Recent Trends in Hydrogeology and Environmental Consulting and Perspective on Maturing of Hydrogeology Profession

摘要

This paper is a reflection of the development of the field of groundwater hydrology over the past 50 years or so. The field of hydrogeology began to grow during the 1960s and expanded rapidly during the 1970s with the recognition of serious environmental problems from hazardous chemicals and the subsequent evolution of stringent environmental regulations. Research opportunities and student interest in solving these environmental problems substantially increased the number and size of graduate programs in hydrogeology fields. Starting in the mid-1990s, a number of factors combined to initiate a change in this trend. Although the environmental and water resources market is stable and quite strong, there is a shortage of students entering the fields of hydrogeology, in spite of a very strong demand. This paper gives a perspective on the causes of this situation.