Experiments with Wastes and Soils

To familiarize the student with the methodology of habitual use in the description of soils, sampling and analysis and interpretation of the properties of the soils on which their aptitudes, limitations and sensibility for the different uses depend.
To familiarise the student with the methodology for characterising the different types of waste according to a) their toxicity/hazardousness, b) their potential use as fertiliser or amendment for the recovery of degraded soils, and c) their energetic power.

The programme is divided into 2 blocks as indicated below:

- Block 1. Sampling methodology and basic soil analysis (14 hours: 2 hours field, 11 hours laboratory, 1 hour tutorials; classroom-based; compulsory).
1.1. Field practicals: soil profiles description and sample collection for subsequent analysis.
1.2. Laboratory practicals
- Safety rules in the laboratory
- Preparation of soil samples for analysis
- Grain size and texture analysis
- Measurement and interpretation of soil pH (pH in water, pH in KCl)
- Reactivity to NaF (pH in NaF)
- Soil salinity index. Electrical conductivity of the saturated slurry
- Soil organic matter
- Macronutrients: N, P and K
- Exchange cations and cation exchange capacity
- Acid buffering capacity

- Block 2. Characterisation and basic analysis of wastes. Toxicity (10 hours : 9 hours of laboratory work and 1 hour of tutorials; classroom-based; compulsory).
2.1. Laboratory practicals
- Preparation of samples of different types of residues for analysis.
- Phytotoxicity test
- Calorific value
- Bioavailability of heavy metals
- Evaluation of wastes for use in agriculture and restoration of degraded soils.

Basic bibliography
BOE. 1989. Orden del 13 de octubre de 1989 por la que se determinan los métodos de caracterización de residuos tóxicos y peligrosos. Boletín Oficial del Estado Nº 270, 10-11-89.
Guitian Ojea, F. y T. Carballas Fernández. Técnicas de análisis de suelos. Ed. Pico Sacro, Santiago de Compostela, 1975.
Marisol Andrades Rodríguez, Ana Moliner Aramendía, Alberto Masaguer Rodríguez. Prácticas de Edafología: métodos didácticos para análisis de suelos. Colección: Material Didáctico. Agricultura y Alimentación, 15. Servicio Publicaciones Universidad de La Rioja, 2015. https://publicaciones.unirioja.es/catalogo/monografias/mdaa15.shtml

Complementary bibliography
FAO. Guía para la descripción de suelos http://www.fao.org/3/a0541s/A0541S.pdf
BOE. 1990. Real Decreto 1310/1990, de 29 de outubro, por el que se regula la utilización de los Lodos de Depuración en el Sector Agrario. Boletín Oficial del Estado, Nº 262, 32339-32340.
Domínguez, J. & Mato. S. Principios básicos da compostaxe. En: Soto, M. y Vega, A. Tratamento de residuos sólidos urbanos. Servicio de Publicacións da Universidade de A Coruña. Monografía 77. 2001.
LaGrega, M.D., Buckingham, P.L., Evans, J.C. Gestión de residuos tóxicos: tratamento, eliminación y recuperación de solos. McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de España, S. A. 1996. ISBN: 0-07-019552-8, España
Monterroso, C., Gil, A., Val, C. & Macías, F. 1998. Evaluation of the land reclamation project at the As Pontes Mine (NW Spain) in relation to the suitability of the soil for plant growth. Land Degradation & Development, 9:441-451.
Porta, J. Edafología para la agricultura y el medio ambiente. Ed. Mundi.Prensa. 2000.
Skoog, D.A. & Leary, J.J. Análisis Instrumental, 4ª Ed. McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 1994
Walsh, L.M. & Beaton J.A. (eds). Soil testing and plant analysis. Soil Sci. of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 1973.

Within the competences designed for the degree, students will be instructed in the following ones

General:
GC1 - Identify and state environmental problems.
GC2 - Be able to predict and control the evolution of complex situations through the development of innovative work methodologies adapted to the specific scientific/research, technological or professional field, generally multidisciplinary, in which their activity is developed.
GC3 - Be able to take responsibility for their own professional development and specialisation in one or more fields of study.
GC4 - Apply knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and other natural sciences, obtained through study, experience and practice, with critical reasoning to establish economically viable solutions to technical problems.
Core:
CB6 - Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/ or application of ideas, often in a research context.
CB7 - Students are able to apply their acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
CB8 - That students are able to integrate knowledge and deal with the complexity of making judgements based on incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
CB9 - Students are able to communicate their conclusions and the ultimate knowledge and reasons behind them to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB10 - That students possess the learning skills that will enable them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.

Transversal:
CT1 - Develop skills associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, listening skills.
CT3 - Adapt to change, being able to apply new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments, with initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.
TC4 - Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesis skills.
TC6 - Appreciating the value of quality and continuous improvement, acting with rigour, responsibility and professional ethics within the framework of commitment to sustainable development.
CT7 - Mastery of time management and critical situations.

Specific:
CE2 - Have an in-depth knowledge of the technologies, tools and techniques in the field of environmental engineering in order to be able to compare and select technical alternatives and emerging technologies.
CE8 - Approach a real environmental engineering problem from a scientific-technical perspective, recognising the importance of the search for and management of existing information and applicable legislation.
CE9 - Possess the skills of autonomous learning to maintain and improve the competences of Environmental Engineering that allow the continuous development of the profession.
CE10 - Being able to apply environmental management tools (environmental impact studies, life cycle analysis, industrial ecology, clean technologies, ISO standards, EMAS) when preparing reports or projects.

The subject has 3.0 ECTS credits which are taught in 4-hour sessions. In order to make the best use of the face-to-face classes, the contents of the course have been organised into two thematic blocks. Within each block, field and laboratory practices are developed around a central theme:

- Block 1. Methods of sampling and basic soil analysis: 14 hours (2 field, 11 laboratory and 1 tutorial).
- Block 2. Characterisation and basic analysis of residues. Toxicity: 10 hours (9 laboratory and 1 tutorial).
The virtual campus will be used to communicate with students and provide additional information. At the beginning of the course, students will be provided with the protocols to be used in the laboratory, as well as the daily planning, through the virtual campus.

Classroom teaching (24 h):
-Field trip: A field trip is planned in the vicinity of the school to carry out a complete description of profiles and for students to take the samples with which they will work in the laboratory.
- Lectures and interactive classes: The classes will be held in the laboratory, analysing the samples taken in the field and solving practical questions.
- Group tutorials: A group tutorial will be held in the laboratory to resolve any doubts.

Evaluation system
It will be based mainly on continuous assessment. In order to pass the subject, students must obtain at least a numerical value of 5.
- 10% final exam
- 90% continuous assessment:
- Performance of laboratory activities: 35%.
- Laboratory notebook: 35%.
- Proactivity (motivation, positive attitude, comments and participation in discussions): 20%.
The second chance assessment will consist of a test in the laboratory.
In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations on the evaluation of students' academic performance and revision of grades will apply.

By means of attendance and active participation in the field and laboratory sessions, the following competences will be assessed: CG1, CG4, CB6, CT1, CT4, CT6, CT7.
By means of the resolution of practical questions, the following competences will be assessed: CG1, CG2, CG4, CB7, CT1, CE2, CE8, CE9, CE10.
Through the laboratory notebook the following competences will be assessed: CG3, CG4, CB8, CB9, CB10, CT1, CT3, CT4, CT7.

The subject has a workload of 3.0 ECTS credits which are distributed as follows:
Activity Classroom hours Personal work
Theory - -
Practical work 20 39
Field trip 2 2
Tutorials 2 2
Exam 2 6

The subject, which is entirely practical, is designed taking into account the contents of the other subjects of this degree. Students are recommended to actively participate and get involved during the practical sessions, work in groups to favour the discussion process and make use of the tutorials to solve any doubts.

The admission and permanence of students enrolled in the practical laboratory requires that they know and comply with the rules included in the Protocol of basic safety training for experimental spaces of the School of Engineering, available in the Safety section of its website, which can be accessed as follows:
Access your intranet; 2. Go to Documentation/safety/training; 3. Click on "Protocolo de formación básica en materia de seguridad para espacios experimentales".
The priority language will be Spanish.
Communication between students and teaching staff outside the classroom will be through the Virtual Campus.
Students will have to use the computer programmes Excell and Word or any other that offers the same features.