Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Bioremediation of Marine Spills and Pollutants
Prepares you to design and assess biological solutions to marine pollution. You will study how oil, heavy metals, microplastics and emerging contaminants behave at sea, the role of pollutant-degrading microorganisms, algae and…
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Bioremediation of Marine Spills and Pollutants?
The Master's in Bioremediation of Marine Spills and Pollutants
Prepares you to design and assess biological solutions to marine pollution. You will study how oil, heavy metals, microplastics and emerging contaminants behave at sea, the role of pollutant-degrading microorganisms, algae and other organisms, and the bioremediation techniques that can be applied on shorelines, in sediments and in harbours, integrated into spill response plans and the international regulatory framework, with clear criteria for effectiveness, environmental safety and monitoring.
Key advantages
- Applied approach: From pollutant microbiology to intervention on the shore and in the harbour.
- Every type of pollutant: Oil, metals, plastics, nutrients and emerging contaminants.
- Spill response: Integrating bioremediation into contingency plans.
- Rigorous assessment: Monitoring, indicators and ecological risk analysis.
- Your own project: A bioremediation plan for a real pollution scenario.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Know the pollutants: Understand the fate and effects of contaminants at sea.
- Harness biology: Use microorganisms, algae and plants to break down or capture pollutants.
- Design interventions: Plan biostimulation and bioaugmentation with safety in mind.
- Measure results: Assess effectiveness with chemical and biological indicators.
- Boost your career: Open doors to environmental consultancies, ports, public bodies and response companies.
- Train to restore polluted coasts and waters with biology-based solutions.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Marine Pollution: Sources and Behaviour
- Land-based and maritime sources of pollution
- Transport and dispersion at sea
- Partitioning between water, sediment and biota
- Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
- Ecotoxicological effects
- Chronic and accidental pollution
- Coastal zones and estuaries
- Ports and docks
- Legacy sediment contamination
- Pollution indicators
02
Biodegradation Microbiology
- Marine microbial communities
- Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria
- Pollutant-degrading marine fungi
- Aerobic metabolic pathways
- Anaerobic degradation
- Biosurfactants
- Microbial consortia
- Limiting factors for degradation
- Molecular monitoring techniques
- Microbial ecology after a spill
03
Oil Spills
- Types of crude oil and fuels
- Weathering of oil at sea
- Behaviour on shorelines and in sediment
- Mechanical and chemical response
- Dispersants and the debate around them
- Bioremediation on beaches
- Bioremediation in salt marshes and mangroves
- Lessons from major spills
- Long-term monitoring
- Post-spill restoration
04
Heavy Metals and Inorganic Pollutants
- Sources of metals in the marine environment
- Speciation and bioavailability
- Mercury and methylmercury
- Cadmium, lead and copper
- Organotins from antifouling paints
- Biosorption and bioaccumulation
- Microbial precipitation
- Phytoremediation and algae
- Contaminated harbour sediments
- Managing dredged material
05
Plastics, Microplastics and Emerging Contaminants
- The plastic cycle in the ocean
- Microplastics and nanoplastics
- Microbial degradation of polymers
- Plastic-degrading enzymes
- Current limits of biodegradation
- Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- Perfluorinated compounds
- Pesticides and endocrine disruptors
- Analytical methods
- Research priorities
06
Nutrients, Eutrophication and Wastewater
- Excess nutrients in coastal zones
- Eutrophication and hypoxia
- Harmful algal blooms
- Biological wastewater treatment
- Constructed wetlands
- Biofiltration with shellfish and seaweed
- Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
- Aquaculture effluents
- Discharges from ships
- Catchment and coastal management
07
Bioremediation Techniques
- Monitored natural attenuation
- Biostimulation with nutrients
- Bioaugmentation with selected strains
- Sediment bioremediation
- Coastal phytoremediation
- Phycoremediation with microalgae
- Bioreactors and biopiles
- Combined treatments
- Biotechnology and modified organisms
- Criteria for selecting techniques
08
Assessment, Monitoring and Ecological Risk
- Site characterisation
- Designing treatability trials
- Chemical indicators
- Microbiological indicators
- Ecotoxicological bioassays
- Biomarkers in organisms
- Ecological risk assessment
- Designing monitoring programmes
- End-point criteria
- Technical reporting
09
Spill Response and Emergency Management
- Organising the response
- Contingency plans
- Initial assessment and aerial surveillance
- Spill trajectory models
- Protecting sensitive areas
- Shoreline clean-up
- Managing spill waste
- Coordination between authorities
- Communicating risk
- Exercises and drills
10
Regulatory Framework and International Instruments
- UNCLOS and protection of the marine environment
- The MARPOL Convention
- The IMO OPRC Convention
- Regional seas conventions
- EU and UK marine strategy frameworks
- Liability and compensation for pollution
- Environmental impact assessment
- Approval of treatment products
- Dredging regulations
- Governance and public participation
11
Master's Final Project: Marine Bioremediation Plan
- Choosing the pollution scenario
- Characterising the pollutant
- Characterising the environment
- Options appraisal
- Treatment design
- Proposed treatability trials
- Monitoring plan
- Risk and cost analysis
- Writing the dissertation
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Graduates in biology, environmental science, chemistry or marine science: who want to specialise in decontamination Port and public authority staff: who manage water and sediment quality Environmental consultants: producing studies and recovery plans Spill response professionals: looking for biological alternatives Environmental and chemical engineers: interested in biological treatments
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand marine pollution
- 02Master degradation microbiology
- 03Select bioremediation techniques
- 04Design interventions
- 05Assess results and risks
- 06Apply the regulatory framework
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Bioremediation specialist: Designing and delivering biological treatments.
02Marine environmental consultant: Pollution studies and recovery plans.
03Port environmental quality officer: Managing water and sediments in ports.
04Spill response specialist: Contingency planning and coordination.
05Environmental regulator: Monitoring and controlling pollution.
06Ecotoxicology and microbiology researcher: Public research bodies and companies.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. Its effectiveness depends on the pollutant and the environment; the programme teaches when it is suitable and when it is not.
Yes, including microbial and enzymatic degradation, presented as an active research field with current limits.
It does not replace official emergency response training, but it gives you a solid technical foundation.
Yes. MARPOL, the IMO OPRC Convention, UNCLOS and European and UK marine strategy frameworks.
A complete bioremediation plan for a specific marine pollution scenario.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Bioremediation of Marine Spills and Pollutants qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in biology, environmental science, marine science, chemistry, environmental or chemical engineering or a related field; or proven professional experience in environmental management. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.