HWM-20806 Hydrogeology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

AEW-21306 Soil and Water II
SEG-20306 Water Quantity and Quality

Continuation courses:

HWM-32806 Hydrological Processes in Catchments
SEG-30306 Characterisation of Regional Subsurface Water

Contents:

Study of hydrogeological systems (three-dimensional distribution of aquifers, semi-permeable and impermeable layers consisting of unconsolidated and hard rocks bounded by natural hydrogeological boundaries with associated hydraulic properties and characteristic groundwater flow, including the aquifer-stream interaction. The groundwater flow has a typical magnitude, direction and chemical composition).
Course subjects: hydraulic properties of flow media, types of saturated flow, hydrochemistry, isotope hydrology, groundwater protection, hydrogeological systems in different environments with unconsolidated and hard rocks, groundwater occurrence in regions with extreme climates (permafrost and (semi-)arid regions) and regional hydrogeological research.
Besides a theoretical part (50%), the course comprises a hydrogeological system description in the field (Ardennes, Belgium) and computer exercises in groundwater modelling, i.e. the formulation of equations and the development of groundwater models.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the students are able to:
- describe hydrogeological data and to understand dominant hydrological processes in different hydrogeological environments, incl. hard rock settings;
- understand hydrochemistry of main rock types, groundwater protection and isotope hydrology;
- understand and to describe the main hydrogeological systems, incl. hard rock settings;
- describe components of a regional hydrogeological study, incl. those of climatic extremes;
- collect and to integrate hydrogeological data and to identify complex hydrogeological systems in the field;
- understand the basics of numerical groundwater flow modelling, to develop a simple model and to interpret the results;
- give oral presentations as small groups both in the field and lecture room (modelling part).

Activities:

Attend classes, study lecture notes and exercises. Study of manuals (Ardennes and groundwater modelling practical), field survey, brief field report and oral presentation (Ardennes), development of groundwater models, incl. presentation on groundwater flow topic that has been solved. Virtual excursion to South Netherlands.

Examination:

Written exam on theory (lectures and modelling) and general aspects of the hydrogeological field survey (Ardennes).

Literature:

Lecture notes Hydrogeology, Hydrogeological Exercises, Manual Hydrogeological Field Survey (Ardennes), and manual Groundwater Modelling. Notes and manuals are available at the WUR-shop.