Groundwater and Environment (250829) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics. To formulate and implement Finite Element and Finite Differences numerical models with the objective to analyze the processes that govern ground response, to interpret field information and to predict soil response. To analyze, discriminate and integrate geological and geotechnical information in studies and projects. To calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). To assess and manage environmental impacts from waste disposal, soil contamination and groundwater pollution. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). * To recognize the relationship between soil mechanics and hydrogeology. * To evaluate the impacts caused by civil works (excavations, walls, tunnels) in aquifers and vice versa. * To acquire concepts on exceptional contamination of aquifers and remediation techniques. * To gather knowledge on the mathematical models to evaluate the impact of works on aquifers. * To recognize the main technologic options available to grant economical and efficient services with regards to the basin. * To suggest solutions to benefit from the local natural resources taking into account the economical, social and environmental sustainability. * To understand the chemical balance and kinetic processes from a rigorous mathematical point of view. * To suggest and solve the reactive transport equations in simple cases . * To recognize the most frequent processes and sources of contamination in soils, aquifers, rivers, dykes, coasts and wetlands. To suggest solutions to remediate the contamination of water masses using numerical modelling. * To acquire advanced knowledge on the problems regarding urban and especial solid waste management. * To understand the extent of the studies on environmental impact. * To understand the atmosphere-soil hydrological processes. * To model the hydrological processes at a local, basin and regional scale. * To know the differences among different types of hydrological modelling. * To understand the effects of precipitation on soil stability. * To admit the possibility of natural disasters occurring due to water and to be able to estimate the vulnerability and risk of a ground when facing flooding or debris flow. - The chemical equilibrium. Thermodynamics. Types of reactions. Law of mass action. Mixtures. - Chemical Kinetics. Reaction rates. Kinetic equations. - Reactive transport. Matrix components and stochiometry. Transport equations. Solution. - Contamination of soil and aquifers. Contaminants. Sources of contamination. Degradation processes and remediation. Toxicology. Dose. Environmental risk assessment. - Contamination of rivers and reservoirs. Contamination of coastal waters and moisture. - Global cycles. Carbon cycle. - Waste management. Municipal solid waste. Special waste. - Numerical methods and modeling . - Environmental impact studies. Legal framework. Environmental inventory. Methodology.
Competencies
Especific
To formulate and implement Finite Element and Finite Differences numerical models with the objective to analyze the processes that govern ground response, to interpret field information and to predict soil response.
To calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).
To assess and manage environmental impacts from waste disposal, soil contamination and groundwater pollution. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).
To design and execute hydraulic systems, including transportation facilities, distribution and storage of solids, liquids and gases, water treatment plants and waste management (urban, industrial or hazardous). (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).
To assess and manage projects, plants and water facilities for the environmental point of view. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).
To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).
Generic
To apply advanced knowledge in sciences and technology to the profesional or research practice.
To lead, coordinate and develop integrated projects in Geo-Engineering.
To identify and design solutions for geo-engineering problems within ethical, social and legislative frameworks.
To evaluate the impact of Geo-engineering on environment, sustainable social development and the significance of working within reliable and consciensous profesional environment.
To incorporate new techncologies and advanced tools in Geo-engineering into profesional and research activities.
To conceive Geo-engineering as a multi-disciplinary field that includes relevant aspects from geology, sismology, hydrogeology, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, geomechanics, physics of porous media, geophysics, geomatics, natural hazard, energy and climate interactions.
To promote innovation for the development of methodology, analyses and solutions in Geo-engineering
To tackle and solve advanced mathematical problems in engineering from the drafting of the problem to the development of formulation and further implementation in computer programs. Particularly, to formulate, code and apply analytical and numerical advanced computational tools to project calculations in order to plan and manage them as well as to interpret results in the context of Geo-engineering and Mining engineering.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 25.5h | 56.67 % | |
| Medium group | 9.8h | 21.67 % | ||
| Laboratory classes | 9.8h | 21.67 % | ||
| Self Study | 80h | |||
Teaching Methodology
The course consists of lectures in which the teacher explains the concepts and basic material, presents examples and exercising. In addition to the lectures, there are three exercises that consist of making calculations related to the topics explained in the lectures, which the students have to do at home and m are explained in class after having been deliverd. There is a class that uses computer codes to do some exercises Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.
Grading Rules
The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.
The mark of the course is obtained from the ratings of continuous assessment and their corresponding laboratories and/or classroom computers. Continuous assessment consist in several activities, both individually and in group, of additive and training characteristics, carried out during the year (both in and out of the classroom). The teachings of the laboratory grade is the average in such activities. The evaluation tests consist of a part with questions about concepts associated with the learning objectives of the course with regard to knowledge or understanding, and a part with a set of application exercises.
Test Rules
Failure to perform a laboratory or continuous assessment activity in the scheduled period will result in a mark of zero in that activity.
Bibliography
Basic
- Bear, J., Cheng, A.H.D. Modeling groundwater flow and contaminant transport. Dordrecht [etc.]: Springer, 2010. ISBN 9781402066818.
- Foster, S. [et al.]. Protección de la calidad del agua subterránea : guía para empresas de agua, autoridades municipales y agencias ambientales. Madrid: Mundi-Prensa, 2003. ISBN 8484761460.
- Langmuir, D. Aqueous environmental geochemistry. Upper Saddle River (N.J.): Prentice Hall, 1997. ISBN 0023674121.
- B.J. Merkel; Planer-Friedrich, B. Groundwater geochemistry: a practical guide to modeling of natural and contaminated aquatic systems. 2nd ed. Berlin ; Heidelberg: Springer, 2008. ISBN 978-3-540-74667-6.
- Peavy, H.S.; Rowe, D.R.; Tchobanoglous, G. Environmental engineering. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985. ISBN 0070491348.
- Stumm, W.; Morgan, J.J. Aquatic chemistry: chemical equilibria and rates in natural waters. 3a edición. New York: John Wiley and sons, 1996. ISBN 978-0-471-51185-4.
- Valsaraj, K.T. Elements of environmental engineering: thermodynamics and kinetics. 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2009. ISBN 9781420078190.
- Younger, P.L., Banwart, S.A., Hedin, R.S. Mine water : hydrology, pollution, remediation. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002. ISBN 140200138X.