ENVL 507                   Geohydrology                 Fall 2002

 

2002-2004 Catalog Description:

Basic principles of groundwater hydrology and subsurface contaminant transport.  Construction and use of flow nets; pumping well and aquifer response under confined and unconfined conditions.  Contaminant sources, transport, and retardation; the behavior of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface.  Design of groundwater extraction systems, subsurface control walls, caps, and emerging technologies for soil treatment. Three credits. Prerequisites: ENGS 204, 303.

Textbook:

Fetter, C.W. (2001).  Applied Hydrology, Fourth Edition.  Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Goals:

The goal of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the migration and behavior of groundwater and groundwater-borne contaminants as a foundation for the design of groundwater-based remediation systems, including groundwater extraction wells, groundwater barrier systems, and emerging technologies of in situ groundwater and soils treatment.

Objectives:

1.   To provide students with the basic knowledge of groundwater and groundwater flow.

2.   To provide students with skills to perform flow net analyses.

3.   To introduce students to steady-state and non-steady-state approaches for evaluating aquifer behavior..

4.   To introduce students to the basic methods of aquifer testing and hydrogeological investigations.

5.   To provide students with skills to design a groundwater extraction system.

6.   To provide students with the skills to evaluate subsurface contaminant transport.

7.   To introduce students to issues of subsurface NAPL contamination.

Prerequisites by Topics:

1.   Differential Equations

2.   Environmental Engineering Principles

3.   Fluids

Topics Covered:

1.     Groundwater occurrence and geology; Darcy’s law; hydraulic conductivity..3 classes

2.     Hydraulic head and gradients; anisotropy; seepage velocity.................................3 classes

3.     Porosity; fractured flow..................................................................................................3 classes

4.     Flow nets; transformed section analysis.....................................................................3 classes

5.     Aquifer behavior:  steady-state flow...........................................................................3 classes

6.     Aquifer behavior: Stortivity, nonsteady-state flow..................................................3 classes

7.     Aquifer testing - practical consideration.....................................................................3 classes

8.     Groundwater extraction system design; Aquifer restoration...............................6 classes

9.     Hydrogeological field methods....................................................................................3 classes

10.   Groundwater contamination: dissolved phase transport......................................6 classes

11.   Groundwater contamination: NAPLs........................................................................3 classes

12.   Test........................................................................................................................................5 classes

Computer Usage:

Students are required to use personal computers, primarily for EXCEL spreadsheet calculations and graphing.

Laboratory Experience:

None

Relationship to Environmental Engineering Program:

This course is required for students in the Environmental Engineering program. It introduces students to the basic concepts of groundwater flow, groundwater contamination, and groundwater remediation.

Outcome Criteria Addressed:

1.   An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering (ABET Criterion 3a)

2.   An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs (ABET 3c)

3.   An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (ABET Criterion 3e)

4.   An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (ABET Criterion 3k)

Assessment Tools:

       Exams, Homework

Professional Component Contribution:

Engineering Science 2 Credits (67%)

Engineering Design 1 Credits (33%)

Prepared by the Course Coordinator:

Mr. Robert Mutch, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Engineering and Dr. Kevin J. Farley, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering......................June 2002