Profession hydrogeologist

Hydrogeologists in mining study the distribution, quality and flow of water in order to keep mine workings free of nuisance water and to ensure an adequate supply of process water. They supply and evaluate information which will protect ground and surface water from contamination.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Geology

  Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

• Geographic information systems

  The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

Skills

• Assess impact of industrial activities

  Analyse data to estimate the impact of industrial activities on resource availability and groundwater quality.

• Analyse various types of water

  Design boreholes; sample and analyse surface water and groundwater.

• Study groundwater

  Prepare and conduct field studies in order to determine groundwater quality. Analyse and interpret maps, models and geographical data. Compose a picture of area groundwater and land contamination. File reports on issues with landfill groundwater, e.g. area pollution caused by coal combustion products.

• Liaise with industrial professionals

  Establish relationships with engineers, geologists, hydrologists and hydrogeologists, and other industrial professionals.

• Model groundwater

  Model groundwater flow; analyse groundwater temperature and characteristics; identify geological formations and man-made influence.

• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation

  Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.

• Create GIS reports

  Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.

• Prepare technical reports

  Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.

• Assess groundwater environmental impact

  Estimate environmental impact of groundwater abstraction and management activities.

• Address problems critically

  Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.

• Create thematic maps

  Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.

• Identify GIS issues

  Highlight GIS-issues that require special attention. Report on these issues and their development on a regular basis.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB