Instructor(s)

Cully Hession
Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering
Phone: (540) 231-9480
E-mail: chession@vt.edu

Description

Assessment and management of agricultural nonpoint source pollution (NPS). Precipitation, runoff, erosion, pollutant fate and transport, and best management practices. Application of Total Maximum Daily Loads and water quality standards.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

Successful students should bring to this course a general knowledge of the physical, chemical, biological, and soil factors that affect the environment. They should also possess an adequate background in environmental regulations.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the major components of the hydrologic cycle and discuss how they affect nonpoint source pollution.
2. Define major chemical, physical and biological processes affecting the rate and transport of nutrients, pesticides, sediment, and other pollutants to surface and ground water.
3. Identify the major program and regulatory requirements of the federal and Virginia Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs and discuss the legislative and judicial basis of the TMDL program.
4. Discuss water quality standards, use attainability analysis, and apply them to the TMDL process.
5. Discuss the benefits and limitations of conventionally used techniques for nonpoint source pollution control.
6. Identify and plan appropriate management practices, such as nutrient management, constructed wetlands and detention ponds, for reducing nonpoint source pollution.
7. Use monitoring and/or modeling techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of management practices.