280203 VU Groundwater and Vadose Zone Systems (2026S)

This course provides a quantitative and process-based introduction to environmental processes in soils (vadose zone) and groundwater systems. The focus is on the movement and transformation of water and chemical substances from the soil zone to aquifers, and on the implications for environmental quality and remediation. Students acquire fundamental knowledge of soil science, hydrogeology, and contaminant behaviour, and learn how these components interact within coupled soil–groundwater systems.

The course combines theoretical foundations with applied and analytical approaches. Practical components include data analysis and numerical modelling exercises to simulate water flow and contaminant transport. By the end of the course, students are familiar with principal qualitative and quantitative assessment methods in hydrogeology and soil science, are acquainted with modern investigative and modelling approaches, and are able to apply these methods to environmentally relevant questions involving selected contaminant classes.

1) Soil Formation, Chemistry and Inorganic Soil Pollution
Students examine the fundamentals of soil formation, soil functions, and soil chemistry. Emphasis is placed on how soil solid phases and pore water properties control the mobility, speciation, and bioavailability of inorganic contaminants. Conceptual and quantitative models, including the Free Ion Activity Model and the Biotic Ligand Model, are introduced. The course covers the behaviour of heavy metals in soils, analytical methods for determining soil physical and chemical properties, and approaches for assessing soil contamination. Principles and selected techniques for the remediation of soils contaminated with inorganic pollutants are also addressed.

2) Groundwater Flow and Transport
This part introduces key hydrogeological parameters controlling groundwater flow, including recharge, discharge, and hydraulic properties of aquifers. Students learn field and analytical methods to determine these parameters and apply governing equations for saturated flow and solute transport in three dimensions. The course includes an introduction to numerical methods for solving groundwater flow problems and interpreting pumping test data. Students develop a simplified three-dimensional numerical groundwater model, addressing conceptual model development, boundary conditions, spatial discretisation, calibration, and validation.

3) Remediation of Contaminants in Soil and Groundwater
The course further addresses the occurrence, behaviour, and risk assessment of common organic contaminants in soil and groundwater, including petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. Students gain an overview of conventional remediation technologies and the criteria used to evaluate their applicability and effectiveness. Emerging contaminant groups and innovative remediation approaches are also introduced, with attention to process understanding and system-specific constraints.

Overall, the course equips students to analyse and address environmental problems related to soil and groundwater contamination using a combination of conceptual understanding, quantitative methods, and modelling tools. It complements other courses in the Environmental Geosciences curriculum, particularly those focusing on organic contaminants and field and laboratory investigations. All course materials and organisational details are provided via Moodle; students are expected to consult the platform regularly.