Hydrochemistry

Posted in Fourth-Semester

School

Natural Sciences

Academic Unit

Geology Department

Level of Studies

Undergraduate

Course Code

GE0_507

Εξάμηνο σπουδών

4^ο

Course Title

Hydrochemistry

Independent Teaching Activities

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work

Weekly Teaching Hours

2 (L), 2 (LAB)

Credits

Course Type

Field of Science and Skills Development

Prerequisite Courses

Typically, there are not prerequisite course.

For a better understanding of the course, it would be advisable for students to have attended first the following courses:

(a) Applied Hydrogeology

(b) Environmental Hydrogeology

Language of Instruction & Examinations

Greek. Teaching may be however performed in English in case foreign students attend the course.

Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students

Υes

Course Web-Page (URL)

https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO360/

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student will be able to:

Understand the natural chemical composition of water
Understand the hydro-geo -chemical processes that form the natural chemical composition of the groundwater as well as the water – rock interaction
Identify the effect of pollution on the chemical composition of water.
Be aware of the ways and methodologies for analyzing water samples in the Laboratory.
Evaluate the results of laboratory analyzes
Use these results in practice.
Learn the standards of drinking water according to EU directives.

General Competences

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following skills (general abilities):

Ability to exhibit knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, theories and applications which are related to groundwater quality.
Ability to apply this knowledge and understanding to the solution of problems related to groundwater quality

Generally, by the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have develop the following general abilities (from the list above):

Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
Adaptation to new situations
Decision making
Autonomous (Independent) work
Group work
Excercise of criticism and self-criticism
Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking
Respect to natural environment
Work design and management

Syllabus

Natural chemical composition of groundwater
Introduction to thermodynamic systems - activity
Mineral Dissolution (Minerals and Water)
Reduction – Oxidation Processes
Ion exchange
Carbonates and carbon dioxide
Physicochemical Parameters of Water (pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential, alkalinity, hardness, saturation indexes)
Presentation od hydrochemical data (Hydrochemical diagrams - Hydrochemical maps)
Classification of waters
Geochemistry of groundwater
Standards of drinking water

Delivery

Lectures, hydrochemical exercises and laboratory work face to face.

Use of Information & Communication Technology

Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) (e.g. powerpoint) in teaching. The lectures content of the course for each chapter are uploaded on the internet, e-class platform, in the form of a series of ppt files, where from the students can freely download them.

Teaching Methods

Activity	Semester workload
Lectures (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)	2Χ13=26
Laboratory exercises of hydrochemistry and work at the Laboratory (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)	2Χ13=26
Writing reports on laboratory exercises	2Χ13=26
Hours for private study of the student and preparation of home-works (finally)	2Χ11=22
Total number of hours for the Course	100

Student Performance Evaluation

Written examination during the examination period and
2. Written reports for each laboratory exercise. The average of the grades is 10% of the final grade.

Attached Bibliography

Lambrakis, N., 2015. Introduction to Hydrochemistry, University of Patras
Apello and Postma, 2006. Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution, Balkema Publishers.

- Related academic journals:

Environmental Earth Sciences, Springer Publishers; Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Springer Publishers.