Prague, Czech Republic, 21-24 May 2012


More information is on http://web.natur.cuni.cz/gwfr2012/

>>GwFR2012_announcement_circular, 08-06-2011.pdf

GwFR2012 focuses on the occurrence and properties of groundwaters in fractured rocks, nowadays the most dynamic developing field in hydrogeology. These rocks exist all over the world, but for a long time were much neglected from the viewpoint of hydrogeology. European hydrogeologists paid attention to the so-called hard rocks in developing countries of Africa where these rocks in many arid and semi-arid areas were the only source of potable water. Hydrogeological studies in temperate climatic zones (thus in most of Europe) were directed mostly at basinal structures. Only the last decade has shown that fractured rocks represent in many respects attractive hydrogeological environments, deserving attention. Other reasons for the change of attitude include:

· Natural groundwater resources of hardrock areas, mainly those originating in mountains as source areas, have been proved large enough to cover water consumption and to maintain flow of water courses in adjacent piedmont zones during dry periods.

· Due to global climatic change water stress, groundwater resources of hardrock areas have become the only sources of drinking water in large areas.

· Regarding possibilities of groundwater abstraction, under the present-day general trend of water demand increase, adequately sited water wells or other water intake systems in hardrock areas typically can cover requirements on water supply for small communities, plants or farms and for domestic water consumption. In some areas groundwater abstraction possibilities are high enough to supply even small towns.


THEMES of GwFR2012 conference

The themes of the GwFR2012 conference relate to the structure and geohydrological functioning of various geological environments with fracture permeability, and include:

THEME 1 – HYDROGEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF FRACTURED ROCKS

THEME 2 – GROUNDWATER FLOW IN FRACTURED ROCKS

THEME 3 – CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND ISOTOPE PROPERTIES OF GROUNDWATER IN FRACTURED ROCKS

THEME 4 – GROUNDWATER PROSPECTING, DRIILLING AND WELL CONSTRUCTION IN FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENTS

THEME 5 – INVESTIGATION AND INTERPRETATION METHODS IN FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENT

THEME 6 – MODELLING IN FRACTURED ROCK AQUIFERS

THEME 7 – VALORISATION OF FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENT

THEME 8 – ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ON FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENT

THEME 9 – GROUNDWATER PROTECTION IN FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENT

THEME 10 – LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN FRACTURED ROCK ENVIRONMENT

You can find more information about possible topics within these themes on the conference web site:

http://web.natur.cuni.cz/gwfr2012/index.php?id=2


FURTHER INFORMATION:

For further information please feel free to contact the Organizing Committee:

Zbynek Hrkal, Zbynek_Hrkal@vuv.cz

Karel Kovar, karel.kovar@pbl.nl


ABSTRACT SUBMISSION:

Abstracts are due by 30 September 2011. Abstract submission will be possible from beginning July 2011.