Dave Watkins BSc 3 AG, EGG, EST, CZEM MSc Geotechnical Engineering Hydrogeology Dave Watkins BSc 3 AG, EGG, EST, CZEM MSc Geotechnical Engineering
Hydrogeology – Lecture 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Schedule for the course 1.2 What is hydrogeology? 1.3 Why study hydrogeology 2 The hydrological cycle and its interactions 3 Types of aquifer 3.1 Confined 3.2 Unconfined 3.3 Leaky
Schedule for the course
What is Hydrogeology ? Hydrology – The study of water in the environment Hydrogeology – The study of underground water
What is an aquifer ? An aquifer is a soil or rock unit that can store and transmit significant quantities of groundwater.
Store water Transmit Significant Groundwater There must be porosity to provide space for storage Transmit The pores must be interconnected to allow the water to flow continuously between the pores. Permeability. Significant The quantity that may be significant for one application may not be significant for another. Groundwater Is the water held and transmitted by the saturated part of the aquifer.
A journey around the hydrological cycle
Reasons for studying Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology is an interdisciplinary subject Involving Geology Hydrology Chemistry Mathematics Physics Computing Engineering Agriculture To answer questions posed by Engineers Planners Ecologists Managers Etc.
Groundwater is: A precious resource A cause of engineering problems but sustainable if properly managed, in terms of quantity and quality A cause of engineering problems Ground stability, drainage and dewatering An active part of the environment Linking elements of the hydrological cycle
How rivers flow video
Basic hydrogeological terms and definitions that you need to know
Related to aquifers Unconfined aquifer (phreatic) Confined aquifer (piezometric) Leaky aquifer (semi-confined) Perched aquifer Aquitard Aquiclude
Related to flow Hydraulic head Hydraulic gradient Hydraulic conductivity Specific discharge Aquifer flow Intrinsic permeability Transmissivity
Related to storage Specific retention Specific yield Elastic storativity
Related to wells Specific drawdown Specific capacity Well efficiency Source protection zones
Types of Aquifer Unconfined – Phreatic Confined – Piezometric Leaky – Semi-confined/unconfined Refer to handouts