The physical processes underlying the flow of immiscible fluids through porous media will be presented.  Mathematical representations of flow will be developed.  Special emphasis will be placed on air-water systems with treatments of infitration, recharge, seepage, and solute transport.  In addition, methods of measurement and parameter estimation specific to variably saturated media will be discussed. 

Next offering: Fall 2002.

Credits: 3

Meeting time: TBA

Students measure unsaturated flow and transport properties using methods including: disk infiltrometers, ring infiltrometers, neutron probes, ground penetrating radar, and time domain reflectometry.  In addition, they examine groundwater/surface water interaction using monitoring wells, seepage pans, drive point piezometers, electrical resistance tomography, and thermocouples.  Finally, they construct a water table elevation map and  conduct slug/bail tests on an earthen dam. 

Next offering: Summer 2004.

Credits: 1

Meeting: Two weeks, all day

The fundamental physical processes of water flow and solute transport through saturated and unsaturated media will be presented.  Basic field and laboratory measurement methods will be discussed. 

Next offering: Fall 2002.

Credits: 3

Meeting time: MWF 3:00 - 4:00
                     Harshbarger 206

Students use modern field and laboratory equipment to measure/monitor hydrogeological parameters and variables, then analyse, visualize and interprete the results. The topics for study are chosen by the students enrolled during any semester.  Field activities have included: observation of well drilling, piezometer installation, core logging, water level measurement, pumping tests, disk permeametry, and moisture content measurement using time and frequency domain reflectometry, ground penetrating radar, an electromagnetic induction.  The laboratory exercises have included: determination of physical (hydraulic conductivity, porosity, effective porosity, soil characteristic curves, dispersivity), chemical (distribution coefficient, retardation factor, cation-exchange capacity), and thermal (thermal conductivity, heat capacity) properties of aquifer materials.

Next offering: Spring 2002.

Credits: 3

Meeting time: TBA