Freshwater Resources: Natural systems, Human Impact and Conservation

(Course Code: ENV512 – WATER)

Semester: Spring Teaching Period: 3 weeks ECTS Credits: 2 Type:

Elective
Prerequisite Courses:  – Coordinator: Petros GAGANIS Instructor: Petros GAGANIS
Ourania TZORAKI

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of surface water and groundwater natural systems (and their interaction), the impact of human activities on water availability/quality, and the strategies for water conservation and preservation. Topics covered include the: (i) factors and processes that control the water flow and availability in natural hydrosystems; (ii) human activities and their impact on surface water and groundwater ecosystems, water availability and water quality; (iii) natural processes and pollutant properties that control the fate of pollutants and the role and effectiveness of natural attenuation; (iv) prevention and conservation tools and strategies; and (v)  sample applications using a conceptual hydrologic model and an interactive numerical groundwater model

At the end of the course the students are expected to:

  • know the basic characteristics of surface water and groundwater systems and their interaction
  • understand the factors and processes that determine the flows in the hydrosystems (quantitative and qualitative)
  • understand and be able to assess possible effect of human and natural processes on water availability and quality in surface and groundwater systems.
  • discuss water conservation tools and the role of natural attenuation processes
  • be able to use simple numerical models
  • Basic concepts, characteristics and services of freshwater resources, surface water, groundwater and their interaction. Case study: hydrologic regime of the intermittent flow river, Tsiknias, Lesvos and management implications
  • Factors and processes that control the water flow and availability in natural hydrosystems. Surface water and groundwater harvesting methods,
  • Human impact on ecosystems, water availability and water quality.
  • Water quality, natural processes and pollutant properties that determine the fate of pollutants. The role and effectiveness of natural attenuation.
  • Prevention and conservation tools.
  • Applications using a conceptual hydrologic model to study the hydrologic regime and CC impact
  • Applications using a numerical groundwater model

–     Assignments (2)

–     Final exam/Final project

Estimated workload (h):

  • In-class activities (lectures, seminars): 18
  • Self-study and independent work (reading): 32

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods :

  • Lectures- Seminars
  • Assignments
  • Workshops on numerical models
Notes provided: No
Basic Textbook:  Thomas C. Winter, Judson W. Harvey, O. Lehn Franke,  William M. AlleyGround.  Water and Surface Water: A Single Resource. (https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1139/pdf/circ1139.pdf )
–           William M. Alley, Thomas E. Reilly, O. Lehn Franke. Sustainability of Ground-Water Resources. (https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1186/pdf/circ1186.pdf
Bibliography:
Language: English
Internet Links:
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