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: |