ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS

GEO/11 - 6 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

SEBASTIANO IMPOSA


Learning Objectives

The course aims to provide the adequate knowledge of the main methodologies of geophysical survey, aimed at understanding the mechanisms of environmental pollution in order to capture all the parameters that are useful for planning subsequent clean-up operations. In particular, the topics it dealt with aim to provide adequate knowledge of physical principles underpinning the operation of investigation techniques, as well as provide adequate knowledge of measurement techniques and commonly used instrumentation. Being non-invasive investigations, preventive information acquisition from different geological and geomorphological disciplines, allowing, through the interpretation of geophysical data, modeling of the subsoil in order to optimize rehabilitation interventions. Finally, all possible measures must be designed according to the Italian and European legislation.



Detailed Course Content

Introduction to geophysical prospecting methods and their physical quantities measurement. Direct and indirect measures. Unit of measure. Measuring tools. Use of templates. Use and choice of an interpretative model. Interpretative ambiguity: the principle of equivalence. Geophysical data interpretation. Interpretation in geological terms. Geophysical surveys and sizes. Geoelectrical Methods. Resistance and resistivity. Apparent resistivity measures. Electrode and stringing geometric factor. Electrode configurations: Wenner, Schlumberger, polo-polo, polo-dipole, Dipole-Dipole. Vertical Electric polls and their meaning. Electrical tomography Pseudosections and 2D and 3D tomographic sections. Data acquisition techniques in 2D and 3D. technique of roll-along. Electrical tomography applications to environmental research. Overview of laboratory and instrumentation. Seismic Prospecting. Elastic modules. Propagation of elastic waves. Velocity of various types of waves. Relationship between speed and elastic parameters of underground formations. Reflection, refraction and diffraction. Attenuation phenomena. Receiver, transmitter, geophone. Main stages of seismic paths for a layered ground: direct wave, wave reflected and refracted wave. application examples; Tomography. Mono modelling, two-dimensional and 3D. Overview of laboratory and field instrumentation. Impulsive electromagnetic methods. Ground Penetrating Radar (georadar). Instrument characteristics and principles of operation. Acquisition, processing and interpretation of data. Antennae and receivers. Choose the frequency of the antenna. With-siderazioni on the G.P.R exploration. exploration G.P.R limits. Application examples. Gravimetric and magnetic methods: Overview and application examples. Instrumentation and measurements. Contaminated sites. Protocol for characterizing and monitoring of contaminated sites within the framework of the Ministerial Decree 471/99 and of DG. Properties of the contaminants. The role of non-invasive investigation techniques in characterization of contaminated sites. Definition of the conceptual model. Risk analysis. Electrokinetic remediation of contaminated soils. Geophysical surveys, monitoring of polluted sites and application methodologies useful for the identification, estimation and procedures for their reclamation. Study of environmental principles in Italian legislation and European legislation DGL 15.6.2006. Case studies in Sicily. CO2. Investigations aimed at identifying traps and trapping technologies and sequestration of CO2. Geological storage of CO2. State of the art of CO2 geological storage under CCS (CO2 Capture & Storage) in Italy and abroad. The geological CO2 storage in Italy. Greenhouse gases underground.



Textbook Information

Coco G, Corrao M (2009) Geofisica applicata. Flaccovio Editors: Palermo, Italy

Telford W. M., Gelsdart L.P., Sheriff R.E., Keys D.A. - “Applied Geophysics” - Cambridge University Press, 1976.
Reynolds J.M. (1997): An introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics. J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 796 pp.




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