Module manager: Jared West
Email: l.j.west@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Entry onto the MSc Environmental Science or equivalent
| GEOG5052M | Environmental Data Visualisation & Analysis |
| SOEE3282 | Groundwater |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module provides a broad outline of groundwater studies within geoscience and environmental science set in the context of global sustainable groundwater use and the factors governing vulnerability to pollution. The course teaches the foundations of 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 concept of groundwater pollution vulnerability will then be investigated by examining the variation of key controls across a range of global settings. Finally, the course will consider current emerging issues and new techniques.
The module provides an overview of groundwater physics and chemistry, and the methods used to make predictions regarding resource development and associated environmental protection. This is achieved through a mixture of lectures with interactive sections and practical classes, focussed 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).
The issues of ground water vulnerability and sustainability in global settings and the way this might change in the light of emerging contaminants and techniques are explored in lectures, interactive in-class exercises and practical classes.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Knowledge (K) objectives:
SSLO1: Describe how groundwater resources can be sustainably managed 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.
SSLO7: Describe how the fundamental principles of groundwater pollution vulnerability apply in a range of global settings and how emerging contaminants and developments in monitoring, treatment or recharge may change this picture in the future.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes (SKLO):
Work Ready Skills:
SKLO1: Active Learning. Learn through practice, learning proactively and adopting effective learning strategies.
Academic Skills:
SKLO2: Critical thinking. Weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
SKLO3: Academic Writing. Communicate effectively in written form to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic convention.
SKLO4: Academic Language. 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.
Sustainability Skills:
SKLO5: Anticipatory & future thinking. Understand and evaluate multiple potential outcomes and consider the precautionary principle.
SKLO6: Systems thinking. Recognise and understand how parts of a system work together: analyse complex systems; consider how systems are embedded within different domains and scales; deal with uncertainty; use analytical thinking.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.5 | 16.5 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Practical | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 113.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 36.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
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.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
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