Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Environmental Engineering Master Information
Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2006)
Major Courses
Major in Water Resources Management
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0237-00LHydrology IIO3 credits2GP. Burlando, S. Fatichi
AbstractThe course presents advanced hydrological analyses of rainfall-runoff processes. The course is given in English.
ObjectiveTools for hydrological modelling are discussed at the event and continuous scale. The focus is on the description of physical processes and their modelisation with practical examples.
ContentMonitoring of hydrological systems (point and space monitoring, remote sensing). The use of GIS in hydrology (practical applications). General concepts of watershed modelling. Infiltration. IUH models. Event based rainfall-runoff modelling. Continuous rainfall-runoff models (components and prrocesses). Example of modelling with the PRMS model. Calibration and validation of models. Flood routing (unsteady flow, hydrologic routing, examples). The course contains an extensive semester project.
Lecture notesParts of the script for "Hydrology I" are used. Also available are the overhead transparencies used in the lectures. The semester project consists of a two part instruction manual.
LiteratureAdditional literature is presented during the course.
101-0267-01LNumerical Hydraulics Information O3 credits2GM. Holzner
AbstractIn the course Numerical Hydraulics the basics of numerical modelling of flows are presented.
ObjectiveThe goal of the course is to develop the understanding of the students for numerical simulation of flows to an extent that they can later use commercial software in a responsible and critical way.
ContentThe basic equations are derived from first principles. Possible simplifications relevant for practical problems are shown and their applicability is discussed. Using the example of non-steady state pipe flow numerical methods such as the method of characteristics and finite difference methods are introduced. The finite volume method as well as the method of characteristics are used for the solution of the shallow water equations. Special aspects such as wave propagation and turbulence modelling are also treated.

All methods discussed are applied pratically in exercises. This is done using programs in MATLAB which partially are programmed by the students themselves. Further, some generelly available softwares such as Hydraulic Systems and HEC RAS for non-steady flows are used.
Lecture notesLecture notes, powerpoints shown in the lecture and programs used can be downloaded. They are also available in German.
LiteratureGiven in lecture
102-0287-00LFluvial Systems Information O3 credits2GP. Molnar
AbstractThe course presents a view of the processes acting on and shaping the landscape and the fluvial landforms that result. The fluvial system is viewed in terms of the production and transport of sediment on hillslopes, the structure of the river network and channel morphology, fluvial processes in the river, riparian zone and floodplain, and basics of catchment and river management.
ObjectiveThe course has two fundamental aims: (1) it aims to provide environmental engineers with the physical process basis of fluvial system change, using the right language and terminology to describe landforms; and (2) it aims to provide quantitative skills in making simple and more complex predictions of change and the data and models required.
ContentThe course consists of three sections: (1) Introduction to fluvial forms and processes and geomorphic concepts of landscape change, including climatic and human activities acting on the system. (2) The processes of sediment production, upland sheet-rill-gully erosion, basin sediment yield, rainfall-triggered landsliding, sediment budgets, and the modelling of the individual processes involved. (3) Processes in the river, floodplain and riparian zone, including river network topology, channel geometry, aquatic habitat, role of riparian vegetation, including basics of fluvial system management. The main focus of the course is hydrological and the scales of interest are field and catchment scales.
Lecture notesThere is no script.
LiteratureThe course materials consist of a series of 13 lecture presentations and notes to each lecture. The lectures were developed from textbooks, professional papers, and ongoing research activities of the instructor. All material is on the course webpage.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Hydrology 1 and Hydrology 2 (or contact instructor).
Major in Urban Water Management
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0217-00LProcess Engineering Ia Information O3 credits2GE. Morgenroth
AbstractBiological processes used in wastewater treatment, organic waste management, biological resource recovery. Focus on fundamental principles of biological processes and process design based on kinetic and stoichiometric principles. Processes include anaerobic digestion for biogas production and aerobic wastewater treatment.
ObjectiveStudents should be able to evaluate and design biological processes. Develop simple mathematical models to simulate treatment processes.
ContentStoichiometry
Microbial transformation processes
Introduction to design and modeling of activated sludge processes
Anaerobic processes, industrial applications, sludge stabilization
Lecture notesCopies of overheads will be made available.
LiteratureThere will be a required textbook that students need to purchase (see Link for further information).
Prerequisites / NoticeFor detailed information on prerequisites and information needed from Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling the student should consult the lecture program and important information (syllabus) of Process Engineering I that can be downloaded at Link
102-0227-00LSystems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management Information O6 credits4GE. Morgenroth, M. Maurer
AbstractSystematic introduction of material balances, transport processes, kinetics, stoichiometry and conservation. Ideal reactors, residence time distribution, heterogeneous systems, dynamic response of reactors. Parameter identification, local sensitivity, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation. Introduction to real time control (PID controllers). Extensive coding of examples in Berkeley Madonna.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to provide the students with an understanding and the tools to develop their own mathematical models, to plan experiments, to evaluate error propagation and to test simple process control strategies in the field of process engineering in urban water management.
ContentThe course will provide a broad introduction into the fundamentals of modeling water treatment systems. The topics are:
- Introduction into modeling and simulation
- The material balance equations, transport processes, transformation processes (kinetics, stoichiometry, conservation)
- Ideal reactors
- Hydraulic residence time distribution and modeling of real reactors
- Dynamic behavior of reactor systems
- Systems analytical tools: Sensitivity, parameter identification, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation
- Introduction to process control (PID controller, fuzzy control)
Lecture notesCopies of overheads will be made available.
LiteratureThere will be a required textbook that students need to purchase:
Willi Gujer (2008): Systems Analysis for Water Technology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course will be offered together with the course Process Engineering Ia. It is advantageous to follow both courses simultaneously.
Major in Ecolog. Systems Design, Air Quality Contr. and Waste Manag.
In the Major in "Ecolog. Systems Design, Air Quality Contr. and Waste Manag." one out of three possible combinations of modules must be taken:

