University of Guyana – Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Petroleum and Geological Engineering

Final Exam – Semester 2

GEM 2208 Environmental Geology
Duration – 2 1/2 Hours

Lecturer: Travis October __________________________________

Instructions to Students
1. This paper contains five (5) questions. Answer Question #1 and any other
three (3) Questions.
2. Each satisfactorily answered question is worth the marks shown (for a
total of 100 marks).
3. Unsatisfactory or partial answers will be marked less, as appropriate.
4. Answers should be as clear as possible and concise. The use of
illustrations and examples is advised.

Exam Questions
Question 1 (Total- 25 Marks)
General:
a) Identify one (1) sector in Guyana e.g. (Mining, Agriculture, and Oil/Gas, Natural
or Landfills) and discuss the objectives and importance of Environmental
Geology within this area.

b) Within the sector identified in (a) above, discuss some of the ways in which
Environmental Geology can be applied for the prediction, assessment, analysis,
prevention and mitigation of impacts arising from activities carried out during
the different phases of development.

c) Discuss the ultimate goal of Environmental Geology while citing the specific roles
we play as Earth Scientist in this field?

For high marks your discussions must be clearly written, well-structured

and technically adequate.
Question 2 (Total- 25 Marks)
(a) Explain what “Medical Geology” encompasses.

(b) Using two (2) arguments, convince the Government of Guyana that medical
geology has a role to play in the Public Health sector within Guyana.

(c)Choose one of the branches, either (i) Natural Occurrence, (ii) Natural Hazards or
(iii) Anthropogenic activities; and describe the practical applications of medical
Geology in the identification and mitigation of impacts relating to your choice and
the public health implications in Guyana. Bolster your arguments with specific
examples from Guyana or the Caribbean.

Question 3 (Total- 25 Marks)

a) Discuss with justifications, the screening process in which a project is evaluated
to determine whether or not an EIA is required.

b) Utilizing the “Kamaira Quarry prospect project” Summary as reference, please

undertake the following tasks:

i. Determine and justify the Project’s Area of Influence (AOL) based on the
summary. The answer can include factors which were considered in developing
the area of influence for this project.

ii. Describe two (2) expected impacts to the physical environment. For each

stage of this operation e.g. (Development, Production/Operation &
Decommissioning).

iii. Select four (4) of your major impacts previously outlined and, in each case,
describe suitable alternatives. In instances where alternatives cannot be
achieved, outline site specific mitigation measures that would be utilized to
reduce the potential impacts identified.

Question 4 (Total- 25 Marks)

In a particular Region in Guyana, waste disposal landfills were established without prior
technical investigation and the development of a site selection criteria.
The Government of Guyana now wants to know the potential risks these landfills will
have on the Natural and Social Environment. Your consultancy firm has been hired to
investigate the possible effects this landfill may pose to the Natural and Social
Environment.
a) Produce a document outlining firstly the importance of Landfills in Guyana,
stating whether or not suitable alternatives can be implemented and the steps
needed to implement such alternatives.
 b) Develop a site selection criteria that may be utilized as a template in selecting a
suitable landfill site for future projects.

c) With the current landfill project outline tests that will be undertaken by your firm
to determine the impacts of the landfill.

d) Lastly, outline design considerations and mitigation measures that may be

implemented to mitigate the potential impacts of the landfill you are
investigating.

Question 5 (Total- 25 Marks)

a) Why do you believe it is important for Governments to focus on Geo-Hazards?
Justify your response with the use of examples from Guyana or the Caribbean.

b) Select an area within the Coastal Zone of Guyana and utilize flooding to explain
what is meant by the phrases severity, risk and vulnerability.

c) For the area selected in (b), develop a Geohazard Management Plan (GMP),
taking into consideration the main objectives of a “GMP” and the components
therein. Outline the plan you have developed in a comprehensive manner
utilizing a rating scale to differentiate between high and low (susceptibility, risk
and vulnerability) within the identified area and justify what has influenced your
rating.

d) State and discuss five (5) ways in which this Disaster Management plan can be
actionized within Guyana.

End of Exams