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Aqueous Geochemistry
- This course has already been delivered or dates are currently being arranged. Please submit an Expression of Interest if you would like to be notified of future dates.
Aqueous Geochemistry
[ Book online ]
This course introduces the quantitative, equilibrium-based methods which are used to understand the controls on the chemical composition of both surface and groundwaters. You will learn how simple thermodynamic principles can be used to quantify the potential for reactions between dissolved solutes and solid phases and will see how computer-based models are now used to solve a range of geochemical problems and water quality issues, such as mine water pollution.
Course Objectives
On completion of this course, delegates will understand the usefulness and limitations of equilibrium as a way of describing and quantifying water-rock reactions. They will understand how simple thermodynamic principles can be used to quantify the potential for reactions between dissolved solutes and solid phases and will be aware of how computer-based models are used to solve geochemical problems. The importance of acid-base and oxidation-reduction reactions in natural environments will be understood, as will the difficulty of quantifying redox potential. Delegates will know the difference between measured concentrations of dissolved elements and their chemical activity. They will be aware that most elements exist in solution as both as single ions and as ion complexes and will realise why this is important in the quantification of geochemical reactions in aqueous systems.
Delegates will be capable of using simple equilibrium thermodynamic calculations to describe natural aqueous systems. They will also have some experience of geochemical modelling using Geochemist's Workbench.
Course Outline
- Equilibrium, disequilibrium and the Law of Mass Action
- Activity and activity coefficients
- Acids, bases and alkalinity
- Practical equilibrium thermodynamics
- Redox geochemistry; Eh-pH diagrams
- Computer-based geochemical modelling: practice and pitfalls
Who is the course aimed at?
The course is aimed at environmental geochemists, environmental engineers and geologists interested in understanding the factors which control the chemical composition of naturals waters and geochemical processes that occur in aquatic, terrestrial and subsurface environments.
Presenters
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
- Dr Simon Poulton (Course Leader)
Fees
- Aqueous Geochemistry
- £975.00 (duration 5 days)
Formal assessment may be available for this Course. Assessment attracts an additional fee of £260.00, and delegates will be issued with a transcript and Certificate of Credit Achieved.
Owing to visa restrictions the assessment option is not available to international students.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite knowledge
It is anticipated that delegates who attend the course will have a reasonable level of knowledge of the following topics:
- Chemistry
Please contact the Professional Development Unit if you require further information.
Academic Module Outline
This course is also delivered as a Module on at least one of the School's Masters programmes; delegates will attend with full and part time registered students. The Academic Module Outline is available via the University's Module Catalogue.