TRAINING--Ground-Water Solute-Transport Training Program


In Reply Refer To:                              October 31, 1988
WGS-Mail Stop 411



OFFICE OF GROUND WATER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 88.07

Subject:  TRAINING--Ground-Water Solute-Transport
          Training Program

In recent years, project activities in both the Federal and
Cooperative Programs of the Water Resources Division (WRD) have
reflected the growing importance of ground-water contamination
particularly from point sources.  Today, these programs are
continuing to allocate significant resources for the study of the
complex problems related to the movement of contaminants in
ground-water systems.

During the last decade, research into problems of solute transport
by the worldwide community of ground-water hydrologists and
geochemists has been intensive.  While the outcome of this effort
has greatly increased our understanding of solute transport, the
significant realization has emerged that solute-transport problems
are very complex and generally require investigators with special
expertise and experience.

In order for the U.S. Geological Survey to remain a leader in the
field of ground water and solute transport, our scientists must
get adequate training and experience.  At the present time, the
National Training Center offers four courses related to ground-
water solute-transport investigations.  These courses and their
next scheduled date to be given are:

1.  Ground-Water Solute-Transport Concepts for Field
    Investigations (G0051) - January 9-13, 1989

2.  Modeling Transport of Ground-Water Solutes (G0801) -
    June 19-30, 1989

3.  Chemistry for Ground-Water Solute Transport Models (G0702) -
    January 23 - February 2, 1989 and

4.  Advanced Modeling of Ground-Water Transport (G0071) -
    June 12-16, 1989.

Descriptions of these courses are attached.

In the recent past, these courses have been undersubscribed by WRD
attendees. This lack of attendance is in conflict with our
perception of the relevance and importance of the topic.  One
reason that might be contributing to this fact is a perception
that the three "modeling" courses are focused on training for the
use of specific computer codes.  These courses actually are
focused on teaching the basic physics and chemistry required to
understand the transport phenomenon and use numerical models to
aid in this understanding.  These courses and similar courses are
in great demand in the private sector, and our personnel should
avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in them and
stay abreast with the leaders in the field.

It is important to have qualified scientists proposing and
undertaking ground-water solute-transport studies.  Because of the
complexity of the subject, one cannot become an instant expert by
taking one course.  The training program should be started before
an individual is doing a transport project. Therefore, we
encourage participation in these courses, and request that they be
carefully considered when training plans are developed for each
hydrologist.



                               Eugene P. Patten
                               Chief, Office of
                               Ground Water

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Distribution:  A, B, S, FO, PO