Summaries of Lectures

Winter Semester
Multicultural Cooperation
Hydrogeology of Tropical and Subtropical Regions I
Well Construction and Water Catchment
Quantitative Methods in Hydrogeology I
Applied Hydrochemistry
Groundwater Contamination and Protection
Road and Dam Construction
Introduction to Hydraulic Engineering
Soil Mechanics
Introduction to Soil Science
Soil Protection
Economic and Social Geography
Scientific/Technical English
Colloquium
Development Policy
Geotechnical Excursion to Tunisia

Summer Semester
Hydrogeology of Tropical and Subtropical Regions II
Quantitative Methods in Hydrogeology II
Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling
Tropical Soils
Raw Materials
Introduction to Surveying
Remote Sensing
Geoelectrical Methods
Refraction Seismics
Scientific/Technical Reports
Geotechnical Seminar

Textbook and Lecture Notes
Degrees

Winter Semester

Multicultural Cooperation

When travelling to another country, into another cultural area for studying and co-operating with foreign people one will be confronted with different habits and customs, with different ways of living together. Therefore, at the beginning of the course during a week-end seminar an introduction will be given in German life style and the situation in German universities as well as in German teaching methods and learning techniques. Additionally, various views and ways of life, based on the multiplicity of cultural, historical and religious backgrounds, as well as strategies of understanding and multicultural co-operation will be discussed.

Hydrogeology of Tropical and Subtropical Regions I

Compared to the hydrogeological conditions prevalent in the temperate climatic zones, the tropical and subtropical regions show climatically related quantitative and qualitative syndromes and distinct features of their own. After a short introduction to the earth's climatic zones, characteristic tropical and subtropical conditions are treated with special reference to run-off regimes, salt and suspension transport in rivers, hydrological influences of swamps as well as natural and artificial lakes, the origins and sedimentology of salt lakes, etc.

Well Construction and Water Catchment

Providing expert counseling for well construction projects is one of the specific tasks of the hydrogeologist. After an introductory review of hydrogeological parameters relevant to well construction the following subjects are treated: well types, rammed and shaft wells, boring procedures, geophysical borehole logging, installing drilled wells (installation methods and equipment, well casing, screen types, emplacing screen sections, filter layers, sealings, well gauges), pump types, pump installation, well development, pumping tests, well aging (precipitation of carbonates, ocher, etc., sanding up, corrosion), well regeneration, groundwater gauges, tapping spring water. The subjects described are illustrated by an one-week excursion to well sites, water works, drilling companies as well as manufacturers of pumps, pipes, screens, well equipment, and measuring instruments.

Quantitative Methods in Hydrogeology I

The course comprises a brief discourse through the fundamentals of the hydrological cycle, recharge and water budget calcula- tions with special relevance to parameters like precipitation, evaporation and discharge. The theory of groundwater flow and determination of aquifer parameters (pumping test, etc.) are discussed. Another topic is the calculation of transport and propagation of contaminants in aquifers.

Applied Hydrochemistry

Practical hydrogeological work normally includes consideration of hydrochemical aspects, especially those connected with groundwater contamination and water provision for drinking or industrial purposes. The theoretical component starts by reviewing the basic chemical concepts, and then goes on to describe the chemical and physico-chemical processes occuring in the unsaturated and the groundwater-bearing zones. Also treated are the principal ions, secondary substances, and trace elements (including the limit values in force) as well as chemical influences resulting from the properties of aquifers. Stocktaking, graphic depiction, and assessment of water analyses are practiced. The practical component includes laboratory exercises analyzing water samples as well as fieldwork involving sampling and on-site measurements.

Groundwater Contamination and Protection

Worldwide water resources are endangered by man-made contamination. This results in reduction of usable water resources so that expensive purification techniques have to be applied. To counteract this development, knowledge is required of the sources and kinds of contamination as well as of available decontamination measures. The lecture deals with groundwater contamination caused by fertilizers, plant protection agents, hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, including aspects of their recognition, delimitation and decontamination. As specially implicated causes of contamination, close attention is paid to households, trade, industry, traffic, waste deposits, old industrial and military waste, etc. As an important means of water protection, the delimitation of groundwater protection zones around waterworks is described.

