GEOLOGY APPLIED TO THE ENVIRONMENT

The class aims to provide students with  knowledge and understanding on the following technical-applicative topics:
- Environmental hydrogeology aimed at studying the vulnerability of aquifers;
- Pollution phenomena of soil, subsoil, groundwater and risk reduction works;
- Urban geology with focus on landfills and wastewater disposal;
- Technical geology with focus on the geologist profession and drafting of a geological report.
The topics will be covered taking into account the technical aspects regulated by current legislation. At the end of the class the student will be able to critically recognize the main geological-environmental problems and to independently set up a technical application study approach.
The contents of the class were also chosen based on the current demands for professionalism in the labour market. Mastery of the topics covered will in fact constitute a useful wealth of knowledge for young graduates who are approaching the profession of geologist, also with a view to competitions at public bodies or companies in the sector.
​In particular, and with reference to the so-called Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills.

Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge of the main phenomenological aspects related to environmental geology and the profession of geologist and understanding of their technical-practical applications.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Ability to recognize the problems related to environmental pollution phenomena, and to address them also in light of the current regulatory framework.

Autonomy of judgment

Ability to independently interpret information deriving from the reading of thematic maps and geological-environmental monitoring data.

Communication skills

Ability to explain the concepts covered with proper language to different interlocutors, both specialists and non-specialists.

Learning skills

Ability to learn the concepts covered, necessary to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.

Classes will be held in person, with the help of multimedial material (slides) and/or notes. A practical exercise on the draft of a technical geological report will becarried out, which will allow students to familiarize with one of the main activities related to the development of the geologist profession.

Attendance to class is compulsory. Working students should refer to the University teaching regulations.

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD:
To guarantee equal opportunities, in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview with the lecturer to plan any compensatory and / or dispensation measure, according to the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the referent lecturer CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD, https://www.cinap.unict.it/) of our Department, prof. Giorgio De Guidi.

1) Environmental hydrogeology:
                 - reminders of the concepts of groundwater and aquifer, wells and piezometers and main hydrodynamic parameters of an aquifer;
                 - creation and reading of isopiezometric curve maps;
                - vulnerability of aquifers.
2) Environmental pollution:
                 - types of pollutants and propagation mechanisms;
                 - Testo Unico ambientale, risk threshold concentrations  CSC-CSR , safety measures, Sites of National Interest;
                 - sampling and monitoring of subsoil and groundwater;
                 - main remediation techniques.
3) Urban geology
                 - Landfills and problems related to pollution;
                 - notes on Valutazione di Impatto Ambientale (VIA) e Valutazione Ambientale Strategica (VAS);
                 - geological studies to support wastewater disposal.
4) Technical geology
                - The profession of geologist in Italy;
               - Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni (NTC) on soil liquefaction, subsoil categories and basic seismic hazard;
               - Regional price list of public works and geological report.

The exam will be carried out in person in oral mode, through questions on the program. The candidate will be required to deliver a written geological report (see "teaching methods") to be sent by e-mail to the lecturer a few days before the  date scheduled for the exam. The report contents, which will be commented by the student during the final exam, represents a relevant element for the evaluation of the exam itself. Any negative evaluation of the report by the commission does not affect the possibility of taking the exam, whose final mark will represent a balanced evaluation of preparation and synthesis, as well as presentation and connection skills shown by the candidate during the exam. The commitment, perseverance and interest shown by the student during the lectures will also be taken into account. During the exam, the student may also be required to write down some formulas, among those studied, and / or to provide some sketches   (e.g. to draw a plan of the perimeter of a landslide and to locate the monitoring points; to draw a geological or hydrogeological schematic section).

- What is the instrument that allows you to detect the presence of supernatant product on the watertable?
- Provide a description of the main environmental groundwater sampling methodologies.
- What is a source of secondary contamination?
- What is SINTACS?
- What does sub-irrigation means?
- How is Vseq calculated?