75542 - Applied Hydrogeology

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Geology and Land Management (cod. 8027)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the trained student will be able to define the role of groundwater flow systems inside the framework of the watershed water budget and to set up an exploitation scheme of the aquifers. In particular the trained student will be able to: - evaluate and choose specific tools and techniques to measure hydrodinamic parameters (conductivity, transmissivity, storage) of the aquifer in relation to site geological conceptual model; to plan a sustainable groundwater exploitation scheme; to learn and apply computer-based tools to analyze hydrogeological data; to apply hydrogeological prospecting tools in the field. Field activities will be conducted along with the teaching of "Stabilità dei Versanti" for a total of 2 CFU.

Course contents

Well hydraulics. Unsteady state method for confined, leaky-confined and unconfined aquifers. Recovery method. Radial flow. Steady state. Stepped drawdown test. Transmissivity determined from specific discharge. Planning and performing well and aquifer test. Borehole permeability tests (slug-test, Lefranc. Lugeon). Infiltrometric test.
Springs: spring and stream hydrograph analysis. Recession curve. Evaluation or geologic reserve and resources (dynamic and regulated)
Tracers in hydrogeology
Measuring of discharge for streams: flowmeter, weirs, salt dilution method, stage curve.
Management of groundwater resources. Integrated use of water resources. Salinization. Subsidence
EXERCISES (computer-aided)
Interpolation techniques and contour mapping
Analysis and interpretation of pumping tests
Analysis and interpretation of springs/streams hydrograph

Readings/Bibliography

M.Civita "Idrogeologia applicata ed ambientale", Ambrosiana, 2005
G.Pranzini "Le acque sotterranee", Pitagora Editrice, Bologna
C.W.Fetter "Applied Hydrogeology", Prentice-Hall, 1994
Lessons of the teacher downloadable from the university web site (.pdf)

Teaching methods

Theoretycal lessons in classroom
Computer-aided exercises
On field excursions

Assessment methods

The exam is based upon a practical and an oral trial.

Practical exam could be performed, according the choice of the student, according one of the following two options: a) write a report with analysis and interpretation of hydrogeological data collected on the field during the outdoor laboratory activity at the end of the course; b) practical exercise at the computer by interpretation of hydrogeological data provided by the teacher.

Practical exam is evaluated according the following grades of judgment: Optimal-Good-Fair-Poor-Bad. With a judgment of “bad” there is no the admission to the oral examination and the practical trial must be repeated; in all other cases there is the admission to the oral examination.

Oral examination, in front of the teacher, is evaluated with a vote expressed in fraction of 30. Depending on the judgment of the practical trial the higher votation achievable in the oral test is as follows: Optimal-30/30 cum laude; Good-30/30; Fair-27/30; Poor-25/30.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC, blackboard, demonstration of the use of instruments (in the lab and on the field), use of dedicated software for exercises

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Gargini