Hydrogeology (2^nd Ed.) Principles and Practice

Hydrogeology: Principles and Practice provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of hydrogeology to enable the reader to appreciate the significance of groundwater in meeting current and future water resource challenges. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect advances in the field since 2004.

The book presents a systematic approach to understanding groundwater. Earlier chapters explain the fundamental physical and chemical principles of hydrogeology, and later chapters feature groundwater investigation techniques in the context of catchment processes, as well as chapters on groundwater quality and contaminant hydrogeology. Unique features of the book are chapters on the applications of environmental isotopes and noble gases in the interpretation of aquifer evolution, and on regional characteristics such as topography, compaction and variable fluid density in the explanation of geological processes affecting past, present and future groundwater flow regimes. The last chapter discusses groundwater resources and environmental management, and examines the role of groundwater in integrated river basin management, including an assessment of possible adaptation responses to the impacts of climate change.

Throughout the text, boxes and a set of colour plates drawn from the authors? teaching and research experience are used to explain special topics and to illustrate international case studies ranging from transboundary aquifers and submarine groundwater discharge to the over-pressuring of groundwater in sedimentary basins. The appendices provide conversion tables and useful reference material, and include review questions and exercises, with answers, to help develop the reader?s knowledge and problem-solving skills in hydrogeology.

This accessible textbook is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students primarily in earth sciences, environmental sciences and physical geography with an interest in hydrogeology or groundwater science. The book will also find use among practitioners in hydrogeology, soil science, civil engineering and planning who are involved in environmental and resource protection issues requiring an understanding of groundwater.

