D.- Specialisation in Environmental Pollution (specialisation 1) (18 ECTS credits)

Subject: Use of remote sensors to determine pollution. (2 ECTS credits) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Inspection of remote sensing techniques. Air pollutants observable through remote sensing. Space mission devoted to the estimation of air pollution. Air pollution in large cities.

Subject: Environmental pollution lab: Impact of air pollution network design. (3 ECTS credits) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Criteria for the design of an air pollution monitoring network.  Inventory of emissions. Atmospheric conditions. Topography. Dispersion of pollutants. National air quality networks. Valencian Community air quality network. The European air quality database (European Environmental Agency).

Subject: Climate change and carbon cycle. (3 ECTS credits) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Effects of climate change on the Carbon Cycle. Mitigation potential of plant ecosystems: management, afforestation / reforestation and reduction of deforestation as options to mitigate climate change. Importance of adaptation to climate change, synergy and mitigation difficulties. History and future of international agreements: political and technical solutions.

Subject: Water quality and ecological state of continental aquatic ecosystems. (4 ECTS credits) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Pollution of shelf sea aquatic systems, basic concepts. Pollution assessment. Different samples: water, sediments and biota. Physico-chemical indicators and determination methods. Biological indicators and determination methods. Eutrophication. Acidification. Heavy metals. Xenobiotics and complex organic compounds. Bio-accumulation. Other types of pollutants. Regulations of water quality and ecological health of aquatic ecosystems. Water Framework Directive. Assessment of ecological state. Variables and metrics. Water purification. Bioremediation. Other mitigating measures. Notions on restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

Subject: Climate change and biodiversity. (3 ECTS credits ) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Recognition of climate change: changes observed and estimated in climate. Climate change in Spain. Effects of climate change on biological communities: loss of biodiversity, changes in the distribution and abundance of populations. Changes observed and estimated in continental communities (terrestrial and aquatic) and in coastal and marine systems due to climate change. Ecosystem as emitter or sink of greenhouse gases.

Subject: Biogeochemical basis for the study of pollution. (3 ECTS credits) (2nd semester)

Descriptors:

Function of microorganisms in biogeochemical processes and in their dynamic balance. Aspects applied to soil management, water, wastes, and treatment of xenobiotics: application of biogeochemistry for the understanding of the processes of pollution and the correct application of decontamination, bioremediation and depuration systems. Alterations of the biogeochemical balance as a result of polluting activities of anthropic origin.