The Importance of Groundwater

The Importance of Groundwater

Most of our drinking water in the United States comes from groundwater. In rural parts of the country, up to 99% of the water used for drinking is sourced from groundwater. Although this number is smaller in cities and more built-up areas, the total amount of drinking water in the United States that comes from groundwater sources is still 51%. This means that just over half of the water we drink comes from groundwater, which in turn means that if this water gets contaminated, we will have fewer clean drinking water sources throughout the country.

Most of the water used in agriculture in the United States comes from groundwater. Around the country, 64% of the water used in agricultural processes comes from groundwater sources. Once again, this means that issues with the groundwater can significantly impact human life, this time by cutting back on healthy and successful crop growth. As more and more farmers rely on groundwater to grow their crops, the importance of keeping this water source clean grows.

Surface water cannot recharge without groundwater. It’s very important to the environment and the whole planet to replenish wetlands, swamps, lakes, and rivers after periods of drought. When groundwater is present, this water can be used as a source of refill and recharge for these important ecosystems. However, when groundwater is contaminated or not present at all, these parts of the environment suffer significantly. This can have major impacts around the world.

Where surface water isn’t present, groundwater often still is. There are many parts of the United States as well as the world that rely heavily on groundwater to provide drinking water as well as water for other uses, simply because there isn’t a lot of surface water present. This is especially true in dry parts of the country, such as the western U.S. In other countries where clean drinking water is a major source of crises, groundwater is a crucial part of providing people with something safe to drink.

Groundwater doesn’t often have to be treated much. When it isn’t already contaminated, groundwater is usually much cleaner than surface water, and it requires far fewer harsh chemical treatments to make it safe enough for human consumption. Many contaminants that come from nature are also removed by nature as the water passes through rocks and sand that serve as filtration.

The Secret of Puquios

The Secret of Puquios

A team of researchers led by Rosa Lasaponara with the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, in Italy has found evidence that suggests that the purpose of the spiral, rock-lined holes called puquios carved into the ground in an area near the 'Nasca lines' in Peru, were part of an ancient water distribution system. In their paper to be published in Ancient Nasca World: New Insights from Science and Archaeology, the team describes their study of the structures using satellite technology and what they believe their findings say about the Nasca people.

The Nasca people lived in the area from sometime before 1,000 BC to approximately 750 AD, which historians have noted, was remarkable because the area is one of the driest on the planet. Prior research has suggested that they were the creators of the famous 'Nasca lines' that cover the desert floor with huge images of geometric shapes, plants and animals. Some have suggested that the massive drawings are also part of a huge water movement project, possibly serving as markings for major parts.

People living in the Nasca region of Peru over the years, and some scientists. have been aware of the puquios for quite some time, many puzzling over their purpose. Most have suggested they likely had something to do with obtaining water, but until now, no one had any idea how that might have come about. Making matters worse was that because they were made with the same materials as the surrounding terrain, it was impossible to carbon date them, which might have proved that they were actually constructed during the time of the Nasca people. To unravel the mystery, the researchers turned to images taken from satellites—that allowed them to get a better perspective of where each of the puquios were in relation to one another.

After much analysis, the team reports that the evicence suggests that the puquios served as part of a vast hydraulic system that carried water in underground canals to where it was needed—either to water crops or into populated areas as drinking water. The puquios, they explained further, caused air to be pulled down into the underground canal system—the wind actually helped to push the water through the system, which meant they served as ancient pumps.

This, the team suggests, indicates that the underground water system allowed the people access to water the whole year round. It also showed that the early people where highly technically advanced and extremely well organized. Making the system work and keeping it going would have required major effort and coordination. They note that some of the puquios were so well constructed that some of them are still in use today.

Hydrogeologist Job (sneak peek)

Hydrogeologist Job (sneak peek)

What Does a Hydrogeologist Do?

Hydrogeologists are a type of environmental geologist that study how water interacts with the natural environment of rocks and soils. People with these qualifications can carry out one of two jobs, but sometimes will be expert in both. The first role is that of environmental geographer. They study the relationship between water and rocks and soil as a natural process. Their data will help other experts understand such environmental processes as glaciation, river formation and movement, flood and other natural disaster risk and long-term environmental processes. They help us understand the world around us in terms of the relationship between water and dry land. They will look equally at data collected from the field, GIS analysis and old maps.

The second role of a hydrogeologist is to ensure that water supplies remain safe and healthy. Some rock and soils contain contaminants that are harmful to human health. It is their job to identify and mitigate them. Most of these will be naturally occurring contaminants, but they may also be the result of pollutants. They may provide expert analysis in litigation against the businesses responsible should a court case be necessary.