1st combination: ESD & Air Quality Control;
2nd combination: Air quality control & Waste management;
3rd combination: Waste management & ESD.

Students that choose either combination 2 or 3 and have Urban Water Management as a second Major need to take course "102-0337-00L Landfilling, Contaminated Sites and Radioactive Waste Repositories" (offered in spring semester) instead of "102-0217-00L Process Engineering I (Biological Processes)".
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0217-00LProcess Engineering Ia Information O3 credits2GE. Morgenroth
AbstractBiological processes used in wastewater treatment, organic waste management, biological resource recovery. Focus on fundamental principles of biological processes and process design based on kinetic and stoichiometric principles. Processes include anaerobic digestion for biogas production and aerobic wastewater treatment.
ObjectiveStudents should be able to evaluate and design biological processes. Develop simple mathematical models to simulate treatment processes.
ContentStoichiometry
Microbial transformation processes
Introduction to design and modeling of activated sludge processes
Anaerobic processes, industrial applications, sludge stabilization
Lecture notesCopies of overheads will be made available.
LiteratureThere will be a required textbook that students need to purchase (see Link for further information).
Prerequisites / NoticeFor detailed information on prerequisites and information needed from Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling the student should consult the lecture program and important information (syllabus) of Process Engineering I that can be downloaded at Link
102-0307-01LAdvanced Environmental, Social and Economic Assessments Restricted registration - show details
Only for Environmental Engieering MSc.
O5 credits3GA. E. Braunschweig, S. Hellweg, R. Frischknecht
AbstractThis course deepens students' knowledge of environmental, economic, and social assessment methodologies and their various applications.
ObjectiveThis course has the aim of deepening students' knowledge of the environmental, economic and social assessment methodologies and their various applications.

