Groundwater and Human Development IAH Selected Papers on Hydrogeology 6

Groundwater plays a central role in the development of human societies. This book contains selected papers, plenary conferences, and workshop materials from the 2002 International Association of Hydrogeologists and Latin-American Association of Groundwater Hydrology for Development Congress on "Groundwater and Human Development," held in Mar del Plata, Argentina. This congress gathered over 400 international participants to exchange experiences and research. The main topics include groundwater and quality of life, groundwater in urban, suburban, and rural systems, transboundary aquifers, hydrogeology of large plains, coastal aquifers, methods for groundwater studies, and groundwater management.

It has long been recognized that groundwater plays a central role in the development of human societies. Groundwater resources arereadily and reliably available compared with surface water resources. In many contexts, the presence of groundwaterensures the presence of life itself.The XXXII IAH (International Association of Hydrogeologists) and VI ALHSUD (Latin-American Association of Groundwater Hydrology for Development) Congress on Groundwater and Human Development, heldin 2002, in Mar del Plata (Argentina),brought togetherover 400 participants from more than 40 countries. Thislively gathering of water enthusiastsexchanged experiences of both fieldwork andresearch. Topics under discussion and scrutinyincluded: Groundwater and Quality of Life; Groundwater in Urban, Suburban and Rural Systems; Transboundary Aquifers; Hydrogeology of Large Plains; Coastal Aquifers; Methods for Groundwater Studies; and Educationabout Groundwater and Groundwater Management. This book contains selected papers, plenary lectures and material from workshops, illustrating the contribution of modern hydrogeology to sustaining humanity'sthirst for fresh and safe water.

Preface Emilia Bocanegra, Mario Hernández and Eduardo Usunoff Foreword Mar del Plata Statement on Groundwater and Human Development Section1. PLENARY CONFERENCES Section 2. WORKSHOPS Section 3. PAPERS FROM TECHNICAL SESSIONS