This course is introductory and important for students to get to know water as a basic element of physical geography, how it interacts with the environment (natural and anthropogenic). To realize water importance in the life cycle of the planet and its living organisms for which it is the main fuel. Learn about the processes associated with the different forms of water and how they are correlated.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

1. understand the importance of water as the main source of life on our planet,
2. master the concept of hydrological cycle and its main processes,
3. be able to calculate the hydrological balance and concepts: total, surface and underground runoff, precipitation, evapotranspiration and infiltration,
4. become familiar with the quantitative and qualitative analysis of hydrographic networks on paper and using GIS (ArcMap) and the role of scale in studies,
5. understand the basic characteristics of surface and groundwater, as well as their interaction with geology and the natural environment,
6. familiarize with groundwater aquifers and their types, the laws of groundwater flow,
7. develop skills on the use of GIS in the determination and calculation of hydromorphological parameters,
8. introduction on the utilization of surface and underground water resources and the necessity of water resources management,
9. come in touch with the current chemical composition of drinking water and irrigation,
10. be familiarized with pollutants sources regarding surface and underground water pollution, about salinization and nitrate pollution of aquifers.

The course “Hydrogeography” aims to familiarize students with issues related to the appearance, circulation and distribution of water (water cycle), as well as its interaction with the environment (natural and anthropogenic). The course includes:

• Water cycle (Hydrological cycle) - River catchments & hydrographic networks.
• Surface water hydrology - Hydrological balance: Precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff.
• Groundwater hydrology - Groundwater aquifers - Aquifers’ hydraulic parameters.
• Hydraulic head & hydraulic gradient - Groundwater flow - Groundwater flow networks.
• Groundwater abstraction.
• Exploitation of surface water and groundwater.
• Water chemistry - Water quality characteristics.
• Pollution and protection of water resources.

The course structure has:

• Lectures held in the form of Theory (delivery) - Worksheet with practical application of theory-exercise (which is completed during the lecture or in between lectures).
• Lectures on theory and design of work - study - Poster - laboratory exercise that take place in combination in a classroom and in the computer lab.
• Iterative lecture.

• Lecture material
• Gupta S.K. (2011) Modern hydrology and sustainable water development, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Hiscock K.M. (2005) Hydrogeology: Principles and practice, Malden: Blackwell Science Ltd.
• Karamouz M., Ahmadi A., Akhbari M. (2011) Groundwater hydrology: Engineering, planning, and management, New York: CRC Press.
• Todd D.K., Mays L.W. (2005) Groundwater hydrology, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Ward R.C. (2000) Principles of hydrology, London: McGraw-Hill.