PřF:GS021 Environmental geology - Course Information

GS021 Environmental geology

Extent and Intensity

0/0/0. 0 credit(s). Type of Completion: -.
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Pavel Pracný, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Pavel Pracný, Ph.D.
Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Ing. Jana Pechmannová
Supplier department: Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science

Prerequisites (in Czech)

( G9811 Geochem. exogen. proc. || NOW( G9811 Geochem. exogen. proc. ) || G9811k Geochem. exogen. proc. || NOW( G9811k Geochem. exogen. proc. )) && ( GA921 Environmental Geochemistry || NOW( GA921 Environmental Geochemistry ) || GA921k Environmental Geochemistry || NOW( GA921k Environmental Geochemistry ))

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 16 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

Students can apply general principles of geology in solving environmental problems. They are able to think critically and independently and make decisions on topics related to the environmental protection.

Learning outcomes

The graduate will understand basic and key processes in geological time and physico-chemical processes in environment. The graduate is able to solve basic tasks in applied environmental sciences. The graduate will be able to focus on environmental pollution and subsequent reclamation for practical purposes.

Syllabus

• 1.Fundamentals of Environmental Geology and Environmental Science
• * Basic concepts (ecosystems, sustainability...), human relationship with nature
• * Current environmental challenges and crises (desertification, soil salinization, biodiversity loss...)
• * Climate change – causes, manifestations, geological past
• 2.Geosystems
• * Geosphere: Earth's structure, plate tectonics, rock cycle, rocks and minerals
• * Other geosystems: hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere
• * Biogeochemical cycles
• 3. Geochemical Fundamentals, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics of Natural Processes
• * Thermodynamics of the water-rock-atmosphere system (especially equilibria and stability)
• * Kinetics of water-rock-atmosphere interactions
• * Properties of water, dissolved substances, activity
• * Basics of hydrochemical analytics
• 4. Natural Hazards and Geological Processes
• * Earthquakes, slope processes, and related hazards
• * Volcanism
• * Rivers and floods, coastal processes
• 5. Water in the Natural Environment
• * Hydrological cycle, precipitation, groundwater
• * Acid-base systems in natural waters
• * Redox systems in natural waters
• 6. Isotopes
• * Stable and radioactive isotopes
• * Isotope systems in hydrogeochemistry (e.g., use of stable isotopes for tracking water movement)
• 7. Soil
• * Weathering and soil formation
• * Soil and its threats
• 8. Raw Materials – Mineral and Energy Resources
• * Mineral resources, energy raw materials, and pollution
• * Water resources and water pollution
• * Waste
• 9. Environmental Pollution
• * Atmospheric pollution
• * Pollutants in the environment
• * Microorganisms in the environment, microbial degradation of pollutants, water treatment
• * Water-rock interactions and sorption processes
• 10. Nature and Environmental Protection
• * Nature conservation in the Czech Republic, legislative measures, international conventions (Natura 2000, Ramsar Convention...), and societal attitudes

Assessment methods

The exam is in oral form.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.

• Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/GS021