Groundwater Exploration and Management with Laboratory
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides theorical knowledge and practical skills in the field of hydrogeology. The course spans from the exploration and management of groundwater resources to their movement in the subsurface. During the course a variety of methods and techniques will be introduced regarding the quantitative assessment of groundwater resources, the hydrodynamic properties of aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes and the surface water - groundwater interaction. At the end of the course, the participant will learn how to link site-specific geological features to physical laws controlling groundwater flow. Advanced cutting-edge will be also presented, such as managed aquifer recharge (MAR), impact of climate change on groundwater or hydrogeological mathematical and artificial intelligence (AI) -based models.
Expected learning outcomes
During the course, problems are proposed and solved about the hydrogeological parameterization of the subsurface, the optimal and sustainable use of water resources. This will be assisted using computer software. In real-life applications, theoretical aspects must be readily linked to the multiple case studies, with varying complexity and data availability.
When solving problems, applications must be carried out at increasing speed and in cost-effective times. Initially, group work will foster skills development, such as communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills. Eventually, the participants will develop individual skills.
Practical problems, including project development, and discussion with the other participants and the instructor during the lessons enable developing oral and practical skills applied to groundwater resources.
At the end of the course, participants shall adopt a hydrogeological technical language and connect the different quantitative aspects covered in the course in relation to groundwater resources. The goal is to provide a correct interpretation of each individual and/or new hydrogeological topic and set the basis to become proficient independent hydrogeologists.
When solving problems, applications must be carried out at increasing speed and in cost-effective times. Initially, group work will foster skills development, such as communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills. Eventually, the participants will develop individual skills.
Practical problems, including project development, and discussion with the other participants and the instructor during the lessons enable developing oral and practical skills applied to groundwater resources.
At the end of the course, participants shall adopt a hydrogeological technical language and connect the different quantitative aspects covered in the course in relation to groundwater resources. The goal is to provide a correct interpretation of each individual and/or new hydrogeological topic and set the basis to become proficient independent hydrogeologists.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
EXPOLORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
The course propose the state-of-art of the groundwater flow knowledge, with special reference on the quantitative evaluation of the water resources. Hydrogeological study and investigation of the groundwater exploitation, with special reference to sustainable use, are illustrated in different geological settings.
1. Aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes, Subsoil reconstruction in hydrogeology
2. Groundwater flow. Groundwater hydrology laws
3. Flow net analysis: Piezometric maps. Flow net. Interaction between surface water and groundwater Hydrogeological boundaries. Groundwater discharge.
2. Pumping test. Drawdown and recovery test. Theis, Walton-Hantush, Boulton, Neuman. Method. Pumping test and hydrogeological boundaries. Superposition principle.
3. Geostatistic applied to hydrogeology: Steady and unsteady variables. Experimental and model of variogram. Kriging. Expected value and kriging standard deviation cartography. Network monitoring optimization.
4. Unsaturated flow. Distribution of water in the unsaturated media. Soil water potential. Soil moisture potential, volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity curves. Preferential flow. Measure of the unsaturated media properties; tensiometer, infiltrometer. Water flow in the unsaturated media
5. Groundwater in rock masses: Hydraulic parameters: influence of stress status in rock masses. Aperture and hydraulic aperture. Fluid flow laws. Hydrogeological conceptual models (dual porosity, equivalent continuum, fractured discrete media). Flow in carbonate rocks. Karts.
6. Isotopes in hydrogeology. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes. Use of isotopes in groundwater hydrology.
7. Springs: Springs classification. Investigation the source catchment. Depletion curve analysis and water resources stored in the subsoil. Springs collection system.
8. Water well construction. Geological prospecting for the well drilling. Drilling methods (percussion, direct and reverse circulation, other type). Well completion (casing, cementation, insulation). Well screens and gravel pack.. Simple and cluster well. Well development (purging, surging, compressed air). Well test (discharge-drawdown curve and optimal discharge). Well efficiency). Design of well in porous media.
9. Flow models. Flow net analysis. Numerical solution of the groundwater flow law in the saturated media: finite difference finite and finite element methods. Groundwater flow model implementation and use: conceptual model, initial and boundary conditions, space-time discretization, model calibration and verification, sensitivity analysis, simulation and prevision. Flow model in the unsaturated media.
10. Dewatering. Control of groundwater levels. Methods of dewatering: well, wellpoint, drain, etc.
11. Geothermal heat pump. Thermal properties of the subsoil. Use of low enthalpy geothermal resources. Open and close systems. Impact on soil and groundwater of the geothermal heat pump.
