The course aims to familiarise students with the environmental problems associated with the protection and exploitation of aquifers, enabling them to integrate the groundwater aspect into any environmental approach. They will be given a scientific basis and an adequate vocabulary so that they can dialogue easily and objectively with specialists in this field.
The water cycle and the methods for calculating the hydrogeological balance are explained in the introductory part of the course. During the practical work, the student calculates the balance of a catchment area of the Condroz region (Bocq basin). The results are interpreted according to the regional geological framework. The different types of aquifers and the investigation methods used to characterise them are then described. The flow and transport mechanisms in a saturated environment are explained. The methods of exploitation and protection of aquifers are integrated into an environmental approach.
For master biologists, the examination consists of a presentation of a hydrogeological map provided before the examination. The student must characterise the area under study and illustrate a series of theoretical concepts learned in the course.
Fetter C. 2001. Applied hydrogeology. Prentice hall Ed. ISBN 0-13-088239-9