GEOL0313-1 : Remediation of contaminated sites

University of Liege | Version française

Academic year 2014-2015

Value date : 12/05/2015

GEOL0313-1

Remediation of contaminated sites

Duration :

24h Th, 24h Pr, 2d FW, 40h Proj.

Number of credits :

Master in Geological and Mining Engineering, research focus, 2nd year		4

Master in Geology, Research Focus, 1st year		4

Master in Geological Sciences		4

Lecturer :

Serge Brouyère

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Course contents :

This course teaches the bases of required knwoledge and skills for a soil and groundwater remediation study, from site characterization to cleanup.
The course is organized in 13 lectures. The Lecture 1 describes the general context and the problematics of contaminated sites. Lectures 2 to 5 describe investigation methods for characterizing the level of contamination of soil and groundwater and its evolution with time. In particular, lecture 6 consists of a seminar where different contaminated site characterization studies are described. Lecture 6 focuses on risk assessment procedures (health, ecosystems, water resources) related to the soil / groundwater pollution. Lectures 7 to 13 describe and give tools for the main soil and groundwater cleanup technologies. According to available opportunities, some of these lectures will be given by external experts.
Two days of field trip are also planned at the agenda. If possible, they will consist in site visits with specific equipment manipulation. If site access is not available, case studies will be presented.
Lectures will be followed by exercises. In addition, a homework based on real data has to be performed by the students. This work accounts for the course evaluation.
The course uses the Walloon context as a referential (Soil decree, reference documents etc); however, the subjects taugth are generic enough to be transposed to other regions or countries.

Learning outcomes of the course :

At the end of the course, students will have basis technical knowledge and skills for managing a contaminated site problem, from the characterization phase to cleanup project.
More specifically, students will be capable of: -developing a conceptual site model, giving a clear view of the pollution level and evolution with time, in relation with the field conditions (soil, groundwater, physical environment ...); -proposing a programme of investigation to collect data and information required to establish the level of contamination and its evolution -manipulating risk assessment tools; -making a selection of appropriate remediation options, taking into account the context established based on the characterization and on the risk assessment study;

Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :

It is preferable to have knowledge on "soils" and/or "groundwater/hydrogéology"
Good skills in environmental chemistry is also beneficial.
This course is in the continuation of the course GEOL0277 groundwater quality and pollution. Having attended this course is a clear advantage. However, for those who have not attended, a copy of the lectures is available (pdf). In addition, the first course describes the essential prerequisite with feedback to appropriate components of GEOL0277.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Theoretical courses and exercices based as much as possible on real data and cases.
Homework consisting on a real-life situation with a real case study.
2 days of field trips to discover the practical aspects and the reality of contaminated sites.
Webinars and external speakers (as much as possible)

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Room lectures Webinars Homework