They may also be involved in environmental planning. The amount of waste that we produce requires space to put them. Hydrogeologists will look at the underlying soil and geology of proposed sites to ensure that pollution risks are low (for example subterranean rivers or lakes that flow into domestic water supplies). Land use planners will often consult hydrologists and hydrogeologists. They differ from hydrologists in that these professionals study surface water rather than how water changes the environment.

Where Does a Hydrogeologist Work?

Hydrogeology is closely related to hydrology and the Earth sciences, so they will have a good all round understanding of the environment. The largest employer of hydrogeologists at present is Federal government. They will work in a wide range of areas such as monitoring for bodies like the National Park Service, as researchers for the EPA and in legal (public prosecution). Around 28% of hydrogeologists work for the Federal government. Others will also work in academia and teaching.

Around 22% presently work for scientific and technical consulting services. These individuals will work independent of bodies and hired on a case by case basis. Government, private businesses and third sector organizations may hire them for a specific task per contract. Similarly, the 17% who work for engineering services will be hired for the same sort of role by (typically) civic engineering and construction companies, or they may work on projects that their employer manages.

17%and 9% respectively work for state and local government. Their roles will be similar to the Federal government jobs but at a local level. Regardless of which sector they work in, their role will be a mix of office work and fieldwork.

What Is the Job Demand for Hydrogeologists?

Like other geoscientists, hydrologists and geologists, demand for this sector is expected to grow around 7% between 2014 and 2024. This is the average across all jobs. As demand for environmental services increase, so too will experts in various fields. There may be a demand increase in environmental mitigation, especially as natural disasters such as floods increase due to climate change. The broad scope of problems caused by floods exists beyond the damage caused by the actual flood, but also public health and ecology.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Hydrogeologist?

At minimum, candidates will require a bachelor's degree for the majority of entry level jobs. Students should take a degree in environmental science, geography, geology, earth sciences or related. Physics will also be an advantage, as will geoengineering. Students should tailor their minors and electives to environmental subjects. You should also consider taking math related subjects, specifically statistics, as this will aid your analytical work.

As hydrogeology concerns much fieldwork, you are advised to study master's degrees where possible. This will provide experience and understanding of the sort of project work that you can expect to carry out in your career. MA/MS courses are highly advisable and will be essential in areas where there is much competition.

A doctorate will be required for teaching and research roles at colleges and universities. Although those wanting to go into environmental law may find the higher qualifications help them develop in their career.

History of Hydrogeology

History of Hydrogeology

-Early 17th century – groundwater was believed to be seawater pumped up into the land by either tidal forces or air pressure, Some major advances in the development of hydrogeology as a science:

- In the latter part of the 17th century Pierre Perrault conducted hydrologic investigations in the Seine River basin First person to use a water balance approach to hydrogeology; he established that the local annual precipitation was more than ample to account for the annual runoff.

- Henri Darcy, a French hydraulic engineer, concluded that the rate of flow of a fluid through a porous media is directly proportional to the energy loss and inversely proportional to the length of the path of flow (1856).

- Arsène Dupuit (another French engineer) extended Darcy's work and developed equations for
underground flow toward a well, for the recharge of aquifers, and for the discharge of artesian wells.

- O.E. Meinzer (American scientist with the US Geol. Survey) published several seminal documents on the subject, including his 1923 USGS Water Supply Paper 489 (The occurrence of groundwater in the United States with a discussion of principals) and the 1942 book titled Hydrology.

- In 1935, C.V. Theis recognized the analogy between groundwater flow and heat flow. Why is this
important?

• At that time the mathematical characterization of heat flow was well developed, while the mathematics of groundwater flow were not
• Understanding the mathematics of heat flow allowed him to develop analytical equations for flow to wells; these are widely used in aquifer pumping test analysis and drawdown predictions

- In 1940, M. King Hubbert developed the theory that describes flow in large groundwater basins Identified the difference between regional and local flow systems

 

- Also in Jacob put forth groundwater flow theory that incorporates the elastic behavior of porous rocks
1940,

- In early 1960s, J. Tóth took Hubbert’s theoretical treatment of regional flow systems and Jacob’s
mathematics and used a computer to generate one of the first computer groundwater models

- 1970’s and 80’s: environmental and contamination issues became important; also research on
potential use of geothermal energy

- 1984: McDonald and Harbaugh publish the first version of MODFLOW

- 1990’s: drastic technological advances in personal computers makes groundwater modeling
widespread and available to everyone

- Current issues and contemporary areas of research:

• Groundwater resource studies, especially concerning water availability determination and long-term sustainability of groundwater resources.
• Flow in “non-porous media” (i.e., fractures and karst conduits), especially related to flow modeling and contaminant transport
• Effects of long-term climate change on groundwater resources