Integrated methods of hydrogeological analysis 1300-WZMBH-GES

The course includes complementary analytical methods used in the recognition of hydrogeological conditions. The course takes place directly in the field in selected study areas, and after acquiring material for studies, in hydrogeological and hydrochemical labs and computer lab of ECGE. Part of the fieldwork takes place in objects with direct impact on the groundwater environment (in a range depending on the current object accessibility).
1) Designing and performing geophysical surveys and interpretation of the results of field measurements:
- practical aspects of GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) and ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) in hydrogeological analysis. Introduction to the issues of GPR prospection and ERT images for the recognition of boundaries of media differing in lithology and water saturation (position of groundwater table);
- performing field measurements using GPR and ERT methods;
- processing and interpretation of results obtained from GPR and ERT surveys in computer lab.
2) Field and lab hydrogeological analyses along the same survey profiles as the geophysical investigations for correlation and verification of results obtained from geophysical surveys;
- field studies include making a series of shallow penetration soundings and a permanent observation well (piezometer) for studies of filtration parameters (filtration coefficient) with application of Paramex software;
- lab analysis of soils from the aeration and saturation zones in ECGE using a permeability meter and permeameter;
- field and lab analyses of groundwater chemistry – correct sampling of groundwater in accordance with QA/QC requirements, range of required field analyses, sample filtration, sample consolidation, determination of chemical parameters in ECGE lab (HACH, Slandi, Elmetron CX-401 multifunction apparatus, titration).
3) Methods of groundwater resources management:
- functioning of the geothermal installations of ECGE, based on deep wells – advantages and disadvantages of various types of geothermal installations and assessment of installation influence on the groundwater environment
- influence of the ZWP Mosty sand pit on groundwater state and quality. Type and range of drainage systems within active excavation pits. Forms of management of closed-down excavations and their transformation into water reservoirs (Mosty I). Groundwater ecosystem functioning and protection (Mosty III).
- Management of mineral and curative waters in the Busko-Zdrój region. Legal measures in water management in geological concessions and analysis of water management in mineral water exploitation areas. Water origin and shaping of the chemical composition of mineralized groundwater, including sulphide, bromide and iodide curative waters. Interaction of mineral waters and freshwater. Characteristics of intakes of curative waters based on the UZG Kopalnia Las Winiarski intake. Availability and management of mineral waters – Busko-Zdrój spa.
- Groundwater supply and protection in urbanized areas. Communal groundwater intakes for Kielce town (Białogon, Zagnańsk) and methods of intake protection (protection zones, groundwater monitoring). Hazard for groundwater quality and volume in urbanized areas within the Main Groundwater Reservoirs: GZWP 414 (Zagnańsk) and GZWP 417 (Kielce). Pollution sources and their potential impact on the groundwater quality in the Białogon intake.

Type of course

elective courses

Prerequisites (description)

The student should have basic knowledge in: - classification of rocks with regard to their origin and lithological composition; - soil classification; - hydrogeological parameters and filtration properties of rocks; - electrical properties of rocks; - groundwater flow and its rules; - active and passive methods of groundwater protection; - dehydration methods; - physical composition of groundwater and its chemical properties; interpretation of hydrogeochemical analyses; - basic methods of geophysical surveys.

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Sawicka

Learning outcomes

On completing the course, the student:
- designs and organizes geophysical surveys related with groundwater prospection;
- recognizes the geological structure using geophysical methods;
- performs field surveys based on ERT and GPR;
- processes ERT and GPR data;
- interprets ERT and GPR data;
- elaborates ERT and GPR data;
- determines groundwater occurrence based on geophysical data;
- performs shallow penetration soundings and determines the groundwater table character and depth;
- macroscopically assesses type of soil in well profile through the aeration zone and collects samples for lab analysis;
- designs and performs a hydrogeological observation well (piezometer);
- performs and interprets in situ investigations of filtration parameters (Paramex);
- performs investigations of filtration parameters of rocks from the aeration zone in lab conditions (permeability meter, permeameter);
- corrects and verifies the results of geophysical and hydrogeological investigations;
- collects samples from hydrogeological objects and analyses the chemical composition of groundwater in field and lab conditions;
- assesses hazards and methods of groundwater protection in urbanized areas;
- analyses legal measures and practical water management in the frame of geological concessions in regions of mineral water exploitation;
- predicts and recognizes the impact of various geothermal installations on the groundwater environment;
- assesses the potential impact of exploitation and dehydration of small open cast pits on groundwater volume and quality.

Assessment criteria

The course is credited by:
- preparing reports from field and lab work with results and their interpretation (calculations, graphic presentation, written report);
- knowledge of theoretical and practical issues presented during field and lab work.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1300-WZMBH-GES in USOSweb