Syllabus 2007/2008 VTG021

Syllabus academic year 2007/2008

GROUNDWATER ENGINEERING

VTG021

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: G2 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in English. VTG021 overlap following cours/es: VTG070 och VTG070. Optional for: V4. Course coordinator: Gerhard Barmen, gerhard.barmen@tg.lth.se och Conny Svensson, conny.svensson@tg.lth.se, Teknisk geologi. Prerequisites: Geology corresponding to 5 ECTS or VTG 011 and also hydrology/hydraulics corresponding to 10 ECTS or VVR150. Recommended prerequisits: Basic university chemistry corresponding to FMI031 and basic university calculus corresponding to FMA415. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 15. Assessment: Written examination. One compulsory assignment with written presentation of the results and conclusions. The performance on the written examination forms the basis for the final mark of the course, but a well performed assignment report will give a bonus which can lift the mark one step. Further information: The course is given in English. If there are less than 15 applicants the course can be cancelled. Home page: http://www.tg.lth.se/kurser/.

Aim
The aim of the course is to deepen the student's knowledge and to a certain extent also skills within the field of hydrogeology as a tool to manage and solve problems concerning civil and foundation engineering, water supply, waste treatment and urban/rural planning and construction in a way, which takes into account the needs of the inhabitants and the general goals for development of a sustainable society. The theoretical content of the course overlaps the course Groundwater and Environment (VTG070). As opposed to the latter, the course Groundwater Engineering contains only few computer based exercises and simulations of groundwater flow and chemistry.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to define, calculate and thoroughly describe the occurrence, behaviour, origin and movement as well as the chemical and physical characteristics of groundwater and soil water.
be able to relate contamination of soil and groundwater to different ways of handling waste and rest products.
be able to identify leaching of a number of contaminants.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to execute technical investigations and evaluations regarding problems related to hydrogeology and groundwater hydraulics.
be able to present hydrogeologically related investigations as written technical reports in English for professionals and experts of different kinds.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

show evidence of having adopted an attitude, which emphasize and valuate co-operation between different professionals and experts when planning and executing projects dealing with groundwater and contamination of soil and groundwater.

Contents
Hydrogeology. Groundwater occurrence, behaviour and flow in various kinds of aquifers. Soil water and soil water movement. The influence of geology on the aquifer properties. Fluctuations in groundwater level on various time-scales and in various formations. Groundwater flow and properties governing the flow characteristics. Temperature and age of groundwater. Groundwater quality and quality characteristics. Groundwater sampling, water analyses, chemical composition, equilibrium and chemical processes. Contamination processes and contaminant transport. External additions including acidification. Drilling and well technology. Hydraulic properties of aquifers and wells including storativity and transmissivity. Groundwater withdrawal and test pumpings. Analysis of data from aquifer tests by analytical and graphical methods as well as computer software. Hydraulic and hydrogeological boundaries.

General descriptions of handling of waste and rest products in the society as well as characterization of waste. Contaminated soil and waste deposition and also other sources of pollutants are treated. Treatment and remediation of contaminated soils. Description and calculation of leaching of contaminants.

One compulsory assignment, which is tackled in groups of two students with possibilities to consult a teacher. The results are presented as a written technical report and orally at a final seminar with invited guests.

Literature
Fetter, C W: Applied Hydrogeology, Fourth edition. Prentice Hall 2001. ISBN: 0130882399 or 0131226878.
Svensson, C: Compendium on Groundwater chemistry. Teknisk geologi, LTH 2007.
Exercises.