Environmental geology and Geological Act

Module Environmental geology

The course aims to provide students an adequate knowledge and understanding of the following topics:

- risk mitigation and remediation measures in areas affected by landslides;

- methods for landslide monitoring;

- groundwater and soil pollution phenomena and related monitoring;

- main remediation measures of environmental pollution of groundwater and soil.

The topics will be dealt with reference to the current regulations, as per the Geological Regulations module.

The contents of the course have also been chosen according to the current demands of professionalism in the world of work. The mastery of the topics covered will, in fact, constitute a useful wealth of application knowledge for the young graduate who begins the geologist professional activity, both in the context of the freelance profession and in view of competitions in public bodies or companies in the sector.

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

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote way, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to comply with the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

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) of our Department, prof. Giorgio De Guidi.

1) Environmental pollution: environmental matrices and pollution phenomena; main types of contaminants; mode of transport of pollutants; pollution sources.

2) Soil pollution: main environmental sampling methods, main remediation techniques including stabilization and solidification interventions, thermal desorption, hints on phytoremediation and bioventing.

3) Groundwater pollution: sampling methods and main remediation techniques including Reactive Permeable Barriers, Hydraulic Containment (Pump and Treat) and Air Sparging.

4) Main techniques for monitoring landslide areas including inclinometers, strain gauges, distometers and piezometers.

5) Stabilization works on landslide areas and for the surface erosion control.

6) Improvement of the physical-mechanical characteristics of soils and rocks: vibroflotation, dynamic compaction, injections, Jet grouting, micropiles.

7) Active and passive interventions on rock slopes.

8) Shallow and deep drainage and hints on hydraulic-forestry interventions.

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 both lecturers a few days before the scheduled date 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 paper 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 schematize some concepts  (e.g. draw a plan of the perimeter of a landslide and locate the monitoring points; draw a geological or hydrogeological schematic section ).

Exams could also be carried out remotely, depending on the health conditions related to Covid-19, in compliance with the current University provisions.

- What is the instrumentation that allows to detect the presence of supernatant product in the aquifer?

- Please, provide a description of the main environmental sampling methods of groundwater.

- What is a secondary contamination source?

- Please, describe an inclinometer and its use in the field.

- What are the structural parts of a tie rod?

- What are the surface drainages in a landslide area for?

- Please, draw a rotational landslide section and indicate the depths of potential monitoring piezometers and inclinometers.

- What is the difference between poles and micropiles?

- What does "desorption" mean?