This subject has been designed to provide future professionals in Environmental Sciences 
with basic and fundamental knowledge about the natural dynamics of the hydrogeological 
environment: the scenario (static and dynamic).
										
											
										
											Intentionally, the subject escapes those methods, work techniques and specific contents of the world of 
Hydrogeology s.s., which are only useful for professionals  in Geology or Engineering of Roads, Mines or 
Public Works. Instead, it focuses on those applied and basic aspects of utility for future Environmental 
Science professionals.
										
											
										
											Course objectives:
										
											
										
											Raise awareness among students in the "world of water"
										
											
										
											Introduce the student to the knowledge of the basic concepts and methodology of Surface and 
Ground Hydrology (HSS) applied to the resolution of environmental problems.
										
											
										
											More specifically, it is proposed to work on two levels: on the one hand, to give basic ideas about the 
subject related to generic principles and formulations, on the other hand, 
to concretize these formulations in examples on a local and regional scale.
										
											
										
											At the same time, the aim is to place students in real situations, through teaching a learning methodology 
that allows them to orient their future work with a certain autonomy and reach a knowledge and a 
comprehension of the topics with greater or lesser depth, according to their needs and interests, 
whether it is a task of reviewing-supervising the work or executing it.
										
											
										
											Finally, the aim is to ensure that the student places the knowledge of the HSS in the Environmental Sciences degree. 
It is a question of him himself having a conception, to be able to apply it, according to which this one 
is related to many other disciplines.
										
											
										
											Our subject is closely related to other basic and compulsory subjects of first, second and third year. 
Consequently it has been designed in accordance with its contents.

Content

The contents of the subject are structured in the following thematic blocks

Introduction. A systemic vision of the world of surface and groundwater

Water as a resource, quantity and quality. The concept of sustainability. The global distribution of water, resources and management of water at the level of Catalonia. The water cycle. The water balance and its calculation. The concept of hydrographic basin and hydrogeological basin. The definition of components of the water balance: precipitation, evapotranspiration, slip (superficial and subterranean), extractions.

Techniques and methods of study of surface waters

The origin of the runoff and its distribution. The measurement of the flow Hydrography and hydrological data. The maintenance flow. The floods Relations precipitation regulation.

Aquifers

The water in the subsoil. Aquifers Parameters that define a rock like aquifer. Hydrogeological implications of lithologic modeling and morphology.

Techniques and methods of study and exploitation of groundwater

Principles of fluid mechanics. The energy of water in aquifers. The hydraulic gradient. The movement of water on the ground: Darcy's law. Hydraulic parameters: permeability, transmissivity and coefficient of storage. Representation of the underground flow. Piezometers. Piezometric level and phreatic level. The representation of the underground flow. Calculation of the flow vector. General equation of the underground flow. Derivation of the general equation of the subterranean flow. Hydrogeochemistry. General concepts Analyzes and graphs used in hydrogeology. Evolution according to lithologies. Isotopes. Pickup hydraulics. Types of gatherings and probes. Geometry of collections. Formulas that express the shape of the cone of descent. Pumping test. The screens Delay of catchment areas. Geophysical methods

 

Field work at HHS

It integrates knowledge of previous blocks and applies them to real field conditions.

They allow the student:

- Know how to distribute water resources in Catalonia and in different areas around the world

- To know qualitatively and quantitatively the different elements that intervene in the water balance of a hydrographic basin as the main element of water and land resources management.

- Evaluation of the hydrological dynamics of rivers and surface water in general with special emphasis on the factors involved in ecological quality and management of avenues

- Relate and integrate the geology and dynamics of fluids as the main conditioners of underground hydrology.

- Management and use of the main tools and methodologies of field and cabinet that allow to know and quantify the dynamics of groundwater and surface water.

- Climate change in relation to water

 

Programming

Block 1. Introduction. A systemic vision of the world of surface and groundwater

           1.1. Hydrogeology? by environmentalists

           1.2. The water cycle. The water balance and its calculation. The concept of hydrographic basin and hydrogeological basin. The definition of components of the water balance: precipitation, evapotranspiration, slip                    (superficial and subterranean), extractions.

