Exam Applied Hydrogeology WS 2004/2005

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Name: _____________________________ Student ID Number: __________________

Applied Hydrogeology (642 E) EXAMINATION / WS 2004/2005

Time: Place:

Monday, February 21, 2005, 10:00 11:00 hrs Room WAREM 004

7 problems on 11 pages closed book, closed notes no communications or communicational systems (e.g. mobile phone) Write your name and student ID number on each page The indicated time for each task corresponds to the number of obtainable points (max. 60 min = max. 60 points) Points (/Max) Points (/Max) Problem 5 .............................. Problem 6 .............................. Problem 7 ..............................

Results:

Problem 1 .............................. Problem 2 .............................. Problem 3 .............................. Problem 4 ..............................

Sum:

.............................

Date/Signature of lecturer:

Exam Applied Hydrogeology WS 2004/2005

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General Instructions
1) Geology is a descriptive science. When asked for definitions, explanations and interpretations, please feel free to illustrate your answers with sketches and drawings! 2) In all cases where a minimum of examples is asked for, extra points can be obtained by enumerating more! 3) If you answer questions on extra sheets, on the back of sheets or at the bottom of sheets, please indicate the question the answer refers to by repeating the exact numbering of the question!

Problems and maximum number of points = minutes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Terms and Definitions (9 min):.............................................................................................. 3 Aquifer and Rock Properties (10 min): ................................................................................. 4 Hydrogeological Systems (8 min) ........................................................................................ 6 Geology (8 min).................................................................................................................... 7 Groundwater development (9 min) ...................................................................................... 8 Aerial Photography and Satellite images (6 min) ................................................................. 9 Hydrochemistry and Isotopes (10 min) .............................................................................. 10

Total: 60min

Exam Applied Hydrogeology WS 2004/2005

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1 Terms and Definitions

(9 min):

Define the following terms in at the most 2 sentences. Instead or in addition you can use drawings to illustrate your definitions. Give examples where necessary or helpful. Try to include all the hydrogeologically relevant aspects but avoid general and meaningless formulations. E.g. Groundwater defined as: Groundwater is an important source of drinking water You can skip two terms and still get 9 points! Extra points are possible.

1.1

unconsolidated

1.2

seismic velocity

1.3

igneous rock

1.4

weathering

1.5

isotope fractionation

1.6

anisotropy

1.7

angle of dip

1.8

fracture

1.9

metamorphism

1.10 exfoliation

1.11 bio-stratigraphy

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2 Aquifer and Rock Properties

(10 min):

What are the processes that can lead to a decrease or decreasing trend of the primary porosity in unconsolidated sediments?

2.2

Explain why the vertical hydraulic conductivity of a sediment or sedimentary rock is usually lower than the horizontal one.

2.3

Scale: If we compare hydraulic conductivities of a specific geological formation measured

a) in a laboratory using a permeameter b) in the field (pumping test) which will be the differences and how might these differences be explained?

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2.4

Hydraulic properties of unconsolidated rocks: Use the grain size distribution curves shown in Figure 1 to characterize the four sediment samples A, B, C, D with respect to their hydraulic properties.

2.4.1 Classify the samples (use descriptive names like coarse sand, very well sorted)

A: B: C: D:
2.4.2 Compare the following rock properties and bring the samples in a meaningfull order (eg. density: D > B > C > A meaning that D has the highest, A the lowest density).

Uniformity coefficient: Effective porosity: Hydraulic conductivity:

__ > __ > __ >

__ > __ > __ >

__ > __ > __ >

__ __ __

clay

silt
fine medium coarse fine

sand
medium coarse fine

gravel
medium coarse

stones

%
100

C
80

A
60 40 20 0

0.002

0.006

0.02

0.06

0.2

0.6

20

60

mm

grain size in mm

Figure 1: Grain size distribution curves for four (4) different samples of unconsolidated, clastic sedimentary rocks. Use the curves to answer question number 2.4

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3 Hydrogeological Systems
3.1

(8 min)

Which parameters, elements and processes define hydrogeological system?

3.2

Explain the principle of

3.2.1 passive

3.2.2 active sea water intrusion

3.3

Interpreting Hydrogeological Systems.

3.3.1 Explain how temperature measurements can be used to interprete: a) interactions between aquifers

b) interactions between aquifers and surface water bodies (rivers, lakes)

c) the general flow pattern in a area

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4 Geology
4.1

(8 min)

List at least three processes that lead to the formation of fractures!

4.2

Name and describe at least three geological processes that lead to the development of a secondary porosity in rocks!

4.3

What are the two main techniques of geological dating? Explain the principles very briefly!

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5 Groundwater development
5.1 Surface features

(9 min)

5.1.1 Enumerate surface features that can be used to analyse the hydrogeological conditions. Some sketches and drawings will be helpful.

5.2

Suitable aquifers

5.2.1 Describe a suitable aquifer and the most promising borehole location for an area where a) consolidated geological formations predominate

b) unconsolidated geological formations predominate

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6 Aerial Photography and Satellite images

(6 min)

6.1.1 How can we make use of multi spectral satellite images in Geology and Hydrogeology?

6.2

High resolution aerial photography

6.2.1 Describe the general idea of how to use high resolution aerial photography to locate a fault or fracture zone!

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7 Hydrochemistry and Isotopes

(10 min)

7.1.1 Name at least three stable isotopes that can be used in hydrogeological and hydrological investigations.

7.1.2 Explain the principles of how stable isotopes can be used in environmental sciences and hydrogeology! What are the most important questions that can be answered using stable isotope analyses? Give examples of applications of the isotopes you mentioned in 7.1.1!

7.1.3 Which isotopes can be used for dating of: a) young

b) older groundwaters from the Holocene period

c) What is the key aspect that makes the isotope that you probably chose to answer question 7.1.3a so useful for dating young groundwaters?

What is the key aspect that makes the isotope that you probably chose to answer question 7.1.3b so useful for dating older groundwaters?

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7.2

A groundwater sample has a very low electrical conductivity.

7.2.1 What would be a typical range for low electrical conductivities in natural groundwaters [use an appropriate unit].

7.2.2 What are possible causes for a low electrical conductivity in natural groundwaters, or, in other words, where can such groundwaters originate from? Name and explain at least two causes!

7.3

A groundwater sample that was taken from a sandstone aquifer has a high hardness.

7.3.1 Give at least two plausible reasons?

7.4

A groundwater sample is rich in iron (Fe3+).

7.4.1 What does this tell you about the general hydrochemical conditions of the groundwater system the sample was taken from?

Good Luck!