GLY 3882 Hydrogeology and Human Affairs

Next offered: Spring 2013
Questions?

Course Description: Water is a resource that is vital for life. The quality and quantity of our water resources are currently under threat. Groundwater is an important part of our water resources, but is often poorly understood. This class will introduce the basic concepts of groundwater flow,  its use as a resource, and its impact on environmental hazards. Case studies will be used to illustrate the class concepts.

Text book: We will use a variety of web resources. If you prefer to work with a text, I recommend Groundwater and the Environment by Younger. 

Recommended Background:
- I will assume a basic understanding of geology (e.g., types of rocks, geologic processes).
- Although this class focuses primariliy on concepts, there will be some problems to demonstrate the concepts. You should feel comfortable with basic calculations and working with spreadsheets.

Topics Covered:
  • Hydrologic Cycle
  • Groundwater and Geology
  • Porosity and Permeablity
  • Groundwater Flow: Darcy's Law
  • Groundwater Chemistry
  • Groundwater Discharge: Pumping and Springs
  • Groundwater and Surface Water: Streams, Wetlands, and Lakes
  • Groundwater and Ecosystems
  • Karst
  • Subsidence and Sinkholes
  • Threats to Groundwater Quality