GROUNDWATER - SUSTAINABILITY & CONTAMINATION
ENV2EGW
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject covers two aspects of water: groundwater (flow, recharge and discharge) and water chemistry (chemical processes influencing the composition of surface and groundwater) with a strong emphasis on environmental aspects and applications, including land contamination (e.g. land salination, acid mine drainage), and estimation and sustainability of water resources.
School: School of Life Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: John Webb
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: GEO2EGW, GEO3EGW, ENV3EGW
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: This subject is co-taught with ENV3EGW, but uses lower order marking criteria than in ENV3EGW.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Physical and chemical hydrogeology | Recommended | Domenico, P.A. and Schwartz, F. W. | WILEY 1990. |
| Readings | The geochemistry of natural waters | Recommended | Drever, J. I. | 3RD EDN, PRENTICE HALL 1997. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Collect, collate, manipulate and interpret groundwater flow data (e.g. determine the ability of aquifers to store and transmit water) and groundwater chemical data (e.g. solve approriate solubility and precipitation problems for a range of elements found in natural waters).
- Activities:
- Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes and an excursion.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
02. Using the physical and hydraulic parameters and properties of groundwater flow, solve complex constructed and real-world problems involving water flow and water chemistry.
- Activities:
- Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
03. Present coherent written explanations supported by evidence (collected by self or correctly cited work of others) in grammatically correct prose and appropriate use of key vocabulary and concepts.
- Activities:
- Guidelines for lab reports and excursion report given to students. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Describe and recall the major groundwater resources of Victoria and the relevant Government structures for its usage and protection.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book)
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
05. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of geochemistry of natural waters by using geochemical techniques to solve solubility and precipitation problems for a range of elements found in natural waters using geochemical techniques.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes and field excursion.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
06. Describe the separate aspects of the hydrological cycle and recall details of these components, including both surface and underground components.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
07. Explain appropriate remediation techniques for groundwater contamination using the basic principles of contaminant transport in underground aquifers.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: John Webb
Class requirements
Field TripWeek: 21 - 21
One 1.0 days field trip per study period on sunday during the day from week 21 to week 21 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hour end-of-semester examination | 50 | 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| Excursion report (500 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Laboratory/practical exercises (x10, total equiv to 1500 words) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07 |