Environmental and Landscape Geology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to guide the student to an effective understanding of studies concerning geological problems related to environmental and land use issues (hazard, resources and waste management). The student will gain the level of knowledge necessary to critically evaluate the effects of the application of these studies to environmental management and planning.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know: 1) the main methodologies for determining geological hazards at different scales, 2) the resources of natural resources and themes linked to their sustainable management, 3) the environmental aspects of waste management also depending on their level of danger.
The student will develop competences for the connection of the theoretical aspects of these themes, and the technical-scientific products connected to them, to the application in support of the territorial and environmental planning. The student will develop technical skills that are preparatory to carrying out environmental and territorial management activities according to modern concepts of sustainable development and natural capital.
The student will develop competences for the connection of the theoretical aspects of these themes, and the technical-scientific products connected to them, to the application in support of the territorial and environmental planning. The student will develop technical skills that are preparatory to carrying out environmental and territorial management activities according to modern concepts of sustainable development and natural capital.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND BASIC CONCEPTS (0.50 CFU)
- Human population development and interaction with the environment
- Concepts of sustainable development, natural capital and resources
- Concepts of hazard, vulnerability and environmental risk
- Overview of the main physical and mechanical properties of soils, rocks and rock masses, and water
LANDLSIDES (1.00 CFU)
- Types, classification systems
- Susceptibility, hazard and risk (definitions, mapping, case studies)
- Overview of monitoring systems (instruments and sensors), early-warning systems, and mitigation measures and works
SOIL AS A RESOURCE (0.50 CFU)
- Soil erosion
- Soil loss and consumption
FLUVIAL DYNAMICS (0.75 CFU)
- Insights into debris flows, multi-hazard scenarios and hazard mapping
- Fluvial systems
WATER RESOURCES (2.00 CFU)
- Virtual water and water footprint
- Introduction to groundwater
- Groundwater contamination and main remediation systems
- Aquifer Vulnerability
GEOLOGY AND WASTE MANAGEMNT (0.50 CFU)
- Types and management of waste
- Landfill sites
GEOLOGY FOR LAND USE PLANNING AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT (1.00 CFU)
- Basic concepts of land use planning
- Role of the geological component in land-use planning
- Regional and municipal plans (with seismic microzonation)
- The urban environment and underground space
INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE (1.75 CFU)
- Climate change during Earth history
- Simple climate model
- Carbon cycle and properties of greenhouse gases
- Radiative forcing and feedback loops
- Scenarios, impacts, policies, case studies
INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS - GIS (1.00CFU)
- Exercises across course topics to familiarize with GIS software
- Human population development and interaction with the environment
- Concepts of sustainable development, natural capital and resources
- Concepts of hazard, vulnerability and environmental risk
- Overview of the main physical and mechanical properties of soils, rocks and rock masses, and water
LANDLSIDES (1.00 CFU)
- Types, classification systems
- Susceptibility, hazard and risk (definitions, mapping, case studies)
- Overview of monitoring systems (instruments and sensors), early-warning systems, and mitigation measures and works
SOIL AS A RESOURCE (0.50 CFU)
- Soil erosion
- Soil loss and consumption
FLUVIAL DYNAMICS (0.75 CFU)
- Insights into debris flows, multi-hazard scenarios and hazard mapping
- Fluvial systems
WATER RESOURCES (2.00 CFU)
- Virtual water and water footprint
- Introduction to groundwater
- Groundwater contamination and main remediation systems
- Aquifer Vulnerability
GEOLOGY AND WASTE MANAGEMNT (0.50 CFU)
- Types and management of waste
- Landfill sites
GEOLOGY FOR LAND USE PLANNING AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT (1.00 CFU)
- Basic concepts of land use planning
- Role of the geological component in land-use planning
- Regional and municipal plans (with seismic microzonation)
- The urban environment and underground space
INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE (1.75 CFU)
- Climate change during Earth history
- Simple climate model
- Carbon cycle and properties of greenhouse gases
- Radiative forcing and feedback loops
- Scenarios, impacts, policies, case studies
INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS - GIS (1.00CFU)
- Exercises across course topics to familiarize with GIS software
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Earth Sciences and its application
Teaching methods
The course will be structured in 64 hours of lectures (8 CFU) and 16 hours of practicals (1 CFU). Slides and videos will be used as teaching materials. In addition to the theoretical aspects, some case studies will be presented in order to demonstrate the practical application of the methodological approaches.
The practicals will be held on four days indicated at the beginning of the course in 4-hour blocks. The purpose of the exercises is the familiarization with geographic information systems (GIS) used to explore, in a practical way, some of the topics covered during the lectures.
The practicals will be held on four days indicated at the beginning of the course in 4-hour blocks. The purpose of the exercises is the familiarization with geographic information systems (GIS) used to explore, in a practical way, some of the topics covered during the lectures.
Teaching Resources
Slides - Scientific articles- Sitography (made available through MyAriel)
For further study of some topics:
Geology and the Environment- Pipkin, Trent, Hazlett- ed Cengage
Environmental Geology - Keller - ed Pearson
Environmental Geology - Montgomery - ed Mc Graw Hill
Introduction to Modern Climate Change - Andrew Dessler - Cambridge University Press
For further study of some topics:
Geology and the Environment- Pipkin, Trent, Hazlett- ed Cengage
Environmental Geology - Keller - ed Pearson
Environmental Geology - Montgomery - ed Mc Graw Hill
Introduction to Modern Climate Change - Andrew Dessler - Cambridge University Press
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist in an oral test aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding and ability to re-elaborate the contents of the course. The exam will begin with a presentation of the student concerning either a case study or a theoretical in-depth analysis adding contents to what presented and discussed during classes. Questions regarding the presentation and other arguments presented during the course will follow, aimed at verifying the knowledge of the subject and the ability to critically analyze and explain geological processes. The exam will be graded out of thirty and the final grade will take into account the accuracy and quality of the answers, as well as communication skills and the ability to analyze, judge and correlate the topics explained during the course.
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 9
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Appointment to be taken by email
Office or Microsoft Teams
Reception:
Monday 10.30 - 12-30
Via Mangiagalli 34, Ground Floor