Hydrogeology and Geoenvironment

lgciv2073  2021-2022  Louvain-la-Neuve

Hydrogeology and Geoenvironment
3.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Bolly Pierre-Yves;
Language
English
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of geomaterials and soil mechanics as taught in courses LGCIV1031 and LGCIV1072
Main themes
The objective of this course is to learn how to manage the different scientific and technical aspects related to geoenvironmental hydrogeology. It contributes to the management of environmental risk, which is an integral part of the geotechnical engineer's job.
The course has two parts:
  • The first part deals with hydrogeology: Fundamental principles of fluid flow in porous media are presented, as well as the methods applied in order to characterize and manage aquifer resources. Exercise sessions allow to understand practical problems related to the exploitation and management of groundwater (including the basics of geothermal / hydrothermal)
  • The second part deals with the geoenvironment: after an introduction regarding the quality of the subsoil in an industrial-polluted context, the different processes of migration and underground dispersion of contaminants are addressed. Environmental risk estimation methodologies using field data are used to illustrate the values of different soil remediation techniques. Special attention is given to non-aqueous liquid phase contaminants (NAPLs).
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 Regarding the AA reference system of the 'Master of Civil Engineering Construction" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes: AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3, AA2 .1, AA2.2, AA5.1, AA5.3, AA5.5, AA6.2, AA6.3, AA6.4.
At the end of this course, the student must be able to:
Technical and engineering skills:
  • Identify and classify industrial contaminants considering their physicochemical properties and their risks for human health
  • Understand groundwater transport and balance between the different soil phases (solid, liquid, gas)
  • Characterize advection, diffusion, dispersion and attenuation processes in saturated soil and unsaturated soil, through laboratory and in situ tests
  • Evaluate the mobility of non-aqueous fluids (light and heavy) in a given geoenvironmental context
  • Display the methods of investigation (on-site and in laboratory) able to characterize contamination state of a given site
  • Determine hydrogeological parameters (transmissivity, storage, etc.) using in situ tests and transient pumping tests
  • Calculate flow velocities and drawdown induced by pumping under transient conditions
  • Pre-size a geothermal or hydrothermal installation  
Project management / managerial skills:
  • Evaluate the environmental risk following a pollution impacting groundwater
  • Propose a remediation plan for a given contaminated site
Social skills :
  • Communicate effectively with teachers
 
Content
See "Mains themes"
Teaching methods
Lessons with PowerPoint supports, PDF and directed readings
Evaluation methods
Written exam for the practical exercises, oral exam for the theory
Other information
Depending on the availabilities, a visit may be organized on-site (quarry, excavation, pumping station, ...)
Online resources
PowerPoint slides and exercises are available on Moodle
Bibliography
A préciser
Faculty or entity
GC


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Environmental Bioengineering
BIRE2M
5
Master [120] in Civil Engineering
GCE2M
3
Master [120] in Chemistry and Bioindustries
BIRC2M
3
Master [120] in Agriculture and Bio-industries
SAIV2M
3
Interdisciplinary Advanced Master in Science and Management of the Environment and Sustainable Development
ENVI2MC
3
Master [120] in Environmental Science and Management
ENVI2M
5