Geology - Contaminants in Groundwater

Catalog description

This course introduces the basics of groundwater flow, water quality, and contaminant transport from a qualitative perspective. The course also surveys common groundwater pollutants, such as heavy metals, organic compounds, radionuclides, salts, non-aqueous phase liquids, risk analysis, and forensic hydrogeology. Students are expected to work together to complete weekly reading assignments. A course field trip forms the basis for a term report that is expected to incorporate concepts and tools covered during the lectures and readings. This course requires no calculations, but mathematical and chemical terms are presented. Prerequisite: One semester of general chemistry, and at least one 100 level course or higher in Geology or physical geography (GEOG 104 or GEOG 105), or permission of the instructor.