Course content

Theory of groundwater occurrence and flow in rocks and soils, types of aquifers, theory of pumping tests and calculation of hydraulic parameters, water chemistry and quality criteria, relation between geology and water chemistry, groundwater contamination (inorganic and organic), spreading mechanisms and countermeasures, surveillance methods including sampling procedures, design of wells and protection zones, production wells alternatives, management and regulations.

Learning outcome

Ingress: The course will give the student applied knowledge about methods for groundwater investigations in soils and bedrock, as well as chemical evolvement and characterization.

Knowledge: The student should have knowledge about:

• Groundwater in rock and soils.
• Characteristic hydrogeological parameters and methods for determination of these.
• The main principles for groundwater flow.
• Chemical evolvement (alteration) and characterization.
• Dimensioning of groundwater wells and zones of protection.
• Alternative methods for extraction.
• Simple principles for water treatment.
• Knowledge of Norwegian management and legislation of groundwater.

Skills: The student is able to:

• Evaluate the underground's potential for extraction of groundwater.
• Calculate necessary hydrological parameters for extraction of groundwater by use of test methods in the field.
• Sampling and characterization of groundwater chemical composition.
• Evaluate the danger for contamination.
• Simple dimensioning of water works (extraction wells) based on desired water supply.
• Evaluate and suggest methods for protection.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, obligatory exercises and obligatory excursions with report. Field work may be scheduled for a weekend. The course is evaluated by a reference group.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises
• Excursion (1-2days)

Recommended previous knowledge

TGB4100 Geology, Introduction, and TGB4185 Engineering Geology, Basic Course or equivalent knowledge.

Course materials

B. Brattli: Fysisk og kjemisk hydrogeologi, 3 utg., Compendium, Akademika, 2018, slides, notes and articles.

Credit reductions