SLM-20806 Water Quantity and Quality

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Continuation courses:

HWM-23306 Field Practical Hydrology, Water Quality and Meteorology; HWM-20806 Hydrogeology; SLM-21306 Subsurface Solute Transport.

Contents:

In this course, aspects of quantity and quality of water are studied at sub-catchment scale both in theory and in field and laboratory practices. Students learn to apply computational methods in hydrology and chemical & biological measuring techniques as applied in analyses of surface water systems and water quality. The course covers definitions, concepts, processes, flow equations, systems analysis and (sub-)catchment modelling approaches, measuring methods and quantification of elements.
Specific topics are relationships between landscape morphology and water quality, hydrological cycle (precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, groundwater), interaction of groundwater and surface water, (drainage theory, design discharge, dimensioning of drainage and discharge systems, rainfall-runoff relationships in catchments), characterisation of water types and aquatic ecosystems by chemical and biological field measurements (nutrients, chloride, alkalinity, oxygen, light absorption, composition of macro-fauna), experimental analysis of eutrophication processes in the laboratory.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- interpret specific hydrological mathematical approaches, including definitions, concepts, flow processes, sub-catchment modelling approaches, measuring and quantification methods of water related elements;
- apply computational methods in groundwater flow and water quality analysis;
- assess the applicability of hydrological mathematical approaches (such as drainage equations);
- apply techniques to measure biological and chemical water quality in the field, measuring methods in experimental laboratory research on aquatic ecosystems and research abilities;
- analyse effect of landscape morphology on water quality and water quantity;
- practice basic reporting skills i.e. keeping a group laboratory log, summarizing and reporting field practical results in a poster and reporting an experiment;
- assess the consequences of hydrological measures on water quantity and quality in a case study.

Activities:

- study of lecture notes and literature as given during lectures;
- doing exercises;
- field observations and measurements;
- performing laboratory experiment;
- analysing observations and measurements;
- presenting a poster and writing a report.

Examination:

Based on activities during practical en report/poster (50%), and a written exam (50%).

Literature:

Course material and lecture notes