2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5575M Groundwater Pollution and Contaminated Land

15 creditsClass Size: 75

Module manager: Dr. Xiaohui Chen
Email: x.chen@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is about engineering responses to complex groundwater and soil pollution. The module has a particular focus on appropriate understanding of interactions between soils/groundwater/pollutants. It will also cover the link between engineering, earth science, environmental management and sustainable development.

Objectives

This module aims to equip students with state-of-the-art information and knowledge relating to the effective treatment of groundwater pollution and contaminated lands.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module students will:

1. Apply a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles and undertake a critical review of the state of art technical literature in groundwater pollution and contaminated land, including hydrogeology, geochemistry and mineralogy. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M1 and M5);

2. Ability both to apply groundwater pollution modelling analysis for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations. Ability to use the fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies in soils/groundwater restoration. Ability to collect and analyse research data and use appropriate engineering tools to tackle new scenario of pollutions. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M3);

3. Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and where appropriate, use theoretical and modelling (e.g. using PHREEQC) research to mitigate deficiencies;

4. Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in groundwater pollution and contaminated land. Awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development (especially for water and soils) and ability to apply quantitative techniques (e.g. numerical modelling) where appropriate. (AHEP 4 Learning Outcome M7);

5. Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials (e.g. cement or soils) and components (minerals, e.g. Quartz or K-feldspar), and understand the complexity of chemical transport within such porous media. A thorough understanding of current practice, especially in modelling, and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments (e.g. coupled modelling);

6. Apply their skills in problem-solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities. Be able to develop use/develop restoration methods for a real case study and, have an awareness of state-of-the-art knowledge and knowledge sources relating to contaminated lands, nuclear waste disposal and sustainable development.

This module contributes to the AHEP4 learning outcomes M1, M3, M5, M7.

Skills outcomes
Pollution and Contaminated Lands Modelling.

Academic:

a). The ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively while working to complete a complex design problem numerically;

b). The ability to recognise and express knowledge and understanding and how it relates to personal experience and to demonstrate learning and growth from the experience (e.g. lessons learned).

Digital:

c). Ability to use numerical techniques (e.g. Finite difference tools) for discretising and solving complex GeoEnvironmental problems.


Work ready:

d). The ability to prioritise, work efficiently and productively and to manage allotted time well in order to meet deadlines;

e). The ability to take a logical approach to solving problems; resolving issues by tackling from different angles, using both analytical and numerical skills. The ability to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data.

Enterprise:

f). The ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research.

Syllabus

Definition of minerals, soils, groundwater and pollutants; typical conditions in groundwater pollution; assessing the public health risks associated with groundwater pollution and soil pollution; Effective delivery approaches for restoration; modelling of groundwater pollution.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	1	2.00	2.00
Group learning	1	5.00	5.00
Lecture	6	3.00	18.00
Practical	2	4.00	8.00
Seminar	2	3.00	6.00
Private study hours			111.00
Total Contact hours			39.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

The assignment for this course is to assess a case study of a real-groundwater/soil pollution case or sludge-contaminated land, and appropriate engineering responses. The assignment will be carried out in two parts, the first part is to develop a method for the restoration of contaminated lands through critical review and design, and the second part is to develop a pollution transport model for a deeper understanding and provide a potential solution to the environmental problem. This will require extensive critical background reading on the specific case study as well as the general technical literature.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored during the delivery of the module by the use of example sheets, which they are encouraged to attempt. Practical ability is monitored both by reviewing the booking sheets completed by the students during the group project sessions and by assessments of their ability to use software during the modelling work.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Literature and Design: Develop a method for restoration of contaminated lands	40.00
Computer Exercise	Using software to develop a pollution transport model	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resitting students are required to resubmit of the project report and using software to develop a pollution transport model (100%)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/06/2024 14:03:38

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD