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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Submarine Freshwater Springs
Prepares you to study submarine freshwater springs and submarine groundwater discharge, a little-seen but significant part of the water cycle. You will study coastal and karst hydrogeology, saltwater intrusion, freshwater…
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Submarine Freshwater Springs?
The Diploma in Submarine Freshwater Springs
Prepares you to study submarine freshwater springs and submarine groundwater discharge, a little-seen but significant part of the water cycle. You will study coastal and karst hydrogeology, saltwater intrusion, freshwater aquifers beneath the continental shelf, detection techniques using tracers, remote sensing and geophysics, their effects on coastal chemistry and ecosystems and, cautiously, the real possibilities and limits of using them as a water resource.
Key advantages
- A hidden resource: An emerging subject on the boundary between hydrogeology and oceanography.
- Detection methods: Geochemical tracers, thermal infrared and marine geophysics.
- Ecological perspective: Nutrients, pollutants and associated coastal ecosystems.
- Water management: Saltwater intrusion and integrated coastal aquifer management.
- Case study: A research plan for a coastal area with discharges.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand the system: Grasp the connection between aquifers and the sea.
- Detect discharges: Apply tracers, sensors and remote sensing.
- Model the flow: Use variable-density models.
- Assess impacts: Analyse nutrients, pollutants and ecosystems.
- Broaden your profile: Open doors to hydrogeology, consultancy and water management.
- Train to find and manage the fresh water that reaches the sea underground.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Coastal Hydrogeology
- Coastal aquifers
- The freshwater-saltwater interface
- Saltwater intrusion
- Aquifer water balance
- Recharge and discharge
- Tidal variations
- Effects of sea level rise
- Managing coastal aquifers
02
Submarine Groundwater Discharge
- Concept and components of discharge
- Fresh discharge and saline recirculation
- Submarine karst springs
- Diffuse discharge through sediments
- Freshwater aquifers beneath the shelf
- Origin of fossil fresh water
- Regional and global estimates
- Uncertainties
03
Geochemical Methods and Tracers
- Salinity and temperature
- Radon and radium as tracers
- Stable water isotopes
- Nutrients as indicators
- Sampling in the intertidal zone
- Piezometers and seepage meters
- Continuous time series
- Interpreting data
04
Remote Sensing and Geophysics
- Airborne and satellite thermal infrared
- Drones with thermal sensors
- Coastal electrical resistivity tomography
- Marine electromagnetic methods
- High-resolution seismic
- Bathymetry and karst morphology
- Underwater vehicles and scientific diving
- Integrating methods
05
Flow Modelling
- Conceptual models
- Variable-density flow
- Modelling software
- Calibration with field data
- Pumping scenarios
- Climate scenarios
- Model uncertainty
- Communicating results
06
Ecology and Water Quality
- Nutrient inputs to the sea
- Transported pollutants
- Coastal eutrophication
- Spring-associated ecosystems
- Seagrass meadows and discharges
- Local acidification
- Biological indicators
- Environmental monitoring
07
Use and Management
- A usable resource or not?
- Capture experiences and their limits
- Risks of over-abstraction
- Protecting water quality
- The regulatory framework for groundwater
- Integrated coastal zone management
- Islands and arid areas
- User participation
08
Case Study: A Research Plan for Submarine Discharges
- Choosing the coastal area
- Geological and hydrogeological review
- Discharge hypotheses
- Selecting detection methods
- Designing the survey
- Modelling plan
- Ecological and management appraisal
- Presenting the plan
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Hydrogeologists and geologists: who want to extend their work to coastal and marine settings Oceanographers and marine chemists: interested in groundwater inputs River basin authority and public administration staff: who manage coastal aquifers Environmental consultants: assessing coastal water quality Water professionals on islands and coasts: looking for new sources of knowledge
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand coastal hydrogeology
- 02Characterise submarine springs
- 03Apply detection techniques
- 04Model the flow
- 05Assess ecological effects
- 06Evaluate resource management
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Coastal hydrogeologist: Aquifer and discharge studies.
02River basin authority specialist: Managing aquifers and saltwater intrusion.
03Environmental consultant: Coastal water quality and nutrients.
04Remote sensing specialist: Thermal detection of discharges.
05Island water specialist: Water resource planning.
06Researcher: Coastal hydrology and oceanography.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Capture has been attempted in some places, but the water usually mixes with seawater and its use is limited. The programme looks at the possibilities cautiously.
Both: it is a developing field with direct applications in aquifer and coastal water quality management.
It helps, but the fundamentals are reviewed.
Yes. You work with published thermal, geochemical and geophysical data.
Designing a research plan for submarine discharges in a coastal area.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Submarine Freshwater Springs qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in geology, environmental science, marine science, civil engineering, chemistry or a related field; or professional experience in water management or geosciences. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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