Hydrogeology

Dr. Muhsan Ehsan

(Ph.D. in Exploration Geophysics)
Assistant Professor
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: muhsanehsan98@hotmail.com
 Hydrogeology Outline
• Introduction to hydrology of surface and groundwater
supplies
• Water bearing properties of the rocks
• Hydrodynamics of flow through porous material
• Flow nets
• Well hydraulics
• Analysis and evaluation of pumping wells data
• Groundwater quality
• Occurrence of groundwater in various rock types and
sediments
• Introduction to the techniques used in groundwater
exploration and survey
 Books

1. Applied Hydrogeology by C.W. Fetter

2. Groundwater Hydrology by Todd

3. Field hydrogeology by Brassington

4. Hydrogeology by Kevin Hiscook

 Hydrology
• Hydrology is study of water. In the
broadest sense, hydrology addresses
the
• occurrence,
• distribution,
• movement, and
• chemistry of all waters of the earth.
 Hydrology
• Hydrologic sciences have pure and applied
aspects
• How the Earth works
• Scientific basis for proper management
of water resources
 Hydrogeology

• Hydrogeology encompasses the

interrelationships of geologic materials
and processes with water.
 Hydrogeology

• Hydrologic cycle –
• circulation of water in the environment

• Hydrogeology examines the relationships of

geologic materials and flowing water
Hydrogeology

The study of ground-water/earth-material

interactions
• Geology controls ground-water recharge,
flow, discharge and availability
• Ground water acts as a geologic agent:
Weathering, dissolution, volcanism,
metamorphism, slope stability,
earthquakes….
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Earth materials
• Rock
• Sediment (Soil)
• Fluids (Water)
Geologic processes
• Form,
• Distribute and
• Change Earth materials
• Water is a primary agent of
geologic processes
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Interactions go both ways
• Groundwater controls
geologic processes
• Geology controls flow
and availability of
groundwater
 Hydrogeology Defined
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth
Water/Earth Interactions
Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
• Permeable pathways are controlled by
distributions of geological materials
 Hydrogeology Defined
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth
Water/Earth Interactions
Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
• Permeable pathways are controlled by
distributions of geological materials
• Where groundwater is available as a
resource is controlled by geology
 Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
• Permeable pathways are
controlled by distributions
of geological materials
• Where groundwater is
available as a resource is
controlled by geology
• Contaminant transport in
the subsurface is
controlled by geology
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Groundwater controls geologic processes
• Volcanic Processes:
• Igneous Rocks: Groundwater
controls water content of
magmas
• Metamorphic Rocks:
Groundwater injected by
magmas can metamorphose
country rocks
• Volcanism: Geysers are an
example of volcanic activity
interacting with groundwater
 Hydrogeology Defined
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth
Water/Earth Interactions
Interactions
Groundwater controls geologic processes
• Earthquakes: fluids control fracturing and fault movement,
lubrication and pressures
• Landslides: groundwater controls slope failure
• Landforms: Valley development and karst topography
Introduction to Hydrology
use of water in 20th century has grown dramatically
 Inventory of water on Earth

Lakes, soil moisture,

atmosphere, rivers
Water on land Deep groundwater 1%
3% (750-4000 m)

Shallow groundwater 14%

(<750 m)
11%

74%
97%

Ice caps and glaciers

Oceans

After Berner and Berner, 1987