JEO 438 - Environmental Geology

Course Objectives

The purpose of this course is to gain students the ability to analyze interaction of human with environment from geological perspectives, to conduct environmental impact assessment and risk analysis, and to inform students regarding measures to be taken to reduce environmental risks.

Course Description

This course covers introduction to environmental geology: basic concepts and principles and relation with other disciplines; an overview of natural disasters: river flooding; soil and environment: soil classification, physical and chemical properties of soil, soil pollution, characterization; surface and ground water pollution: contaminant types and sources, environmental problems related to quantity (climate change, heavy pumping, subsidence, urbanization), groundwater contamination characterization, monitoring and remediation works, determination of groundwater protection areas; mining and environmental impacts; waste disposal: landfills, radioactive waste disposal, the role of geology for selection of landfill location; Land use and site selection in urban planning; environmental impact assessment, environmental laws and legislations.