Hydrogeology Field Camp

Overview

This 2-credit intensive field- and lab-based course introduces students to groundwater flow, karst hydrogeology, and surface water-groundwater interactions through classroom instruction, laboratory exercises, and multi-day field investigations. Students will collect, analyze, and synthesize hydrogeologic and hydrochemical data into professional technical reports. These concepts and practical skills are directly relevant to careers in environmental and consulting work and help prepare students for the Professional Geologist (PG) licensure exam.

  • Instructor: Dr. Sean Yoon
  • Filed Site: O’Leno State Park and River Rise State Preserve

Application (Summer B 2027)

Please fill out the Google Form to apply!

Goals

  • Quantitatively interpret surface-water and groundwater dynamics using stream-gauging measurements and pressure-transducer data.
  • Design, conduct, and interpret dye-tracing and hydrogeochemical field investigations.
  • Understand well hydraulics and design, conduct, and interpret aquifer and well tests.
  • Analyze and interpret fluorescence, gas chromatography (GC), stable isotope, and in situ sensor data.
  • Integrate multiple data sources into clear, professional technical reports.

Format

This course combines classroom lectures, laboratory practice, fieldwork, and technical reporting. The course will meet either on campus (mostly in classrooms and laboratories) or at field sites.

  • Classroom Lectures introduce theoretical concepts and field methods.
  • Laboratory practices include sampling preparation, calibration, surveying, and data analysis.
  • Fieldwork includes four full field days of groundwater, hydrochemical, and tracer investigations. Students will meet in Williamson Hall in the morning and depart for the field sites (O’Leno State Park and River Rise State Preserve) using a Geological Sciences Department van.
  • Reports integrate daily data and culminate in a final synthesis report.

Prerequisites

  • None, but background coursework in hydrogeology and hydrochemistry is recommended.

Required Materials

  • Field notebook (waterproof recommended)
  • Laptop with Microsoft Excel (available free to UF students through Microsoft 365) installed
  • Appropriate field clothing and footwear
  • Refillable water bottle and sun/rain protection

Textbooks (optional)

  • Goldscheider, N., & Drew, D. (Eds.). (2007). Methods in karst hydrogeology: IAH: International Contributions to Hydrogeology, 26.
    A useful reference for students interested in deeper background on field methods and concepts in karst hydrogeology.

Grading

  • Assignments 1 - 8: 5 points each (40 points total)
  • Final Synthesis Report: 40 points
  • Participation in fieldwork and lab activities: 20 points
    • Attendance and punctuality (8 points)
      • Attends all field and lab sessions and arrives prepared and on time.
      • Minor absence/late arrival results in proportional deduction.
    • Active engagement in field/lab tasks (6 points)
      • Contributes to measurements, sampling, equipment setup, and data recording.
      • Demonstrates initiative and willingness to assist team members.
    • Preparation and adherence to safety protocols (3 points)
      • Comes prepared with required materials and follows safety and field protocols.
    • Teamwork and professionalism (3 points)
      • Works collaboratively, communicates respectfully, and contributes to group progress.

Schedule (Subject to change)

Date Topic Data Due
Jul 19

Lec 1: Orientation / Field Site Introduction / Dye Tracing Fundamentals

Lab 1: Standard dye solution production

 Standard dye sample scans

Report 1: Hydrograph analysis
Jul 20

Field Day 1: Dye injection / Field trip
Jul 21

Lec 2: Dissolved-gas quantification (headspace equilibration) / GC theory

Lab 2: Instrument practice (GC) / N2O calibration curve estimation

 N2O standard scans

Report 2: Dye calibration curve
Jul 22

Field Day 2: YSI calibration / Well water sampling / Dye sample collection

 YSI readings

Report 3: N2O calibration curve
Jul 23

Lec 3: N2O cycling in karst / Water isotopes in hydrology

Lab 3: N2O field sample processing

 N2O sample scans

Report 4: YSI data analysis
Jul 26

Lec 4: Well hydraulics

Lab 4: Previous slug test data analysis (Well 3)

 Previous slug test data

Report 5: N2O field data analysis
Jul 27

Field Day 3: Slug tests (Wells 4–7) / Water tape measurements / RTK survey / Dye sample collection

 Slug test data (Wells 4–7) / Water tape data / Diver data / Elevation (RTK) data
Jul 28

Lec 5: Stream flow gauging

Lab 5: Previous stream flow gauging data analysis

 Water isotope data

Report 6: Slug test analysis / Well water table analysis
Jul 29

Field Day 4: Stream gauging / Dye sample collection

 Stream gauging data
Jul 30

Lec 6: Fluorescence spectroscopy

Lab 6: Dye field sample scanning (Shimadzu RF-6000)

 Dye spectral data (Field Days 1–4)

Report 7: Stream flow analysis
Aug 2

Lec 7: Charcoal Packet Analysis

Lab 7: Charcoal Packet Elution and Scanning

 Charcoal eluate spectral data
Aug 3

Field Day 5: Dye sample collection / Field gear wrap-up

 Dye sample, charcoal pacekt, filed fluorometer data
Aug 4

Work on Report 8

Report 8: Breakthrough curve analysis
Aug 5

Work on Final Report

Final Report

Previous Cohorts