12. Laws. Water laws of European Union and of Italy
The course propose the state-of-art of the groundwater flow knowledge, with special reference on the quantitative evaluation of the water resources. Hydrogeological study and investigation of the groundwater exploitation, with special reference to sustainable use, are illustrated in different geological settings.
1. Aquifers, aquitards and aquicludes, Subsoil reconstruction in hydrogeology
2. Groundwater flow. Groundwater hydrology laws
3. Flow net analysis: Piezometric maps. Flow net. Interaction between surface water and groundwater Hydrogeological boundaries. Groundwater discharge.
2. Pumping test. Drawdown and recovery test. Theis, Walton-Hantush, Boulton, Neuman. Method. Pumping test and hydrogeological boundaries. Superposition principle.
3. Geostatistic applied to hydrogeology: Steady and unsteady variables. Experimental and model of variogram. Kriging. Expected value and kriging standard deviation cartography. Network monitoring optimization.
4. Unsaturated flow. Distribution of water in the unsaturated media. Soil water potential. Soil moisture potential, volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity curves. Preferential flow. Measure of the unsaturated media properties; tensiometer, infiltrometer. Water flow in the unsaturated media
5. Groundwater in rock masses: Hydraulic parameters: influence of stress status in rock masses. Aperture and hydraulic aperture. Fluid flow laws. Hydrogeological conceptual models (dual porosity, equivalent continuum, fractured discrete media). Flow in carbonate rocks. Karts.
6. Isotopes in hydrogeology. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes. Use of isotopes in groundwater hydrology.
7. Springs: Springs classification. Investigation the source catchment. Depletion curve analysis and water resources stored in the subsoil. Springs collection system.
8. Water well construction. Geological prospecting for the well drilling. Drilling methods (percussion, direct and reverse circulation, other type). Well completion (casing, cementation, insulation). Well screens and gravel pack.. Simple and cluster well. Well development (purging, surging, compressed air). Well test (discharge-drawdown curve and optimal discharge). Well efficiency). Design of well in porous media.
9. Flow models. Flow net analysis. Numerical solution of the groundwater flow law in the saturated media: finite difference finite and finite element methods. Groundwater flow model implementation and use: conceptual model, initial and boundary conditions, space-time discretization, model calibration and verification, sensitivity analysis, simulation and prevision. Flow model in the unsaturated media.
10. Dewatering. Control of groundwater levels. Methods of dewatering: well, wellpoint, drain, etc.
11. Geothermal heat pump. Thermal properties of the subsoil. Use of low enthalpy geothermal resources. Open and close systems. Impact on soil and groundwater of the geothermal heat pump.
12. Laws. Water laws of European Union and of Italy
Prerequisites for admission
The prerequisites is the knowledge of the hydrogeology topics covered in the bachelor course F65.
Teaching methods
Writing and computerized exercices aided to the understand the theoretical concepts exposed in the course.
Teaching Resources
Anderson M., Woessner W.W. (1992) - "Applied Ground-Water Modeling". Academic Press, San Diego
Beretta G.P. (1992) - "Idrogeologia per il disinquinamento delle acque sotterranee", Pitagora Editrice, Bologna
Bear J. (1979) - "Hydraulics of groundwater". Mc Graw-Hil, New York
Celico P.(1986) - "Prospezioni idrogeologiche". Vol. 1 e 2, Liguori Editore, Napoli
Domenico P.A., Schwartz (1998) - Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology, J.Wiley & Sons
Fetter C.W. (1992) - "Contaminant hydrogeology". MacMillan, New York
Freeze R.A., Cherry J.A. (1979) - "Groundwater". Prentice -Hall, Inc. Engleewood Cliffs
Todd D.K. (1980) - "Groundwater Hydrology" J.Wiley & Sons
Dispense del Corso
Beretta G.P. (1992) - "Idrogeologia per il disinquinamento delle acque sotterranee", Pitagora Editrice, Bologna
Bear J. (1979) - "Hydraulics of groundwater". Mc Graw-Hil, New York
Celico P.(1986) - "Prospezioni idrogeologiche". Vol. 1 e 2, Liguori Editore, Napoli
Domenico P.A., Schwartz (1998) - Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology, J.Wiley & Sons
Fetter C.W. (1992) - "Contaminant hydrogeology". MacMillan, New York
Freeze R.A., Cherry J.A. (1979) - "Groundwater". Prentice -Hall, Inc. Engleewood Cliffs
Todd D.K. (1980) - "Groundwater Hydrology" J.Wiley & Sons
Dispense del Corso
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation consists in verifying the knowledge acquired and in discussion a personal work (well design).
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 9
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Pedretti Daniele
Professor(s)