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101-0339-00L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-BAUG , D-USYS

Environmental Geotechnics – Polluted Sites and Waste Disposal

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Michael Plötze
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:25

Abstract

The practice of landfilling, remediation of polluted sites and the disposal of radioactive waste are based on the same concepts of environmental protection. Understanding the contaminants behaviour and how to reduce their release to the environment is the key to remediating polluted sites and designing multi-barrier systems.

Objective

On successful completion of this course students will be able to - Assess the risk to the environment from landfills, contaminated sites and radioactive waste repositories in terms of the fate and transport of contaminants. - Describe the technologies available to minimise environmental contamination - Describe the principles of dealing with polluted sites and propose and evaluate appropriate remediation techniques - Explain the concepts underlying radioactive waste management practices.

Content

This lecture course consists of lectures with exercises and case studies. - An overview of the principles of environmental protection in waste management and how this is applied in legislation. - An overview of the chemistry underlying the release and transport of contaminants from the landfilled/contaminated material/radioactive waste repository focusing on processes controlling mobility of heavy metals and organic compounds - Introduction to contaminant transport in porous adsorbing media - Design and function of engineered barriers. Clay as a barrier. - Polluted site remediation: Site investigation, assessment, and remediation technologies - Concepts and safety in radioactive waste management - Role of the geological and engineered barriers and radionuclide transport in geological media.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Environmental Geotechnics – Polluted Sites and Waste Disposal
Remark: former title until HS22 "Umweltgeotechnik" (Environmental Geotechnics). No obtaining of credits possible if 102-0337-00L Landfilling, Contaminated Sites and Radioactive Waste Repositories (offered until HS22) has been passed successfully.
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In