Newcastle University

Groundwater Contamination and Remediation

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This course introduces the principles of contaminant behaviour in groundwater systems, and provides an overview of remediation technologies for polluted groundwaters. It demonstrates the range of possible contaminants, and the mechanisms by which they are transported in groundwater systems. The ways in which human activities can modify the quality of groundwater, and how such modifications can be detected and distinguished from natural processes, are illustrated, as is the means by which the results can be simulated. The course introduces the fundamental principles and factors that govern the fate of pollutants in the groundwater environment. This understanding underpins the techniques by which it is possible to calculate the timing and extent of groundwater pollution, which will be demonstrated with real world examples. Applying the principles of groundwater contaminant behaviour, the course explores available treatment technologies for polluted groundwaters, including their design, operation and advantages or disadvantages of the various technologies. Case studies are used throughout.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, delegates will understand:

• the main ways pollutants migrate in the sub-surface
• the principles of modelling solute transport
• the fate and behaviour of inorganic and organic pollutants, including their identification and sampling
• the principles of groundwater remediation.

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• describe the human activities that may modify groundwater chemistry
• discuss pollutant classification and the nature of diffuse and point-source pollution, giving examples
• describe the origin and properties of the major organic and inorganic pollutants
• apply the principles of modelling solute transport
• outline the various approaches to remediation of polluted groundwaters.

The course requires competency in maths and chemistry above GCSE level (through undergraduate or work-based training/experience, if not at AS or A-level), and some prior background in basic groundwater hydraulics, such as recharge processes, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, groundwater flow patterns, and basic groundwater chemistry such as dissolution and precipitation, pH, acids and bases, sorption, complexation and ion exchange, redox reactions, and biogeochemical influences.

Course Outline

• Sources and types of groundwater contamination
• Principles of groundwater movement
• Calculating groundwater transit times
• Contaminant transport in the subsurface
• Case studies of inorganic groundwater pollution
• Introduction to modelling inorganic and organic solute transport
• Groundwater modelling exercises
• Fate and transport of organic substances in groundwater
• Case studies of organic groundwater pollution
• Field trip: examples of remediation of polluted groundwaters
• Principles of groundwater remediation
• Case studies of remediation, including pump-and-treat, landfill, and mine waters.

The course includes a field trip on one afternoon (suitable clothes required).

Presenters

School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

• Dr Adam Jarvis (Course Leader)
• Dr Geoff Parkin
• Dr David Werner

Academic Professionals

• To be confirmed

[ Book online ]

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