Hydrology and Edaphology

Recommended Prerequisites

Analytical Chemistry.

Teaching Methods

In lectures, the subjects are presented to the students in an informal manner, accompanied by illustration with relevant examples, and stimulating discussion and active participation.

In the lab sessions, students execute analytical determinations of relevant parameters of water or soil samples.

Both the theoretical (written exam) and lab components (correct and responsible execution of lab activities, lab reports, regular attendance and active participation) of the syllabus are evaluated.

Learning Outcomes

a) To provide solid knowledge on the principles and concepts of hydrology and edafology;

b) To make the student understand the importance of water and soil to life, and thus contribute to their proper use;

c) To study the elements, macro- and micro-constituents, which may take part of the composition of water for human consumption;

d) To study the physico-chemical characterization of the soil and of the processes that occur therein, in view of its essential role in the production of food;

e) Allow the students to be able to organize a complete analytical process;

f) Confer the student the ability to know the different types of water (drinking, spring, mineral and SPA waters), respective origins, their quality benchmarks and their different uses;

g) Contribute to students’ understanding and application of the knowledge provided by scientific literature;

h) Encourage active participation of the students.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures:

Water in nature. The hydrological cycle. Natural waters and relationship with lithology and soils. Pollution of natural waters. Water intended for human consumption. Physico-chemical and microbiological quality parameters. Endocrine disrupters. Spring, natural mineral and sparkling natural mineral waters. Spa waters. Origin, classification and therapeutic uses. Formation, physical properties, minerals. and organic matter of soils. Soil water: types, quantification, retention, displacement, absorption by roots. Soil atmosphere. Soil chemistry: adsorption and ion exchange, acidity, alkalinity and their correction, redox reactions. Nutrients and toxic elements. Fertility and use of fertilizers. Soil erosion and pollution. Analysis, treatment and recovery of contaminated soils.

Lab classes:

Water: Cl^-, acidity and alkalinity; hardness, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺; hardness/alkalinity relationship; oxidability; Fe; F^-. Soil: moisture; pH, exchangeable acidity, H⁺ and Al³⁺, NO₃^-.   

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Miguel Santos Loura

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

APHA, AWWA, WEF, 1999. Standard Methods for the Examination of water & Wastewater. A.E. Greenberg, L.S. Clesceri, A.D. Eaton, eds. 20th ed, Baltimore.

Botelho da Costa, J. 2004, Caracterização e constituição do solo. 7.ª Ed. Gulbenkian, Lisboa.

Chesworth, W., ed. 2008. Encyclopedia of soil science. Springer, Dordrecht.

Decreto-Lei (DL) 156/98 - Diário da Republica, I série (DR I) - A, 6 Jun 1998

DL 236/2007 - DR I, 164, 27 Aug 2007

DL 288/2001 - DR I - A, 10 Nov 2001

Evangelou, V. P. 1998. Environmental soil & water chemistry. Wiley, N.Y.

Foth, H. D. 1990.Fundamentals of soil science. 8th ed. Wiley, N.Y.

McGhee, T.J.,teel,E.W. 1991. Water Supply & Sewerage.McGraw-Hill, 6th ed., N.Y.

Pansu, M.,Gautheyrou, J. 2006. Handbook of soil analysis.Springer, Berlin.

Rodier, J. 1975. Analysis of Water Wiley, N.Y.

Stegmann, R., Brunner, G., Calmano, W., Matz, G., eds. 2001. Treatment of contaminated soil. Springer, Berlin.

WHO. 2004. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. 3rd ed., WHO, Genève.