Block 2. Techniques and methods of study of surface water

           2.1. Fluvial hydro system

           2.2. The origin of the runoff and its distribution. The measurement of the flow

           2.3. Hydrography and hydrological data. The maintenance flow. The floods

           2.4. Relations precipitation regulation

Block 3. Aquifers

           3.1. The water in the subsoil. Aquifers Hydraulic parameters that define a rock like aquifer.

           3.2. Interaction of surface and groundwater in different landscapes.

 Block 4. Techniques and methods of study and exploitation of groundwater

           4.1. Foundations. Principles of fluid mechanics. The energy of water in aquifers. The hydraulic gradient. The movement of water on the ground: Darcy's law.

           4.2. Representation of the underground flow. Piezometers. Piezometric level and phreatic level. The representation of the underground flow. Calculation of the flow vector. General equation of the underground                        flow.

           4.3. Pickup hydraulics. Types of gatherings and probes. Geometry of collections. Formulas that express the shape of the cone of descent. Pumping test.

 

Theoretical knowledge will be transmitted mainly in the classroom (whenever possible) through lectures, 
with the support of ICT and large group discussions. Apart from the selected bibliography / webography, 
students will have a complementary material for the follow-up of the classes.

In the event that it is necessary to take distance classes, the master classes will be recorded in audio and 
later reinforcement tutorials will be given.

Field practices and group work

The practical work mainly aims to acquire a fieldwork methodology. They include a set of internships through 
which the student must end up with the skills needed to move safely and independently in fieldwork in HSS.

They are organized on field trips. Dates will be communicated in due course.

In the event that it cannot be carried out, the outings would be replaced by assignments and taught 
by the teachers responsible for them.

A guide document with the detailed organization-programming of the field days can be consulted 
on the virtual campus.

During the conference, field explanations are interspersed with independent student work. 
It is intended that students develop a variety of practical work based on the management of basic 
equipment for data capture  in HSS (windmills, infiltrometers, determination of hydro chemical parameters, 
topographic measurements of sections with topographic leveling equipment, piezometric probes, equipment 
for geophysical exploration, etc.) and in the acquisition of skill in hydrogeological observations.

The set of practical knowledge acquired by the students will be evaluated by means of written tests 
(same controls programmed by the theoretical contents) and with the realization of works in group. 
Through this work, students will have to identify and delineate the role that hydrogeological factors 
play in the studied territory, paying special attention to the study of their interaction with the biotic 
elements of the area.  In other words, the student must acquire a transversal and systemic knowledge 
of various hydro-environmental problems existing in this territory of Catalonia that will allow him 
to make decisions on the use  and management, planning of the water resources it contains.

A guide document of the work to be developed can be consulted on the virtual campus of the subject. 
During the course the student will be guided on the work methodology and the problems that will be solved.
 

The evaluation is carried out throughout the course, partly in groups and partly individually.

1. Evaluation theory and classroom practices:

In this part, the scientific-technical knowledge of the subject achieved by the student is evaluated individually, 
as well as their capacity for analysis and synthesis, and critical reasoning.

The evaluation of the theoretical contents and part of the practical part of the subject is carried out 
by means of 2 written tests that are carried out throughout the course, one in the middle of the semester, 
and another at the end of the course.

The contents will be eliminatory (the second test does not include the contents of the first).

They will average from a 2.5 mark of each partial. Each of these evaluation activities of the subject 
represent a percentage with respect to the global grade of 70% (35% first part and 35% second part).

30% of the grade will come from the presentation of individual and / or group work, either from 
theoretical subjects and / or from field trips.

2. Evaluation field trips:

The concepts explained in the field will be very present in the written tests. Both regarding the exit 
in the stream of the UAB campus and the camps in the Tremp basin.

3. Recovery notes improvement:

To be able to attend the recovery, the student has had to have previously been evaluated from 
continuous evaluation activities that are equivalent to 2/3 of the final grade.

The possibility of improving the final global grade is considered, therefore the grades obtained 
in the partial grades are invalidated.