Groundwater and Human Development - IAH Selected Papers on Hydrogeology 6 (Hardcover)

Given the overwhelming availability of groundwater resources as compared to surface water resources, it has been long been recognized that groundwater play a central role in the development of human societies. In short, groundwater IS life. Its direct and most visible use is for human supply, although it has profound impacts in health improvement and poverty alleviation. The XXXII IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) and VI ALHSUD (Latin-American Association of Groundwater Hydrology for Development) Congress on "Groundwater and Human Development," held between October 21 and 25, 2002, in Mar del Plata (Argentina) gathered over 400 participants from more than 40 countries, who were able to exchange experiences and knowledge from their research. The main topics of the technical sessions were: Groundwater and Quality of Life, Groundwater in Urban, Suburban and Rural Systems, Transboundary Aquifers, Hydrogeology of Large Plains, Coastal Aquifers, Methods for Groundwater Studies, Education in Groundwater, and Groundwater Management. This books contains selected papers, plenary conferences and material from the several workshops held, as a way of showing the contribution of modern Hydrogeology in addressing the ever-increasing need of humankind for meeting their demand for fresh and safe water.