Global water dynamics: Shallow and deep groundwater, petroleum hydrology, hydrothermal fluids, and landscaping / Глобальная динамика водных ресурсов: неглубокие и глубокие подземные воды, нефтяная гидрология, гидротермальные флюиды и ландшафтный дизайн

Hydrology has been almost taken over by mathematical modeling. However, natural systems are multidimensional and multiparametric, and to understand them real data—observations and measurements obtained in real study areas—are needed. The following are examples of the applied research approach:

The three spatial dimensions are surveyed via a large number of sampling and measuring points, e.g., springs, wells, drillings, geological surveys, and more.

The time dimension is addressed by investigation of the geological and hydrological dynamics of the system, e.g., by dating of the groundwater host rocks, by isotopic dating of the water itself, and on the small scale by seasonally repeated measurements.

Multiparametric observations and measurements include water table positions, water heads, water temperature, and an extended list of chemical and isotopic analyses performed on carefully collected water samples. The final picture of every study case is derived on the basis of a large number of observations and derived conclusions.

Correlations between measured parameters are sought, as they provide indispensable insights into the studied systems, e.g., identification of mixing of water sources; external origins of dissolved ions versus water–rock interactions; temperature-induced processes; evaporation effects; and processes such as dolomitization, de-dolomitization, and absorption.

Spatial distribution of water facies, in depth profiles and between adjacent wells or springs, sheds light on the occurrence of shallow throughflowing

groundwater systems, and deeper isolated rock-compartments, that contain fossil formation waters as well as oil and gas.

The book addresses topics related to groundwater exploitation and preservation, petroleum genesis and exploration; thermal water recreation and energy production; nuclear waste repositories; and the educational aspects of these topics.