Additional resources can be found at: www.wiley.com/go/hiscock/hydrogeology

List of Colour Plates xi

List of boxes xiv

Preface to the second edition xvi

Preface to the first edition xvii

Acknowledgements xviii

Symbols and abbreviations xix

About the companion website xxiii

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Scope of this book 1

1.2 What is hydrogeology? 2

1.3 Early examples of groundwater exploitation 3

1.4 History of hydrogeology 5

1.5 The water cycle 10

1.6 Groundwater as a natural resource 12

1.7 Management and protection of groundwater resources in the United Kingdom 20

1.8 European Union Water Framework Directive 21

1.9 Management and protection of groundwater resources in the United States 22

1.10 Groundwater resources in developing countries 23

1.11 Future challenges for groundwater management 25

Further reading 26

References 26

2. Physical hydrogeology 29

2.1 Introduction 29

2.2 Porosity 29

2.3 Hydraulic conductivity 31

2.4 Isotropy and homogeneity 33

2.5 Aquifers aquitards and aquicludes 33

2.6 Darcy’s Law 35

2.6.1 Hydraulic properties of fractured rocks 38

2.6.2 Karst aquifer properties 41

2.7 Groundwater potential and hydraulic head 43

2.8 Interpretation of hydraulic head and groundwater conditions 44

2.8.1 Groundwater flow direction 44

2.8.2 Water table and potentiometric surface maps 46

2.8.3 Types of groundwater conditions 53

2.9 Transmissivity and storativity of confined aquifers 57

2.9.1 Release of water from confined aquifers 58

2.10 Transmissivity and specific yield of unconfined aquifers 66

2.11 Equations of groundwater flow 67

2.11.1 Steady-state saturated flow 67

2.11.2 Transient saturated flow 68

2.11.3 Transient unsaturated flow 68

2.12 Analytical solution of one-dimensional groundwater flow problems 69

2.13 Groundwater flow patterns 74

2.14 Classification of springs and intermittent streams 81

2.15 Transboundary aquifer systems 86

2.16 Submarine groundwater discharge 92

2.17 Groundwater resources of the world 97

2.18 Hydrogeological environments of the United Kingdom 99

2.18.1 Sedimentary rocks 99

2.18.2 Metamorphic rocks 104

2.18.3 Igneous rocks 105

Further reading 105

References 105

3. Groundwater and geological processes 109

3.1 Introduction 109

3.2 Geological processes driving fluid flow 109

3.3 Topography-driven flow in the context of geological processes 110

3.4 Compaction-driven fluid flow 110

3.5 Variable-density driven fluid flow 114

3.5.1 Salinity gradients leading to variable-density flow 114

3.5.2 Hydrothermal systems driven by variable-density flow 119

3.6 Regional groundwater flow systems driven predominantly by variable-density flow 120

3.6.1 Fluctuating sea-level and its impact on the distribution of groundwater salinity in coastal areas 120

3.6.2 Brines in continental aquifers 126

3.7 Regional groundwater flow systems driven predominantly by shifting topography and stress changes 126

3.7.1 Mountain building and erosion 127

3.7.2 Impact of glaciations on regional hydrogeology 127

3.8 Coupling and relative importance of processes driving fluid flow 133

Further reading 133

References 134

4. Chemical hydrogeology 135

4.1 Introduction 135

4.2 Properties of water 135

4.3 Chemical composition of groundwater 137

4.4 Sequence of hydrochemical evolution of groundwater 139

4.5 Groundwater sampling and graphical presentation of hydrochemical data 140

4.6 Concept of chemical equilibrium 151

4.6.1 Kinetic approach to chemical equilibrium 151

4.6.2 Energetic approach to chemical equilibrium 152

4.7 Carbonate chemistry of groundwater 154

4.8 Adsorption and ion exchange 165

4.9 Redox chemistry 172

4.10 Groundwater in crystalline rocks 181

Further reading 188

References 188

5. Environmental isotope hydrogeology 191

5.1 Introduction 191

5.2 Stable isotope chemistry and nomenclature 191

5.3 Stable isotopes of water 192

5.4 Age dating of groundwater 198

5.4.1 Law of radioactive decay 198

5.4.2 14 c dating 198

5.4.3 36 cl dating 202

5.4.4 Tritium dating 202

5.4.5 3 H/ 3 He dating 205

5.5 Noble gases 206

Further reading 209

References 209

6. Groundwater and catchment processes 211

6.1 Introduction 211

6.2 Water balance equation 211

6.3 Precipitation and evapotranspiration 213

6.3.1 Precipitation measurement 213

6.3.2 Evapotranspiration measurement and estimation 215

6.4 Soil water and infiltration 219

6.4.1 Soil moisture content and soil water potential 219

6.4.2 Calculation of drainage and evaporation losses 223

6.4.3 Infiltration theory and measurement 225

6.5 Recharge estimation 227

6.5.1 Borehole hydrograph method 228

6.5.2 Soil moisture budget method 228

6.5.3 Chloride budget method 230

6.5.4 Temperature profile method 230

6.6 Stream gauging techniques 233

6.6.1 Velocity area methods 237

6.6.1.1 Surface floats 237

6.6.1.2 Current metering 238

6.6.1.3 Acoustic Doppler current profiler 239

6.6.2 Dilution gauging 242

6.6.3 Ultrasonic electromagnetic and integrating float methods 243

6.6.4 Slope-area method 244

6.6.5 Weirs and flumes 245

6.7 Hydrograph analysis 246

6.7.1 Quickflow and baseflow separation 247

6.7.2 Unit hydrograph theory 249

6.8 Surface water – groundwater interaction 253

6.8.1 Temperature-based methods of detection 256

6.8.2 Simulating river flow depletion 257

6.8.2.1 Analytical solutions 257

6.8.2.2 Catchment resource modelling 258

Further reading 262

References 262

7. Groundwater investigation techniques 265

7.1 Introduction 265

7.2 Measurement and interpretation of groundwater level data 265

7.2.1 Water level measurement 265

7.2.2 Well and borehole design and construction methods 266

7.2.3 Borehole hydrographs and barometric efficiency 268

7.2.4 Construction of groundwater level contour maps 272

7.3 Field estimation of aquifer properties 272

7.3.1 Piezometer tests 272

7.3.2 Pumping tests 273

7.3.2.1 Thiem equilibrium method 275

7.3.2.2 Theis non-equilibrium method 276

7.3.2.3 Cooper–Jacob straight-line method 277

7.3.2.4 Recovery test method 282

7.3.2.5 Principle of superposition of drawdown 283

7.3.2.6 Leaky unconfined and bounded aquifer systems 284

7.3.3 Tracer tests 287

7.3.4 Geophysical methods 292

7.4 Remote sensing methods 295

7.5 Groundwater modelling 298

Further reading 301

References 301

8. Groundwater quality and contaminant hydrogeology 304

8.1 Introduction 304

8.2 Water quality standards 304

8.2.1 Water hardness 306

8.2.2 Irrigation water quality 309

8.3 Transport of contaminants in groundwater 311

8.3.1 Transport of non-reactive dissolved contaminants 311

8.3.1.1 One-dimensional solute transport equation 314

8.3.2 Transport of reactive dissolved contaminants 315

8.3.3 Transport of non-aqueous phase liquids 327

8.3.3.1 Hydrophobic sorption of non-polar organic compounds 329

8.3.4 Effects of density and heterogeneity 333

8.4 Sources of groundwater contamination 334

8.4.1 Urban and industrial contaminants 334

8.4.2 Municipal landfill domestic and cemetery wastes 343

8.4.3 Agricultural contaminants 350

8.4.4 Saline water intrusion in coastal aquifers 356

Further reading 362

References 362

9. Groundwater pollution remediation and protection 366

9.1 Introduction 366

9.2 Groundwater pollution remediation techniques 366

9.2.1 Pump-and-treat 367

9.2.2 Permeable reactive barriers 372

9.2.3 Monitored natural attenuation 373

9.3 Groundwater pollution protection strategies in industrialized countries 379

9.3.1 Groundwater vulnerability mapping and aquifer resource protection 379

9.3.2 Source protection zones 380

9.3.3 Risk assessment methods 386

9.3.4 Spatial planning and groundwater protection 387

9.4 Groundwater protection strategies in developing countries 392

Further reading 397

References 397

10. Groundwater resources and environmental management 400

10.1 Introduction 400

10.2 Groundwater resources schemes 400

10.2.1 Large-scale groundwater development schemes 400

10.2.2 Regional-scale groundwater development schemes 404

10.2.3 Artificial storage and recovery schemes 406

10.2.4 Riverbank filtration schemes 410

10.2.5 Horizontal well schemes 416

10.3 Wetland hydrogeology 416

10.4 Climate change and groundwater resources 424

10.4.1 Adaptation to climate change 435

Further reading 440                                                                                                               

References 440

Appendices 444

1. Conversion factors 444

2. Properties of water in the range 0–100°C 445

3. The geological timescale 446

4. Symbols atomic numbers and atomic weights 447

5. Composition of seawater and rainwater 449

References 452

6. Values of W(u) for various values of u 453

7. Values of q/Q and v/ Qt corresponding to selected values of t/ F for use in computing the rate and volume of stream depletion by wells and boreholes 454

8. Complementary error function 455

9. Drinking water quality standards and Lists I and II Substances 456

10. Review questions and exercises 462

References 504

Index 505

Kevin Hiscock is a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, UK.  He has over 30 years’ experience in teaching and research in hydrogeology, with interdisciplinary interests in hydrochemistry, environmental isotopes and the impacts of land use and climate change on groundwater resources at regional and global scales.

Victor Bense is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, UK.  He has over 15 years’ experience in teaching and research in hydrogeology, with specialist interests in the impact of shallow fault zones in unconsolidated sediments on groundwater flow and the hydrogeology of arctic regions under changing climate.