JOANNEUM RESEARCH

Post Graduate Training Course on GROUNDWATER TRACING TECHNIQUES

Im Rahmen der österreichischen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit wird in zweijährigem Zyklus ein Fortbildungskurs für Postgraduates aus Entwicklungsländern angeboten. Den Teilnehmern wird neben Vorlesungen, Übungen, Feldarbeiten und Exkursionen vor allem versucht, das systematische Arbeiten im Rahmen von gesellschaftsrelevanten Projekten nahe zu bringen. Dabei wird auch auf individuelle Problemstellungen einzelner Regionen eingegangen und Lösungsansätze auf der Grundlage der im Kurs präsentierten Methoden diskutiert.

Post Graduate Training Course on GROUNDWATER TRACING TECHNIQUES

 

POST GRADUATE TRAINING COURSE

ON

GROUNDWATER TRACING TECHNIQUES

 JOANNEUM RESEARCH Institute of Hydrogeology and Geothermics

in Cooperation with

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY GRAZ / AUSTRIA

2003 Course (August 18th – September 26th)

Sponsored by:

Republic of Austria

 

 

 

POST GRADUATE TRAINING COURSE

ON GROUNDWATER TRACING TECHNIQUES

The tracing of subterranean waters and the investigation of their direction and rate of flow have become more important than ever particularly in connexion with the increasing problems of water-supply, the construction of power stations and tunnels, and in mining.

Investigations of this kind have been connected with the improvement of old and the introduction of new methods. The older methods of using salt and dyes were improved by new equipment, and also experience in the use of radioactive materials is now available. The use of dyed lycopodium spores has proved successfully. Steps have also been taken towards the development of other tracer methods, like the introduction of hydrochemical components and the environmental isotopes.

The specialist today is hardly able to survey the latest stage of the development of all these methods; the references, too, are scattered over many periodicals. This causes increasing difficulties, because the choice or combination of methods depends on the respective problems, the geological conditions and on economic and hygienic factors.

The specialized techniques of groundwater tracing have largely been developed and practically tested for years by this institute. The first internationals specialists conference on this subject was organized by this institute in Graz 1966. The 5th International Symposium on the application of environmental and artifical tracers was carried out under the chairmanship of the institute in Athens 1986, in the meantime the 7th has been performed in Portoroz (Slovenia) 1997. Whereas the first course of this kind was successfully held in September 1969, the 19th seminar is now under preparation.

The institute is well equipped with staff and instruments for lectures, laboratory and field work. Graz, the second largest town in Austria, 240.000 people, is situated on the borders of the Styrian basin and the Eastern Alps, and is, with its university and university of technology, theatres, and large industry, the cultural center of Southern Austria.

With regard to the scientific and economic importance of groundwater tracing techniques Austrian specialists will be glad to welcome fellow geologists, hydrologists and engineers from developing countries as defined by United Nations, who intend to participate in this postgraduate training course as a further step towards solving hydrological problems in their countries.

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

The seminar programme includes lectures on, and practical exercises in, several methods, emphasizing work under field conditions in developing countries. The official language is English.

The six-week-programme includes:

1. Lectures on general hydrogeology: drilling methods, geophysics, borehole logging groundwater hydrology, runoff separation

2. Lectures and exercises on tracer technology: hydrochemistry, environmental isotopes, behaviour of artificial tracers, single well techniques, preparation, performance and evaluation of tracing experiments, investigation of water samples, combined application of environmental and artifical tracers

3. Lectures and exercises on computer techniques in tracer hydrology: computer aided processing of data, presentation of hydrological data, mathematical models, tracer models 4. Field work on tracer experiments in a karst area and in a granular groundwater field

5. Excursions and field demonstrations

6. Presentations of practice oriented projects

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

All applicants accepted will receive a grant of EUR 109,-- up to EUR 470,-- towards the actual costs of travel. They are expected to make their own travel arrangements. It is suggested that any supplementary assistance for travel grants be sought from the appropriate authorities of their home countries. In addition, tuition fees will be covered by the organizers of the course.

Participants will also receive about EUR 870,-- towards the cost of living for the duration of the course. For lodging at the University guesthouse a daily support of EUR 21,80 can be provided additionally. Health and accident insurance regarding medical treatment at preference rates will be provided by the Austrian government.

1. The course will begin on August 18th, and will end on September 26th, 2003.

2. Every participant should arrange for passport and visa formalities in his home country.

3. Participants are expected to arrive in Graz on August 16th or 17th, 2003

4. Concerning the airlines Graz is connected to Frankfurt, Munich (Germany), Zürich (Switzerland) and Vienna. Participants arriving in Vienna can reach Graz also by train. In this case they may proceed by normal airport-busservice to the bus terminal in Vienna-city. The Graz trains depart from the railwaystation Südbahnhof.

5. For each participant a single-room at the University guesthouse (Hotel Academia, Untere Schönbrunngasse 7-11, A-8043 Graz, Tel.: ++43 316/323 558) at reasonable prices will be reserved. The participant is free to make use of this accomodation or to look for lodging of his own choice. The latter would be his own responsibility. Due to frequent moving during the course, participants are strongly advised not to bring along dependants.

6. Field dress and rain coat are essential.

7. For further information write to:Post Graduate Training Course Prof. Hans ZOJER c/o Institute of Hydrogeology and Geothermics JOANNEUM RESEARCH Elisabethstraße 16/II, A-8010 Graz Tel.: ++43 316 876-1374,

Fax: ++43 316 876-1321

Email: pgtc@joanneum.at

8. Candidates are requested to notify the course directory of their application.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application

The applicants are required to have completed a thorough training in geology or hydrology and to hold a degree from an university or other recognized institutions of higher learning. It is desirable that the candidates should have practical experience in geology, hydrology or hydroengineering, either at an university, with a geological survey, or with some governmental or private establishments engaged in geological or hydrological work.

As instruction is given in English, it is essential that the applicants must have a working command of English.

The applicants must be recommended by the respective authorities of their home country.

All applications will be considered individually, and for a proper judgement of the applications it is necessary that the candidate should complete the application form as fully and clearly as possible.

 

The application form must be sent to

Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Austrian Diplomatic Mission (Cultural Attaché resp. Austrian Cultural Institute) in home country. before May 11th, 2003. The transmission of a copy to the course directory would be preferable.

The applicants will be informed by letter before June 30th, 2003, if their candidature is accepted; the decision of the selection board is irrevocable.

Attention is invited to fact that not more than 16 candidates can be accepted.

A very limited number of additional applicants from developing countries may have the opportunity to attend to the course if the costs of living and lodging are covered by their home countries. Priority will be given to candidates of Least Developed Countries especially of Africa.

 

Assessment of results

Participants who have fulfilled the requirements of the course and who have regularly taken part in it will receive an authorized certificate from the University of Technology, Graz.