This course is of interest to students in science, environment, engineering, law and other disciplines because of the importance of groundwater as a resource and to our environment. The course will include the study of hydrologic balance, hydraulic properties of rocks and regolith, the theory and practice of groundwater flow in porous and fractured media, and the geochemistry of groundwater. Emphasis will be on the quantification of groundwater flow (distribution, velocity and flux of groundwater), its impact on surface water quality and the processes that affect groundwater geochemistry. There will be example applications for water resources, environmental impact, industrial/commercial development, mining and mineral exploration.

Laboratory: The practical component will include interpreting groundwater physical and chemical data, mapping groundwater flow, calculating the rates and volumes of groundwater flow, measurement and interpretation of groundwater geochemistry. One or more field trips to local sites in the ACT and NSW may be held. There will be an independent project requiring independent study, a short seminar presentation and a written report.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but will be assessed separately.

Honours Pathway Option

Additional readings of greater conceptual difficulty requiring an advanced scientific understanding will be made available for students enrolled in the Honours pathway option (HPO). 20 per cent of the marks available on the exam will be answers to alternate questions for HPO students. Integration of this material in the independent project will be expected.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. make qualitative and quantitative predictions of where, how fast and how much water will move in soils, sediments, regolith and rocks at or near the surface of the Earth
2. discuss some of the geochemical, physical and biological controls on how groundwater composition changes during various physical and geochemical processes such as evaporation, water-rock interaction and fluid mixing
3. discuss some of aspects of groundwater in different geological environments and the present day problems related to Australian water resources e.g., salinity, groundwater quality, groundwater-surface water interaction
4. At an advanced level, critically evaluate technical reports and journal articles
5. Synthesise key concepts in groundwater hydrology and/or hydrogeochemistry and apply them to complex natural environments

Assessment will be based on:

• Seven practical assignments to develop qualitative and quantitive skills ingroundwater hydrology and hydrogeochemistry (35%, LO 1-3)
• Advanced level independent project seminar and written report (~5000 words) to critically evaluate literature, demonstrate research skills and discuss groundwater flow and/or hydrogeochemistry (30%, LO 2-5)
• Final exam to test advanced understanding of hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry concepts, both individual and combined (35%, LO 1-3, 5)

2 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks, 3 hours of practical per week for the first 7 weeks, a one-day field trip (to be confirmed) and up to 65 hours of independent study (for a total of  up to 120-130 hours of study time)

Knowledge of concepts and applications at a first-year university level or higher in  earth sciences (geology) and chemistry/geochemistry is desirable

Bachelor Degree in Science, Environmental Science or Engineering, or permission of Coordinator  Background in at least introductory level (e.g., 1st year university) earth sciences and chemistry or equivalent is desirable.