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EMSC3025/6025: Remote Sensing of Water Resources
Remote Sensing of Water Resources
EMSC3025/6025
Dr. Sia Ghelichkhan
Welcome
Remote Sensing of Water Resources
Course Evolution
Historical Focus Areas:
- Previously titled Groundwater: Emphasised geochemistry and fine-scale groundwater processes, with aspects of hydrogeology.
- Later transitioned to Remote Sensing of Water.
Current Direction: This year marks my first as course convenor, and I will be delivering the course for the foreseeable future. The curriculum has been comprehensively restructured and now consists of three core modules:
- Hydrological Cycle
- Remote Sensing of Water Resources
- Groundwater
Our Relationship to Water
What is water to you?
Our Relationship to Water
What is water to Sia Ghelichkhan?
- I am an Earth scientist with a strong interest in fluid dynamics and numerical modelling.
- My research is primarily focused on developing numerical methods to better understand Earth processes involving fluid flow.
- These processes include groundwater flow, glacial-isostatic adjustment of the Earth’s surface, and mantle convection—each of which can be described as fluid dynamics under the right conditions.
- My main area of expertise is in data assimilation, aiming to improve our understanding of complex Earth systems through the integration of models and observations.
Course Objectives
What is this course about
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different components of water in the landscape and how they interact.
- Undertake quantitative analysis and interpretation of actual data related to water in Australia.
- Understand the principles of groundwater and the physics of groundwater flow.
- Understand a variety of remote sensing satellite missions and how the observations inform water research.
- Critically evaluate technical reports and journal articles.
- Synthesise key concepts in hydrology and/or remote sensing to understand changes in water resources.
Structure of the course
Note: The actual content might change depending on our pace
| Week | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | The course, and the global and regional water cycle; observing water from space |
| 2 | Precipitation | Precipitation processes and measurement, and satellite precipitation (GPM/TRMM) |
| 3 | Evapotranspiration | Physical controls on evapotranspiration and its remote sensing |
| 4 | Runoff and streamflow | Hydrographs and catchments, and satellite altimetry (SWOT) |
| 5 | Soil moisture and the unsaturated zone | Water retention, and satellite soil moisture (SMAP/SMOS) |
| 6 | Groundwater — Principles | Occurrence and storage, and total water storage from GRACE gravity |
| 7 | Groundwater — Aquifers | Types, hydraulic properties, and characterisation of aquifers |
| 8 | Theory of groundwater flow I | Darcy’s law and saturated flow |
| 9 | Theory of groundwater flow II | Wells, pumping, and transient flow |
| 10 | Geology and Hydrogeology | |
| 11 | Groundwater management | Water resources in Australia |
| 12 | Water resources in a changing climate | Integrating observations and synthesis |
Course Materials
- Canvas will provide all the necessary resources for this course.
- watercourse.earth is the course website. It is part of me experimenting with new ways of delivering the course.
- I will be providing additional resources in form of (AI generated)podcasts and links to articles and videos for the course.
- Use Canvas to ask questions and discuss the course material.
- I am looking forward to your feedback on the course.
Assessment
How is the course going to be assessed?
pie showData
"Assignments" : 40
"Oral Critique" : 20
"Tutorial Participation" : 10
"Exam" : 30| Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 40% |
| Oral critique | 20% |
| Tutorial participation | 10% |
| Exam | 30% |
Assignments
Assignment I
- Precipitation.
- Post Week 2
- Analysing a precipitation record.
Assignment II
- Soil Moisture.
- Post Week 5
- Analysing soil moisture data, including satellite observations.
Assignment III
- Groundwater.
- Post Week 9
- Analysing groundwater levels and storage.
Note
- Assignments will be posted on canvas.
- All assignments will have the same grade.
Paper Critique
1. Oral Presentation
- Each student presents a selected paper (10-minute talk). (Chosen from a list of papers, first come first serve)
- Assessed by the instructor; worth 20% of the course.
2. Engagement
- Attend the presentations.
- Ask questions and take part in the discussion.
Schedule
EMSC3025 / EMSC6025 Timetable – Semester 2
| Time | Monday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|
| 09–10 | Lecture, R1.02, J8 | Tutorial, R1.02, J8 |
| 10–11 | Lecture, R1.02, J8 | Tutorial, R1.02, J8 |
| 11–12 | Computer Lab, R1.02, J8 |
Note
Participation is assessed during the Wednesday tutorial.
Lecturers
Dr. Sia Ghelichkhan (he/him)
siavash.ghelichkhan@anu.edu.au
Building J4 room L18
All lectures
Liam Morrow (he/him)
liam.morrow@anu.edu.au
Wednesday tutorials
Computer lab demonstrator
TBA — announced closer to the date
Note
Some of the remote-sensing material draws on lectures given by Prof. Paul Tregoning in previous years.
Course Organisation
Tutorials
- Explanation/revision of maths techniques
- Sample exam-type questions
- Python examples
- Tutorials might explain how to do the assignments
- Participation is assessed here (engagement, not attendance; best 8 count)
Comp Labs
- Drop-in sessions to work on assignments.
- Demonstrator (TBA) available to provide assistance
Class Representative
- The “voice” of the class
- Meets with Associate Director Education mid-semester and near the end of semester
- Provide feedback on arrangements and performance of lecturer/tutors
- AD Education passes feedback to us so that we can improve the course
Need a volunteer. Email me if interested.
Looking for more?
There are research opportunities!
There are opportunities to undertake research projects related to this course, particularly in numerical modeling of groundwater systems.
Please contact me if you are interested in pursuing these research opportunities!
Questions?
