Environmental Rehabilitation

Code: GEO07154M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Environment and Ecology Sciences, Geological Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese, English

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Environmental Recovery is used in the context of degraded areas (namely for extractive activities) and has as main objectives the stabilization of the land, the guarantee of public security, the aesthetic improvement and the recovery of the land for useful uses in the regional context.

Sustainable Development Goals

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

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

7. Energias renováveis e acessíveis - Garantir acesso à energia barata, confiável, sustentável e renovável para todos.

11. Cidades e comunidades sustentáveis - Tornar as cidades e os assentamentos humanos inclusivos, seguros, resilientes e sustentáveis.

12. Produção e consumo sustentáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

13. Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

Learning Goals

Develop skills in environmental rehabilitation in various subjects related to geotechnics and the exploitation of geological resources.
Provide theoretical and applied knowledge about the environment and its relationship with the exploitation of georesources and geotechnics, in order to prepare future masters adequately for the roles they will perform in companies specialized in this field.
Solve environmental problems related to geotechnical works, open pit and underground mining, rehabilitation of aquifers vulnerable coastal areas, among others.

Introduction to the concepts of environmental rehabilitation and ecological restoration. The objectives, criteria, benchmarks of recovery.
Impacts due to mining, quarries and gravel pits. Correction of impacts related to noise and vibration.
Management of toxic and radioactive waste. Treatment of degraded areas.
Correction of impacts on water systems. Surface Water.
Rehabilitation of Aquifers.
Contamination of soils, sediments and water by heavy metals from mines. Decontamination of land.
Tailings dams.
Correction of impacts on air quality, soil, landscape and ecological systems.
Introduction to Environmental Geotechnics. Sustainable development.
Correction of impacts in Linear Works (road and rail).
Characterization and classification of waste management and waste disposal.
Management and recovery of waste in geotechnical works. Legislative framework for the recovery of waste.
Geological Storage of CO2.
Methods of environmental recovery of coastal and estuarine areas.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, theoretical?practical classes and face-to-face tutorial guidance, with tutorial guidance also being provided through the Moodle platform when appropriate.
The teaching method is based on the presentation of theoretical concepts and associated methodologies, following the structure of the teaching materials. During lectures, students are encouraged to actively participate and discuss the concepts and methodologies addressed.
The teaching materials provided include the main theoretical concepts, application exercises, scientific articles and other documentation considered relevant for deepening the contents of the Curricular Unit.

Assessment

Students can choose between two alternative evaluation systems:
a) Continuous evaluation - two written tests with equal weight (50%), with a minimum grade of 8 in each test;
b) Final evaluation - written exam (100%).