In particular, students completing the course should have the
- ability to judge the scientific quality and reliability of environmental assessment studies, the appropriateness of inventory data and modelling, and the adequacy of life cycle impact assessment models and factors
- knowledge about the current state of the scientific discussion and new research developments
- ability to properly plan, conduct and interpret environmental assessment studies

In the course element "Implementation of Environmental and other Sustainability Goals", students will learn to
- describe key sustainability problems of the current economic system and measuring units.
- describe the management system of an organisation and illustrate how to improve its sustainability management (especially planning and controlling), based on current ISO management standards and additional frameworks.
- discuss approaches to measure environmental performance measurement of an organisation, including 'organisational LCA' (Ecobalance)
- explain the pros and cons of single score environmental assessment methods
- demonstrate life cycle costing from a sustainability viewpoint
- interpret stakeholder relations of an organisation
- (if time allows) describe sustainable supply chain management
ContentPart I (Advanced Environmental Assessments)
- Inventory database developments, transparency, data quality, data completeness, and data exchange formats, uncertainties
- Software tools (MFA, LCA)
- Allocation (multioutput processes and recycling)
- Hybrid LCA methods.
- Consequential and marginal analysis
- Impact assessment of waterborne chemical emissions, sum parameters, mixture toxicity
- Spatial differentiation in Life Cycle Assessment
- Workplace and indoor exposure in Risk and Life Cycle Assessment
- Subjectivity in environmental assessments
- Multicriteria Decision Analysis
- Case Studies

Part II (Implementation of Environmental and other Sustainability Goals):
- Sustainability problems of the current economic system and its measuring units;
- The structure of a management system, and elements to integrate environmental management (ISO 14001) and social management (SA8000 as well as ISO 26000), especially into strategy development, planning, controlling and communication;
- Sustainability Opportunities and Innovation
- The concept of 'Continuous Improvement'
- Life Cycle Costing, Life Cycle Management
- environmental performance measurement of an organisation, including 'organisational LCA' (Ecobalance), based on practical examples of companies and new concepts
- single score env. assessment methods (Swiss ecopoints)
- stakeholder management and sustainability oriented communication
- an intro into sustainability issues of supply chain management
Students will get small excercises related to course issues.
Lecture notesPart I: Slides and background reading material will be available on lecture homepage
Part II: Documents will be available on Ilias
LiteratureWill be made available.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course should only be elected by students of environmental engineering with a with a Module in Ecological Systems Design. All other students should take the individual courses in Advanced Environmental Assessment and/or Implementation of Environmental and other Sustainability goals (with or without exercise and lab).

Basic knowledge of environmental assessment tools is a prerequisite for this class. Students who have not yet had classwork in this topic are required to read an appropriate textbook before or at the beginning of this course (e.g. Jolliet, O et al. (2016). Environmental Life Cycle Assessment. CRC Press, Boca Raton - London - New York. ISBN 978-1-4398-8766-0 (Chapters 2-5.2)).
102-0317-03LAdvanced Environmental Assessment (Computer Lab I)O1 credit1US. Pfister
AbstractDifferent tools and software used for environmental assessments, such as LCA are introduced. The students will have hands-on exercises in the computer rooms and will gain basic knowledge on how to apply the software and other resources in practice
ObjectiveBecome acquainted with various software programs for environmental assessment including Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Risk Assessment, Probabilistic Modeling, Material Flow Analysis.
102-0357-00LWaste Recycling TechnologiesO3 credits2GR. Bunge
AbstractWaste Recycling Technology (WRT) is sub-discipline of Mechanical Process Engineering. WRT is employed in production plants processing contaminated soil, construction wastes, scrap metal, recovered paper and the like. While WRT is well established in Central Europe, it is only just now catching on in emerging markets as well.
ObjectiveAt the core of this course is the separation of mixtures of solid bulk materials according to physical properties such as color, electrical conductivity, magnetism and so forth. After having taken this course, the students should have concept not only of the unit operations employed in WRT but also of how these unit operations are integrated into the flow sheets of production plants.
ContentIntroduction
Waste Recycling: Scope and objectives
Waste recycling technologies in Switzerland

Fundamentals
Properties of particles: Liberation conditions, Particle size and shape, Porosity of bulk materials
Fluid dynamics of particles: Stationary particle beds, Fluidized beds, Free settling particles
Flow sheet basics: Balancing mass flows
Standard processes: batch vs. continuous …
Assessment of separation success: Separation function; grade vs. recovery

