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Water Quality

Water Quality
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  • 24 hours study
  • Level 3: Advanced

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    • Welcome

      This compilation of online learning resources is designed to provide a broad introductory overview on water quality, particularly in the context of South and Southeast Asia. The content aims to focus on three key areas regarding water quality: (1) types and sources of water pollution, and why they are important; (2) water quality assessment/monitoring and remediation, particularly for water supplies used for drinking; and (3) an overview of selected topical issues regarding water quality (e.g. water quality and mining, community science approaches, emerging water quality challenges, open access water quality resources and the Sustainable Development Goals context).  Examples and relevance within the context of Myanmar and/or South/Southeast Asia are highlighted when possible. 

      Learning resources include slide decks, videos (with transcripts and closed captions), suggested learning exercises and links to further resources.  All resources are designed on the basis of a self-study, self-paced structure.

      Please note that this is not intended to be a comprehensive course on water quality, and instead is simply a compilation of learning resources covering selected key aspects of this topic. Due to the early closing of the TIDE project and associated resource limitations, a comprehensive integrated water quality course was not feasible to be developed on the reduced timeline available.

      Intended audience

      This content is broadly intended for two audiences: (i) interested TIDE participants (e.g. University-level academics) from any TIDE cohort and participating University/Department in Myanmar; and (ii) more widely for University-level academics and/or advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students particularly based in Myanmar (and elsewhere in South/Southeast Asia), especially those based in a science-based Department.   

      Prerequisite requirements

      None, although participants with a background in chemistry, geology, geography or another type of science background may find this content to be most relevant.  The content is designed in a way to be widely accessible and participants from all backgrounds are welcome.

      Summary of Online Resources 

      Each mini-lesson includes a slide deck, video recording (with transcript files and closed captions provided in English; typically ~ 15 minutes in length), and associated learning activity and suggested resources (open-access as much as possible) for further reading.


      Resource Set 1: Water Quality: Importance and Regulatory Settings

      1. Water Quality: Definitions and Importance
      2. Water Quality: Water Types 
      3. Water Quality: Standards and Guidelines

      Resource Set 2: Water Quality: Contamination

      1. What is Contamination?
      2. Natural/Geogenic Pollutants
      3. Anthropogenic Pollutants 

      Resource Set 3: Water Quality Assessment and Analysis

      1. Monitoring, Assessment and Analysis

      Resource Set 4: Arsenic in Groundwater

      1. Arsenic: Background & Importance
      2. Arsenic: Geochemical Controls
      3. Myanmar Case Study   

      Resource Set 5: Remediation Approaches

      1. Remediation Approaches
      2. Remediation Selection
      3. Water Safety Plans

      Resource Set 6: Water Quality & Mining

      1. Chemical Mining Hazards
      2. Acid Mine Drainage
      3. Acid Mine Drainage: Remediation
      4. Cost-Benefit Example 

      Resource Set 7: Community Science Approaches

      1. Introduction to Community Science
      2. Case Study: Patna, Bihar, India


      A number of other relevant resources are available, including through the Manchester Environmental Research Institute (MERI) “Water” thematic group (https://www.meri.manchester.ac.uk/research/themes/water-resources/ ).

      Content Design Team

      These learning resources have been designed and produced by a team based in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Manchester (https://www.ees.manchester.ac.uk/).  Our team includes:


      Image of Laura Richards from Manchester University

      Content Coordinator and Lead: Dr. Laura Richards is a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Research Fellow in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester, with expertise in groundwater quality and remediation.  Her research builds upon her background in chemical/environmental engineering and environmental geochemistry, and is informed by international field programmes in South/Southeast Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa.  She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

      Sam Addison from Manchester University

      Content Designer: Mr. Sam Addison is an MPhil student in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Manchester, researching the use of community science within the context groundwater quality in Bihar, India. In Bihar, India Sam has also been active with the FAR-GANGA project (www.farganga.org), by contributing to field sampling for groundwater quality surveys.  Previously Sam completed a BSc in Geography and Geology also at the University of Manchester, where his studies focused on a range of environmental and geological processes.

      image of George Wilson from Manchester University

      Content Designer: Mr. George Wilson is a PhD researcher in Environmental Geochemistry at The University of Manchester. Working under the supervision of Dr.Laura Richards, Professor David Polya and Professor Daren Gooddy (British Geological Survey), George’s research focuses on how we can characterise organic matter and how this relates to arsenic mobilisation, which affects millions worldwide and is brought about by the reductive dissolution of iron oxides. George previously undertook a Masters’ degree in Pollution Control, and his undergraduate thesis at Durham University was on developing novel adsorbents for heavy metals found in acid mine drainage.

      Image of Prof David Polya from Manchester University

      Content Input and Review: Prof. David Polya is Professor of Environmental Geochemistry in the University of Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He has over 30 years’ experience of research on the (bio)geochemical behaviour of metals and metalloids in surface and sub-surface systems, and involving field, laboratory and computer modelling approaches. The research (>100 publications in international journals, including “Nature”), has applications to exploration for mineral deposits, improved petroleum and geothermal reservoir production, geological disposal of radioactive and other wastes, as well as the prediction and risk assessment of the occurrence of arsenic and other contaminants in well waters, soils and food.


      Please note these resources are open to the public. You are strongly advised against leaving a rating or reviews if it unsafe for your personal details (e.g. name) to be in the public domain. Please be aware that you cannot delete your reviews after posting, so we urge you not to post unless you are certain it is safe to do so.


    • This material is part of a collection

      This material is part of a collection

      This material is part of a collection of materials called TIDE Master Trainer Programme. There are 2 materials in this collection so you may find other materials here that maybe of interest to you.

      See this collection

    • Material learning outcomes

      1. Introduce the principles of water quality, with regard to the main types and sources of water pollution, the importance of water quality, and considerations for effective monitoring and remediation
      2. Introduce topical issues and emerging approaches, including with relevance to Myanmar and elsewhere in South/Southeast Asia
      3. Develop key knowledge and skills which could be used to support the development and delivery of new relevant teaching and learning content in Myanmar


    • Course dates:

      First Published 21/05/2021.

      Updated 21/06/2021

    Material content

    Below is the material content. You can click on any section here and it will take you through to this section of the material.
    • ExpandIntroduction

    • ExpandContamination

    • ExpandAssessment & Analysis

    • ExpandArsenic in Groundwater

    • ExpandRemediation

    • ExpandWater Quality & Mining

    • ExpandCommunity Science

    • ExpandAdditional Acknowledgements

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      About this material

      • 24 hours study
      • Level 3: Advanced

      Ratings

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      You can start learning at any time. By signing up and enrolling you can track your progress and earn a Statement of Participation upon completion, all for free.

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