The course contains two teaching units: Environmental Geology and Environmental Geochemistry. Environmental Geology aims to understand the importance of geological, hydrogeological and geological-technical analyzes 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 analyze 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
scheda docente
materiale didattico
THE COURSE OPENS WITH THE ILLUSTRATION OF TWO CASE-STUDIES ABOUT ACCIDENTAL SPILLS IN THE SUBSOIL OF TWO CHEMICALS (CR-VI AND ACETONE CYANOYDRIN), WITH FOLLOWING SOIL AND GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION. MONITORING ACTIONS TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENSION OF THE PLUME AND REMEDIATION APPROACHES ARE INTRODUCED. THESE EXAMPLES ARE USED TO PRESENT THE BASIC S OF ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY: SORPTION ONTO MINERAL CLAYS, ORGANIC MATTER AND FE/AL/MN OXIDES/HYDROXIDES; GEOCHEMICAL MOBILITY AND RELATED PARAMETERS; NATURAL GEOCHEMICAL BASELINES AND THE USE OF A SPECIFIC CHEMICAL MAPPING. CONTAMINATION FROM HEAVY METALS (PB AND HG).
THE SECOND SECTION DEALS WITH GREENHOUSE EFFECT, REDUCTION OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OZONE, URBAN POLLUTION, ACID RAINS AND PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG. THE CONFLICTING CONCEPTS OF NATURAL EQUILIBRIA ALTERED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND RECORDS OF PAST NATURAL DISTURBANCE IN THE GEOLOGICAL RECORDS ARE EMPHASISED.
LAST MAIN SECTION IS DEDICATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RISK DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITIES DEALING WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY: NUCLEAR REACTORS, GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ACCIDENTS TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (CHERNOBYL AND FUKUSHIMA), MILITARY USE OF DEPLETED URANIUM. FINALLY, THE FOLLOWING ISSUES ARE DESCRIBED: RADON RISK, THE USE OF RADON AS TRACER OF SINKHOLE DEVELOPMENT, AS SEISMIC PRECURSOR AND AS A TOOL TO STUDY GROUNDWATER CIRCULATION AND MIXING OR THE OCCURENCE IN THE SUBSOIL OF NON AQUEOSUS PHASE LIQUIDS (NAPL).
GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS ON THE ENVIRONMENT ARE EXPOED WITH SPECIAL ENPHASIS ON THE LEACHATE, THE ROLE OF BACTERIA IN THE DEGRADATION OF POLLUTANTS AND NATURAL ATTENUATION.
DONGARRA' G., VARRICA D. GEOCHIMICA E AMBIENTE, EDISES, 2004 - IN ITALIAN
DREVER J.I. THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF NATURAL WATERS - SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER ENVIRONMENT, PRENTICE-HALL, 1997 - CHAPTERS 4, 5, 9 – SORPTION, IONIC EXCHANGE AND HEAVY METALS
NATHANAIL C.P., BARDOS R.P. RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND, WILEY, 2004
SHERWOOD LOLLAR B. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY. VOLUME 9 DEL TREATISE ON GEOCHEMISTRY, ELSEVIER B.V. 2004
TUCCIMEI P. SPECIFIC TEACHING MATERIAL
Programma
THE COURSE IS DEVOTED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH TOOLS AND METHODS TO IDENTIFY THE ANTHROPIC IMPACT ON NATURAL GEOCHEMICAL CYCLES OF ELEMENTS AND CHEMICALS. IT IS ORGANISED INTO THREE MAIN SECTIONS ON WATER POLLUTION, ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOGEOCHEMISTRY.THE COURSE OPENS WITH THE ILLUSTRATION OF TWO CASE-STUDIES ABOUT ACCIDENTAL SPILLS IN THE SUBSOIL OF TWO CHEMICALS (CR-VI AND ACETONE CYANOYDRIN), WITH FOLLOWING SOIL AND GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION. MONITORING ACTIONS TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENSION OF THE PLUME AND REMEDIATION APPROACHES ARE INTRODUCED. THESE EXAMPLES ARE USED TO PRESENT THE BASIC S OF ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY: SORPTION ONTO MINERAL CLAYS, ORGANIC MATTER AND FE/AL/MN OXIDES/HYDROXIDES; GEOCHEMICAL MOBILITY AND RELATED PARAMETERS; NATURAL GEOCHEMICAL BASELINES AND THE USE OF A SPECIFIC CHEMICAL MAPPING. CONTAMINATION FROM HEAVY METALS (PB AND HG).
THE SECOND SECTION DEALS WITH GREENHOUSE EFFECT, REDUCTION OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OZONE, URBAN POLLUTION, ACID RAINS AND PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG. THE CONFLICTING CONCEPTS OF NATURAL EQUILIBRIA ALTERED BY HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND RECORDS OF PAST NATURAL DISTURBANCE IN THE GEOLOGICAL RECORDS ARE EMPHASISED.
