2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5070M Hydrogeology and Contaminant Processes

15 creditsClass Size: 65

Module manager: Dr Jared West
Email: L.J.West@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In this module students learn the basics of hydrogeology including the fundamental physics of flow and contaminant transport through porous media, aquifer hydraulic properties and how to measure them, aquifer structure and heterogeneity, issues of groundwater control in construction, and contaminated land investigation, assessment and remediation.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:
- interpret physical groundwater measurements in terms of aquifer properties and make predictions about groundwater responses to pumping e.g. in the context of water supply and construction dewatering;
- undertake and report preliminary investigations of contaminated sites (ie desk study and walkover), design field investigations and evaluate the impacts of contaminated land on various receptors such as groundwater, humans and ecosystems
- demonstrate an understanding of a range of groundwater control and contaminated land remediation techniques.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module the student will:
1) have knowledge of how groundwater and contaminated land can be managed using scientific principles;
2) have developed skills for analysis of real data from groundwater systems using a mathematical description of behaviour in idealised cases;
3) have developed skills of synthesis of data from a range of sources (including documentary sources and 'walkover' investigations) to design field investigations and formulate conceptual models to describe and quantitatively assess hazards from contaminated land;
4) have demonstrated critical evaluation of current practice in groundwater control and contaminated land assessment.

Syllabus

- water cycle and aquifers, Darcy's law, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, storativity, methods of permeability measurement;
- fluid potential and hydraulic head, aquifer hydraulics, flownets, interpretation of well pumping tests, slug tests and packer tests. Methods of management of groundwater in construction.
- Introduction to environmental contaminants and contaminated land, contaminant phase, source pathway receptor framework. Investigation of contaminated land; risk evaluation for human health, ecosystems and groundwater. Remediation of contaminated land and groundwater.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	3.00	33.00
Practical	2	7.00	14.00
Private study hours			103.00
Total Contact hours			47.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Completion of formative assessment (Contaminated Land Phase I survey): 10 hours
Completion of Pumping Test Analysis and Report (1500 words): 20 hours
Completion of Contaminated Land Report (Phase II Field Investigation Design) (1500 words plus SI layout diagram): 20 hours
Completion of Groundwater Risk Assessment practical: 20 hours
Private study (associated with the lectures): 33 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Formative assessments completed in private study time associated with the lectures
- Feedback on the three summative assessments spaced through semester 1
- Reflective self-assessment via short activity sessions embedded within the lectures

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Contaminated Land Report	30.00
Practical	Groundwater Risk Assessment	40.00
Report	Pumping Test Report	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Re-sits are by a single examination of 2hrs duration.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/09/2018

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