88166 - HYDROCOMPLEXITY OF THE COASTAL ZONE

Learning outcomes

Course objectives and learning outcomes: The objective of this course is to give the student a quantitative understanding of the components of the hydrological cycle and how these components are measured (or calculated) and influence each other with special emphasis to coastal zone settings. By working on a specific project, the student will learn the physical processes, problems, management challenges, adaptation strategies, and feedback mechanisms important for water resources use in the coastal zone. Other topics include the relationships among water resources and climate change, extreme events and flood hazards, human activities, such as gas and water extraction, land subsidence, loss of freshwater, land reclamation, drainage and salt-water intrusion, urbanization and loss of groundwater recharge, quarrying and mining activities.

Course contents

The water cycle and its components: what are they, how to measure them, existing data sources. Study of water cycle in various climate zones, for example in the countries of origin of the students. Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and the water cycle. How climate change will influence the water budget: the effect of increasing temperature, the effect of increasing or decreasing rainfall, the effect of changing wind speed and air humidity, the effect of concentration of rainfall in shorter periods. IPCC climate scenarios. Paleohydrology: what can the past teach us? Climate change floods and droughts. Instruments to measure floods; floods gauging, hydrographs. Effects of climate change on groundwater quality and quantity. Instruments to quantify groundwater flow and mass transport: basic equations of flow and mass transport in porous media. Background and principles of saltwater intrusion. Law of Ghyben-Herzberg. Factors influencing saltwater intrusion. Natural and artificial recharge of aquifers. Agriculture and salt water intrusion. Climate change and saltwater intrusion. How does climate change increase or decrease saltwater intrusion in different settings and climate zones? Climate change, sea level rise, and salt water intrusion.

Readings/Bibliography

IPCC 2008. Climate change and water. IPCC Technical paper VI.

Hiscock K.M. 2005. Hydrogeology: principles and practice. Blackwell Publishing.

Class Notes and power point lectures.

Teaching methods

Class lectures aided by power point slides and interactive animations.

Lab exercises requiring the use of a portable computer.

Possible field teaching activities.

• A good knowledge of college physics and mathematics as well as environmental geology is advised.

Assessment methods

Students will have to write a term paper on a topic (in agreement with the teacher) concerning water management in the coastal zone. The paper needs to contain some independent research – it will count for 50% of the grade. A written exam on the topics presented in class will count for the remaining 50% of the grade.

Teaching tools

Personal portable computers are necessary for this course. A few desktop PC computers wil be available for the students that do not own a portable computer.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Antonellini