School of Civil Engineering - University of Leeds
Module Code and Title:
CIVE5575 – Groundwater Pollution and Contaminated
Land (GPCL)
Module Leader Associate Professor Xiaohui Chen
Assignment Title:
Coursework of Groundwater Pollution and
Contaminated Land (GPCL): PART A and PART B
Assignment Type: Summative
Assignment Weighting Report (40%) and Modelling (60%)
Word Limit
>4000 words excluding references, and the quality of
the report is the first priority.
Set Date Release date: 10/03/2024
Submission Date: 12:00PM, 26/April/2024
Submission Method: Minerva (see section 3.0)
Feedback Date: 3
rd
of June, 2024
Type of Feedback: Online feedback
Rationale
This coursework aims to tackle the urgent challenge of groundwater pollution and
contaminated lands, with a particular focus on hyper-alkaline leachate, leveraging the
knowledge acquired in the module. The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive
chemistry study using Phreeqc and to evaluate various restoration methods for
contaminated sites, paying special attention to the interactions between pollution chemistry
and soil/rock minerals. Through systematic manipulation of input parameters and diverse
leachates, the aim is to unravel the complex interplay between soil, pollution, and water
processes. This interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from hydrogeology,
geochemistry, and numerical modelling to shed light on the key factors influencing soil
contamination and groundwater flow. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the development
of effective strategies for mitigating groundwater and soil pollution in the context of a
changing climate.
Learning outcomes being assessed
At the end of this project, you should have
1. A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles in groundwater pollution and
contaminated land, including hydrogeology, geochemistry and mineralogy.
2. A critical awareness of groundwater pollution and contaminated land across the world,
especially in many developing countries, informed by the forefront of the specialization.
Understanding the source of pollution to groundwater and soils, and significance and
seriousness of groundwater pollution and contaminated land.
3. Understanding of concepts relevant to groundwater pollution and contaminated land, and
the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering
projects within the field.
4. Ability both to apply groundwater pollution modelling analysis for solving complex problem
in engineering and to assess their limitations. Ability to use the fundamental knowledge to
investigate new and emerging technologies in soils/groundwater restoration. Ability to collect
and analyse research data and use appropriate engineering tools to tackle new scenario of
pollutions.
5. Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or
uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and where appropriate, use theoretical
and modelling (e.g. using PHREEQC) research to mitigate deficiencies.
6. Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in groundwater
pollution and contaminated land. Awareness that engineering activities should promote
sustainable development (especially for water and soils) and ability to apply quantitative
techniques (e.g. numerical modelling) where appropriate.
7. Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials
(e.g. cement or soils) and components (minerals, e.g. Quartz or K-feldspar), and understand
the complexity of chemical transport within such porous media. A thorough understanding of
current practice, especially in modelling, and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely
new developments (e.g. coupled modelling).
8. Apply their skills in problem-solving, communication, information retrieval, working with
others, and the effective use of general IT facilities. Be able to develop use/develop
restoration methods for a real case study, and have an awareness of state-of-the-art
knowledge and knowledge sources relating to contaminated lands, nuclear waste disposal
and sustainable development...
Academic misconduct and plagiarism
Leeds students are part of an academic community that shares ideas and develops new
ones. You need to learn how to work with others, how to interpret and present other people's
ideas, and how to produce your own independent academic work.
It is essential that you can distinguish between other people's work and your own, and
correctly acknowledge other people's work.
All students new to the University are expected to complete an online Academic Integrity
tutorial and test, and all Leeds students should ensure that they are aware of the principles
of Academic integrity.
When you submit work for assessment it is expected that it will meet the University’s
academic integrity standards.
Assignment Guidance and Criteria (please see the coursework brief and the appendix
for the criteria)
1.0 Introduction –Rationale and Learning Outcome
GPCL coursework aims to equip the MSc/MEng students with a deeper and systemic
understanding of the knowledge and numerical skills associated with the Geo-Environmental
Issues. There are two parts of the coursework: (1) develop a method for restoration of
contaminated land (40%); (2) Using software to develop a pollution kinetical model (60%, note
here, the software Phreeqc has been deployed in the following computer clusters: Civil Eng
501, Civil Eng 504 and SCAPE G06). The amount of time you should allocate to this part of
the module is approximately 150 hours (3 weeks), including contact time.
The submission date for this project is 12:00PM, 26/April/2024. Accordingly, it is imperative
that you carefully plan the work to ensure you leave yourself sufficient time to complete all
elements of the project. Each student is advised to plan their use of time.
At the end of this project, you should have
• Further improved your knowledge and understanding of groundwater pollution and soil
contamination
• Further improved your knowledge and understanding of remediation technologies
• Been able to apply some of the knowledge to contribute solving of Environmental problems
and understanding from previous learning to satisfy the present requirements
• Developed a solution to an engineering problem via a case support.
• Improved your ability to learn independently using various learning and information resources
• Improved time management skills
• Improved written skills
• Been able to reinforce some aspects of previous learning
2.0 Learning Resources
The GPCL coursework is meant to be a vehicle by which you can demonstrate your ability to
work independently and contribute using your knowledge in a team. There are specific
practical session (computational modelling) associated with this module. You should consider
the tasks in hand and look to apply what you have learned in your theory so far.
3.0 Submission, Marking Schedule, Feedback
The submission date/time is 12:00PM, 26/April/2024 (only a single copy of the report is
required, including print copies of the program file). Only the electric copy is required: the
electric copy of the report should be submitted via turnitin in Minerva CIVE5575 (assessment
folder). Appropriate penalties will be incurred for a late submission.
A standard coursework cover sheet should be used, clearly stating names, module code and
module leader (Dr Xiaohui Chen).
The report should include the following:
• A cover page entitled “CIVE 5575 Groundwater Pollution and Contaminated Land”
• Title sheet
• Contents page
• Detailed and fully justified responses to the method and modelling prediction you
developed for a selected contaminated site.
Please note you will not have your work returned to you. Accordingly, if you wish to keep a
copy, you will to need to give yourself time to make your own prior to final submission.
Mark Schedule
a) 40 marks (Report)
b) 60 marks (Program) including input file (30 Marks) and Results analysis (30 Marks)
Grade Feedback: Since this is a large piece of coursework representing the exam of the
module, an indicative grade will be given for the report. The grade will be provided to GPCL
total marks, based on the aforementioned marking schedule.
THE COURSEWORK DETAILED BRIEF
Soils and groundwater are indispensable resources crucial for sustaining human life, providing
essential support for agriculture and drinking water. However, the relentless expansion of
civilization and industrialization has led to the generation of pollutants and waste, posing
significant and enduring threats to our fragile geoenvironment, resulting in widespread
contamination of lands and groundwater reserves.
Against the backdrop of the escalating climate change crisis, characterized by an increase in
extreme events like frequent flooding, the imperative to enhance existing methods for restoring
contaminated land and groundwater has become ever more pressing. The efficacy of
decontamination efforts is increasingly challenged by the intensifying impacts of climate
change, necessitating a nuanced approach to remediation strategies.
A plethora of technologies, both ex-situ and in-situ, are employed for the remediation of
contaminated land and groundwater. However, selecting the most appropriate method amidst
the myriad options is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. Factors influencing this decision
include the geographical extent and severity of contamination, whether the affected area is
residential or industrial, the nature and concentration of contaminants, accessibility to
contamination sources, proximity to aquifers, soil characteristics influencing contaminant
transport, and overall cost considerations.
Hyper-alkaline leachate, commonly originating from industries such as steel production,
chemical plants, and radioactive waste disposal, stands out as a significant source of pollution.
In this coursework, the focal point lies in conducting an environmental assessment of a
mixture of three cement leachates (e.g., YCL, ICL, and OCL) on soils/rocks. A profound
understanding of the interaction between leachate and soils is pivotal for a comprehensive
environmental assessment.
