Unit ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY

Course
Geosciences for risk and environment management
Study-unit Code
A002117
Curriculum
Geosciences for environmental sustainability
Teacher
Lucio Di Matteo
Teachers
  • Lucio Di Matteo
Hours
  • 42 ore - Lucio Di Matteo
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2024
Offered
2024/25
Learning activities
Caratterizzante
Area
Discipline geomorfologiche e geologiche applicative
Academic discipline
GEO/05
Type of study-unit
Opzionale (Optional)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
English
Contents
Environmental impact assessment of main engineering infrastructures (environmental sustainability). Landscape constraints plan. Environmental impact of mining activities. Land subsidence. Groundwater salinization processes in the coastal area. Soil pollution and management of dredged/excavated rocks and soils. Management and disposal techniques of wastes and waste waters.
Reference texts
- Bell F.G. (2001). Geologia ambientale. Teoria e pratica. Zanichelli, 432 pagine.
- Galotto G., Mazzoleni M. (2008). Le valutazioni ambientali: Vas, Via e Ippc. Volters Kluwer Italia, 80 pagine.
Some slides, papers an law concerning the environmental-geology will be provided by the teacher.
Educational objectives
The course aims to provide students with the concepts of environmental geology useful for the planning and the environmental recovery of quarries and landfills, for the correct management of water (from water withdrawal to wastewater disposal), and the monitoring and solving of environmental emergencies such as land subsidence, the effect of prolonged drought periods, soil pollution, etc.

In detail, the students will acquire knowledge on:
- methods for assessing the impacts of human activities on the environment (Environmental Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, etc.);
- the main regulations concerning the environmental protection;
- the monitoring and characterization of the environment matrices;
- the possible solutions to environmental emergencies, particularly the effects of climate change, land subsidence, and soil pollution.

Students will acquire the following main skills, useful:
- to conduct a critical analysis of environmental data useful for the planning of engineering works;
- to identify both the proper environmental legislation and the local government authorities in charge to obtain environmental authorization for the different engineering works;
- to evaluate the effects of human activities on the main environmental matrices.
Prerequisites
To follow this course with profit, the student must have basic knowledge of applied geology and hydrogeology, which is helpful to understand the effect of the human impact produced by the main engineering works on environmental systems.
Teaching methods
Teaching consists of classroom lectures, including activities and visits to construction sites if possible. Some seminars are carried out by technicians of local government authorities dealing with environmental authorizations: the procedures and technical, regulatory requirements in the environmental field are presented and discussed (management and disposal of municipal and industrial wastewater, Minimum Vital Flow, Environmental Impact Assessment, management of land subsidence in the coastal area, etc.).
Following is a brief description of teaching methods:
- Classroom lectures: the topics are presented to students who are stimulated and involved during the lessons with questions and opinions on the issues discussed. Administrative procedures and laws relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment are shown through the illustration of selected case studies. Students are involved in some field experiences concerning environmental problems related to human activities.
Other information
The attendance of teaching activities is optional but strongly advised. Students have to be equipped with their scientific calculator and drawing kit.
Learning verification modality
The exam consists of multiple-choice test questions aiming to ascertain the student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in communicating and solving the problems and practical exercises related to the hydrogeological risk. The questions concern the different topics discussed during the course, considering both theoretical and practical aspects.

Information for students with disabilities is available at http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.
Extended program
- Introduction. Sustainability issues related to environmental geology and the protection of geodiversity.
- Evaluation of Minimum Vital Flow (MVF) of streams and rivers. Climate change and anthropic pressure: environmental impact assessment of dams and umping wells near-surface water bodies. Case studies.
- Land subsidence: definition, natural and man-induced land subsidence, mapping techniques. Coastal subsidence and sea-level rise. Plans to mitigate the effects of land subsidence. Case studies.
- Mining activity: risk assessment in mining, the hydrogeological impact of quarrying systems: mining fluids and rocks management. Mining Plan of Umbria Region (PRAE). Environmental impact analysis for quarries, environmental recovery and rehabilitation of the quarry area.
- Management of dredged/excavated rocks and soils (D.lgs 152/2006 and DM 161/2012). Guideline on reuse of excavated soils and rocks.
- Landfills: geological and geotechnical investigations in a landfill site. Spatial-temporal monitoring of environmental matrixes. Soil pollution: effect of contaminants on main geotechnical and hydraulic properties of grained and clayey soils.
- Management and disposal of zootechnical liquid manures. Case studies.
- Management, disposal, and valorization of sewages: national and local guidelines. Mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plant. Treatment of polluted stormwater runoff.
- Environmental impact assessment of main engineering infrastructures. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Environmental Implications Assessment (EIA). Landscape constraints plan in the Umbria Region.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
6 - Clean water and sanitation
13 - Taking action for the climate
14 - Life underwater
15 - Life on earth
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