Aquifer Systems

GEOL 816

Textbook:  Hydrogeology; Back, Rosenshein, and Seaber.  Also recommended:  Groundwater Atlas of United States, USGS Hydrologic Investigations Atlas 730-#. 

Objectives:  The regional flow from a recharge zone through an aquifer system to a discharge zone is the underpinning of an assortment of geological processes that range from the hydrogeology of basins to the movement of chemicals at a contaminated site.  The primary objective of this course is to introduce methods for formulating conceptual and quantitative hydrogeologic models of aquifer systems.  Another objective is to develop the skills of describing hydrogeologic concepts and analyses in verbal presentations and reports.   

 Approach:  The course will consist of a lecture format with informal meetings in the computer lab as needed.  The following major sections form the core of the course 

 I.        Geologic and hydrogeologic settings of aquifers in the U.S.

II.     Characterizing properties of the subsurface and water fluxes at the ground surface

III.    Applied analysis of subsurface flow in watersheds

Each student will focus on a particular study area and apply the concepts and methods from the three sections outlined above.  These efforts will be summarized in papers and in-class presentations. 

 Prerequisites:  GEOL 808, 615 and 608, or permission of instructor.