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Science & ResearchISCO 2114

Hydrogeologist

A hydrogeologist is a person who studies the distribution, the quality and the flow of water in order to protect mine workings from unwanted water and to secure an adequate supply of process water. The same person supplies and evaluates the information that protects groundwater and surface water from contamination.

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Rate 5 of the 15 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manage land resources permits

ensure compliance with environmental legislation

assess impact of industrial activities

perform water analysis

prepare scientific reports

About hydrogeologist

Water in a mine is a problem in two directions at once. Too much of it floods a working and makes it unsafe; too little leaves the operation without the water its processes need. The hydrogeologist has to understand where the water is, where it moves and how fast, which is why the hydrogeologist builds groundwater flow models.

Measurement underpins the modelling. The hydrogeologist carries out water analysis, works from geology and from geographic information systems, and prepares the scientific reports that record what was found. Groundwater data is slow and expensive to collect.

The role reaches beyond the technical work. The hydrogeologist assesses the environmental impact of groundwater activity, manages the permits for using ground resources, and liaises with specialists across the industry. Much of this is translation: a geological finding has to become something an engineer can design around, a regulator can licence and a mine manager can plan a year of production on.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.manage land resources permitsmanage land resources permitsStudy the potential impact of land resource utilisation on water and aquatic habitats. Make recommendations as to the approval or rejection of permits for those purposes.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....assess impact of industrial activitiesassess impact of industrial activitiesAnalyse data to estimate the impact of industrial activities on resource availability and groundwater quality.perform water analysisperform water analysisCollect and analyse samples of surface water and groundwater to analyse them.prepare scientific reportsprepare scientific reportsPrepare reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.create thematic mapscreate thematic mapsUse various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...create GIS reportscreate GIS reportsUse relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.study groundwaterstudy groundwaterPrepare and conduct field studies in order to determine groundwater quality. Analyse and interpret maps, models and geographical data. Compose a picture of area groundwater and land contamination. Fil...liaise with industrial professionalsliaise with industrial professionalsEstablish relationships with engineers and other industrial professionals.model groundwatermodel groundwaterModel groundwater flow. Analyse groundwater temperature and characteristics. Identify geological formations and man-made influence.identify GIS issuesidentify GIS issuesHighlight GIS-issues that require special attention. Report on these issues and their development on a regular basis.assess groundwater environmental impactassess groundwater environmental impactEstimate environmental impact of groundwater abstraction and management activities.
Optional (8) — show
hydrologyhydrologyThe study of the water concerning the availability and movement of water as well as the impact of human activities on the water cycle.watershed developmentwatershed developmentThe study of the relevant characteristics of a watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain an...coastal managementcoastal managementThe process of reaching and maintaining an equilibrium between natural phaenomena and human activities in coastal areas.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...negotiate land accessnegotiate land accessNegotiate with landowners, tenants, mineral rights owners, regulatory bodies or other stakeholders to obtain permission to access areas of interest for exploration or sampling.treat contaminated watertreat contaminated waterTreat contaminated water using a variety of techniques such as lagoons and reed beds.perform water testing proceduresperform water testing proceduresConduct testing procedures on water quality, such as pH tests and dissolved solids. Understand instrumentation drawings.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a hydrogeologist do?

Hydrogeologists study the distribution, quality and flow of water in order to keep mine workings free of nuisance water and to ensure an adequate supply of process water. They supply and evaluate information which will protect ground and surface water from contamination.

What skills does a hydrogeologist need?

A hydrogeologist needs 15 essential skills, including geographic information systems, geology, manage land resources permits, ensure compliance with environmental legislation, assess impact of industrial activities.

Will AI replace hydrogeologist jobs?

The AI disruption score for hydrogeologist is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: perform water analysis, create GIS reports, prepare scientific reports. Most resilient: negotiate land access, liaise with industrial professionals, chemistry.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills15

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