GROUNDWATER - SUSTAINABILITY & CONTAMINATION
ENV2EGW
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Groundwater (water beneath the earth's surface) is a crucial resource in many parts of the world for urban and agricultural use, and its importance is increasing as surface water supplies become over-exploited. This subject covers how groundwater moves (flow, recharge and discharge) and the chemical processes influencing its composition (e.g. evaporation, weathering, mineral precipitation). There is a strong emphasis on environmental aspects and applications, particularly groundwater contamination (including salinisation and acid mine drainage) and estimation and sustainability of groundwater 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: ENV3EGW
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: This subject is co-taught with ENV3EGW, but ENV3EGW uses different marking criteria that assess a higher order of thinking (explain, analyse, relate, apply) than is expected in ENV2EGW.
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. Describe the parameters that control the ability of aquifers to store and transmit groundwater, and understand the techniques used to measure these parameters.
- 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, along with guidelines for lab reports. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
02. Analyse the physical and hydraulic parameters and properties of groundwater flow in order to solve complex constructed and real-world problems involving groundwater resources.
- 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, along with guidelines for lab reports. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
03. Apply the principles and techniques of geochemistry to interpret the composition of groundwater, including solving solubility and precipitation problems for a range of dissolved species found in natural and contaminated waters, and assessing the appropriate remediation techniques for groundwater contamination
- 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, along with guidelines for lab reports. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
04. Analyse groundwater hydraulic and chemical data collected in the field using numerical calculations and graphical representations, in order to prepare a written report on the results using appropriate organisation and referencing.
- Activities:
- Reinforcement of techniques and concepts provided in lectures and practicals with onsite explanation during the excursion; demonstrator assistance also available. Guidelines for excursion report given to students.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
05. Describe the major groundwater resources of Victoria and the relevant government controls on their usage and protection
- Activities:
- Concepts and details explained in lectures and reinforced in the laboratory/practical sessions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: John Webb
Class requirements
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.
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.
Field TripWeek: 20 - 20
One 1.0 days field trip per study period on sunday during the day from week 20 to week 20 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hour end-of-semester open book examination | 40 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Excursion report (equiv to 500 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Laboratory/practical exercises (10 reports equiv to 1000 words) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |