Course detail

Decontamination and Rehabilitation Technologies

FCH-MC_DSTAcad. year: 2025/2026

Students will be acquainted with aspects of long-term soil pollution of anthropogenic activities - mining, agricultural and industrial, and with the main groups of contaminants of the rock environment, both saturated and unsaturated zones, and with the characteristics of these pollutants related to the choice of decontamination process. Main aspects of the process of environment risk analysis and creation of remediation limits according to exposure scenarios will be discussed. Students also acquire information about processes of natural detoxification and decontamination and about the basic classification of decontamination technologies. The basic principles of the following method will be discussed: physical methods (ventilation, evaporation, extraction, soil washing, etc.), mechanical methods (removal of contaminated layers, covering, encapsulation etc.), chemical, biochemical and biotechnological procedures of remediation.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection (ÚCHTOŽP)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

During the semester student elaborates a seminar paper which is assigned at the beginning of the semester and presents it at the end of the semester. He also takes the exam.

The examination consists of two parts:
Part 1 - written - five questions are in the form of a test, five questions require written answers.
To obtain the classification in the range A-E it is necessary to achieve at least half the number of points. Each question is scored with the same number of points.
In the case of obtaining more than half the number of points, the second part is followed - oral examination.

The materials for the exam preparation are lectures on the e-learning portal.
Attendance at lectures is recommended but not checked.

Aims

The aim of the course is
- to provide students the principles and methods of environment decontamination and reclamation with the emphasis on poluted soils
- to specify aspects of individual methods used under particular conditions.
Students will know the legal aspects of rock environment protection.
Students will be acquainted with the main contaminants, which have a long-term impact on the environment, and characteristics of localities that fall under the area of old environmental burdens.
They will gain knowledge concerning the process of risk analysis and choice of remediation limits, on the basis of which the decontamination of the given site is decided.
They will know the main characteristics of saturated and unsaturated zone, which influence the choice of decontamination process and principles and methods of physical, chemical and biological decontamination technologies for saturated and unsaturated zone.
On the basis of this knowledge they will understand principles and methods of individual types of decontamination and will be able to design optimal decontamination technologies in concrete conditions.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Kolektiv autorů: Kompendium sanačních technologií. Ekomonitor 2006, ISBN 80-86832-15-5 (CS)
Slouka J., Beneš P.: Základy remediace kontaminovaného půdního prostředí. Ekomonitor 2016, ISBN: 978-80-86832-97-5 (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NKCP_ECHT Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme NPCP_ECHT Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

13 lectures - two hours
1 - Definition of the concept of remediation and decontamination, general principles of remediation procedures.
2 - Risk Analysis and Survey of Contaminated Territory, Risk Assessment.
3 - Definitions of the rock environment in terms of decontamination methods, main types of contaminants. Soil pollution by industrial and agricultural activities.
4 - Problems of groundwater contamination, namely problems conected with Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids.
5 - Basic classification and principles of decontamination and remedations methods.
6 - Natural methods of remediation with a focus on biological methods.
7 - Physical and mechanical methods of decontamination and remediation.
8 - Chemical methods for decontamination and remediation.
9 - Biotechnological and microbial remediation procedures.
10 - Groundwater decontamination.
11 - Decontamination of the gases.
12 - Analysis of valid legislation of the Czech Republic and the EU.
13 - Case studies - remediation interventions in the Czech Republic

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. MVDr. Helena Zlámalová Gargošová, Ph.D.