Water Quality Evaluation
Code
10724
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
António Pedro de Nobre Carmona Rodrigues
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The course aims to teach the basic concepts related to water quality and the effects of natural processes and pollution on the natural water environments (rivers, lakes, reservoirs and grounwater).
To study the main physical, chemical and biological parameters that allow the evaluation of water quality and the way to obtain valid results.
To approach the most adequate ways of carrying out sampling of different water bodies and the way the variables to be analysed should be selected.
Based on these concepts is intended to teach students how to establish evaluation and monitoring programs according to the national and european legislation.
Prerequisites
The course is intended for students who have completed the first cycle of university studies with valences in the fields of physics, chemistry and biology.
Subject matter
Introduction. General concepts of water quality in natural systems: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters. Definition of water quality. Natural processes which affect the water quality.
Main impacts of anthropogenic activities on water quality: Introduction; Topic pollution and diffuse pollution.
Eutrophication: (1) Definition; (2) Causes of eutrophication - Nutrients; (3) biochemical and biological manifestations of eutrophication; (4) technical, economic and social effects of eutrophication; (5) evaluation and classification of the trophic state; (6) Reduction of the causes and management of the effects of eutrophication.
Main organic and inorganic pollutants in water: forms of detection and quantification.
Thermal and radioactive pollution.
Objectives, criteria and water quality standards. Water Quality Regulation - European and national legislation.
Water quality monitoring: (1) monitoring networks and programs; (2) Objectives of the monitoring programs; (3) Development of monitoring programs and cost assessment; (4) Sampling - Technical requirements to the representativeness of the samples; (5) Field measurements.
Water quality characterization
- Physico-chemical parameters: (1) temperature; (2) odour; (3) color, turbidity and transparency; (4) total dissolved and suspended solids; (5) conductivity; (6) pH, acidity, alkalinity and carbon dioxide; (7) dissolved oxygen and redox potential; (8) Main anions and cations - hardness and salinity; ionic balance; (9) Organic matter: total organic carbon; chemical oxygen demand - COD vs. oxidability; biochemical oxygen demand; (10) nitrogen compounds; (11) phosphorus compounds; (12) Metals
- Biological and microbiological parameters.
Processing and interpretation of laboratory results. Analytical quality assurance.
Bibliography
Bartram, J. & Ballance, R. (Eds.). 1996. Water Quality Monitoring, 2nd. Ed., UNEP/WHO, E & FN Spon, 383 pp.
Chapman, D. (Ed.). 1996. Water Quality Assessments, 2nd. Ed., UNEP/WHO, E & FN Spon, 626 pp.
Sawyer, C. & McCarty, P. 2003. Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science 5th. Ed., McGraw-Hill Int. Ed., 752 pp.
Spellman, F.R. 2008. The Science of Water, CRC Press, 422 pp.