IDROGEOLOGY
(objectives)
Objectives
The objectives of the course are the comprehension of the main hydrogeological processes for the management and protection of groundwater resources. Students will be introduced to the understanding of how water gets into the ground (recharge), how it flows in the subsurface (through aquifers), how groundwater interacts with the surrounding soil and rock (the geology) and how flows out in different ways (different kinds of springs). For the understanding of these processes the hydrogeological features, interaction between surface water and groundwater and chemical-physical parameters will be analysed in the framework of protection and sustainable management of water resources.
1) Knowledge and understanding At the end of the training activity the student will acquire knowledge about the main hydrogeological features of rocks and soils, about the mechanisms governing groundwater flow circulation and distributions and about water quality. The student will be also able to classify different types of aquifer and spring categories, and he/she will be able to analyse the relationship between groundwater and other water bodies (rivers, lakes, sea, etc.). The student will be able to understand the principle of sustainable exploitation and vulnerability of groundwater also in the framework of current legislation.
2) Applied knowledge and understanding At the end of training activity, the student must demonstrate to be able to: read and analyze a hydrogeological map; critically analyse hydrodynamic aquifer parameters, carry out a piezometric map also defining the main features, classify waters basing on their chemical-physical characteristics, the student must be able to evaluate vulnerability and degree of exploitation of groundwater resources.
3) Making judgments The student through the topics discussed during the course and during cartographic, numerical, and practical exercises will be able to make an individual judgment about groundwater flow circulation, groundwater quality and and degree of exploitation, dealing with different settings and environments concerning many aspects about the hydrogeology of an area.
4)Communication skills The student will acquire an appropriate technical language both during theoretical lessons and tutorial activities, necessary to interact with specialists involved in analyses, management and planning of activities in hydrogeological and environmental fields. The communication skills will be verified during class discussions and the oral examination.
5) Learning skills The student must demonstrate to be able to analyse hydrogeological features of a territory even if the settings are different from those considered during classes. The student mut also be able to define the key hydrogeological features of an environment useful to protect, monitor and correct manage groundwater resources.
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Code
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118938 |
Language
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ITA |
Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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6
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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GEO/05
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Contact Hours
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40
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Exercise Hours
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8
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Type of Activity
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Core compulsory activities
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Teacher
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SBARBATI Chiara
(syllabus)
Introduction: The concept of Hydrogeology, the importance of groundwater as fundamental resource for human and for the environment. Groundwater in the subsoil and Aquifer properties: study of groundwater distribution and movement in the unsaturated and saturated zone; definition of the main hydrogeological properties (porosity, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, specific yield) and how they can influence groundwater circulation; the Darcy Law and estimation of flow rate; Aquifer classification. Aquifer recharge and interaction with different water bodies: the concept of continuous circulation of water in the Earth-atmosphere system (hydrological cycle), hydrological water balance and definition of recharge, infiltration, evapotranspiration and runoff; construction and interpretation of piezometric maps, definition of groundwater flow direction, hydraulic gradient and relationship between surface and groundwater; spring classification; study of the relationship between fresh and seawater in coastal environments (Ghyben- Herzberg Law); groundwater chemistry, elements of water-rocks interaction, geochemical classification of groundwater (Chebotarev, Schoeller and Piper Diagrams); definition of groundwater origin through groundwater isotopes. Groundwater and anthropogenic activities: different ways for groundwater exploitation and purpose (drinking water exploitation, irrigation, thermal use, dewatering, etc); the utility of pumping tests to gain different aquifer properties; aquifer contamination occurrence, definition of the main classes of pollutants, basic elements of contaminant transport in groundwater; the concept of aquifer vulnerability and brief description of implemented methods to assess the vulnerability, groundwater resource protection principle in accordance with the regulation.
(reference books)
Pietro Celico (2003) – Elementi di Idrogeologia – Liguori Editore Massimo Civita (2005) – Idrogeologia applicata ed ambientale
Slides and additional material provided by the teacher during the course.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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