Michael Plötze: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name Dr. Michael Plötze
Address
Institut für Geotechnik
ETH Zürich, HIF C 93.2
Laura-Hezner-Weg 7
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 633 32 69
E-mailmichael.ploetze@igt.baug.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.claylab.ethz.ch/
DepartmentCivil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
101-0339-00LEnvironmental Geotechnics3 credits2GM. Plötze
AbstractIntroduction of basic knowledge about problems with contaminated sites, investigation of this sites, risque management, remediation and reclamation techniques as well as monitoring systems.
Introduction in landfill design and engineering with focus on barrier- and drainage systems and lining materials, evaluation of geotechnical problems, e.g. stability
ObjectiveIntroduction of basic knowledge about problems with contaminated sites, investigation of this sites, risque management, remediation and reclamation techniques as well as monitoring systems.
Introduction in landfill design and engineering with focus on barrier- and drainage systems as wellas lining materials, evaluation of geotechnical problems, e.g. stability
ContentDefinition of contaminated sites, site investigation methods, historical research and technical investigation, risque assessment, contamination transport, remediation, clean-up and retaining techniques (e.g. bioremediation, incineration, retaining walls, pump-and-treat, permeable reactive barriers), monitoring, research projects and results

waste, waste disposal, treatment and management, multi-barrier-systems, site investigation, lining systems and recovering systems of landfill (e.g. materials, drainage systems, geosynthetics), stability, research projects and results
Lecture notesDr. R. Hermanns Stengele, Dr. M. Plötze: Environmental Geotechnics (german) digital
Prerequisites / Noticeexcursion
102-0337-00LLandfilling, Contaminated Sites and Radioactive Waste Repositories Restricted registration - show details 3 credits2GW. Hummel, M. Plötze
AbstractPractices of landfilling and remediation of contaminated sites and disposal of radioactive waste are based on the same concepts that aim to protect the environment. The assessment of contaminants that may leach into the environment as a function of time and how to reduce the rate of their release is key to the design of chemical, technical and geological barriers.
ObjectiveUpon successful completion of this course students are able to:
- assess the risk posed to the environment of landfills, contaminated sites and radioactive waste repositories in terms of fate and transport of contaminants
- describe technologies available to minimize environmental contamination
- describe the principles in handling of contaminated sites and to propose and evaluate suitable remediation techniques
- explain the concepts that underlie radioactive waste disposal practices
ContentThis lecture course comprises of lectures with exercises and guided case studies.
- A short overview of the principles of environmental protection in waste management and how this is applied in legislation.
- A overview of the chemistry underlying the release and transport of contaminants from the landfilled/contaminated material/radioactive waste repository focusing on processes that control redox state and pH buffer capacity; mobility of heavy metals and organic compounds
- Technical barrier design and function. Clay as a barrier.
- Contaminated site remediation: Site evaluation, remediation technologies
- Concepts and safety in radioactive waste management
- Role of the geological and engineered barriers and radionuclide transport in geological media.
Lecture notesShort script plus copies of overheads
LiteratureLiterature will be made available.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis is an interdisciplinary course aimed at environmental scientists and environmental engineers.
651-4063-00LX-ray Powder Diffraction Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 12.
3 credits2GM. Plötze
AbstractIn the course the students learn to measure X-ray diffraction patterns of minerals and to evaluate these using different software for qualitative and quantitative mineral composition as well as crystallographic parameters.
ObjectiveUpon successful completion of this course students are able to:
- describe the principle of X-ray diffraction analysis
- carry out a qualitative and quantitative mineralogical analysis independently,
- critically assess the data,
- communicate the results in a scientific report.
ContentFundamental principles of X-ray diffraction
Setup and operation of X-ray diffractometers
Interpretation of powder diffraction data
Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of crystalline powders (e.g. with Rietveld analysis)
Lecture notesSelected handouts will be made available in the lecture
LiteratureALLMANN, R.: Röntgen-Pulverdiffraktometrie : Rechnergestützte Auswertung, Phasenanalyse und Strukturbestimmung Berlin : Springer, 2003.
DINNEBIER, R.E. et al.: Powder Diffraction. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2008. (http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/eBook/978-0-85404-231-9)
PECHARSKY, V.K. and ZAVALIJ, P.Y: Fundamentals of Powder Diffraction and Structural Characterization of Materials. Springer, 2009.
(http://www.springerlink.com/content/k100xr/#section=126257&page=1)
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course includes a high portion of practical exercises in sample preparation as well as measurement and evaluation of X-ray powder diffraction data.
Own sample will be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Knowledge in mineralogy of this system is essential.
The lecture course is limited to 12 participants.
701-1339-00LSoil Solids Laboratory Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 12.
3 credits6GM. Plötze
AbstractThe main part of the course is the investigation of real samples of soils/sediments in the lab working in groups. A brief theoretical introduction into the overall principle and the meaning of physical, mineralogical and chemical parameters of soils and sediments and into each analytical method for their investigation will be given in advance.
ObjectiveUpon successful completion of this course students are able to:
- describe structural, mineralogical and chemical properties of the inorganic solid part of soils and sediments,
- propose and apply different advanced methods and techniques to measure these properties,
- critically assess the data and explain the relationships between them,
- communicate the results in a scientific la report.
ContentBasic introduction to mineralogy and texture of soils
Analytical techniques
Practical exercises in sample preparation
Measurement and evaluation of the data:
- physical parameters (grain size distribution, surface, densities, porosity, (micro)structur)
- mineralogical/geochemical parameters (quantitative mineralogical composition, thermal analysis, cation exchange etc.)
Lecture notesSelected handouts will be distributed during the course.
LiteratureJasmund, K. , Lagaly, G. 1993. Tonminerale und Tone. Steinkopff: Darmstadt.
Scheffer, F. 2002. Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde / Scheffer/Schachtschabel. Spektrum: Heidelberg. 15. Aufl.
Dixon, J.B., Weed, S.B. 1989. Minerals in Soil Environments. SSSA Book Series: 1, 2nd Edition.
Sparks, D.L. 1996: Chemical Methods. SSSA Book Series 5, Part 3.
Dane, J.H., Topp, G.C. 2002: Physical Methods. SSSA Book Series 5, Part 4.
Ulery, A.L. & Drees, L.R. 2008: Mineralogical Methods. SSSA Book Series 5, Part 5.
Prerequisites / NoticeIn order to allow for effective lab work not more than 12 students can join the course.

Useful preparatory courses are: "Soil Chemistry", "“Clay Mineralogy"”, and "“X-ray powder diffraction”".