The course contains two teaching units: Environmental Geology and Environmental Geochemistry. Environmental Geology aims to understand the importance of geological, hydrogeological and geological-technical analyses for maintaining environmental balance, through the recognition of geological processes whose effects create problems of danger and risk at an environmental and local level. The teaching unit aims to provide knowledge to examine the geological phenomena that affect the evolution of the environment and the territory and to analyse the environmental effects deriving from the implementation of engineering projects, through the identification of the relationship between natural phenomena and those influenced by anthropic activity that determine the qualitative evolution of the environment. Environmental Geochemistry aims to provide a critical knowledge of the main issues and problems relating to the abundance, distribution and mobility of chemical species in the environment (rocks, sediments, soils, waters, air, living beings). It aims also to provide technical-scientific knowledge on the characterization of the various environmental matrices, on the chemical-physical processes that characterize natural systems and on environmental contamination. These objectives are consistent with the educational objectives of the entire Degree Course. The expected learning outcomes are closely linked to the educational objectives. The students will know the composition and reactive properties of geological materials, in their various forms of aggregation (solids, liquids, solutions and gases) and will be able to recognize anthropic alterations on the chemistry of natural systems.
teacher profile teaching materials
Geological, hydrogeological and engineering geological processes in the evolution of the environment and the territory. Relationships between natural processes and human activities; hazard and risk conditions; environmental effects of engineering projects. The Anthropocene and the main hypotheses regarding its timing.
Coastal dynamics: sediment transport cells, sediment budgets and shoreline evolution. Coastal protection through hard engineering structures and soft engineering measures, with attention to their effects on sediment transport and long-term sustainability.
Mineral resources: formation of magmatic, hydrothermal, metamorphic and sedimentary deposits and conditions for their exploitation. Energy resources: coal, oil and natural gas; elements and processes required for the formation and preservation of hydrocarbon accumulations.
Energy sources and the energy transition: resource availability and the environmental and climatic impacts of fossil fuels; renewable energy, with particular reference to hydropower and geothermal energy; bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. Comparison of low-emission sources and the concepts of carbon-free and carbon-neutral energy.
Waste management: factors driving increases in waste generation and the hierarchy of management strategies. Radioactive waste and the geological characteristics of sites for deep disposal. Analysis of the Aral Sea and Dust Bowl cases: causes, environmental, economic and social consequences, and possible mitigation strategies.
ISBN10: 1264648014 | ISBN13: 9781264648016
Additional material will be provided by the instructor during the course
Programme
The content is organised into the course’s two teaching units. The syllabus for the Environmental Geology teaching unit is provided below.Geological, hydrogeological and engineering geological processes in the evolution of the environment and the territory. Relationships between natural processes and human activities; hazard and risk conditions; environmental effects of engineering projects. The Anthropocene and the main hypotheses regarding its timing.
Coastal dynamics: sediment transport cells, sediment budgets and shoreline evolution. Coastal protection through hard engineering structures and soft engineering measures, with attention to their effects on sediment transport and long-term sustainability.
Mineral resources: formation of magmatic, hydrothermal, metamorphic and sedimentary deposits and conditions for their exploitation. Energy resources: coal, oil and natural gas; elements and processes required for the formation and preservation of hydrocarbon accumulations.
Energy sources and the energy transition: resource availability and the environmental and climatic impacts of fossil fuels; renewable energy, with particular reference to hydropower and geothermal energy; bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. Comparison of low-emission sources and the concepts of carbon-free and carbon-neutral energy.
Waste management: factors driving increases in waste generation and the hierarchy of management strategies. Radioactive waste and the geological characteristics of sites for deep disposal. Analysis of the Aral Sea and Dust Bowl cases: causes, environmental, economic and social consequences, and possible mitigation strategies.
