Course description
This two-day course begins by introducing you to the basic principles of isotope hydrology and then progresses to methods and case studies in two fundamental areas of application: environmental isotopes in groundwater resources and environmental isotopes in contaminant hydrogeology.
Environmental isotopes have become an integral part of geochemical studies in groundwater projects. New analytical technologies now allow rapid, routine measurement of a growing number of isotopes in a wide variety of sample types. Isotopes provide information that complements geochemical data, giving insights to geochemical pathways and processes in groundwater resource and groundwater quality studies. The cointerpretation of geochemical and environmental isotope data within the hydrogeological context provides hydrogeologists with a powerful problem-solving tool that is no longer restricted to research programs.
An introduction to environmental isotope theory, using the example of oxygen-18 and deuterium partitioning through the hydrological cycle, will be discussed. Fundamental questions in groundwater resource work include recharge origin and resource renewability. Approaches to answering these questions are reviewed looking at 18O and D during precipitation, evaporation, recharge, groundwater/surface water interaction, and mixing, using a variety of case studies. The use of tritium is presented for constraining the residence time of recent recharge in studies of groundwater recharge and circulation rates. Methods for modeling radiocarbon ages of dissolved inorganic carbon in older groundwater will be briefly reviewed.
Groundwater quality studies focus on understanding where contaminants come from and the transformations that they may experience in the subsurface geochemical environments. The second part of this course focuses on a selection of isotopes in solutes and solids, including 13C, 2H, 37Cl, 15N, and 34S, to trace the origin of contaminants and attenuation processes active in the aquifer. The areas of application to be covered include groundwater contamination due to agricultural (nitrate), industrial (LNAPLs and DNAPLs), urban, and mining activities.
Environmental isotope methods are supported with a large variety of case studies that integrate isotope and geochemical data sets within the context of the groundwater flow regime to highlight the objectives, approach, and interpretation of the method. The course will include lectures complemented by in-class problem solving and manipulation of data during the two days.
Learning objectives
In this course, you will learn how to:
Who should attend?
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando International Drive North
5877 American Way
Orlando, Florida 32819
407 363.9332
fax 407 363.9335
Accommodations: NGWA has secured a limited block of rooms on a first come, first served basis at the group rate of $98 per night single/double occupancy. This rate applies to the NGWA room block and is valid until the October 7, 2012 cutoff date, unless our block has been filled before then. When making your reservations, be sure to mention you are attending this NGWA short course. Remember, you are responsible for securing your own reservations. For guest check-in and checkout times, please contact the hotel directly.