Provide foundation for addressing groundwater flow and contamination problems. In the first 5 weeks we review fundamental principles, describe the anatomy of typical aquifers, discuss how to characterize such aquifers, and introduce some basic tools for analyzing the physical flow and transport processes. In the second 5 weeks, we discuss the occurrence of natural inorganics in groundwater (chemistry), use of chemistry to define regional flow paths, and physical and chemical processes of pollutant transport. The lectures emphasize both theory and concepts, often discussing how the 'real world' may or may not be adequately represented with certain methods of analysis.

Laboratory/Discussion Objectives:

Reinforce concepts introduced in lecture and introduce students to several tools needed for aquifer characterization and analysis with particular focus on pollutant transport. The tools include practical methods of conducting and analyzing field-well-test data and interactive groundwater modeling techniques. The lab also includes conduct of a field-pumping test, entailing at least one-half day per student on a weekend. The final lab covers 3 weeks and involves analysis of basic geology, groundwater circulation, and pollutant transport in a groundwater basin. The write-up of the final lab is expected to be rather professional and constitutes a term paper of more than 10 pages. Most of the 2- to 3-hour laboratory meeting consists of lecture and discussion on basics and lab exercises.

Course Agenda

References on Reserve

Lab 5 Movie 2001

TopoDrive

ParticleFlow