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Geology and Soil Science I

Course developer

Course abstract

Introduction in geological science. Characterization of widespread minerals, rocks and parent rocks of soils, soil mechanical and hydrophysical properties. Importance of geological structure, relief and geological processes in forming processes of water resources. Ground water: genesis, classification, motion regularity, resources, exploitation, study methods and importance in national economy. Geological maps usage in ground water resources planning. Development and rational exploitation of mineral resources.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge about geological structure, geological processes and relief significance in clarification of hydrogeological conditions.
• Skills - identify type of sediments and rocks. Using data of geological boreholes and other geological information, for example, geological and topographical maps, construct geological sections, carry out them interpretation, define genesis of rocks and sediments, distribution of geological processes potential risk zones, establishing probable sediments of water horizons, from hydrogeological date calculate ground water motion direction and conductivity. Different relief forms distribution, recognize ongoing geological processes in nature.
• Competence in groundwater resources extraction planning, extraction and exploitation take note on study site relief and geological structure, not promote evolution of geological processes and use natural rock material in nature in professional activities.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time intramural studies
1. Basic tasks of geological science, role in environmental and water management. Composition of the Earth inner spheres and the Earth's crust (general characteristics) (lecture 1h)
2. Minerals. Mineral classification, mineral determination methods (lecture 1h)
3. Minerals. Study collections learning (laboratory works 3h)
4. Endogenous geological processes (lecture 1h)
5. Geological time, age of the Earth. Geochronological scale (lecture 2h)
6. Rocks. Classification and determination methods (lecture 1h)
7. Physical-mechanical properties of rocks (lecture 1h).
8. Physical-mechanical properties of rocks (laboratory works 3h)
9. Exogenous geological processes (lecture 1h)
10. Rocks. Study collections learning (laboratory works 4h)
11. Basics of hydrogeology. Groundwater classification (lecture 1h)
12. Geological research methods (lecture 1h)
13. Geological profile construction (laboratory works 4h)
14. Surface water geological processes (lecture 1h)
15. Drawing of a hydroisohips map (laboratory works 1h)
16. Geological of glaciers and glacial landforms (lecture 1h)
17. Basics of geomorphology (lecture 1h)
18. Relief of Latvia (laboratory works 1h)
19. Geological structure of Latvia (lecture/seminar 1h)
20. Modelling of groundwater flows and migration of pollution (lecture / seminar 2h).

Part-time extramural studies

All topics specified for full-time intramural studies are implemented, but the number of contact hours is ½ from the number of indicated hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

1. All laboratory works have been successfully developed and finished;

2. 2 tests have been successfully passed (1st test about topics 1–10; 2nd test about topics 10–20);

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student independently prepares for theoretical tests / seminars / test, independently deepening knowledge about study course topics, independtly learning literature about the issues indicated by the lecturer, which are within the topics included in the study course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

If the student has successfully passed all laboratory works and a successful grade has been obtained in both tests, then at the student's choice it is possible to receive a cumulative grade and not pass the final test. On the other hand, if one of the tests fails, a final test must be taken at the end of the study course, which includes questions on topics from 1st to 20.

Compulsory reading

1. Noviks G. Inženierģeoloģija: iežu fizikālās īpašības: uzdevumi, vingrinājumi, metodes. Rēzekne: Rēzeknes Augstskola, 1998. 46 lpp.
2. Ģeoloģija, augsne, agroķīmija: metodiskie norādījumi mācību praksei. Kārkliņa A. red. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 88 lpp.
3. Bambergs K. Ģeoloģija un hidroģeoloģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1993. 328 lpp.

Further reading

1. Eberhards G., Lapinskis J. Baltijas jūras Latvijas krasta procesi. Atlants = Processes on the Latvian Coast of the Baltic Sea. Atlas. Rīga: LU, 2008. 64 lpp.
2. Segliņš V., Stinkule A., Stinkulis Ģ. Derīgie izrakteņi Latvijā. Rīga: LU, 2013. 184 lpp.
3. Āboltiņš O. No leduslaikmeta līdz globālajai sasilšanai. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 127 lpp.

Notes

This course is compulsory for professional higher education bachelor study program "Environment and Water Management"