History of Hydrogeology by Howden, Nicholas; Mather, John;

Short description:

The History of Hydrogeology, is a first attempt to bring the story of the evolution of the science of hydrogeology together from a country or region specific viewpoint. It does not cover history to the present day, nor does it deal with all countries involved in groundwater studies, but rather takes the story for specific key countries up and until

Long description:

Lessons can be learnt from the past; from time to time it is useful for practitioners to look back over the historical developments of their science. Hydrogeology has developed from humble beginnings into the broad church of investigatory procedures which collectively form the modern-day hydrogeologist’s tool box. Hydrogeology remains a branch of the over-arching science of geology and today provides analysis of the sub-surface part of the water cycle within a holistic approach to problem solving.

The History of Hydrogeology, is a first attempt to bring the story of the evolution of the science of hydrogeology together from a country- or region-specific viewpoint. It does not cover history to the present day, nor does it deal with all countries involved in groundwater studies, but rather takes the story for specific key countries up and until about the period 1975 to 1980. This is when hydrogeology was still evolving and developing, and in some areas doing so quite rapidly.

The book has been written not only for practitioners of hydrogeology and hydrology but also for teachers and students to see the context of the evolution of the science around the globe. The History of Hydrogeology will also be of interest to science historians and all those interested in the role that individuals, institutes and nations have played over the years in defining modern day studies of groundwater.

"...provides the historical prospective of the science back to the beginning of hydrogeology. …Descriptions include numerous nations in Europe, most notably UK, France and Germany…science historians may also enjoy the wide range of stories of the evolution of hydrogeology as it developed in a country or region. For those who are interested in the history of hydrogeology based on specific countries, this book provides the answers and would be useful for those going overseas for a project to one of the countries featured in the book."
—The Professional Geologist, Oct.Nov.Dec 2014

"Most striking is how much the development of hydrological studies in each country is influenced by that country's overall culture and politices, as well as geographic and geologic factors unique to each region. (...) This book gives a good sampling of these country-specific journeys. (...) Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals."
—Choice, June 2013, Vol. 50 No. 10

"History of Hydrogeology collects the essays from a variety of learned experts in the scientific field of hydrogeology, with particular emphasis on the history and evolution of the discipline. A handful of black-and-white photographs and diagrams illustrate such insightful writings as "Island hydrogeology: Highlights from early experience in the West Indies and Bermuda", "250 years of Russian hydrogeology (1730-1980)", "The progress of hydrogeology in Britain: 1600 to 2000", as well as essays on the history of hydrogeology in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, France, Central Europe & Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S. Each essay is complemented with references. History of Hydrogeology is at times technical, clearly intended for experts and professionals in the field; its wealth of information makes it an ideal choice for college and graduate school libraries, as well as geology reference shelves. 
—Midwest Book Review

Table of Contents:

Preface Biographies The history of hydrogeology project The history of hydrogeology in Australia Island hydrogeology: Highlights from early experience in the West Indies and Bermuda History of hydrogeology in China Hydrogeology in the Czech Republic History of French hydrogeology History of hydrogeology in Central Europe, particularly relating to Germany History of Hungarian hydrogeology A brief history of Indian hydrogeology History of hydrogeology in Japan The development of groundwater hydrology in The Netherlands between the mid-19th century and the late-20th century The history of hydrogeology in Norway History of hydrogeology: Poland A brief history of Romanian hydrogeology 250 years of Russian hydrogeology (1730–1980) The history of hydrogeology in Serbia The history of South African hydrogeology: maybe short, but surely sweet The History of hydrogeology in Spain Hydrogeology in Sweden The progress of hydrogeology in Britain: 1600 to 2000 A history of hydrogeology in the United States Geological Survey 1850–1990