Geospatial Information in Hydrogeological Studies

The purpose of this article is to make a review of hydrogeological information modeling objectives, techniques, and problems, and finally to propose a solution for data integration and transfer. Hydrogeological data and information management is crucial for efficient integrated water resources administration, protection, and exploitation. To assure an effective management of groundwater resources, a close cooperation and information exchange between different actors at different levels is necessary. The information flux must be optimized between local producers and potential users of hydrogeological data: regional and national institutions, as well as international and transboundary analysts and managers. The paper format of representation and exchange of hydrogeological information has already been replaced by different digital forms. However, an enormous diversity in applied formats and representations makes hydrogeological information extremely difficult to transfer in an automatic way. If this transition is not effective, misinterpretations of hydrogeological data may appear. The proposed solution consists in creating a domain-specific standard for the hydrogeological information exchange, using recent geomatics advances, taking into consideration appropriate ISO/TC211 and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geographic information standards. Such a new electronic carrier of hydrogeological information facilitates a dialogue between interested parties using web services and inbuilt exchange mechanisms, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international harmonization of environmental sciences.