International Course on Applied Hydro-Geology (La Serena, September 27 to October 8, 2004)

CAZALAC organized and developed the International Course on Applied Hydro-Gelogy in Arid Zones from late September to early October 2004, in collaboration with the Institute of Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics of the University of  Bochum (Germany), and the School of Engineering of the University of La Serena (Chile).

The course was addressed to students in the last years of university careers related to an integral water management and to young professionals from institutions and water users’ organizations. Classes were dictated by German teachers, in English, assisted by academics from the University of La Serena.

The course objectives were mainly practical, with an initial concept leveling to continue with field visits aimed at analyzing practical problems on site.

Attendants

A total of 27 students attended the course, 8 of them were pre and post grade students from Germany, 6 teachers, students and government officers from Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Peru, 13 university students (University of La Serena, Chile and of San Juan, Argentina), professionals from the General Water Directorate, the Elqui River Surveillance Association and the University of La Serena.

Teachers

• Institute of Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics– University of  Bochum (Germany):
  Dr. Stefan Wohnlich
  Dr. Steffen Bender
  Dr. Frank Wisotzky
• School of Engineering – University of La Serena (Chile)
  Dr. Jorge Oyarzún
  Dr. Edmundo González

Organization

• Water Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Zones in Latin America and The Caribbean – CAZALAC (Chile)
• Institute of Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics– University of  Bochum (Germany)
• School of Engineering – University of La Serena (Chile)

Institutional Support

• UNESCO – Flemish Government (Belgium)
• UNESCO Office in Montevideo
• University of  Bochum (Germany)
• University of La Serena (Chile)
• CAZALAC (Chile).

Course development

The course took place in the facilities belonging to the School of Engineering, University of La Serena, Benavente 980, La Serena, CHILE. In a first stage, students received theoretical concepts of hydro-geology, on September 27, 28 & 29. A technical manual was delivered to each student containing the theoretical and practical topics of the course and class presentations.

After, field work was developed for 5 days in the Elqui valley. Students, divided into four groups, practiced pumping tests, flow measurement, electric conductivity measurements, among others, In the evening, they analyzed data collected during the day, which were discussed by the students in workshop sessions.

On the other hand, in addition to the field work to compile data and subsequently analyze them, the course included a visit to the mining locality of Andacollo and a visit to the Talcuna area, from where two mining companies extract copper from underground mines.

Course contents

• Introduction to underground water systems (Water physical properties, porous environments, Kinds of water deposits, Underground water uses, Underground water management)
• Quantitative hydro-geology (Climatic water equilibrium, Recharge, soil humidity and groundwater, characteristics of water deposits, underground water flow principles, hydraulic methods, geophysics in hydro-geology.
• Hydrochemistry (Water cycle and water chemistry, components of a water sample, Water – rock interaction, Sampling, Monitoring, Analytical Methods, Data Analysis)
• Underground water pollution (Agriculture, Mining, Urban areas)
• Underground water protection (Hydro-geological maps, hydro-geological models, protection areas)
• Underground water treatment and restoration (Treatment methods)
• Field work (Data compilation and analysis)