Fractured rocks extend over much of the world, cropping out in shields, massifs, and the cores of major mountain ranges. They also form the basement below younger sedimentary rocks; at depth; they represent a continuous environment of extended and deep regional groundwater flow. Understanding of groundwater flow and solute transport in fractured rocks is vital for analysis of water resources, water quality and environmental protection, geotechnical and engineering projects, and geothermal energy production. Book chapters include theoretical and practical analyses using numerical modelling, geochemistry, isotopes, aquifer tests, laboratory tests, field mapping, geophysics, geological analyses, and some unique combinations of these types of investigation. Current water resource and geotechnical problems in many countries-and the techniques now used to address them-are also discussed. The importance of geological interpretation is re-emphasised in analysing the hydrogeology of fractured, mostly crystalline rocks and in how critical this is for understanding their hydrology and the wise utilisation of resources. This is indeed hydrogeology in its broadest sense. The importance of, but great difficulty in, extending or upscaling fractured rock hydraulic properties is also made clear. This book is aimed at practicing hydrogeologists, engineers, ecologists, resource managers, and perhaps most importantly, students and earth scientists not yet familiar with the ubiquity and importance of fractured rock systems.

The hydrogeologic environment of fractured rocks represents vital natural systems, examples of which occur on every continent. This book discusses key issues, methodologies and techniques in the hydrogeology of fractured rocks, summarizing recent progress and anticipating the outcome of future investigations. Forty-four revised and updated papers were selected from extended abstracts presented at the International Conference on Groundwater in Fractured Rocks, held in Prague in 2003 and these provide a valuable benchmark reference for studies in fractured rock hydrogeology worldwide. Topics include sustainable groundwater development, groundwater protection and management, new and improved approaches to the investigating hydrogeology of fractured systems, understanding of hydrogeologic properties both on local and regional scales, and both quantitative and qualitative aspects of groundwater flow and solute/contaminant transport.

The hydrogeologic environment of fractured rocks represents vital natural systems, examples of which occur on every continent. This book discusses key issues, methodologies and techniques in the hydrogeology of fractured rocks, summarizing recent progress and anticipating the outcome of future investigations. Forty-four revised and updated papers were selected from extended abstracts presented at the International Conference on Groundwater in Fractured Rocks, held in Prague in 2003 and these provide a valuable benchmark reference for studies in fractured rock hydrogeology worldwide. Topics include sustainable groundwater development, groundwater protection and management, new and improved approaches to the investigating hydrogeology of fractured systems, understanding of hydrogeologic properties both on local and regional scales, and both quantitative and qualitative aspects of groundwater flow and solute/contaminant transport.

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