Groundwater plays an important part in the hydrologic cycle. Because of its slow rate of movement, its role may often be overlooked; however it is the most significant storage component and thus an important source of potable water. Groundwater hydrologists are interested in issues such as the occurrence and movement of groundwater, development of groundwater resources, transport of nutrients and pollutants in groundwater, and remediation of contaminated aquifers. The remediation field is one that presents special challenges since the contaminants are relatively inaccessible and difficult to remove.
Since groundwater flow is laminar (with the exception of karst and highly fractured rocks), the equations have been well-developed over the past century. Therefore this class will be more challenging mathematically that either fluid mechanics, or hydrology (you will have an opportunity to use your differential equations)! In this course we will first discuss physical properties of soils and aquifers and basic principles of groundwater flow. You will do a field project at Metzger wellfield to determine flow direction and gradient. Then we'll spend a few weeks on groundwater flow equations, and several more on well hydraulics. We'll conduct a pump test at Metzger with Prof. Germanoski's hydrogeology class (GEOL 210). We will also briefly cover groundwater flow modeling, using analytical and numerical approximation methods. The last portion of the course will cover groundwater contamination, including aquifer remediation techniques.
a) rocky streambed of a steep upland watershed - shallow groundwater is an important runoff pathway in such watersheds
b) large sinkhole (Centre Co., PA) - these form where slightly acidic infiltrating water has dissolved underlying carbonate rock
c) layered sediments indicative of a fluvial (river) origin
Some of Lafayette's finest groundwater hydrologists
