OVERVIEW

In the environmental engineering context, knowledge of the transport processes and dispersion of pollutants in natural systems (rivers, lakes, estuaries and lagoons, coastal areas and the sea) is a subject of paramount importance and extremely characterizing the environmental engineer.
The course provides the basic elements from the point of view of theoretical knowledge and provides an opportunity to deepen the specific problems of some of the aferomentioned natural environments.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The main objectives of the course are:
1. provide the basic theoretical knowledge needed to better understand which are the most suitable models for the study of pollutant transport processes in different natural environments
2. provide specific training in the context of river channels in close liaison with the contents of the river hydraulic module
3. enable students to use a numerical simulation program mixing processes in rivers
4. provide basic knowledge for estuarine environments

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures and the use of a  pubblic domain software for numerical simulation of processes of dispersion in natural waterways

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into three main parts:
1. Fundamentals of diffusion and dispersion processes
molecular diffusion: fundamentals, Fick law, fundamental solution, method of images, examples of applications; turbulent diffusion: fundamentals, tensor of turbulent diffusivity, examples of applications; Dispersion: foundations, theory of Taylor (dispersion in the ducts) and Elder (dispersion in free-surface currents);
2. mixing processes in natural streams
Description of the three mixing regimes : near field, intermediate field, far field; models with constant and variables coefficients;
3. mixing processes in estuaries
study of mixing processes in estuarine systems induced by the tide

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course notes

Fischer et al. - Mixing in Inland and Coastal Waters – Academic Press - 1979

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO ENRICO COLOMBINI (President)

ALESSANDRO STOCCHINO (President)

PAOLO BLONDEAUX

LESSONS

LESSONS START

second semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam involves the development of a training exercise based on the numerical simulation of a real case study and an oral exam on the course contents

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral test is intended to determine the level of understanding achieved by the student primarily on the foundation parts. The student must demonstrate that they know how to steer, especially in relations between the concepts explained in class. The questions will cover all of the material presented in class and often will request the ability to connect various topics
Exercise practice of numerical simulation will be used to assess the student's ability to apply critically the theoretical concepts explained during the course

Exam schedule