With lecturer, personally by phone or . Remarks: This course is suitable for BSc/MSc students enrolled in university programmes related to Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Ecology, Soil and Water Sciences, Forestry, Environmental Management and Law, Environmental Engineering, etc. INTRODUCTION Objectives of the course This course aims to provide learners with a clear understanding of the major pollution issues associated with the agricultural industry and the potential for their amelioration. This includes:

2 2 the nature of the relationship between agriculture and the environment; the potentially polluting effects of intensive agricultural activity upon the environment; the various mechanisms available for reducing these effects, including new technologies, the improvement and more effective enforcement of statutory controls, the use of agri-environmental policy to encourage the extensification of agricultural production and the development of 'alternative' agricultural systems; the potentially negative impact of environmental pollution (notably soil contamination) upon agriculture, and the strategies and practical measures for reducing this risk. The course curriculum is structured into 4 modules (-.5 credits each), further divided into several content topics (see content of study programme):. Introduction to Agriculture & Pollution ; 2. The Impact of Agriculture upon the Environment 3. The Impact of Environmental Pollution upon Agriculture 4. Policy Options for Pollution Control: Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to: describe the various factors that have contributed to the intensification of the agricultural industry over the last 50 years; give examples and describe how agricultural intensification has created environmental problems in the following areas: pesticide pollution, nitrate pollution, livestock wastes; to identify the main sources of soil contamination, to understand behaviour of inorganic and organic pollutants in soils and to get acquainted with different soil remediation methods and technologies, and soil clean-up criteria; demonstrate an understanding of the development, promotion and implementation of the following mechanisms for reducing these problems: information and advice to encourage good agricultural practice, new technologies, statutory control and regulation, financial incentives and agrienvironmental policy; give an insight into the emergence of 'alternative' agricultural systems, such as organic farming; evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these various options and discuss their potential role in the development of more sustainable food production systems.

3 3 Syllabus Theory (36 hours): Introduction to agriculture and pollution. The impact of agriculture upon the environment nitrates. The impact of agriculture upon the environment - pesticides. The impact of agriculture upon the environment organic farm wastes. The impact of environmental pollution upon agriculture - sewage sludge and other organic amendments. The impact of environmental pollution upon agriculture - soil contamination. Policy options for pollution control - pollution control policies. Policy options for pollution control - sustainable farming systems. Policy options for pollution control - sustainable farming systems Coursework assignments are regarded as formal assessment activities MODULE Distance Learning Activities Face-toface tutorials Total Number of Hours Reading and Selfassessment Activities Formal Assessm ent Activities MODULE I: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE AND POLLUTION Subject : Introduction to Agriculture and Pollution Total Module I: MODULE II: THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE UPON THE ENVIRONMENT Subject 2: Nitrates Subject 3: Pesticides Subject 4: Organic Farm Wastes Total Module II: MODULE III: THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION UPON AGRICULTURE Subject 5: Sewage Sludge and Other Organic Amendments Subject 6: Agricultural Soil Contamination

4 4 Total Module III: MODULE IV: POLICY OPTIONS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL Subject 7: Pollution Control Policies Subject 8: Sustainable Farming Systems Total Module IV: FINAL WRITTEN EXAM FINAL ORAL EXAM Total Number of Hours: LITERATURE MAIN LIST. Redman M., Edwards J., Malers J., Merrington G., Paulauskas V., Rutkovienė V., Valtere S., Watson S.-J. Agriculture and pollution: environmental problems and practical solutions. ETF, Italy, p (the main course-book). 2. Course web-sites: John Wright. Environmental Chemistry. - Routledge, Stephen R.Gliessman. Agroecology: Ecological Processes In Sustainable Agriculture. - CRC Press, P.Haygarth, S.Jarvis. Agriculture, Hydrology and Water Quality. - Institute of Grassland and Environmental research, Nort Wyke, Devon, UK, ADDITIONAL LIST of books and web-sites is given in the main course-book Study programme prepared by Assoc. prof. dr. Valdas Paulauskas. Department of Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Agriculture Universiteto 0, Akademija, LT-5336 Kauno raj., Lithuania Phone: Fax.: valdas.paulauskas@lzuu.lt Signature:

5 5 ANNEX CONTENT OF STUDY PROGRAMME. Introduction to agriculture and pollution (0 %) Understanding Pollution Caused by Agriculture The Underlying Causes of Pollution from Agriculture The Environmental Effects of Pollution from Agriculture Responses to Pollution from Agriculture Agriculture, Pollution and Sustainable Development Case Study: The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) CEE Case Study: Agriculture and Pollution in Lithuania CEE Case Study: Agriculture and Pollution in Latvia 2. The impact of agriculture upon the environment nitrates (0 %) The Nitrogen Cycle of an Agricultural Soil Problems Caused by Nitrate Pollution The Causes of Nitrate Pollution Case Study: Nitrate Leaching and Drinking Water Quality in the European Union 3. The impact of agriculture upon the environment - pesticides (5 %) Classifying Pesticides by their Types and Uses The Causes of Pesticide Pollution Behaviour and Fate of Pesticides in the Environment Environmental Problems Caused by Pesticide Pollution Practical Solutions EU Case Study: Lindane in UK 4. The impact of agriculture upon the environment organic farm wastes (5 %) Types of Organic Waste Produced by Agriculture Pollution Risks from Farm Wastes Practical Solutions EU Case Study: Farm Waste Management Plant CEE Case Study: Use of Manure on Lithuanian Farms

6 6 5. The impact of environmental pollution upon agriculture - sewage sludge and other organic amendments (0 %) Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) Other Types of Organic Soil Amendments Case Study: Controlling Sewage Sludge Application in the UK and EU 6. The impact of environmental pollution upon agriculture - soil contamination (20 %) Sources of Contamination Pathways Targets Risk Management and Remediation Methods (Supplemented with Video) CEE Case Study: Lithuanian Environmental Policy and Contaminated Soils CEE Case Study: Soil Cleaning at a Former Soviet Military Bases in Latvia 7. Policy options for pollution control - pollution control policies (5 %) Policy Strategies, Instruments and Implementation Policies for Reducing Pesticide Pollution Policies for Reducing Nitrate Pollution EU Case Study: Nitrate Pollution Control in Sweden CEE Case Study: Agri-environmental Policy in Lithuania CEE Case Study: Harmonisation of Environmental Legislation in Latvia 8. Policy options for pollution control - sustainable farming systems (5 %) Organic Agriculture Organic Farming and Pollution Control CEE Case Study: Organic Agriculture in Lithuania

7 7