Road and Dam Construction

Considered in this lecture are: historical development of road construction, major components of pavement structure, geotechnical properties of soils, soil classification systems, various methods of subsurface exploration, deformation behavior of the subsoil, soil compaction, pavement design, cuttings and embankments, road construction on soft ground, special problems in tropical areas, retaining structures, various kinds of dams and associated sealing techniques including seepage and filter problems.

Introduction to Hydraulic Engineering

Typical tasks to deal with in hydraulic engineering are "preventing flood damages", "harnessing hydro power", "meeting consumptive demand", "maintaining or improving water quality", "mitigating drought". The course aims at making acquainted with such items where the expertise of hydro-geologists and engineering geologists - e.g. determination of river bed parameters, assessement of suitabiliy of selected site for hydraulic structures - are involved. Topics dealt with are river training, reservoirs, coping with hydrological "unreliability", channels, dams, weirs, basic hydraulic and stability checks, impact of hydraulic engineering projects on human health, water quality and ecosystems, complex schemes such as irrigation or hydro systems. The presented methods are practiced in small case studies during the course.

Soil Mechanics

After an introduction to the methods of determining the general properties of soils and classification tests, laboratory methods of determining the shear strength of soils are discussed. These include vane test, direct shear test, and the triaxial test. Furthermore, Proctor test and CBR test as used in road and embankment construction are dealt with.

Introduction to Soil Science

The lecture deals with fundamentals that are presupposed knowledge for the lecture on tropical soils. Definitions, factors of soil formation and descriptions of soil types are the main topics. This includes treatment of soil components, weathering processes, the composition of organic matters, the C : N - ratio, the behavior and influence of soil water and soil air, soil structures, types and units, physico-chemical properties of soils, soil characterization, classification, and cartography.

Soil Protection

The soil layer is where processes like weathering and the decay of minerals and organic matters as well as formation of new minerals take place. It provides a habitat for vegetation. Not only natural processes but also man-made activities influence and can endanger the soil cover. Thus, it is necessary to protect soils more effectively. The lecture deals with soil as a basis for food production and a source of renewable raw materials. Also covered are its role in natural water purification, as a substrate for suburban housing, and as a source of raw materials.

Economic and Social Geography of the Tropics and Subtropics

The seminar is held in order to make the participants acquainted with economic and social problems of developing countries. This seminar concentrates on the South and South-East Asian region and investigates several vital anthro- pological and geographical problems in an exemplary manner. The problems of primate cities, colonialism, religion and tradition, tropical agro-economy, and development strategies will be dealt with.

Scientific/technical English

The aim of this seminar is to improve the level of spoken and written English. Errors of expression are closely monitored as participants give talks, engage in discussions, fill out job application forms, practice writing scientific papers, etc. Participants are encouraged to work on their particular problems with the English language.

Colloquium

The colloquium is intended to improve the knowledge of foreign countries. Each participant is required to give a presentation covering the geology and geography of his country as well as the relevant historical, cultural, and religious background.

Development Policy

The three days seminar deals with theories and experiences about underdevelopment of states and concepts of sustainable development. The principles of German development policy are described as well as national and international financing agencies and their role for development. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of natural resources and environmental impacts for development will be discussed.

Geotechnical Excursion to Tunisia

Summer Semester

 Hydrogeology of Tropical and Subtropical Regions II

The various kinds of groundwater provinces and their utilization are described. Further topics treated are groundwater recharge in arid areas (monitoring seepage rate and surface run-off, measuring and analyzing evaporation), water and wind erosion, measures of erosion control, measuring and analyzing meteorological parameters, irrigation methods, ways and means of tapping surface water including rainwater harvesting. Case studies are presented in order to illustrate the above mentioned topics.

Quantitative Methods in Hydrogeology II

The lecture, combined with several exercises to be carried out with the help of the PC, is an introduction to groundwater hydraulics, especially the theory of flow through porous media and the use of finite-difference numerical techniques. Operation of the Modflow program is exercised. Reconnaissance methods for the interpretation of geophysical and hydraulic data are introduced. The students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge on a practical case study.

Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics and Tunnelling

The first part of the lecture program is devoted to reviewing and expanding all those aspects of geology that bear on rock structure and rock upthrust. Knowledge of primary stresses is a further key prerequisite for construction work in rock. Hence the techniques of stress measurement are treated in depth and illustrated with concrete examples. The second part of the lecture program deals with the applications of engineering geology to tunnel construction. Here rock classification and tunnel documentation are given primary emphasis. In addition, some leading techniques used in hardrock investigations are practiced in the field.

Tropical Soils

Soils are an important resource which should be taken into account in any project of environmental relevance. They are part of the geosphere and of ecosystems and thus interface with the biosphere. Soils differ so much that a knowledge of their zonation lines and distribution patterns as well as their properties is essential. These lectures present the major features of soil geography in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, using the most appropriate FAO-legend of the Soil Map of the World. Important principles of soil association such as the horizon, soil type, catena, and the zonal concept are presented.

Raw Materials

Raw materials like sand, clay, and limestone are important industrial minerals needed for the production of glass, cement, and ceramics. The lecture covers an introduction to the geology, exploration, evaluation, and application of these minerals. Special interest will be given to the raw materials for the building industry, cement production, the glass industry and applications in the field of environmental protection. Environmental impacts of the development of these basic industries will be discussed.

Introduction to Surveying

This introduction covers the two main aspects of "plane surveying": collection of field data bearing on objects and data conversion into maps, plans and figures vs. actualization of planned objects from scaled data. Emphasis is placed on mathematical and geometrical measurement aspects, as well as on setting-up and handling geodetic instruments commonly used in plane surveying. Three days of fieldwork is an integral part of the lecture.

Remote Sensing

The introductory part of the lecture deals with principles of remote sensing, electromagnetic radiation, matter-energy interaction, satellite imaging systems, optical, infrared and microwave systems, image processing and analysis. Examples are given of this technology`s applicability within geology and hydrogeology, especially in connection with land use and desertification. The practical part concentrates on visual interpretation of Landsat Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper images of two selected areas of the Third World.

Geoelectrical Methods

This lecture includes an introduction to the theory of geoelectrical methods in groundwater exploration, principles of electromagnetism and direct current geoelectricity, fundamentals of resistance methodology, and the use of measurement instruments. Another key topic is geoelectrical prospecting and mapping as well as preparation of prospecting graphs with the help of the computer and reference graph method. Methods of detecting measurement errors, interpreting measurement graphs and compiling reports are covered as well. Field exercises are carried out using the four-point method.

Refraction Seismics

This lecture provides a practically oriented treatment of elastic wave propagation in subsurface strata. Applications of refraction seismic methods are also covered in detail. Survey geometries are discussed as well as different interpretation methods concerning recorded seismic data. Participants will be introduced to operating relevant seismic equipment. Exercises and practical fieldwork will permit to be monitored by participants.

Scientific/Technical Reports

Skill in compiling expert reports on geotechnical matters is a requirement no fully proficient geologist can afford to sidestep. A blueprint is provided on how to tackle the task of preparing geological reports. A number of possible approaches and strategies are discussed with close reference to case studies and frequently encountered errors. Participants are assigned topics requiring completion of field surveys. Trainee reports are then assembled covering aspects of hydrology, soil mechanics, and rock mechanics, respectively.

Geotechnical Seminar

Visiting speakers are invited to hold workshops on various aspects of course topics (water desalination, hydrogeological maps, etc.).

Textbooks and Lecture Notes

Lecture notes on course topics are available as well as teaching aids, training materials, a special library, and PCs.

Degrees

All lectures conclude with final examination. Individual grades are collated under the following main grades:

Participants successfully completing all course requirements will be issued a certificate stating the examination grades obtained.
Information:
 Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Balke
Institute for Geology and Palaeontology, Sigwartstr. 10, D-72076 Tuebingen
Tel. +49 7071 / 29-74684
Fax. +49 7071 / 5059
klaus-dieter.balke@uni-tuebingen.de(klaus-dieter.balke@uni-tuebingen.de)
- Stand: 12. June 1997 -