Course unit description:

Transcription

1 Faculty of Agricultural Engineering UPCT Course unit description: ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS Degree: Agro-Food and Biological Systems Engineering

2 1. Subject data Name Environmental Physics Subject area Environmental Physics Module Basic Code Degree programme Degree in Agro-Food and Biological Systems Engineering Curriculum Plan 2014 (GIASB) Centre Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering Type Compulsory Length of subject Semestral Semester 2º Course 2º Language English ECTS 4,5 Hours / ECTS 30 Total workload (hours) Lecturer data Lecturer in charge JOSE ALBERTO ACOSTA AVILÉS Department FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Knowledge area AGROFORESTRY ENGINEERING Office location BUILDING ETSIA. 2ª FLOOR. OFFICE Nº 2.4 Telephone Fax ja.acosta@upct.es URL / WEB Office hours It will be indicated at the beginning of the course Location Office or by Qualification/Degree Academic rank at UPCT Year of admission in UPCT 2015 Number of five-year periods (quinquenios) if applicable Research lines (if applicable) PhD. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Profesor de sustitución NOT APPLICABLE Main research lines: environmental characterization and rehabilitation of sites affected by human activities; environmental risks assessment; valorization of byproducts.

3 Number of six-year periods (sexenios) if applicable Professional experience (if applicable) Other topics of interest NOT APPLICABLE Participation in international/national projects and contracts with public and private companies related to previous research lines. Sustainable Use, Management and Reclamation of Soil and Water Research Group. Member of the organizing committee of international/national conferences and workshops. 3. Subject description 3.1. General description Environmental Physics is part of the field of knowledge "Environmental Sciences" and studies the interaction between land surface (vegetation, water and soil) and the environment. The main objective of the course is to provide an integrated overview of the physical principles that govern exchanges between surfaces (vegetation, soil and water) and its environment, with special reference to energy exchanges by radiation. In addition, sensors and equipment for measurement climate variables as well as their operating principle will be studied. The descriptor plant/environment exchanges has been focused on the study of energy and mass balances (water vapor and CO2) between crops or natural vegetation and the atmosphere. Finally, processes and components that allow monitoring of vegetation by remote sensing will be studied How the subject contributes to a professional career For many agricultural applications (irrigation scheduling, crop condition monitoring, climate modeling, crop productivity, ecosystem dynamics, water, carbon and nutrients balances studies, etc.) is necessary the measurement, treatment and interpretation of climate data, in combination with the use of new techniques for crop management, such as remote sensing. In this way, this course trains future professionals in the use of sensors and equipment for measurement of environmental variables, and the processing and interpreting of the acquired data for a proper crop handling and management Relationship with other subjects in the programme Environmental Physics is taught in the second semester. Before this course, there are others courses such as Physics, Mathematics (Mathematics and Computer Science and Advanced Mathematics), and Geology, Soil Science and Climatology, whose knowledge provides the basis for starting the program of this course. Environmental Physics is also related to Plant Science, Hydrology and Environmental Science and Technology Incompatibilities defined in the programme Non exist 3.5. Recommendations to do the subject It has not been established prerequisites, but students are recommended to have studied previously Physical Fundamentals of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science and

4 Geology, Soil Science and Climatology Special provisions In Artículo 6 de la Normativa de Evaluación de la UPCT indicates that the corresponding Vice-rectorate may establish special adaptations in methodology and the development of lessons for students with some disability or limitation, in order to enable them continued needs should inform the professor at the beginning of the semester. 4. Competences and learning outcomes 4.1. Basic curricular competences related to the subject CB1. Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that come from secondary education, and is typically at a level which, although it is supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that involve knowledge of the forefront of their field of study. CB4 - Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences General curricular competences related to the subject TG2. Adequate knowledge of physical problems, technologies, machinery and systems for water and energy supply, the constraints imposed by cost factors and building regulations, and relationships between facilities or buildings and farms, agro-industries and areas related to gardening and landscaping with its social and environmental surroundings as well as the need to relate those with human needs and environmental conservation. TG9. Leadership, communication and transmission of knowledge and skills Specific curricular competences related to the subject FB5. Understanding and mastery of basic concepts of the general laws of mechanics, thermodynamics, fields and waves and electromagnetism and its application for solving problems of engineering. R A9. Ability to recognize, understand and use the principles of decision making by using available resources to work in multidisciplinary groups. RA10. Ability to recognize, understand and use the principles of technology transfer, understand, interpret, communicate and take progress in the agricultural field Transversal curricular competences related to the subject T1 - Oral and written effective communication 4.5. Subject learning outcomes At the end of this course students should: 1. Apply the physical principles governing exchanges of energy and mass in the lower layers of the atmosphere, inside the vegetation and in the upper layers of soil to specific cases related to agriculture and environment. 2. Identify the mechanisms governing the formation of climate and its interaction with

