03 Environmental Coursework Assignment Sample

Here’s the best sample of 03 Environmental Coursework Assignment, written by the expert.

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to present a critical review and assessment of a scientific journal article. The report assesses the appropriateness of the methods used, findings and conclusion drawn by the authors and quality of the overall report. The chosen article is ‘Comparison of pollution indices for the assessment of heavy metal in

Brisbane River sediment’ published in 2016 by Duodu, Godfred Odame, Ashantha Goonetilleke, and Godwin Ayoko.

Critical Review

In this published scientific literature by group of researchers, it can be evaluated that the article has highlights and raise the issue of ecological problem from heavy metal deposits in sediments of Brisbane river, heavy metal pollution and contamination which is of practical interest for the ecologists, catchment basin managers, Australian government, and the public to protect the aquatic biotic environment and wildlife.

The abstract of this article paper is interesting for the readers as it presents the summary of the contents of good length. It provide systematic information of the different components that were investigated, analyzed along with sources of metals, use of index to determine sediment quality, findings, limitation, suggestion and implication for future research work. It was analyzed that abstract has appeal which formed a fundamental aspect of this article.

The introduction has provided a context to the overall search for highlighting the need to assess the indicators of sediment quality for the ecological risk in form of contamination risk and toxicity risk to the estuary aquatic environment due to heavy metals being transported and deposited as river sediments. Also, it points that these indicators focus on single metal which is insufficient as there is complex mixture of several metals leading to heavy metal pollution in aquatic environment which require new approach. The aim of the article was specified for the study. It can be accessed from the article aim that it has been put forward to extend the current knowledge regarding the ecological status of the Brisbane river sediment to encourage actions by government and concerned authorities for ecology protection from heavy metal pollution. The article has pointed out the element of risk assessment such as identification of hazard in form of ecological risk to the Brisbane River due to presence of heavy metals in particularly, mercury (Hg). On the other hand, there is limited and less background to provide more clear statements and rational of undertaking the study.

Evaluating on the methods and materials, it can be said that the study has involves a good number of sample sites (22 sites) to collect grab sediments samples. The material used as polar stainless steel grab sampler. Also, the material used for frozen samples was alpha 1-4 LDplaus freeze dryer for lyophilizing. This material has been used by other and published in paper which is pointed in the article to rationalize the use of material. Also, the use of material for Reagents and standards has been used former studies which make it difficult to evaluate the appropriateness of material being used. The method for preparation of sample and its subsequent analysis method used has been employed by others and published in other papers. However, the researcher has made slight changes in method to improve the precision as per the need of the study. It can be evaluated that the researchers has left little scope of original method in the method followed for this study and has referred to other published scientific literature for the use of the material like reagents and standards and basic methods for sample preparation and analysis. The material and methods section of this article was of moderate length and has provided concise information. On the other hand, it is evaluated that there is no information on the potential downside of the methods used by the researchers.

The methods section also highlighted the data analysis method which is assessed to follow statistical analysis like ANNOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and calculations for metal concentrations in terms of their average and standard deviation statistical techniques. These calculations are necessary for the study to provide information on the variation trend as well as pattern for the 22 sampling sites which is presented along with formulae and tables for data collected. The study included multivariate statistical tools, hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis. It can be evaluated that the researchers has given high focus on employing the different statistical procedure. The study also used sediment quality guidelines by Australian New Zealand and ecological risk indices as well as single and multiple indices for sediment quality for reviewing the sediment ecological states in quantitative and qualitative perspective respectively. It can also be evaluated that appropriate statistical test were performed for this study which is marked from the use of hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis for identification of source of heavy metals for Brisbane river sediments. Thus, multivariate techniques for data analysis were suitable for this study. In addition, the researcher in evaluating the metal contamination with contamination factor index indicator underlines the limitation towards calculation of this factor from the literature review.

In results and discussion section, the researchers have underlined clear information that was interpreted from the outcomes of the data analysis to relate with the article aim. It includes tables and figures to show analytical performance of the analysis method, metal variation, patterns, metal concentrations, trace element concentration, and assessment of sediment quality by multi-element indices and other results. It was reviewed that this article journal has identified an appropriate component for management of ecological risk. Thus, the discussion in the article provides new information to employ a modified potential ecological risk index (MRI) that make use of the enrichment factor for identifying the precise nature of sediment behavior and related variations which can provide anthropogenic contamination recognition/discovery. The results are presented with discussion to provide perspective towards the study topic to address the aim. The observed results have been explained but it was found that there has been repetition of the material already discussed in introduction section. Thus, more elaboration is required in the discussion section to mention the gaps being fulfilled in the desired and observed results. However, there has been sufficient attempt by the researchers to give explanation for the results. The conclusion provided is concise along with two major recommendations for improving assessment of contamination and risk.

Thus, it can be considered that the use of material, methods and data analysis techniques mentioned in the study are appropriate for the other researchers to repeat the study. At the same time, it is also important to mention that the methods and their application are not described to extend the study further. There is also a limited description for methods that are modified to extend the study. There is no clear mention of the potential problems for in the use of selected methods. However, the overall quality of the report is at fine end to understand the study aim, sources of heavy metal pollution, use of statistical methods, results and discussion with the available information. The researchers have given proper citation for comments and arguments made and for other published scientific literature.

Conclusion

It can be summed that the aim of the study article were met by the researched as evaluated from the results and discussion section. A few downsides are pointed for this study. However, the overall report is concluded to be acceptable and of fine quality. The suitability of the methods and material was difficult to evaluate as it were referred by the researcher from published scientific literature. The use of statistical analysis and techniques were appropriate in this study to realize the aim. The statistical analysis performed on the collected data was appropriate with clear data present in tables and figures. The results and conclusions were appropriate and make good judgment considering the study aim.