The Hydrogeological Field Course is part of Special Modul SM9 "Hydrogeological Methods" of the MSc TropHEE and scheduled for the 2nd semester. This block course complements the Water Analysis Course scheduled for the 1st semester. Water Analysis containes lectures and a practical part with (surface) water sampling, measuring water temperature, EC, pH, oxygen concentration and alkalinity in the field as well ion concentrations in the lab. This practical part of course 3214 is documented in another report and deals with water sampling in more detail. The water sampling part of field course 3417 repeats this topic in this report.
TropHEE Modul Handbook names as goals of this course: "The students are enabled to apply basic field techniques to characterize groundwater levels, groundwater flow fields, and to characterize aquifers in term of hydraulic properties. Students acquire methodical skills to use standard laboratory equipment to analyse water samples and to evaluate the results. Through the hands-on field and laboratory work they gain soft skills such as organizational skills, team working skills, communication skills, and data presentation skills."
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 General description of Topics
1.2 Participants, locations and dates
1.3 General description of methods and tools
2 Construction of groundwater table map
2.1 Background
2.2 Methodology
2.3 Results
2.4 Discussion
3 Stream discharge measurements
3.1 Background
3.2 Methodology
3.2.1 Float method
3.2.2 Flow meter method
3.2.3 Tracer method
3.3 Results
3.4 Discussion
4 Pumping test
4.1 Background
4.2 Methodology
4.2.1 Methodology for automatic measurements & pumping phase
4.2.2 Methodology for automatic measurements & recovery phase
4.2.3 Methodology for manual measurements & pumping phase
4.2.4 Methodology for manual measurements & recovery phase
4.2.5 Methodology for storativity S
4.3 Results
4.3.1 Results for automatic measurements & pumping phase
4.3.2 Results for automatic measurements & recovery phase
4.3.3 Results for manual measurements & pumping phase
4.3.4 Results for manual measurements & recovery phase
4.4 Discussion
5. Surface- and groundwater sampling
5.1 Background
5.2 Methodology
5.2.1 Multimeter measurements
5.2.2 Titration for alkalinity
5.2.3 Investigations in the lab
5.3 Results
5.3.1 Field results
5.3.2 Lab results
5.4 Discussion
5.4.1 Discussion of field results
5.4.2 Discussion of lab results
Objectives and Research Focus
This report documents the Hydrogeological Field Course at TU Darmstadt, focusing on the characterization of groundwater flow fields, stream discharge dynamics, and aquifer hydraulic properties. The primary research goal is to apply field and laboratory techniques to determine groundwater gradients, quantify surface water discharge, and analyze transmissivity and conductivity through pumping test evaluations.
- Groundwater table mapping and gradient calculation using triangulation and least-squares regression.
- Comparison of surface water discharge measurement techniques (float, flow meter, and tracer methods).
- Aquifer characterization and hydraulic property estimation via pumping test data analysis.
- Field and laboratory hydrochemical analysis of surface water and groundwater samples.
Extract from the Book
2.2 Methodology
We started with reference well P7 in the south eastern corner of the experimental parcel. We measured the distance from the upper rim of the well pipe (= reference point) down to the water table with with an electric sounder (gives optical/acustical signal when 2 electrodes at the lower end get in touch with the water) and the distance between the reference point and ground surface. This was done also for wells 8, 15, 10, 11b and 6a.
With a theodolite (a monocular telescope moveable around a vertical axis controlled by bubble levels) and leveling rod (or a folding yardstick) the levels of the reference points (upper rims of well pipes) of the other wells where measured relative to well P7. With the theodolites telescope we have a perfectly horizontal line of sight: forward to a new well and backward to the well P7 whose level was given (187m a.s.l. for the reference point). The leveling rod / folding yardstick was placed on the upper end of the well pipes and difference of the 2 readings (backsight – foresight) gives how much the new wells reference point is above the one of the referenced well (P7).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the TropHEE module and the specific course goals regarding hydrogeological and laboratory skills.
2 Construction of groundwater table map: Covers the methodology for mapping groundwater levels and determining flow gradients using geodetic surveying and mathematical models.
3 Stream discharge measurements: Compares three distinct methods for quantifying water flow in the Darmbach stream and discusses potential measurement uncertainties.
4 Pumping test: Details the procedure for conducting a pumping test in Arheilgen, including drawdown data collection and calculations of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity.
5. Surface- and groundwater sampling: Describes field and laboratory protocols for collecting and analyzing water quality parameters such as alkalinity, pH, and ionic concentrations.
Keywords
Hydrogeology, Groundwater, Pumping Test, Stream Discharge, Transmissivity, Conductivity, Tracer Method, Alkalinity, Water Sampling, Theodolite, GNUplot, Least Squares Method, Hydraulic Gradient, Aquifer, Field Course
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this report?
The report focuses on practical hydrogeological field methods, including mapping groundwater flow, measuring stream discharge, performing pumping tests, and analyzing water chemistry.
Which specific areas of study are covered?
The core areas include groundwater table construction, discharge quantification in the Darmbach stream, aquifer hydraulic characterization, and physico-chemical water analysis.
What is the main objective of the pumping tests conducted?
The aim is to calculate aquifer properties like transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and well performance by analyzing drawdown data during suction and recovery phases.
Which scientific methods are utilized for data analysis?
The work employs the least-squares method for modeling, Theis and Cooper-Jacob equations for aquifer testing, and salt dilution for stream discharge monitoring.
What is the content of the main chapters?
The chapters address groundwater leveling, stream flow techniques, pumping test methodology, and water sampling protocols for laboratory investigation.
How is the report characterized by its keywords?
It is defined by technical hydrogeological terms and computational tools such as GNUplot and Maxima used for modeling and data evaluation.
Why was the "float method" considered to have a systematic error?
The float method tends to overestimate discharge because it measures surface velocity, which is typically higher than the mean velocity of the entire water column due to friction at the stream bed and banks.
How did the team account for the recovery phase in the pumping test?
The recovery phase was analyzed by measuring water level increases after the pump was shut off, and the data was adjusted to a new time coordinate starting at zero for accurate calculation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Stickdorn (Autor:in), 2016, Hydrogeological Field Methods. Discharge, Pumping Test and Water Analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/433463
