Subsurface Hydrology

Subsurface Hydrology by George F. Pinder and Michael A. Celia provides a thorough explanation of the mathematical underpinnings of common hydrogeologic practices. Based on university course notes compiled by the authors, it is intended for upper-level undergraduates or graduate students or as a reference for practitioners. The book is written from an engineer’s perspective, and a knowledge of mathematics through calculus is assumed. There are no reviews of basic mathematical concepts or lists of formulae and only a few unit conversion tables. The writing style is straightforward, easy to follow, and well supported with clear diagrams and figures that allow procedures and field situations to be visualized. Insightful homework problems at the end of each chapter add clarity to important concepts. Thorough introductory and summary sections do an excellent job of tying chapters together and maintaining the application-based theme. The book is divided into 11 chapters. The first three provide an overview of the practice of hydrogeology, fundamental physics of movement, and geologic principles. Many aspects of these chapters are clearly developed with relevant examples (e.g., fracture flow at Love Canal) and photographs and diagrams (e.g., particle size analytical tools). Chapter 2 carefully guides the reader through a column experiment in which an understanding of difficult concepts such as fluid pressure, hydraulic head, and fluid potential evolves logically. The significance of Darcy’s famous experiment is memorably developed by augmenting the discussion with Darcy’s original data and interpretations. Although such treatments benefit from explicit and detailed discussions, others seem out of sequence or rushed. In chapter 3, an elaborate section on the geologic time scale is immediately followed by an abbreviated account of hydrogeologic field investigations. I expected more emphasis on new, emerging field methods (e.g., direct-push and geophysical approaches) in this section, considering their potential to reduce uncertainty in the experimentally derived (constituent) parameters discussed later. Despite uneven coverage of some topics, the first three chapters introduce the breadth of hydrogeologic applications and add relevance to concepts developed in later chapters. The book’s strength lies in the next four chapters, which give comprehensive explanations of mathematical expressions and approaches used by most practicing professionals. Presentation of flow equations, analytical solutions, well hydraulics, and numerical solutions is logical and easy to follow. In many cases, the reader is guided through theoretical or physical foundations of the equations and then introduced to simplifications facilitating their use in typical field conditions. As the authors concede, the chapter on well hydraulics is not comprehensive, but it provides sufficient explanation of the most common approaches and solutions in the context of their reliability. I would have liked a comprehensive list of recommended readings at the end of this chapter. The issue of parameter uncertainty is supported with an excellent introduction to geostatistical approaches at a level of detail not seen in similar textbooks. From my geologist’s perspective, I found explanations and materials in these chapters tangible and informative, and appreciated new insight gained from them. In addition to an introduction to multifluid flow, the remaining chapters demonstrate applications of mathematical approaches in the context of contaminant fate and transport, ground water/surface water interaction, and remedial strategies. Procedures for investigating stream-aquifer relationships are introduced in the context of timely water resource and quality investigations (e.g., South Platte and Arkansas rivers). I expected some mention of the impact of regulated rivers and the role of phreatophytes but did not find them. Established remediation methods such as pump and treat, soil vapor extraction, air sparging, permeable reactive barriers, and bioremediation are highlighted. An introduction to basic chemistry inserted in the middle of this chapter is too short and seemingly out of place. I would have liked parts of this section to be sequenced earlier in the book and developed more fully, perhaps as a separate chapter. Modeling concepts brought into the discussion of remedial design do a good job of tying together concepts developed earlier. Overall, this book provides solid insight into fundamental quantitative applications in ground water hydrology. It is well written, and I found few mistakes or typos. Some sections could have been made more comprehensive with more current references and recommended reading lists and the later chapters made easier to follow with a more thorough chemistry introduction. Students and professionals will find Subsurface Hydrology to be accurate and reliable. Subsurface Hydrology by George F. Pinder and Michael A. Celia (2006) is published by Wiley-Interscience (ISBN 9780471742432). The 468-page text is available at the NGWA bookstore ($77 for members and $96 for nonmembers). Earth Science Department, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801; mschulme@emporia.edu Copyright a 2008 The Author(s) Journal compilationa2008National GroundWaterAssociation. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008. 00447.x