Class Water Pollution

The field of action of this curricular unit is aimed at generalist engineering, appealing and developing the knowledge previously acquired with a view to protecting and preserving the water environment through methodologies to combat pollution.

The relevance of the curricular unit is in providing and raising awareness of the most relevant indicators to be aware of when facing different types of pollution.

Water in nature. Hydrological cycle and balance. Aquatic systems. Concept of pollution, types of pollutants. Water uses and quality requirements. The quality of surface waters. Dissolved oxygen and organic matter in surface waters. Self-depuration of aquatic systems. Mathematical models to estimate the self-depuration of a system. Surface waters. Stratification. Organic matter and nutrients. Oxygen depletion. Trophic state. Management of surface water engineering. Groundwater quality indicators. Potential groundwater contaminating activities. Contaminants in groundwater. Remediation technologies.

Active teaching methodology places the student at the centre of the learning process. Students are encouraged to solve exercises autonomously having the opportunity to discuss with their peers the methodology to solve the problems during the class. This approach will allow students to develop critical thinking, increasing their problem-solving capacity.

• Nesaratnam, Suresh T.; Water Pollution Control; John Wiley & Sons, 2014; 240 pag.; ISBN: 9781118863800.
• Helmer, R.; Hespanhol, I.; Water Pollution Control: A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management Principles; CRC Press, 2017; 526 pag.; ISBN: 9780203477540
• Oregon State University; Clean Water: An Introduction to Water Quality and Water Pollution Control (2nd Edition); Oregon State University Press, 2003; 192 pag.; ISBN: 9780870714986
• Apontamentos do professor.