The Canadian Quaternary Association (CANQUA) and the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH-CNC) invite you to attend their first joint meeting, organized by the Geological Survey of Canada and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique – Eau, Terre et Environnement (INRS-ETE). The conference will be held August 28-31, 2011 in historic Quebec City, a world-heritage site.
Under the theme “Water and Earth: The junction of Quaternary geoscience and hydrogeology”, the organizing committee wishes to promote valuable exchanges between hydrogeologists and Quaternary scientists of all persuasions. Numerous aquifers across Canada consist of Quaternary sediments that were deposited during multiple glacial advances and retreats. The distribution and nature of these sediments control aquifer characteristics, including recharge and vulnerability. Coarse-grained surficial sediments provide high-yield aquifers in many Canadian regions; on the other hand, fine-grained sediments protect many other aquifers from surface contamination. Hence the variety of Quaternary sediment-landform assemblages in Canada provides a whole suite of hydrostratigraphic records and thus, hydrogeological contexts. This first joint meeting of the two groups of scientists seems long overdue.
The conference will consist of broad-scoped thematic sessions led by keynote speakers of international stature as well as a series of more specialized thematic sessions. In addition to the conference program, the meeting will include short courses, thematic workshops as well as pre- and post-meeting field trips.
Participants will have the opportunity to experience several free exciting attractions and the architectural charms of Quebec City, as well as to visit outstanding natural sites in the vicinity.
Looking forward to seeing you in Quebec City!
The GeoHydro2011 organizing committee
