Recent Trends in Hydrogeology and Environmental Consulting and Perspective on Maturing of Hydrogeology Profession
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper is a reflection of the development of the field of groundwater hydrology over the past or so. The field of hydrogeology began to grow during the 1960s and expanded rapidly during the 1970s with the recognition of serious environmental problems from hazardous chemicals and the subsequent evolution of stringent environmental regulations. Research opportunities and student interest in solving these environmental problems substantially increased the number and size of graduate programs in hydrogeology fields. Starting in the mid-1990s, a number of factors combined to initiate a change in this trend. Although the environmental and water resources market is stable and quite strong, there is a shortage of students entering the fields of hydrogeology, in spite of a very strong demand. This paper gives a perspective on the causes of this situation.
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Acknowledgments
The writer would like to thank Lenny Konikow, Dave Stephenson, Stephen Parker, Rob Bowman, Pat Mills, Scott Tyler, Mary Anderson, Jean Bahr, Tom Peterson, Jo Leeming, Vic Baker, Randy Charbeneau, John Wilson, Brent Murray, Tracey Kirkbride, William Alley and Mark Grismer for their generous contributions to the information base that is the foundation for significant portions of this paper. Thanks also go to Mark Wing, Ellen Torgrimson, and Deborah Salvato for manuscript production.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 13 • Issue 1 • January 2008
Pages: 20 - 27
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 29, 2006
Accepted: Nov 27, 2006
Published online: Jan 1, 2008
Published in print: Jan 2008
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