Hydrogeologic Mapping

Tom Brikowski
,
University of Texas at Dallas
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Summary

A field exercise designed to give the students a visceral understanding of the geometry of the water table and the flow and transport consequences of that geometry.

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Context

Audience

Designed for use in introductory hydrogeology class, currently taught primarily to non-majors.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Understand the concept of a water table, and that groundwater and surface water continuously exchange with one another.

How the activity is situated in the course

Culmination project.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Other skills goals for this activity

Description of the activity/assignment

In this exercise, students learn how to make a preliminary evaluation of the hydrogeology of a site. Students map the location and elevation of important hydrogeologic features, then produce a hydrogeologic map of the site, including a water profile and estimated flow paths for groundwater. This type of map is crucial for evaluating potential sources of groundwater, as well as potential sources of groundwater contamination.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Successful construction of water table contour map, and generation of general flow paths using that map.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs

Course web page (not currently online) http://www.utdallas.edu/~brikowi/Teaching/Field_Methods/