Separation Process
Separation according to size and shape (Classification): Screening, Flow separation
Separation according to material properties (Concentration): Manual Sorting, Gravity concentration; Magnetic separation, Eddy current separation, Electrostatic separation, Sensor technology, Froth flotation
Lecture notesThe script consists of the transparencies shown during the lectures. Background material will be provided on the script-server.
LiteratureA list of recommended books will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticeWe will approach this topic from the perspective not of theory, but of practical application. However, solid fundamentals in physics (in particular in mechanics) are strongly recommended.
102-0377-00LAir Pollution Modeling and Chemistry Information O3 credits2GS. Henne, A. C. Gerecke, S. Reimann Bhend
AbstractAir pollutants cause negative effects on humans, wildlife and buildings. To control and reduce the impact of air pollutants, their transfer from sources to receptors needs to be known. This transfer includes transport within the atmospheric boundary layer, chemical transformation reactions and phase-transfer processes from air to liquid and solid materials (aerosols, water, ...).
ObjectiveThe students understand the fundamental principles of atmospheric transport, dispersion and chemistry of pollutants on the local to regional scale and their transfer between air and condensed phases (aerosols, water, solids). This includes the knowledge of important atmospheric reactions, sources and sinks. The obtained understanding enables the students to apply computational tools to predict the transport and transformation of chemicals at the local to regional scale.
Content- Structure of the Atmosphere
- Thermodynamics of the atmosphere
- Atmospheric stability
- Atmospheric boundary layer and turbulence
- Dispersion in the atmospheric boundary layer
- Numerical models of atmospheric dispersion
- Gas phase reaction kinetics
- Tropospheric chemistry and ozone formation
- Chemistry box models
- Volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic pollutants (SVOCs)
- Distribution of chemicals between different phases
- Kinetics of phase transfer processes
- Computational tools to estimate volatility, distribution and phase transfer rates of organic chemicals
Lecture notesContinued updates of:
-Slides and handouts
-Home assignments and sample solutions
-R package and code for some of the home assignments
-Free software packages for estimation of properties and fate of organic chemicals
-Key journal articles as discussed during lecture
LiteratureAtmospheric chemistry
Jacobson, M.Z., 2012. Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science and Solutions, 405 pp., Cambridge University Press.
Finlayson-Pitts, B. J. and Pitts, J. N., 2000. Chemistry of the upper and lower atmosphere, 969 pp., Academic Press, San Diego.
Seinfeld, J. H. and Pandis, S. N., 2012. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change, 3 ed., 1203 pp., Wiley.

Environmental organic chemistry and mass transfer
Schwarzenbach, R.P., Gschwend, P. M., Imboden, D. M., 2002. Environmental Organic Chemistry, 1328 pp, Wiley & sons, New York
Mackay D., Multimedia environmental models : the fugacity approach; Boca Raton, Fla. : Lewis Publishers; 2001; 2nd ed

Atmospheric dynamics and boundary layer
Stull, R. B., 1988. An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology, 666 pp., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Etling, D., 2008. Theoretische Meteorologie Eine Einfuhrung, 3 ed., 376 pp., Springer.

Atmospheric modelling
Jacobson, M. Z., 2005. Fundamentals of atmospheric modeling, 2 ed., 813 pp., Cambridge University Press.

