ENVT3020-1 : Tools for measuring environmental parameters : hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere

Study Programmes 2016-2017

WARNING : 2015-2016 version of the course specifications

ENVT3020-1

Tools for measuring environmental parameters : hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere

Part 1 : Hydrosphere
Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation
Part 3 : Biosphere

Duration :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere : 12h Th, 12h Pr
Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation : 8h Th, 4h Pr
Part 3 : Biosphere : 12h Th, 12h Pr

Number of credits :

Master in environmental science and management (120 ECTS)		6
Master in environmental science and management (60 ECTS)		6

Lecturer :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere : Vincent Debbaut, Yves Marneffe
Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation : Vincent Debbaut
Part 3 : Biosphere : Célia Joaquim-Justo

Coordinator :

Vincent Debbaut

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere

During this course are presented:
Polluants and possible quantification methods in different media.
A reminder of the water cycle, of its différents compartments and of anthropic water uses.
Quantitative aspects and measurement tools specific to surface water, underground water and waste water discharge. Qualitative aspects : Processes of naturel quality acquisition, anthropic pressions and quality alteration of water bodies. In-situ and laboratory measuring methods and specific sensors.
Biological indicators : biological indices, bio-indicators and biomarkers.

Sampling techniques.
Data sources : maps, databases, with acces to relevant web-sites.

Reference framework for water monitoring and distribution. European legislation related to water management and mainly Directive European Water Framework: Its principle and objectives.

Legislation of the Walloon region and environmental permits.
Monitoring networks and surface water management in the Walloon region.

Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation

Introduction to soil sciences: soil components, soil properties, soil mapping, soil use and risks.
Soil sampling, inventoty and evaluation techniques.
Main soil analyses.
Main measurement instruments for soil parameters (in the field and in the lab).

Soil quality networks.
Legal framework : "Décret sols in Walloon region"
Case studies of soil characteristics alteration, with examples of caracterization and rehabilitation.

Part 3 : Biosphere

During this course are presented:

Pollutants and possible quantification methods in different media.

A reminder of the water cycle, of its different compartments and of anthropic water uses.

Quantitative aspects and measurement tools specific to surface water, underground water and waste water discharge.

Qualitative aspects : Processes of natural quality acquisition, anthropic pressure and quality alteration of water bodies. In-situ and laboratory measuring methods and specific sensors.

Biological indicators : biological indices, bio-indicators and biomarkers.

Sampling techniques.

Data sources : maps, databases, with access to relevant web-sites.

Reference framework for water monitoring and distribution.
European legislation related to water management and mainly the Directive European Water Framework: its principles and objectives.

Legislation of the Walloon region and environmental permits.

Monitoring networks and surface water management in the Walloon region.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere

Knowledge of processes, of parameter used to characterize water bodies state.
Understanding of type of legal or regulatory tools used for water management.
Knowledge of measuring and sampling methodologies adapted for solving problems related to water management.
This course will allow students to approach problems and pressures on aquatic environments and their impact on the functioning of these ecosystems in general and their biodiversity in particular.
It will also be the opportunity to approach the European Water Framework directives and their evolution over the past decades with the integration of ecological quality and sustainable resource management to achieve "good ecological status" of water and aquatic ecosystem.

Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation

Knowledge of soil use and of main soil characteristics and of methods to measure it.
Knowledge of threads on soil use.

Part 3 : Biosphere

Knowledge of processes, of parameters used to characterize water bodies status.

Understanding of type of legal or regulatory tools used for water management.

Knowledge of measuring and sampling methodologies suitable for solving problems related to water management.

This course will allow students to approach problems and pressures on aquatic environments and their impact on the functioning of these ecosystems in general and their biodiversity in particular.

It will also be the opportunity to approach European directives related to water and their evolution over the past decades with the integration of ecological quality and sustainable resource management to achieve "good ecological status" of water and aquatic ecosystems.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere

Basic knowledge in chemistry and in measurement

Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation

Basic knowledge in chemistry, physics and in measurement

Part 3 : Biosphere

Basic knowledge in chemistry and in measurement.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Part 1 : Hydrosphere

The course includes:* a theory section: classroom courses; laboratory practice part: Aims to introduce the students to the identification of main biological elements used in the ecological assessment of streams and calculation of indices defined for the same purpose and field visits: They are an opportunity to apply the methodology defined for the collection of biological, physico-chemical and morphometric data used for the ecological assessment of surface waters

Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation

Theory and exercices

Part 3 : Biosphere

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

Part 1 : Hydrosphere

Face-to-face

Part 2 : Geosphere - Land contamination and degradation

Face to face

Part 3 : Biosphere

Face-to-face