Learning objectives
to furnish knowledge and tools to the students for learning and intepretation of
chemical and isotope composition of the waters: from sampling to data
interpretation.
Prerequisites
NO
Course unit content
Concentration units. Italian and european water laws and regulations. Water
composition and classification.
Analytical methods, accuracy and precision of the data. Elements of thermodynamics.
Weathering processes.
Chemical and isotope geothermometers.
Isotope geochemistry.
Water speciation and calculation software (PHREEQCI).
Laboratory excercises on water software and/or analytical methods
Full programme
Concentration units. Italian and european water laws and regulations. Water
composition and classification.
Analytical "water standard methods", accuracy and precision of the data. Elements of thermodynamics: equilibria, saturation index,
activity.
Weathering processes and activity diagram.
Elements of geothermics: water temperature, geothermal gradient, chemical and isotope geothermometers.
Isotope geochemistry: stable (18O/16O, 2H/1H, 34S/32S) e radiactive (3H) isotope.
Water speciation and calculation software (PHREEQCI).
Laboratory excercises on water software and/or analytical methods
Bibliography
Hydrogeochemistry:
Appelo C.A.J., Postma D. (1994, 2007) Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution.
Balkema
Kehew A.E. (2001) Applied Chemical Hydrogeology. Prentice Hall
Langmuir D. (1997) Aqueous Environmental Chemistry. Prentice Hall
Isotope geochemistry:
Clark I., Fritz P. (1997) Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology. Lewis
Sharp Z. (2007) Principles of Stable Isotope Geochemistry. Pearson Prentice Hall
Geochemistry:
Faure G. (1998) Principles and Application of Geochemistry. Prentice Hall
Venturelli G. (2003) Acque, Minerali e Ambiente. Pitagora
Software:
PHREEQCI: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GWC_coupled/phreeqc/ (freeware)
Teaching methods
frontal and laboratory lessons; use of geochemical software. Part of the exercises will be individual and practical in order to allow the student to independently accomplish a specific analytical procedure outlined in theory during the lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
Preliminary classroom examinations are finalized to: i) to verify elaboration skills of chemical and numerical data (e.g. conversion to different concentration units); ii) to verify the understanding skills of the scientific terminology by texts reading of scientific books or publications in the classroom ; iii) laboratory excercises on water software/codes (knowledge check on chemical thermodynamics) and/or chemical analytical methods (knowledge check on water analyses). The final oral exam: the final oral exam consists of three questions to verify the understanding of the three main topics of the course (water isotope composition, water chemical composition, chemical analytical methods or "computer codes"). The evaluation will take into account the communication skills of geochemical processes using the specific terminology of the discipline. The final grade will be determined by the mean in 30ths of the scores obtained on each of the three answers.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
During the course, the topics and best practices related to the Sustainable Development UN Agenda 2030 will be explored in depth, particularly focusing on clean water (Goal 6) and geothermal energy (Goal 7).