Introduction to R
Dalgaard, P., 2002. Introductory statistics with R, 267 pp., Springer, New York
Prerequisites / Noticestrongly recommended: 102-0635-01L Luftreinhaltung (Air Pollution Control) or similar
102-0337-00LLandfilling, Contaminated Sites and Radioactive Waste Repositories Restricted registration - show details O3 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.
Major in Hydraulic Engineering
Remark: 101-0269-00 Numerical Modelling in Fluvial Hydraulics and River Engineering in FS (not in HS anymore)
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
101-0247-01LHydraulic structures II
Information: Enrolment of Hydraulic Engineering II is not recommended without having attended Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L) previously since Hydraulic Engineering II is strongly based on Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L).
O6 credits4GR. Boes
AbstractHydraulic structures and their function within a hydraulic scheme are explained. The basic concepts of their layout and design with regard to economy and safety are provided.
ObjectiveKnowledge of hydraulic structures and their function within a hydraulic scheme. Skills for the layout and design of hydraulic structures with regard to economy and safety.
ContentWeirs: Weir stability, gates, inflatable dams, appurtenant structures.
Conduits: Design of headraces, pressure shafts, and penstocks, constructive details and construction.
Power plants: Power house and turbine types, design, structure, construction.
Dams: Dam types, appurtenant structures (diversion, spillways, bottom outlet), dam type selection criteria, layout and design of gravity dams, buttress dams, arch dams, rockfill dams with central core or concrete face, measures in the foundation, mass concrete, RCC dams, reservoir siltation and sediment management, dam surveillance.
Artificial reservoirs: Purpose, layout, sealing, appurtenant structures, environmental aspects.
Lecture notesmanuscript and further documentation
Literatureis specified in the lecture and in the manuscript
Prerequisites / NoticeInformation: Enrolment of Hydraulic Engineering II is not recommended without having attended Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L) previously since Hydraulic Engineering II is strongly based on Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L).
102-0617-00LBasics and Principles of Radar Remote Sensing for Environmental ApplicationsW3 credits2GI. Hajnsek
AbstractThe course will provide the basics and principles of Radar Remote Sensing (specifically Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) and its imaging techniques for the use of environmental parameter estimation.
ObjectiveThe course should provide an understanding of SAR techniques and the use of the imaging tools for bio/geophysical parameter estimation. At the end of the course the student has the understanding of
1. SAR basics and principles,
2. SAR polarimetry,
3. SAR interferometry and
4. environmental parameter estimation from multi-parametric SAR data
ContentThe course is giving an introduction into SAR techniques, the interpretation of SAR imaging responses and the use of SAR for different environmental applications. The outline of the course is the following:
1. Introduction into SAR basics and principles
2. Introduction into electromagnetic wave theory
3. Introduction into scattering theory and decomposition techniques
4. Introduction into SAR interferometry
5. Introduction into polarimetric SAR interferometry
6. Introduction into bio/geophysical parameter estimation (classification/segmentation, soil moisture estimation, earth quake and volcano monitoring, forest height inversion, wood biomass estimation etc.)
Lecture notesHandouts for each topic will be provided
LiteratureFirst readings for the course:
Woodhouse, I. H., Introduction into Microwave Remote Sensing, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2006.
Lee, J.-S., Pottier, E., Polarimetric Radar Imaging: From Basics to Applications, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2009.
Complete literature listing will be provided during the course.
101-0258-00LRiver EngineeringO3 credits2GG. R. Bezzola
AbstractThe lecture addresses the fundamentals to quantitatively describe the flow of water, the transport of sediments and morphological changes like erosion or deposition in watercourses. Further addressed are the design and dimensioning of river engineering works to create and ensure sufficient capacity, channel stability as well as to ensure the ecological functions of the watercourse.
ObjectiveThe students shall
- be able to describe the interrelation between discharge, sediment transport and channel evolution quantitatively
- know the fundamentals and be able to apply the approaches and methods to treat river engineering problems associated with flood protection and river restoration
- be capable to design and dimension river engineering works needed to influence the processes in watercourses
ContentThe first part of the lecture treats the fundamentals required to deal with river engineering problems. Sampling methods for the river bed material and methods to calculate the discharge in alluvial rivers are presented. The process of river bed armoring and the principles of incipient motion, initiation of erosion as well as sediment transport (bed load, suspended load) are treated.
In the second part of the lecture, the procedures to quantify the sediment budget and the morphological changes (erosion, aggradation) in river systems are explained. Furthermore, the process of natural channel formation and the different plan forms of rivers (straight, meandering, braided) are discussed. Own chapters are dedicated to the topics of channel stability, bed forms, river morphology and scour.
The last part of the lecture concentrates on the design and dimensioning of river engineering works. The topics focussed on are the stabilization of banks and of the longitudinal profile of rivers.
Lecture notesLecture notes "River Engineering" (in German, 470 pages, including list of references)
LiteratureThe lecture notes contain a comprehensive list of references for further reading.
Prerequisites / NoticeStrongly recommended lectures:
Hydrology (102-0293-AAL), Hydraulics I (101-0203-01L) and Hydraulic Engineering (101-0206-00L)

