Contemporary Hydrogeology

Lessons can be learnt from the past; from time to time it is useful for practitioners to look back over the historical developments of their science. Hydrogeology has developed from humble beginnings into the broad church of investigatory procedures which collectively form the modern-day hydrogeologist‘s tool box. Hydrogeology remains a branch of t

Traditional approaches to hydrology have favoured a reductionist perspective. This text argues that hydrologists of the 21st century must increasingly look beyond the traditional boundaries of river channel or river catchment areas to consider new questions: firstly, how water resources should be managed in an integrated and sustainable way with a growing appreciation of the global dimension to water resource problems; secondly, how the search for solutions to water pollution, flooding, drought and environmental degradation requires a broader understanding of transboundary connections between components of the hydrosphere across a range of spatial and temporal scales. In an emerging age of water shortage, increasing dependence will also be placed upon existing monitoring and water distribution networks. Advances in data gathering systems and hydrological modelling have created new opportunities for assessing and managing these water resources. Similarly ecohydrology and palaeohydrological techniques are generating new types of data for model development and testing. This text will provide an excellent overview for post-graduates and researchers studying hydrology, meterology, environmental science and related topics. It will also be useful as supplementary reading for 2nd/3rd year undergraduates in these areas. The ruins of the flooded Derwent village emerged from Ladybower Reservoir, Derbyshire UK in autumn 1995. This image highlights a number of issues pertinent to contemporary hydrology such as: winter droughts severely restrict the replenishment on upland communities; the uneasy relationship between forestry and water resources in water supply catchments; water quality problems associated with acidification, turbidity and sedimentation; the aesthetic and ammenity value of impounded waters

The material of this book will derive its scientific under-pinning from basics of mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology, engineering, soil science, and related disciplines and will provide sufficient breadth and depth of understanding in each sub-section of hydrology. It will start with basic concepts: Water, its properties, its movement, modelling and quality The distribution of water in space and time Water resource sustainability Chapters on ‘global change’ and ‘water and ethics’ aim respectively to emphasize the central role of hydrological cycle and its quantitative understanding and monitoring for human well being and to familiarize the readers with complex issues of equity and justice in large scale water resource development process. Modern Hydrology for Sustainable Development is intended not only as a textbook for students in earth and environmental science and civil engineering degree courses, but also as a reference for professionals in fields as diverse as environmental planning, civil engineering, municipal and industrial water supply, irrigation and catchment management.

It has long been recognized that groundwater plays a central role in the development of human societies. Groundwater resources are readily and reliably available compared with surface water resources. In many contexts, the presence of groundwater ensures the presence of life itself. The XXXII IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) and VI ALHSUD (Latin-American Association of Groundwater Hydrology for Development) Congress on Groundwater and Human Development, held in 2002, in Mar del Plata (Argentina), brought together over 400 participants from more than 40 countries. This lively gathering of water enthusiasts exchanged experiences of both fieldwork and research. Topics under discussion and scrutiny included: Groundwater and Quality of Life; Groundwater in Urban, Suburban and Rural Systems; Transboundary Aquifers; Hydrogeology of Large Plains; Coastal Aquifers; Methods for Groundwater Studies; and Education about Groundwater and Groundwater Management. This book contains selected papers, plenary lectures and material from workshops, illustrating the contribution of modern hydrogeology to sustaining humanity's thirst for fresh and safe water.