5 vegetation. 3. Manage equations and simple models for quantifying exchanges of energy and mass. 4. Identify measuring instruments of climate variables and its operating principles. 5. Use and analyze climate data using statistical calculation tools. 6. Provide some examples of application in horticulture. 7. Structuring correctly written documents and oral presentations, where the assimilation of content and synthesis capacity is showed. 5. Contents 5.1. Curricular contents related to the subject 1. Basis of climate formation: Atmosphere. Air state variables. Radiation: laws and concepts. Optical properties of surfaces. Shortwave radiation: solar constant, atmospheric attenuation, components of solar radiation, interaction with land surfaces, albedo. Longwave radiation: atmospheric and terrestrial radiation, atmospheric emissivity, radiation balance, greenhouse effect. Net radiation components, radiation absorption by vegetation, transfer processes of energy and mass, conduction, diffusion, convection and evapotranspiration. 2. Measure of environmental factors: temperature, humidity, radiation components, speed and wind direction, concentration of CO2, evapotranspiration. 3. Processes of energy and mass transfer on land surfaces. Heat flow in soil, heat flow between soil and atmosphere, heat flow associated with the flow of water vapor. Water vapor and CO2 flows between soil/vegetation and atmosphere. 4. Monitoring of vegetation by remote sensing. Processes: reflectivity measurements, temperature of plant surfaces. Components: sensors and platforms. Applications Theory syllabus (teaching modules and units) UNIT I. THE BASES OF CLIMATE FORMATION Lesson 1. Atmosphere: composition and structure Lesson 2. The state variables of moist air Lesson 3. Calculation of the state variables of moist air Lesson 4. Radiation. Laws and basic concepts (I) Lesson 5. Radiation. Laws and basic concepts (II) Lesson 6. The solar radiation Lesson 7. Longwave radiation Lesson 8. Net radiation UNIT II. MEASUREMENTS OF THE CLIMATE VARIABLES Lesson 9. Measurement of temperature and humidity Lesson 10. Measurement of CO 2 concentration and wind Lesson 11. Measurement of radiation using thermal and quantum sensors UNIT III. ENERGY AND MASS TRANSFER PROCESSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS Lesson 12. Energy transfer processes and environmental applications Lesson 13. Mass transfer processes and environmental applications UNIT IV. VEGETATION MONITORING AND REMOTE SENSING

6 Lesson 14. Remote sensing: processes Lesson 15. Remote sensing: components Lesson 16. Remote sensing: applications 5.3. Practice syllabus (name and description of every practical) LABORATORY PRACTICES Practice 1. Calculation of state variable of moist air (I) Practice 2. Calculation of State variable of moist air (I) Practice 3. Calculation of the emission values. Application of the Planck s law. Practice 4. Evaluation of the influence of solar panel slope in the transmission of solar radiation. Practice 5. Calculation of potential evapotranspiration, ETo Practice 6. Study of variation of relative humidity and temperature in different environmental conditions. Practice 7. Heat transfer by radiation and study of effect of different filters in the electromagnetic spectrum. Practice 8. Data acquisition with a CAMPBEL: PAR radiation, global solar radiation, surface temperature. Practice 9. Determination of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and light from different light sources. Practice 10. Effect of CO 2 and vegetation in the variation of the temperature in sealed chambers. Practice 11. Data acquisition with a CAMPBELL: net radiation, global solar radiation, and wind speed. Practice 12. Measurement of CO 2 concentration from soil using an IRGA analyzer ("infra-red gas analyzer"): soil respiration. Practice 13. Heat transfer by conduction in different types of soil. Risk prevention Promoting the continuous improvement of working and study conditions of the entire university community is one the basic principles and goals of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. Such commitment to prevention and the responsibilities arising from it concern all realms of the university: governing bodies, management team, teaching and research staff, administrative and service staff and students. The UPCT Service of Occupational Hazards (Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales de la UPCT) has published a "Risk Prevention Manual for new students" (Manual de acogida al estudiante en materia de prevención de riesgos), which may be downloaded from the e-learning platform ( Aula Virtual ), with instructions and recommendations on how to act properly, from the point of view of prevention (safety, ergonomics, etc.), when developing any type of activity at the University. You will also find recommendations on how to proceed in an emergency or if an incident occurs. Particularly when carrying out training practices in laboratories, workshops or field work, you must follow all your teacher s instructions, because he/she is the person responsible for your safety and health during practice performance. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and do not put your safety or that of your classmates at risk Theory syllabus in english (teaching modules and units)

