Module manager: Jared West
Email: L.J.West@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| SOEE5283M | Sustainable Groundwater Futures |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module provides a broad outline of groundwater studies within geoscience and environmental science. It includes both physical hydrogeology, which deals with the amount of groundwater resources available, and chemical hydrogeology, which deals with the chemistry of natural groundwater and groundwater contaminants. The physical hydrogeology component focusses on assessment of sustainable yields (water balance), characterisation of aquifers using field and laboratory approaches, prediction of flow directions and quantities, seasonal responses, groundwater abstraction approaches and the assessment of intrinsic pollution vulnerability. Chemical hydrogeology elements include routine groundwater analyses and error assessment, the origin of natural ions in groundwater (mineral dissolution etc) including for brine mining, characteristics and behaviour of key groundwater contaminant groups.
The module aims to provide an introduction groundwater physics and chemistry, and the methods used to make predictions regarding resource development and associated environmental protection. Specific objectives are achieved via a mixture of lectures with interactive sections and practical classes, focus on the development of quantitative approaches to sustainable groundwater management and case-study based geospatial data interpretation (for example, via exercises on water balance, aquifer characterisation, hydrogeological map interpretation, yield prediction for lithium brine mining operations, and relating groundwater chemistry to aquifer lithology).
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSLO1: Describe how groundwater fits into the hydrological cycle; use 'water balance' model including prediction of sustainable yields for groundwater abstraction and how these may impacted by climate change.
SSLO2: Describe the characteristics of rocks and soils that determine whether they are good groundwater resources.
SSLO3: Describe how groundwater aquifers can be assessed for abstraction potential and pollution vulnerability.
SSLO4: Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of a routine groundwater analysis.
SSLO5: Explain how the chemical composition of natural groundwaters develop, including factors and chemical reactions giving rise to specific groundwater compositions.
SSLO6: Describe the behaviour of key groundwater contaminants and the major threats to groundwater quality.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Work Ready Skills:
SKLO1: Active Learning. The ability to learn through practice, learning proactively and adopting effective learning strategies.
SKLO2: Core Literacies. Appropriate skills in numeracy and literacy, including written communications. Being able to understand, interpret, analyse and manipulate numerical data.
Academic Skills:
SKLO3: Critical thinking. The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
SKLO4: Academic Writing. The ability to communicate effectively in written form to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic convention.
SKLO5: Academic Language. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of academic conventions in the choice of vocabulary and sentence structure, and to select the most appropriate and effective methods of communication to demonstrate knowledge and understanding.
SKLO6: Academic integrity. A commitment to good study practices and shared values, which ensures that your work is a true expression of your own understanding and ideas, giving credit to others where their work contributes to yours.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1.5 | 16.5 |
| Practical | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 73.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
‘Physical hydrogeology Minerva Based MCQ’ which covers the first half of the module will provide mid-course individual feedback. Model answers to the practical exercises, and oral discussion with staff and demonstrators in practical sessions.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team