Soils typically comprise multiple minerals, including Quartz and K-feldspar. As part of the
coursework, students are tasked with selecting a type of host soil containing at least two
minerals for the hyper-alkaline leachates. Additionally, students will develop a kinetical
reaction model based on the Phreeqc input file for the kinetical reaction of quartz, facilitating
a deeper understanding of the chemical processes at play.
Successful completion of this coursework necessitates a broad understanding of various
disciplines, including Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Geochemical reactions,
Chemical Transport and Reaction, and Soil Restoration methods, to address the multifaceted
challenges inherent in remediating contaminated soils and groundwater.
The following tasks are expected of you:
PART A: Report: Literature review and knowledge report (40% of the total marks). Please
consult research papers as an example when writing this report, and justify the method you
selected for the treatment of a contaminated site (please select a site from literature or design
a site by yourself). List the most preferable (in-situ and ex-situ) for dealing with hyper-alkaline
leachate contaminated site in extreme weather conditions, reporting the reasons for choosing
them. (Note: there are various hyper-alkaline leachates, you can select one of them, or have
a general review of all of them in this report)
Example Format:
Topics: Groundwater pollution and contaminated lands
(1) Abstract
(2) Literature Review
(3) Proposed methods
(4) Justification of this method, and comparison with other methods.
(5) Conclusion.
(6) Case study (from section b as below)
(7) Reference
(8) Appendix: attach the input file of your Phreeqc program.
PART B: Modelling. Program files and analysis report
• Write program files. This task is to get a deeper understanding of the
mechanism for the kinetical reaction. Please use the provided example input
file, and modify it according to the data of minerals from the literature and the
lecture notes for a hyper-alkaline leachate (e.g. the ICL).
• Please identify the surface area of the minerals in the host soil, the kinetics of
quartz dissolution and other minerals, to update in your program file and predict
the chemical concentration change. Note: please refer to the programme file:
Quartz-kinetics in Phreeqc contents.
• Case study: please have a discussion of the results you obtained from the input
file, including the concentration change along with time, and describe how you
can contribute your knowledge to the restoration method you developed in
PART A (please note: this needs to be included in (PART 1) for the
submission).
Appendix: Grading details.
Weighting Mark as
%
Student name: EEPM/
GEO
Overall Feedback
Mark as
%
Contents
0.2
Literature Review 1, Literature (20%)
Coverage of
literature (50%)
Use of comprehensive primary,
secondary and tertiary literature to
make/support arguments and tell a
‘story’
Research
problem (25%)
Critical analysis of the literature to
derive genuine gap(s) in
knowledge/research
problem(s)/research question(s)
Structure and
style (s) (10%)
All components such as chapters,
sections, subsections, paragraphs,
Tables, Figures, etc. put together in a
logical way in academic writing style
References (s)
(15%)
Accurate inclusion of all relevant
citations in the body the document and
list of references using a standard
system of referencing (FOR all parts).
0.2
Literature Review 2, Proper selection of the restoration method
(20%)
Research design
(25%)
Accurate and comprehensive use of a
specified research design model to
plan the research
Research
method (25%)
Accurate specification of justified
method(s) for each research objective
Presentation
(25%)
All components and the document as
a whole prepared with layout, format,
binding, etc. to enhance readability
Contents (25%) Accurate inclusion of all relevant
contents in the body the document
which support the selection of
restoration methods.
0.3
Program Input file (30%)
Question1 (25%) Add Cement leachate as solution
Question 2 (25%) Add one more kinetics mineral for
dissolution
Question 3 (25%) Plot pH-TIME
Question 4 (25%) Add a graph of key element released
from the minerals
0.3
Case study (30%)
Grammar and
spelling (25%)
Correct use of words, sentences,
punctuation to communicate the
desired message
Presentation
(25%)
All components and the document as
a whole prepared with layout, format,
binding, etc. to enhance readability
Results analysis
(25%)
Indepth analysis, with right
understanding of mechanisam for
chemicals transport in soils/rocks;
proper conclusion.
Contents (25%) Accurate inclusion of all relevant
contents in the body the document
which support the case study analysis.
Overall
Estimated Grade
