The Study of Hydrogeology

The definition of Hydrogeology is the study of underground water flow. Hydro means water and geology means earth. It is the movement and distribution of groundwater under the earth's crust and in rocks. How the groundwater can move underground for people or rivers to tap into. Digging tunnels to access the water beneath the ground has been used for hundreds of years. It was used to bring water where there were no streams or rivers available.

The reasons for underground water sources have been debated for centuries. Originally it was thought that rivers fed the underground water. During the 17th Century Pierre Perrault ran many tests concerning rainfall measurements and discovered by the amounts that fell and the amounts that were left in the rivers was so much lower that it proved that precipitation was one of the causes for underground water sources. It seeps into the under ground through the pores of the earth. There are also naturally occurring waters beneath our in the soil within our earth. It was in the 19th Century that Henry Darcy that a mathematical law governed the flow of water. This became known as Darcy's Law. Over the years more studies have been done on groundwater and the importance of it.

What was once a great solution to a water resource problem has become in may places a real cause for concern. The water has become poisoned. One reason for the contamination of the soil is due to things like pesticides, landfills and industrial waste. Air pollution also contributes which the burning of fossil fuels and green house gases causes. In some third world countries groundwater extraction is being used, as there are not as many environmental concerns.

Underground water resources can be the solution to draught and the lack of drinking water. Hydrogeologists and Echydrologists (these titles are used interchangeably), work to find tunnels that carry life saving water to help these Countries that are so barren. In some Countries however attempts are being made to filter the contaminated water. It could be their only chance to restore their water reserve and find suitable drinking water.

As a Hydrogeologist you will study things like the need for water resource management, the interaction between surface water and the underground water, the transportation process, simulation techniques and new and exciting techniques in hydrogeophysics. You will also study the microorganisms and chemicals that are in the groundwater. You will be required to be a certified geologist, licensed by the state that practices groundwater science or a certified groundwater professional.

We all know that the water on our earth has become a resource in jeopardy. Hydrogeologists work to find solutions so that the population will always have clear drinking water and the earth as is will continue to supply itself the water it needs. Water is a necessity for survival and groundwater could be the answer to our very survival.

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