Contamination and Remediation of Aquifers
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of contaminant hydrogeology and groundwater quality. It illustrates solution strategies for typical problems related to the management, protection and remediation of polluted sites at both local and regional scales.
Examples of aquifer contamination in Italy and worldwide are provided, along with groundwater protection and aquifer remediation systems. Emphasis is placed on in-situ (onsite) applications, such as bioremediation.
Mathematical models for solute transport and risk assessment are used as supporting tools.
Theoretical and practical skills are applied for written and computer-based problem solving and project preparation.
Examples of aquifer contamination in Italy and worldwide are provided, along with groundwater protection and aquifer remediation systems. Emphasis is placed on in-situ (onsite) applications, such as bioremediation.
Mathematical models for solute transport and risk assessment are used as supporting tools.
Theoretical and practical skills are applied for written and computer-based problem solving and project preparation.
Expected learning outcomes
The participants will learn case studies and acquire practical skills for contamination mapping, transport parameterization and subsurface remediation with emphasis on the aqueous phase. The analysis and solution of practical cases developed during the exercises, also with the use of specialized software, makes is readily available in real life applications.
When solving problems, applications must be carried out at increasing speed and in cost-effective times. Initially, group work will foster skills development, such as communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills. Eventually, the participants will develop individual skills.
Practical problems, including project development, and discussion with the other participants and the instructor during the lessons enable developing oral and practical skills applied to contaminant hydrogeological problems.
At the end of the course, the participants shall use technical methods and adopt correspondingly advanced language skills, and be able to connect the different aspects of the quality and remediation of groundwater resources, at an increasing level of complexity. Any specific case study with site-specific natural or man-made quality issue must be correctly interpreted and assessed.
When solving problems, applications must be carried out at increasing speed and in cost-effective times. Initially, group work will foster skills development, such as communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills. Eventually, the participants will develop individual skills.
Practical problems, including project development, and discussion with the other participants and the instructor during the lessons enable developing oral and practical skills applied to contaminant hydrogeological problems.
At the end of the course, the participants shall use technical methods and adopt correspondingly advanced language skills, and be able to connect the different aspects of the quality and remediation of groundwater resources, at an increasing level of complexity. Any specific case study with site-specific natural or man-made quality issue must be correctly interpreted and assessed.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
During the course, the following topics will be addressed:
· General aspects of aquifer contamination, with examples from Italian and international case studies.
· Concepts of hydrogeochemistry. Solute-form compounds in groundwater, with emphasis on contaminant elements. Water-matrix interaction. Chemical equilibrium and kinetics. Hydrochemical indexes. Interaction between solutes and soil matrix. Interacting processes (precipitation, redox, hydrolysis, cation exchange, sorption, biodegradation, laboratory tests).
· Contaminant transport in groundwater. Advection, diffusion and dispersion. Gas, liquid and solid phase contaminants. Introduction to multiphase flow (LNAPL, DNAPL). Hydromechanical dispersion. Laboratory and tracer tests with natural and artificial tracers. Scale effects of dispersity and implication of aquifer anisotropic and heterogeneity.
· Contaminant attenuation. Retardation factor. Bioremediation potential in unsaturated and saturated soils (in-situ respirometric tests)
· Mathematical modeling. Transport equation. Analytical and numerical solutions. Lumped and distributed models. Effective porosity, dual- and multi- porosity and permeability models.
· Contamination prevention. Water well and spring protection zones. Monitoring strategies.
· Aquifer protection. Soil and groundwater contaminant background values. Direct and indirect gas, water and matrix surveys. Hydraulic and physical barriers.
· Aquifer remediation using chemical, biological and physical methods. Permeable and biological reactive barriers.
· Risk assessment. Risk sources, paths and targets evaluation. Development of conceptual model. Toxicology. Tier 1, 2, 3 risk assessment. Direct and inverse risk analysis. Risk analysis under Italian regulations.
· Landfills. Common types in the EU. Geological and hydrogeological surveys. Impermeable lining and drainage systems. Waste geotechnical properties. Monitoring and remediation of plume-generating landfills.
· General aspects of aquifer contamination, with examples from Italian and international case studies.
· Concepts of hydrogeochemistry. Solute-form compounds in groundwater, with emphasis on contaminant elements. Water-matrix interaction. Chemical equilibrium and kinetics. Hydrochemical indexes. Interaction between solutes and soil matrix. Interacting processes (precipitation, redox, hydrolysis, cation exchange, sorption, biodegradation, laboratory tests).
· Contaminant transport in groundwater. Advection, diffusion and dispersion. Gas, liquid and solid phase contaminants. Introduction to multiphase flow (LNAPL, DNAPL). Hydromechanical dispersion. Laboratory and tracer tests with natural and artificial tracers. Scale effects of dispersity and implication of aquifer anisotropic and heterogeneity.
· Contaminant attenuation. Retardation factor. Bioremediation potential in unsaturated and saturated soils (in-situ respirometric tests)
· Mathematical modeling. Transport equation. Analytical and numerical solutions. Lumped and distributed models. Effective porosity, dual- and multi- porosity and permeability models.
· Contamination prevention. Water well and spring protection zones. Monitoring strategies.
· Aquifer protection. Soil and groundwater contaminant background values. Direct and indirect gas, water and matrix surveys. Hydraulic and physical barriers.
· Aquifer remediation using chemical, biological and physical methods. Permeable and biological reactive barriers.
· Risk assessment. Risk sources, paths and targets evaluation. Development of conceptual model. Toxicology. Tier 1, 2, 3 risk assessment. Direct and inverse risk analysis. Risk analysis under Italian regulations.
· Landfills. Common types in the EU. Geological and hydrogeological surveys. Impermeable lining and drainage systems. Waste geotechnical properties. Monitoring and remediation of plume-generating landfills.
Prerequisites for admission
It is strongly recommended, although not essential, having taken a hydrogeology course, such as "Hydrogeology and Groundwater assessment".
Teaching methods
Regular written and computer-based exercises will reinforce the theoretical concepts covered in the course.
Teaching Resources
Handouts provided by the instructor. Other material, including books, websites or links to video tutorials will be mentioned during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation consists of a written test to assess the knowledge acquired during the course. Students must also submit a practice booklet, following the instructions provided during the course.
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Pedretti Daniele
Professor(s)