Geoenvironmental Engineering

Objectives

Provide students with multidisciplinary technical training that includes knowledge of engineering geology, environment, geochemistry and regional planning, particularly for the planning and preparation of studies aimed at solving emerging problems of human occupation in the territory, namely:

- Evaluation of natural and man-made risks. Application of risk assessment models and mitigation measures;

- Studies for the assessment of contaminated industrial sites (soils and groundwater contamination)

- Quantitative human health risk analysis studies in areas subject to environmental rehabilitation.

General characterization

Code

10738

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Maria da Graça Azevedo de Brito

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 70

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Students should have knowledge in the field of applied geosciences, namely, geology, hydrogeology, sampling and geotechical survey, statistical data analysis, geographic information systems.

Bibliography

[1] SHARMA, H. D.; REDDY, K. R. (2004) - Geoenvironmental Engineering: Site Remediation, Waste Containment, and Emerging Waste Management Technologies, 992 p.

[2] LaGREGA, M. D., BUCKINGHAM, P. L. & EVANS, J. C. (2001) - Hazardous Waste Management.McGraw-Hill,New York, 2nd Ed., XXVI + 1202 p.

[3] LECOMTE, P. (1999) – Polluted Sites. Remediation of Soils and Groundwater. A.A Balkema Publish.,Brookfield, VII + 210 p.

[4] PETTS, J., CAIRNEY, T. & SMITH, M., (1997) – Risk-Based Contaminated Land Investigation and Assessment, John Wiley & Sons,New York, p. 334.

[5] NAKANISHI, TOMOKO M.; TANOI, KEITARO (2016) - Agricultural Implications of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident - The first Three years". Springer Open. ISBN: 978-4-431-55826-2. DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-55828-6

Teaching method

The course includes lessons supported by PowerPoint and board, field classes to use experimental equipements, laboratory classes for preliminar data collection and practical classes in a computer lab, to resolve practical exercices and develop a final project.

Evaluation method

70% 2 theoretical  mini tests (or exame) + 30% oral presentation of a practical case study

OR (only for Geological engineering master students):

60% 2 theoretical  mini tests (or exame) + 10% open your mine" field trips  + 30% oral presentation of a practical case study

Subject matter

The curriculum includes the following subjects:

Type of geo-environmental engineering problems. Geo-environmental conditions of regional development. Geoenvironmental risk. Risk management models.

Soil contamination problems in Portugal and in the European Union.

Methodology for the assessment of contaminated sites. Contamination model. Investigation steps. Sampling methods and field surveying.

Environmental geochemistry. Reference values and background. .

Risk assessment for human health and monitoring / remediation plans.

Land remediation technologies (soil and groundwater).

Presentation and discussion of real cases - specifications for the environmental assessment of contaminated industrial areas.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: