Environmental Hydrogeology

Code: GEO10363M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Geology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Environmental component of hydrogeology, encompassing the contamination and remediation of aquifers and the relationship between groundwater and surface water and groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

Água limpa e saneamento - Garantir disponibilidade e manejo sustentável da água e saneamento para todos.

Consumo e produção responsáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

Vida na água - Conservação e uso sustentável dos oceanos, dos mares, e dos recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Learning Goals

The course Environmental Hydrogeology aims to provide students with the identification of problems that can affect an aquifer, from issues related to over-exploitation, as with pollution, also giving information on how to manage such an aquifer in order to avoid these situations.

If the aquifer is already affected, students will be able to understand how they can address the issue of remediation, or treatment of these aquifers.
It is intended that students become aware of the importance of groundwater in the hydrological cycle, particularly as regards the interrelationship with surface water and the role they play in relation to aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems dependent on these waters.

Rational exploitation, over-exploitation, methods of contamination and protection of aquifers against contamination. Wellhead protection areas. Remediation measures in aquifers. Remediation of groundwater contaminated with metals. Remediation of hydrocarbons, volatile or nonvolatile, dense or light. Remediation of organic contaminants, chlorinated solvents, sulfates, nitrates and other contaminants. Methodologies used for treatment of groundwater, bioremediation, oxidation/reduction chemistry, in situ flushing, air sparging, permeable reactive barriers, electrochinectics, thermal methods, steam, treatment by UV/oxidation, horizontal holes, vertical circulation holes, hydraulic and pneumatic fracturing applied to groundwater remediation, stabilization/solidification, natural attenuation, etc. .. Interaction groundwater/surface water. Methodology for identification and their importance in the hydrological cycle. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Methodology of identification.

Teaching Methods

Teaching will have a theoretical component, on the possible polluting sources of aquifers, the type of pollution that can reach groundwater and the various techniques of aquifer remediation.
The practical component of the course includes field visits to contaminated or decontamination areas and exercises on specific situations.
Continuous assessment of the theoretical component is based on tests, with the possibility of a written examination of the theoretical component when students decide to skip continuous assessment or has a grade lower than 8 in the first test (in 20). Written report of practical and field components.
There is the guarantee appeal for a final exam for the theoretical part and the possibility of improving written reports on appeal, in the practical part.
The evaluation consists of 2 theoretical tests, with a minimum of 8 values in each one in order to pass.
The theoretical component accounts for 50% of the final grade and the practical reports for the other 50%.