Aim
The aim of the course is to deepen the student's knowledge and skills within the field of hydrogeology as a tool to manage and solve problems concerning 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. Groundwater and Environment is one of the core courses within an advanced specialization or a Master's Programme in Water Resources Engineering.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to define 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 and estimate 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, groundwater hydraulics, groundwater chemistry, contaminant transport in soil and groundwater and also aquifer protection.

• be able to use a number of computer programmes for evaluation and simulation of groundwater flow, aquifer properties, hydrogeochemical processes and contaminant transport.

• be able to estimate and present hydrogeologically and hydrogeochemically related investigations as written technical reports and orally for engineers, politicians and the public.

• show an ability to seek and value information with relevance for problems concerning groundwater and the environment in a self-governed and independent way.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate to have 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.

• show evidence of realizing the need for a multidisciplinary attitude and simultaneous evaluation of geological, hydrological, hydraulic, chemical, ecological, anthropogenic and other conditions when dealing with problems related to groundwater and environment.

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.

One minor and one major compulsory assignment. In the major assignment the students are expected to use their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to solve a complex groundwater-engineering problem emphasizing risk of contamination. The assignments are tackled in small groups with possibilities to consult a teacher. The results are presented as a written technical report and orally at seminars.

The environmental part of the course includes 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. Leaching of contaminants are emphasized as well as simulation of chemical reactions and contaminant transport by the computer code PHREEQC.

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. Excerpts from publications and off-prints.

Code: 0103. Name: Project task.
Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: The assignments will be assessed as regards both written and oral presentation. The assessment concerns structure and presentation as well as hydrogeological content and treatment, evaluation and valuation of hydrogeologically related information. Contents: Application, analysis and synthesis of knowledge in groundwater and environment.

Code: 0203. Name: Examination.
Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: It is necessary to obtain 50% correct answers to pass the written examination. The written examination consists of one theoretical part, which has to be solved without any means of assistance, and one problem part, where the course literature is an allowed support. It is not necessary to obtain 50% correct answers on both parts to pass the examination. Contents: Basic concepts and applications of knowledge in groundwater and environment.