A practical exercise (voluntary, unmarked) is offered to deepen the learned subjects.
This exercise bases on field data, which are partly collected by the students on a river in nature. Besides the collection of fundamentals and field data, the exercise comprehends the calculation of the stage-discharge relationship, of the critical discharges for initiation of bed load transport and bed erosion and of the annual sediment load in a given river reach.
Major in Soil Protection
As replacement of 101-0314-99 Soil Mechanics, one of following three courses is compulsory for students of major Soil Protection:
1. 651-4033-00 Soil Mechanics and Foundation (HS), or
2. 751-3404-00L Nutrient Fluxes in Soil-Plant Systems (FS), or
3. 701-1802-00L Ökologie von Waldböden (FS).
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
701-0535-00LEnvironmental Soil Physics/Vadose Zone Hydrology Information O3 credits2G + 2UD. Or
AbstractThe course provides theoretical and practical foundations for understanding and characterizing physical and transport properties of soils/ near-surface earth materials, and quantifying hydrological processes and fluxes of mass and energy at multiple scales. Emphasis is given to land-atmosphere interactions, the role of plants on hydrological cycles, and biophysical processes in soils.
ObjectiveStudents are able to
- characterize quantitative knowledge needed to measure and parameterize structural, flow and transport properties of partially-saturated porous media.
- quantify driving forces and resulting fluxes of water, solute, and heat in soils.
- apply modern measurement methods and analytical tools for hydrological data collection
- conduct and interpret a limited number of experimental studies
- explain links between physical processes in the vadose-zone and major societal and environmental challenges
ContentWeeks 1 to 3: Physical Properties of Soils and Other Porous Media – Units and dimensions, definitions and basic mass-volume relationships between the solid, liquid and gaseous phases; soil texture; particle size distributions; surface area; soil structure. Soil colloids and clay behavior

Soil Water Content and its Measurement - Definitions; measurement methods - gravimetric, neutron scattering, gamma attenuation; and time domain reflectometry; soil water storage and water balance.

Weeks 4 to 5: Soil Water Retention and Potential (Hydrostatics) - The energy state of soil water; total water potential and its components; properties of water (molecular, surface tension, and capillary rise); modern aspects of capillarity in porous media; units and calculations and measurement of equilibrium soil water potential components; soil water characteristic curves definitions and measurements; parametric models; hysteresis. Modern aspects of capillarity

Demo-Lab: Laboratory methods for determination of soil water characteristic curve (SWC), sensor pairing

Weeks 6 to 9: Water Flow in Soil - Hydrodynamics:
Part 1 - Laminar flow in tubes (Poiseuille's Law); Darcy's Law, conditions and states of flow; saturated flow; hydraulic conductivity and its measurement.

Lab #1: Measurement of saturated hydraulic conductivity in uniform and layered soil columns using the constant head method.

Part 2 - Unsaturated steady state flow; unsaturated hydraulic conductivity models and applications; non-steady flow and Richard’s Eq.; approximate solutions to infiltration (Green-Ampt, Philip); field methods for estimating soil hydraulic properties.
Midterm exam

Lab #2: Measurement of vertical infiltration into dry soil column - Green-Ampt, and Philip's approximations; infiltration rates and wetting front propagation.

Part 3 - Use of Hydrus model for simulation of unsaturated flow


Week 10 to 11: Energy Balance and Land Atmosphere Interactions - Radiation and energy balance; evapotranspiration definitions and estimation; transpiration, plant development and transpirtation coefficients – small and large scale influences on hydrological cycle; surface evaporation.

Week 12 to 13: Solute Transport in Soils – Transport mechanisms of solutes in porous media; breakthrough curves; convection-dispersion eq.; solutions for pulse and step solute application; parameter estimation; salt balance.

