Objectives

The objectives of the course are the comprehension of the main hydrogeological processes for the management and protection of groundwater resources. Students will be introduced to the understanding of how water gets into the ground (recharge), how it flows in the subsurface (through aquifers), how groundwater interacts with the surrounding soil and rock (the geology) and how flows out in different ways (different kinds of springs). For the understanding of these processes the hydrogeological features, interaction between surface water and groundwater and chemical-physical parameters will be analysed in the framework of protection and sustainable management of water resources.

1) Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training activity the student will acquire knowledge about the main hydrogeological features of rocks and soils, about the mechanisms governing groundwater flow circulation and distributions and about water quality. The student will be also able to classify different types of aquifer and spring categories, and he/she will be able to analyse the relationship between groundwater and other water bodies (rivers, lakes, sea, etc.). The student will be able to understand the principle of sustainable exploitation and vulnerability of groundwater also in the framework of current legislation.

2) Applied knowledge and understanding
At the end of training activity, the student must demonstrate to be able to: read and analyze a hydrogeological map; critically analyse hydrodynamic aquifer parameters, carry out a piezometric map also defining the main features, classify waters basing on their chemical-physical characteristics, the student must be able to evaluate vulnerability and degree of exploitation of groundwater resources.

3) Making judgments
The student through the topics discussed during the course and during cartographic, numerical, and practical exercises will be able to make an individual judgment about groundwater flow circulation, groundwater quality and and degree of exploitation, dealing with different settings and environments concerning many aspects about the hydrogeology of an area.

4)Communication skills
The student will acquire an appropriate technical language both during theoretical lessons and tutorial activities, necessary to interact with specialists involved in analyses, management and planning of activities in hydrogeological and environmental fields. The communication skills will be verified during class discussions and the oral examination.

5) Learning skills
The student must demonstrate to be able to analyse hydrogeological features of a territory even if the settings are different from those considered during classes. The student mut also be able to define the key hydrogeological features of an environment useful to protect, monitor and correct manage groundwater resources.