This module will introduce you to the governing hydrodynamic and pollutant transport and mixing processes in rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. Also, it will present the key sources of water pollution and the UK and EU legislation covering the quality of drinking water, treated effluents and impact on decarbonisation. 

LO1. Critically evaluate the Navier-Stokes equations of motion for 3-D flows in rivers, estuaries and coastal waters, and distinguish the structure and meaning of each of the various terms of the equations. 

LO2. Evaluate how the 3-D governing flow equations can be reduced to 2-D and 1-D for flow in well-mixed estuaries and rivers respectively. 

LO3. Apply the governing equation of pollutant transport to rivers, estuaries and coastal waters and evaluate the governing processes for advection, diffusion, dispersion and decay. 

LO4. Appraise the prime water quality indicators for coastal and inland waters and explain the UK and EU legislative compliance criteria for the quality of drinking water and treated effluents. 

LO5. Assess the main aspects affecting reservoir stratification and water quality control. 

LO6. Critically appraise the use of jets and plumes in the environment and impact on decarbonisation. 

The module will be delivered through face-to-face teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes (tutorials, feedback sessions). These are used to explain the principles of environmental fluid mechanics and to develop the student's understanding of the subject matter and its relevance to environmental hydraulic engineering problems. 

Students are expected to attempt all of the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module in preparation for the relevant tutorial classes and to broaden their understanding of relevant engineering problems. Successful completion of all the tutorial sheets and background reading around the subject will help the student towards meeting the learning outcomes. 

You will develop your subject-specific knowledge in developing your Independent and critical thinking skills. You will need to:  

• Derive the governing equations of motion and pollutant transport from first principles. 

• Evaluate a wide range of hydro-environmental problems and analyse fluid flow problems for various boundary conditions. 

• Assess hydro-environmental issues, the processes of pollution and the steps needed to comply with legislative constraints. 

• Appraise the application of computational environmental hydraulics models and the requirements for good water quality. 

This module is assessed by a written examination (LO 1-6). Formative feedback is provided via tutorials and an online test. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

There is a potential for re-assessment in this module which may result in a 100% written assessment during the August Resit period. 

Introduction 

• Course overview, turbulence in the environment and engineering, governing equations 

• Decarbonisation and impact on environmental processes. 

Transport and Mixing 

• Diffusion in steady systems 

• Transport in Flowing Fluids 

• Turbulent Diffusion 

• Longitudinal Dispersion 

Reservoir Mechanics 

• Energy Budget 

• Stratification 

• Annual Cycles 

• Water Quality Control 

Rivers and Channels 

• Fundamentals of River Flow 

• Mixing in Rivers and Streams 

• Discharge Measurements 

Jets and Plumes 

• Properties and characterization 

• Pure Jets 

• Pure Plumes 

• Buoyant Jets