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CE 321W: Env. Engineering, Maj. Martin

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CE 321W: Environmental Engineering Writing Assignment #1

Your Task: Research Essay

Research scholarly (peer-reviewed) technical articles, books, and other media sources to generate a well-developed assessment of a particular contaminant (not a category) found in either a drinking water source (surface water or groundwater contamination) or in a wastewater influent or effluent.

  • Discuss key characteristics and any relevant physical and chemical properties of the contaminant. Discuss the specific threats to public health and/or environmental health from your contaminant. 
  • What is the usual origin of the contaminant and why was it created? What industry and process led to it contaminating the water/wastewater?  What is the ultimate fate of the contaminant in nature (without treatment)?
  • Find a case study involving your contaminant. What treatment technology was used to clean up the water/wastewater/groundwater? Excavating (just removing contaminated soil) is NOT a treatment technology.
  • Discuss another treatment technology option that can be or has been used to clean up the contaminant.
  • From your case study, describe the ethical and professional responsibilities involved in treating (remediating) the contaminant. For example- how did the engineers/scientists/lawyers make informed judgments and decisions? How did or could these treatment or remediation solutions have a global, economic, environmental, and societal impact?

Meet with a Research Librarian prior to September 29th, 2023 for 5 bonus points!

Additional Details

  • Aim for 750-1000 words (4 pages, double spaced).
  • Two photos, tables, or graphics that take up no more than ¼ of a page each is allowed and encouraged.
  • Use at least 8 peer-reviewed journal references in your paper and properly cite them.
  • Begin your research with the Preston Library databases found at: http://libguides.vmi.edu/az.php?a=e ➔ Environment Complete or Engineering Village database.
    • The research librarians must be consulted prior to the Topic & Sources due date for the 5 bonus points.
  • Cite references using the ASCE citation format: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.1061/9780784479018 ➔ Refer to page 36 in the link above for proper citation examples for in-text citations and references.
  • Make use of the ASCE journals for formatting examples and relevant research. https://ascelibrary.org/journals
  • Obtain an article or book through an interlibrary loan service, https://www.vmi.edu/academics/library/services/interlibrary-loan/, (at no cost to you) once you have the basic info about the document. 

Due Dates

  • Topic & Sources: LSN 13 (September 29)
  • Outline: LSN 16 (October 6)
  • Best Draft: LSN 22 (October 20)
  • Paper Revisions: LSN 25 (October 27)