LAST MAIN SECTION IS DEDICATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RISK DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITIES DEALING WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY: NUCLEAR REACTORS, GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE, ACCIDENTS TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (CHERNOBYL AND FUKUSHIMA), MILITARY USE OF DEPLETED URANIUM. FINALLY, THE FOLLOWING ISSUES ARE DESCRIBED: RADON RISK, THE USE OF RADON AS TRACER OF SINKHOLE DEVELOPMENT, AS SEISMIC PRECURSOR AND AS A TOOL TO STUDY GROUNDWATER CIRCULATION AND MIXING OR THE OCCURENCE IN THE SUBSOIL OF NON AQUEOSUS PHASE LIQUIDS (NAPL).
GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED DISCIPLINE OF MEDICAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND THE IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS ON THE ENVIRONMENT ARE EXPOED WITH SPECIAL ENPHASIS ON THE LEACHATE, THE ROLE OF BACTERIA IN THE DEGRADATION OF POLLUTANTS AND NATURAL ATTENUATION.
Testi Adottati
BAIRD C. CHIMICA AMBIENTALE. ZANICHELLI EDITORE, 2001- IN ITALIANDONGARRA' G., VARRICA D. GEOCHIMICA E AMBIENTE, EDISES, 2004 - IN ITALIAN
DREVER J.I. THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF NATURAL WATERS - SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER ENVIRONMENT, PRENTICE-HALL, 1997 - CHAPTERS 4, 5, 9 – SORPTION, IONIC EXCHANGE AND HEAVY METALS
NATHANAIL C.P., BARDOS R.P. RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND, WILEY, 2004
SHERWOOD LOLLAR B. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY. VOLUME 9 DEL TREATISE ON GEOCHEMISTRY, ELSEVIER B.V. 2004
TUCCIMEI P. SPECIFIC TEACHING MATERIAL
Modalità Erogazione
Blended teaching at the beginning of the semester and lessons on MICROSOFT TEAMS from mid November, depending on the COVID-19 evolution.Modalità Frequenza
Based on the Teaching RegulamentsModalità Valutazione
Oral examination - Telepresence during COVID-19 emergency
scheda docente
materiale didattico
Environmental geology aims at understanding geological processes related to human activities. The educational unit of environmental geology has the objective of examining geological processes and associated natural hazards, as well as their influence on human activities and vice versa. The following topics will be covered during the course: coastal marine processes and coastal erosion, land use, mineral and stone resources, fossil fuels, climate variations, and air pollution.
ISBN10: 1264648014 | ISBN13: 9781264648016
Additional material will be provided by the instructor during the course
Programma
Educational module of environmental geologyEnvironmental geology aims at understanding geological processes related to human activities. The educational unit of environmental geology has the objective of examining geological processes and associated natural hazards, as well as their influence on human activities and vice versa. The following topics will be covered during the course: coastal marine processes and coastal erosion, land use, mineral and stone resources, fossil fuels, climate variations, and air pollution.
Testi Adottati
Environmental Geology, James Reichard, McGrawHill editionISBN10: 1264648014 | ISBN13: 9781264648016
Additional material will be provided by the instructor during the course
Modalità Frequenza
The frequency is not mandatory but recommendedModalità Valutazione
Written exam with open-ended questions, exercises, and multiple-choice answers, oral exam
scheda docente
materiale didattico
We live in an age of global environmental changes. TCurrently, it is believed that less than 10% of Earth's terrestrial surface remains minimally or unaffected by human activity. In an era where humanity exerts control over nature, comprehending the interactions between landscapes and the anthropogenic activities that rapidly transform them is crucial. This is particularly crucial for attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.
The course aims to equip students with theoretical foundations and technical skills in applied geology, geothematic mapping, and mathematical modeling within a GIS framework, focusing on the analysis of human-environment interactions and the evaluation of geo-environmental hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Programma
Applied Geology ModuleWe live in an age of global environmental changes. TCurrently, it is believed that less than 10% of Earth's terrestrial surface remains minimally or unaffected by human activity. In an era where humanity exerts control over nature, comprehending the interactions between landscapes and the anthropogenic activities that rapidly transform them is crucial. This is particularly crucial for attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.
The course aims to equip students with theoretical foundations and technical skills in applied geology, geothematic mapping, and mathematical modeling within a GIS framework, focusing on the analysis of human-environment interactions and the evaluation of geo-environmental hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Testi Adottati
The instructional resources for the applied geology module will be supplied by the instructor in DOC, PDF, and PPT formats.Modalità Frequenza
Class attendance is recommended.Modalità Valutazione
Student performance will be evaluated by a written examination comprising questions and exercises.