Lab #3: Miscible displacement and breakthrough curves for a conservative tracer through a column; data analysis and transport parameter estimation.

Additional topics:

Temperature and Heat Flow in Porous Media - Soil thermal properties; steady state heat flow; nonsteady heat flow; estimation of thermal properties; engineering applications.

Biological Processes in the Vaodse Zone – An overview of below-ground biological activity (plant roots, microbial, etc.); interplay between physical and biological processes. Focus on soil-atmosphere gaseous exchange; and challenges for bio- and phytoremediation.
Lecture notesClassnotes on website: Vadose Zone Hydrology, by Or D., J.M. Wraith, and M. Tuller
(available at the beginning of the semester)
Link
LiteratureSupplemental textbook (not mandatory) -Environmental Soil Physics, by: D. Hillel
701-1315-00LBiogeochemistry of Trace ElementsO3 credits2GA. Voegelin, M. Etique, L. Winkel
AbstractThe course addresses the biogeochemical classification and behavior of trace elements, including key processes driving the cycling of important trace elements in aquatic and terrestrial environments and the coupling of abiotic and biotic transformation processes of trace elements. Examples of the role of trace elements in natural or engineered systems will be presented and discussed in the course.
ObjectiveThe students are familiar with the chemical characteristics, the environmental behavior and fate, and the biogeochemical reactivity of different groups of trace elements. They are able to apply their knowledge on the interaction of trace elements with geosphere components and on abiotic and biotic transformation processes of trace elements to discuss and evaluate the behavior and impact of trace elements in aquatic and terrestrial systems.
Content(i) Definition, importance and biogeochemical classification of trace elements. (ii) Key biogeochemical processes controlling the cycling of different trace elements (base metals, redox-sensitive and chalcophile elements, volatile trace elements) in natural and engineered environments. (iii) Abiotic and biotic processes that determine the environmental fate and impact of selected trace elements.
Lecture notesSelected handouts (lecture notes, literature, exercises) will be distributed during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeStudents are expected to be familiar with the basic concepts of aquatic and soil chemistry covered in the respective classes at the bachelor level (soil mineralogy, soil organic matter, acid-base and redox reactions, complexation and sorption reactions, precipitation/dissolution reactions, thermodynamics, kinetics, carbonate buffer system).
This lecture is a prerequisite for attending the laboratory course "Trace elements laboratory".
701-1681-00LElement Balancing and Soil Functions in Managed EcosystemsO3 credits2GA. Keller
AbstractApplying element balances of agricultural soils and the assessment of soil functions for real applications in computer exercises to design preventive strategies against soil pollution and to support sustainable management of regional agroecosystems also in the context of spatial planning procedures.
ObjectiveThe students learn to critical assess changes in land use management on element cycles in agro-ecosystems and to assess soil services (soil functions). You design solutions for chemical problems in soil protection at the regional scale and learn to assess soil functions using different methods.
ContentThe students apply a regional balance model for Swiss regions in computer exercises and assess major soil functions of agricultural soils. You assess the sustainability of current land use and analyse management options improving nutrient and metal cycling in agro-ecosystems. The students will have the opportunity to calculate specific scenarios regarding land use management and environmental changes. Special focus we be paid on the soil services such as regulation-, production function and soil as habitat, and the assessment of these functions based on soil mapping data.
Lecture notesLiterature and Exercises for a case study
LiteratureLiterature will be provided.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course consists of lectures and computer exercises. The course take place every 2 weeks à 4 hours.
recommended prerequisites for attending this course:
- Bodenschutz und Landnutzung
- Biochemistry of Trace Elements
- Angewandte Bodenökologie
651-4033-00LSoil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Information Restricted registration - show details W4 credits3V + 2UM. Perras, A. Wolter, M. Stolz
AbstractThe course presents the principles of soil mechanics and soil behaviour characteristics and its applications in geotechnical structures and systems. It is based on more descriptive courses on Engineering Geology within the BSc Geol. Program and is a compulsory prerequisite for other courses within the MSc Eng. Geol. program.
ObjectiveUnderstanding the principles of soil behaviour and the fundamentals of geotechnical practices in soils.
Ability to communicate with geotechnical engineers.
ContentSoil Mechanics:
Fundamental concepts of strength and deformation of different soils. Introduction to geotechnical calculations
Significance of (ground)water
Geotechnical Engineering in Soils:
Evaluation of geotechnical scenarios, handling of forecast uncertainities, relation of soil properties and soil composition, interactions between soil and building,
standard construction methods in soils (foundations, slopes, dams and levees),
requirements for the geotechnical prognosis
Lecture notesThis lecture is supported by the textbook: "Geotechnical Engineering" by Donald P. Coduto, 2nd edition, 2011; ISBN-13: 978-0-13-135425-8
Prerequisites / NoticeCourses must be completed:
Introduction to Engineering Geology (BSc level)
Introduction to Groundwater
Sedimentology and Quaternary deposits
Principles of Physics

