the example of fluid flow along faults in the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany.
Chapter 6 has a new section on global‐scale surface water‐groundwater modelling and Chapter 7 includes new material on the phenomenon of terrestrial water loading by monsoon rains on groundwater level fluctuation in the Bengal Basin. Chapter 7 also extends the section on downhole and surface geophysical techniques as applied in hydrogeology.
Chapter 8 on contaminant hydrogeology has a new section on emerging contamination from microplastic pollution and the section on agricultural contaminants is extended to include a global assessment of nitrate stored in the vadose zone. A section on the problem of saline water intrusion on small oceanic islands is included, illustrated with the example of groundwater supply on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Given the importance of karst groundwater resources in many areas of the world, Chapter 9 now considers methods for groundwater vulnerability assessment and mapping of carbonate aquifers with an example from the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Chapter 10 has been expanded with new sections on the role of managed aquifer recharge in sustainable water management and on the linkages between groundwater and climate change. The response time of groundwater to climate change, the connection between groundwater pumping and global greenhouse gas emissions and the influence of global warming on cold‐region hydrogeology are all explored. The challenge of achieving net‐zero carbon emissions by 2050 is introduced with new material discussing the link between groundwater and energy resources with an introduction to geothermal energy resources, ground source heat pumps and shale gas exploration. Finally, and with a view to looking forward, this third edition concludes with an updated discussion of future challenges for groundwater governance and management.
Kevin Hiscock, Norwichand
Victor Bense, Wageningen
July 2021
Preface to the second edition
Reflecting on the first edition of this book, written a decade ago, it has become increasingly evident that groundwater will play an essential part in meeting the water resources demands of the twenty‐first century, with groundwater already supplying an estimated 2 billion people worldwide with access to freshwater. Furthermore, the challenge of feeding a projected population of nine billion people by 2030 is likely to require an ever greater demand for water in growing crops, with a large fraction of irrigation water supplied by groundwater. Combined with other global environmental pressures resulting from altered patterns of temperature and precipitation as driven by climate change, adaptation responses to water use and management will become critical if demands for water are to be met. Hence, in order to set the scene for students and practitioners in hydrogeology, the second edition of this book includes new sections on the distribution and exploitation of global groundwater resources and possible approaches to adapting to climate change. A longer term view is also presented in which processes that act over geological timescales, such as the formation of sedimentary basins and crustal deformation during ice ages, are shown to have a profound influence on our understanding of groundwater flow patterns and the distribution of fresh groundwater resources today.
As with the first edition, the main emphasis of this second edition is to present the principles and practice of hydrogeology, without which the appropriate investigation, development and protection of groundwater resources is not feasible. An important addition to the current edition is Chapter 3 in which regional characteristics such as topography, compaction and variable fluid density are introduced and explained in terms of geological processes affecting the past, present and future groundwater flow regimes. In support of the new material presented in this chapter and throughout this second edition, and given the positive reception to the case studies published in the first edition, a further 13 boxes are included, as well as a set of colour plates, that are drawn from our teaching and research experience. The case studies illustrate international examples ranging from transboundary aquifers and submarine groundwater discharge to the over‐pressuring of groundwater in sedimentary basins and, as a special topic, the question of whether there is groundwater on the planet Mars. To help with a more rational presentation, some reorganization of material has occurred to separate investigation of catchment processes required to understand the role of groundwater as part of a catchment water balance (Chapter 6) from groundwater investigation techniques used to determine aquifer properties (Chapter 7). Also, Appendix 10 now includes a set of answers to the review questions in order to assist the reader consolidate his or her hydrogeological knowledge and understanding.
Kevin Hiscock & Victor Bense, Norwich
July 2013
Preface to the first edition
In embarking on writing this book on the principles and practice of hydrogeology, I have purposely aimed to reflect the development of hydrogeology as a science and its relevance to the environment. As a science, hydrogeology requires an interdisciplinary approach with applications to water resources investigations, pollution studies and environmental management. The skills of hydrogeologists are required as much by scientists and engineers as by planners and decision‐makers. Within the current era of integrated river basin management, the chance to combine hydrogeology with wider catchment or watershed issues, including the challenge of adapting to climate change, has never been greater. Hence, to equip students to meet these and future challenges, the purpose of this book is to demonstrate the principles of hydrogeology and illustrate the importance of groundwater as a finite and vulnerable resource. By including fundamental material in physical, chemical, environmental isotope and contaminant hydrogeology together with practical techniques of groundwater investigation, development and protection, the content of this book should appeal to students and practising professionals in hydrogeology and environmental management. Much of the material contained here is informed by my own research interests in hydrogeology and also from teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in hydrology and hydrogeology within the context of environmental sciences. This experience is reflected in the choice of case studies, both European and international, used to illustrate the many aspects of hydrogeology and its connection with the natural and human environments.
Kevin Hiscock, Norwich
May 2004
Acknowledgements
No book is produced without the assistance of others, and we are no exception in recognizing the input of colleagues, family and friends. Several people have provided help with proof reading sections and in supplying references and additional material. These people are Julian Andrews, Alison Bateman, Ros Boar, Lewis Clark, Sarah Cornell, Kate Dennis, Alan Dutton, Jerry Fairley, Aidan Foley, Tom Gleeson, Thomas Grischek, Rien Habermehl, Norm Henderson, Mike Leeder, Beth Moon, Lorraine Rajasooriyar, Peter Ravenscroft, Mike Rivett, Raphael Schneeberger, Wilhelm Struckmeier and John Tellam. An enormous thank you is owed to Phillip Judge, Sheila Davies and Laura Hiscock for their patient and expert preparation of the majority of the figures and Rosie Cullington for typing the many tables contained