7 5.5. Detailed description of learning goals for every teaching module UNIT I. The basics concepts about climate state variables are explained. This unit is the base to understand the processes of energy and mass transfer that determine the climate conditions and its subsequent practical applications. In Lesson 1 atmosphere is studied, including its characteristics, composition and structure. In Lessons 2 and 3 the properties that characterize the moist air as well as the methods of calculation are studied. The study of radiation has been separated into five Lessons (4-8), the first two lessons (Lessons 4 and 5) include a revision of the general laws governing energy exchanges by radiation. Lessons 6 and 7 are used to study short wave radiation (solar origin) and long wave radiation, respectively. Finally, net radiation, with important applications in agriculture, including the estimation of evapotranspiration, is studied in Lesson 8. UNIT II. This Unit includes the description, operation and applications of major equipment used for measuring environmental variables. In Lesson 9, sensors to measure temperature / humidity and surface temperature will be studied. In Lesson 10, the equipment and sensors designed to measure the concentration of CO2, wind speed and direction will be studied. In Lesson 11, fundamentals and sensors used to measure the components of solar radiation and net radiation and surface temperature are presented. UNIT III. This Unit includes Lesson 12 to 13, the concepts related to energy and mass exchanges are studied in these two lessons respectively. Lesson 12 aims to clarify concepts and definitions regarding energy exchanges, including a detailed analysis of the processes of energy transfer, conduction, radiation and convection, with emphasis on practical applications through the study of energy flows between land surface (soil and vegetation) and atmosphere. Lesson 13 aims to clarify concepts and definitions regarding exchanges of mass, including a detailed analysis of the processes of mass transfer, diffusion and convection, with emphasize on practical application through the study of the mass flows (water vapor and CO2) between land surface (soil and vegetation) and atmosphere. UNIT IV. The main objective of Lessons 14, 15 and 16 is to study the processes (Lesson 14), sensors and platforms (Lesson 15) that allow monitoring of vegetation by remote sensing, including the main applications for agriculture (Lesson 16). 6. Teaching method 6.1. Teaching method Teaching activity Teaching techniques Student workload Hours Theory class Practical class (laboratory) Presentation of lessons. Resolve queries from students. Practices are designed for analyzing aspects explained in theory classes. In-class: Take notes. 30 Self-study: Study the lessons 50 In-class: Use of laboratory equipment. 15 Self-study: Prepare reports 25 Seminars Problems resolution. In-class: Problems resolution. 4 Sumative assessment Mid-term exam (non official) In-class: Attendance to the exam 2 Oficial exam Official exam In-class: attendance to the exam 4

8 Tutorials Resolve doubts In-class: Resolve doubts Learning outcomes (4.5) / teaching activities (6.1) Online: Resolve doubts by mail 2 Learning outcomes (4.5) 7. Teaching activities (6.1) Theory class x x x x x Practical class (computer lab) x x x x Practical class (laboratory) x x x x Seminars x x x Sumative assessment x x x Assessment method 7.1 Assessment method Assesment activity Type Summative Formative Assessment methods and criteria Percentage (%) Assessed learning outcomes (4.5) Practices (computer and laboratory) x The reports of each practice will be evaluated. 20% 3,4,5,7 Sumative assessment x Midterm exam. Resolution of 5 exercises from lessons 2 and 3. If you do not pass the exam, these lessons will be evaluated in the official exam. If you past this exam, the score represents the 20% of the official exam. Up to 20% 1,2,3 Official exam x The official exam includes: 30 test questions from theoretical material, every 4 wrong questions override one correct question; and 5 exercises / problems. Up to 80% 1,2,3,4,6 As set forth in article 5.4 of the Reglamento de las pruebas de evaluación de los títulos oficiales de grado y de máster con atribuciones profesionales (UPCT), students in the special circumstances listed in the article 5.4 are entitled to a comprehensive assessment test, upon justified request which must be granted by the Department. This does not exempt them from carrying out compulsory tasks included in the teacher s guide of the subject (official syllabus) Control and monitoring methods (optional)

9 8. Bibliography and resources 8.1. Basic bibliography 1. Elias Castillo F., Castellvi Sentis F., Agrometeorología. Ed. Mundi Prensa, 517 pp. 2. García Diez E. L., Física Ambiental. Ed. Kadmos-Plaza. ISBN: González Real M.M., Baille Alain., Física Ambiental de Invernaderos. Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. ISBN: pp. 4. Grace J., Relaciones planta ambiente. Biblioteca Científica KenoGard, 120 pp Supplementary bibliography 1. Monteith J.L., Unsworth M.H., Principles of Environmental Physics. Third Edition. Elsevier, 418pp. 2. Box, M-A., Box G.P Physics of radiation and Climate. CRC Press, 495 pp. 3. Mavi, H.S., Tupper G.J Agrometeorology: Principles and Applications of climate studies in agriculture. The Haworh Press, 364 pp. 4. Guyot G., Physics of the Environment and Climate. John Wiley and Sons On-line resources and others Copy of the lessons will be available in the Virtual platform (Moodle platform), also the topics from seminars, computer practices (excel applications), laboratory practices and other resources will be available in the virtual platform.