Courses recommended:
Eng Geol Site Investigations
Eng Geol Field Course I (soils)
Clay Mineralogy
Specialized Computer Laboratory
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0527-00LExperimental and Computer Laboratory I (Year Course) Information Restricted registration - show details O0 credits6PD. Braun, L. Biolley, N. Derlon, P. U. Lehmann Grunder, B. Lüthi, C. Paschmann, S. Pfister, A. Siviglia, A. Stritih, D. F. Vetsch
AbstractIn the Experimental and Computer Laboratory students are introduced to research and good scientific practice. Experiments are conducted in different disciplines of environmental engineering. Data collected during experiments are compared to the corresponding numeric simulations. The results are documented in reports or presentations.
ObjectiveThe student will learn the following skills: basic scientific work, planning and conducting scientific experiments, uncertainty estimations of measurements, applied numerical simulations, modern sensor technology, writing reports.
ContentThe Experimental and Computer Laboratory is building on courses in the corresponding modules. Material from these courses is a prerequisite or co-requisite (as specified below) for participating in the Experimental and Computer Laboratory (MODULE: Project in the Experimental and Computer Laboratory):
- AIR: Air Quality Measurements
- WASTE: Anaerobic Digestion
- ESD: Environmental Assessment
- GROUND: Groundwater Field Course Kappelen
- WRM: Modelling Optimal Water Allocation
- FLOW: 1D Open Chanel Flow Modelling
- LAND: Landscape Planning and Environmental Systems
- RIVER: Discharge Measurements
- HydEngr: Hydraulic Experiments
- RemSens: Microwave Measurements
- SOIL: Soil and Environmental Measurements Lab
Lecture notesWritten material will be available.
Minors
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
102-0227-00LSystems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management Information W6 credits4GE. Morgenroth, M. Maurer
AbstractSystematic introduction of material balances, transport processes, kinetics, stoichiometry and conservation. Ideal reactors, residence time distribution, heterogeneous systems, dynamic response of reactors. Parameter identification, local sensitivity, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation. Introduction to real time control (PID controllers). Extensive coding of examples in Berkeley Madonna.
ObjectiveThe goal of this course is to provide the students with an understanding and the tools to develop their own mathematical models, to plan experiments, to evaluate error propagation and to test simple process control strategies in the field of process engineering in urban water management.
ContentThe course will provide a broad introduction into the fundamentals of modeling water treatment systems. The topics are:
- Introduction into modeling and simulation
- The material balance equations, transport processes, transformation processes (kinetics, stoichiometry, conservation)
- Ideal reactors
- Hydraulic residence time distribution and modeling of real reactors
- Dynamic behavior of reactor systems
- Systems analytical tools: Sensitivity, parameter identification, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation
- Introduction to process control (PID controller, fuzzy control)
Lecture notesCopies of overheads will be made available.
LiteratureThere will be a required textbook that students need to purchase:
Willi Gujer (2008): Systems Analysis for Water Technology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course will be offered together with the course Process Engineering Ia. It is advantageous to follow both courses simultaneously.
  •  Page  1  of  4 Next page Last page     All