Prerequisiti
No specific prior subject knowledge is required. Any formal prerequisite courses and additional curricular requirements must be checked in the Degree Programme Teaching RegulationsCore Documentation
Environmental Geology, James Reichard, McGrawHill editionISBN10: 1264648014 | ISBN13: 9781264648016
Additional material will be provided by the instructor during the course
Attendance
The frequency is not mandatory but recommendedType of evaluation
A single assessment consisting of a written examination covering the content of the three teaching units: Environmental Geology, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geochemistry. The three components contribute to assessing the expected learning outcomes of the course. Written examination The written examination assesses the ability to describe and explain geological and geochemical processes, apply the concepts acquired and interpret the relationships between natural processes, human activities and environmental quality. Tasks must be consistent with the syllabus and the sample questions and tasks provided in the course description. Assessment criteria and learning outcomes Assessment considers the accuracy and completeness of knowledge, the relevance of answers, the ability to apply concepts and methods, the coherence of interpretations, the quality of argumentation and the precision of disciplinary language. With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the two components together assess knowledge and understanding through the description and explanation of processes; the ability to apply knowledge through the analysis of cases and data; independent judgement through the comparison of evidence and the justification of conclusions; and communication skills through the organisation of written answers and oral presentation. Learning skills are assessed through the transfer of knowledge to situations not previously examined, provided that these can be addressed using the concepts and methods developed during the course. teacher profile teaching materials
The module addresses the interactions among natural processes, human activities, and environmental change through an integrated Earth-system approach. Particular attention is devoted to the water cycle and surface hydrological and hydrogeological processes, as well as their relationships with hydrogeological instability, hazards, risks, and environmental impacts.
The programme includes: introduction to global environmental change and the Anthropocene; the Earth system and interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and anthroposphere; the scientific method, environmental systems, reservoirs, fluxes, and feedback mechanisms; elements of climate and climate change; the hydrological cycle, water balance, and watersheds; precipitation and its spatial and temporal variability; evapotranspiration and surface storage; groundwater and fundamental hydrogeological properties; infiltration, surface flow, and runoff; hydrogeological instability and the concepts of hazard, vulnerability, exposure, risk, and impact; streams, discharge, and floods. The course also includes elements of scientific reading, interpretation, and communication applied to environmental issues.
Questa versione secondo me è nettamente migliore di quella che avevamo preparato prima: è sufficientemente dettagliata per la scheda, ma non diventa l'indice delle 400 slide. Soprattutto, ora il programma corrisponde davvero alle lezioni. Per esempio, la parte su rischio è pienamente giustificata dalle slide, dove vengono esplicitamente trattati hazard, vulnerability, exposure e risk.
Programme
Applied Geology ModuleThe module addresses the interactions among natural processes, human activities, and environmental change through an integrated Earth-system approach. Particular attention is devoted to the water cycle and surface hydrological and hydrogeological processes, as well as their relationships with hydrogeological instability, hazards, risks, and environmental impacts.
The programme includes: introduction to global environmental change and the Anthropocene; the Earth system and interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and anthroposphere; the scientific method, environmental systems, reservoirs, fluxes, and feedback mechanisms; elements of climate and climate change; the hydrological cycle, water balance, and watersheds; precipitation and its spatial and temporal variability; evapotranspiration and surface storage; groundwater and fundamental hydrogeological properties; infiltration, surface flow, and runoff; hydrogeological instability and the concepts of hazard, vulnerability, exposure, risk, and impact; streams, discharge, and floods. The course also includes elements of scientific reading, interpretation, and communication applied to environmental issues.
Questa versione secondo me è nettamente migliore di quella che avevamo preparato prima: è sufficientemente dettagliata per la scheda, ma non diventa l'indice delle 400 slide. Soprattutto, ora il programma corrisponde davvero alle lezioni. Per esempio, la parte su rischio è pienamente giustificata dalle slide, dove vengono esplicitamente trattati hazard, vulnerability, exposure e risk.
Prerequisiti
A good knowledge of the basic principles of Physical Geography is required, particularly regarding the main Earth system processes and the interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Basic knowledge of cartography and geographic data representation is also useful.Core Documentation
Teaching materials for the Applied Geology module will be provided by the instructor and made available through the Moodle platform. They will include lecture presentations, documents and supplementary materials, datasets, graphs, diagrams, and maps used during the course.Reference Bibliography
- Davie T., Quinn N.W. (2019), Fundamentals of Hydrology, Third Edition, Routledge. - Celico P. (2003), Elementi di Idrogeologia, Liguori Editore. The textbooks provide reference material for the topics covered during the course. Teaching materials provided by the instructor, including presentations, documents, datasets, graphs, diagrams, maps, and additional resources, will be made available through the Moodle platform.Attendance
Class attendance is recommended in order to follow the progressive development of the topics and support a full understanding of the course content.Type of evaluation
Assessment will be based on a written examination consisting of theoretical questions and exercises. The examination is designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the course topics, the ability to apply acquired knowledge to the analysis of environmental issues, and independent interpretation of the relationships between natural and human-induced processes. Assessment criteria include the accuracy and completeness of the answers, analytical and interpretative skills, and appropriate use of scientific terminology. This module contributes approximately one third of the final course grade.