RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

D. Erwin Irawand.erwin.irawan@gmail.com

Lecturer/researcher, Applied Geology Research DivisionFaculty of Earth Sciences and Technology

Institut Teknologi Bandung

Thesis and Dissertation

For the last 15 years, I have been focusing my work on volcanic areas for academic research. I worked in Southern Bandung area for my undergraduate final project and Mount Ciremai area for my master and PhD thesis. The result of each project have been published in refereed journal and presented in several conferences. For my undergraduate project, I have written the geological condition of Southern Bandung area which has many small volcanic vents (Irawan et al., 2000) and in the paper, I also proposed geological mapping technique to identify volcanic aquifer system.

In my master thesis and PhD dissertation, I worked in Mount Ciremai, a solitaire-strato volcano with elevation of 3072 masl. It situated in Majalengka (West flank) and Kuningan Regency (East flank), 20 km south of Cirebon. The diameter of this volcano, from the peak to the foot slope is about 10 km. Many studies have been conducted at the area, consists of regional geology and hydrogeology in large scale. There are at least 119 springs with variable discharge, from 10 L/s to nearly 100 L/s (Bappeda of Kuningan Regency, 2000). The availability of data and groundwater information is fundamental in understanding the conditions necessary to support the groundwater management in order to achieve the optimum utilization of groundwater versus its sustainability.

I identified three main aquifer units: pyroclastic breccias, lava, and laharic breccias. All of the observed-aquifers are unconfined aquifers. They feed water to spring zone encircling Ciremai. The spring zone is interpreted to be controlled by slope morphology. However, the morphology forms two slope breaks: at 750 masl (average 4o of slope difference) and at 1350 masl (19o of slope difference) (Irawan et al., 2003). I also found three factors to control the spring emergence (Irawan et al., 2006). First factor is the change of rock distribution from lava to laharic breccias. Morphological features in the form of ridges and valleys also contribute to control groundwater flow pattern. The second factor is fracture system in lava flows and continuous conduits in laharic breccias. The third factor is the intensive weathering processes in the study area. The process produces thick residual soil and high final infiltration rate. The residual soil is very potential in storing and transmitting water.

In another paper, I have tested 25 samples of thermal waters of various sources. I found that the thermal system is reflected by groundwater chemical properties. The characteristics shift from meteoric-dominated waters to formation-dominated waters (Irawan and Puradimaja, 2006). Moreover, I have conducted hydrogeochemical analysis on the area based on 119 spring locations in at Mount Ciremai area. Using Cluster analysis on 14 parameters, I have successfully extracted three clusters (Irawan et al., 2009b). Cluster 1 (112 springs) is distinguished by normal temperatures, low TDS, EC, and high bicarbonate concentrations. Cluster 2 (five springs) has moderately high temperature, TDS, EC, and high concentration of chloride. Cluster 3 (two

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springs) exhibits high temperature, anomalous high TDS, EC, and chloride concentration. Three hydrogeological systems have been pictured based on the 3 clusters consecutively. The first system is developed in shallow unconfined aquifer, with domination of high bicarbonate (4.2 me/L) meteoric water. The second system is predominated with mixing processes, between groundwater in unconfined aquifer and hot groundwater from deeper aquifers. The third system is primarily dominated by groundwater flow from deep formation. The hot – deep seated groundwater flow also carries mud particles. It has anomalous high TDS (>1000 mg/L), EC (515 S/cm), and chloride (99 me/L) from interaction between groundwater with clay formations, interpreted as Kaliwangu Formation. The identification of water quality and the hydrogeological role of certain area is important to regional planning. It will assist the groundwater spring and well protection measures (Irawan et al., 2009a).

Aside to Mount Ciremai, I have done several researches at several volcanoes in Java Island: Mount Tangkubanparahu (Bandung area), Gede-Pangrango (Bogor-Cianjur-Sukabumi area), and Karang (Banten area). Each of the volcano exhibits particular groundwater and hydrogeology setting (Irawan et al., 2006). In conjunction with my volcano hydrogeology topics, I have taken part in researches at several geothermal sites: Kromong-Palimanan site (Cirebon area) (Puradimaja et al., 2003), Ciater and Domas Crater site (Mount Tangkubanparahu area) (Chandra et al., 2010), and Tiris site (Mount Lamongan Area) (unpublished report).

Research Grants

Since 2003, I have been intensively working with my supervisors to propose research grants, mainly in the area of volcanic hydrogeology. The following list contains several researches that I have completed:

● 2010, Stratigraphical Correlation of Halang Formation based on High Resolution Biostratigraphy and Hydrocarbon Potential, Banyumas Area, Mid Java. Role as Geologist, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant. Results: The application of high resolution of nannoplankton to identify the paleo-environment of Halang Formation.

● 2009, Application of Hydrohemical Tracer Technology to Reconstruct Groundwater Hydrodynamics in Volcanic Aquifer System of Mt. Ciremai, Competitive Research Grant of Directorate of Higher Education – Institute for Community Services Institut Teknologi Bandung, Role as Hydrogeochemist, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant. Results: the tracer can estimate the recharge area of groundwater spring zone at Mount Ciremai.

● 2008, Fracture Mapping on Karst Area of Cijulang, South Ciamis West Java, Institut Teknologi Bandung Competitive Research Grant, Role as Hydrogeochemist, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant. Results: intensive fracture mapping coupled with geophysical method give good result to map the groundwater occurences on fractured aquifer area.

● 2008, Application of Hydrochemical Tracer Technology to Reconstruct Groundwater Hydrodynamics in Volcanic Aquifer System of Mt. Ciremai, Competitive Research Grant of Directorate of Higher Education – Institute for Community Services Institut Teknologi Bandung, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant. Result: the method can identify 3 major groundwater system on volcanic area.

● 2007, Hydrodynamic Relation of River Water and Groundwater at Cisadane River Banks, Competitive Research Grant of Directorate of Higher Education – Institute for Community Services Institut Teknologi Bandung, Funding from Indonesia Higher Education Competitive Research Grant, Result: the identification of zonation of groundwater-surface water interaction along the river stream.

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● 2006, Characterization Volcanic Hydrogeology. Case Study: Mt. Ciremai, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, Mt. Gede, Mt. Karang, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant, Result: major hydrochemical zonation on volcanic area (part 2).

● 2006, Characterization Volcanic Hydrogeology. Case Study: Mt. Ciremai, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, Mt. Gede, Mt. Karang, Funding from Indonesia Higher Education Competitive Research Grant, Result: major hydrochemical zonation on volcanic area (part 1).

● 2006, Hydrodynamic Relation of River Water and Groundwater at Cisadane River Banks, Competitive Research Grant of Directorate of Higher Education – Institute for Community Services Institut Teknologi Bandung, Funding from Indonesia Higher Education Competitive Research Grant, Result: the unique interaction of groundwater and surface water along the river stream, coupled with the identification of point source contamination.

● 2006, Hydrogeological Characterization of Fractured Limestone Aquifer, Padalarang Area, Funding from Laboratory of Hydrogeology Institut Teknologi Bandung, Result: Hydrogeological characerization of fractured-intensive area.

● 2005, Characterization Volcanic Hydrogeology. Case Study: Mt. Ciremai, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, Mt. Gede, Mt. Karang, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant, Result: major hydrogeological characteristics of stratovolcanoes.

● 2003, Mapping of Limestone Hydrogeological System of Padalarang Area, Funding from ITB Competitive Research Grant, Result: groundwater spring map and fractured spring characterization.

Current Research

Here in Bandung Basin (West Java Indonesia), fresh volcanic spring water that comes from the surrounding highlands holds a very important part on the water supply system. Land use changes such as advancement of agriculture or inhabitation upslope results in changes in the local hydrological systems. This influences quantity and quality of groundwater. In Bandung Basin, volcanic deposit is the most productive aquifer system. On the other hand, they exhibit large spatial heterogeneity with generally no single structural geological direction. This complex subsurface architecture influences the flow patterns as well as the groundwater quality.

Based on current condition, part of my current focus is how to provide the hydrostratigraphy of volcanic aquifers in Bandung area. The research is based on environmental isotope measurement in groundwater and morphometry. In 2011, I have granted with research grants from ITB for my two researches, entitled: The Hydrostratigraphy of Bandung Basin based on Deuterium, Oxygen-18, and Tritium; and Morphometry Analysis and Field Permeability Value of Northern Bandung Area.

My work on both projects consists of two major measurements: hydrochemistry parameter as well as environmental isotope contents and field permeability (final infiltration rate). These techniques will allow me to estimate of spring or well capture zone and to link recharge areas and discharge areas with sufficient precision. I will also rely on classic multivariate statistical methods and data mining techniques. This will provide a more quantitative foundation for the analysis, allow the establishment of more accurate models, and give more insights to groundwater behaviour.

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International Experience and Networking

International experience and networking is an inevitable need for every profession, including a lecturer or researcher. It will enrich academic experience. In this matter, I have a number of opportunities to diseminate my research to international environment. In 2002, I presented my work in International Conference on Urban Hydrology for the 21st Century, hosted by the Department of Water Resources of Malaysia. The paper was about recharge area identification and delineation, at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (Irawan and Puradimaja, 2002). Next in 2004, I was a co-author for a paper in groundwater monitoring, which has been presented in International Workshop on Earth Science and Technology organized by Kyushu University Japan (Puradimaja et al., 2004). Then in 2006, I wrote another paper regarding Mount Ciremai hydrogeology in Persidangan Bersama Geosains, held by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Sequentially, I was co-author for a presentation regarding surface-groundwater interaction along Ciliwung River bank, in Bali (Puradimaja et al., 2007). Two other opportunities were at Bangkok Thailand where I presented my field work results for my dissertation (Irawan et al., 2008) at The International Symposium on Efficient Groundwater Resources Management and at Center for Einvironmental Remote Sensing (Ceres) Chiba University in 2009 where I conducted my sabbatical leave to study remote sensing for groundwater mapping. 

Recent presentation: The 2011 European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly at Vienna, Austria (03-08 April 2011).

Next international presentation: The 2011 International Union of Geology and Geophysic in Melbourne, Australia (June 2011).

In the past five years, I also have intensive communication concerning researches in volcanic areas with:

● Dr. Thom Bogaard from Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University, The Netherlands. His research stretches out into flood generation and hillslope hydrology, consists of precipitation-discharge modeling and the spatial analysis of subsurface water quality for hydrograph separation (http :// goo . gl /86 KjW ).

● Josaphat Tetuko Sri Sumantyo, Ph.D from Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University. Currently he is leading his lab The Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory. His main interests are theoretically scattering wave analysis and its applications in microwave (radar) remote sensing, especially synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and subsurface radar (VLF), analysis and design of antennas for mobile satellite communications, SAR onboard UAV and small satellite development. His works are strongly related with natural resources mapping (http :// goo . gl / YIOTY ).

References

Bappeda of Kuningan Regency, 2000. Groundwater Resources of Kuningan Regency Report, Board of Regional Planning (Bappeda) of Kuningan Regency.

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Chandra, E., Puradimaja, DJ., Guntoro, WS., Irawan, DE., 2010, Geoelectrical and SP Mapping for Geothermal System Reconstruction, Domas Crater, Mount Tangkubanparahu, Bandung, Journal Geoaplika.

Department of Mining and Energy, 1979. The Database of Volcanoes in Indonesia, Department of Mining and Energy.

Irawan, DE and Puradimaja, DJ., 2002, Geological Mapping and Groundwater Characterization an Approach to Spring Recharge Area Conservation, International Conference on Urban Hydrology for the 21st Century, 14-18 October 2002, Kuala Lumpur.

Irawan, DE and Puradimaja, DJ., 2006. The Differentiation of Hyperthermal Groundwater Origin by using Multivariate Statistics On Water Chemistry. Jurnal Geoaplika, 1(2).

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, D.J., Bogaard, T., 2006, Spatial Analysis of Volcanic Hydrogeology at Gunung Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia, presented at Persidangan Bersama Geosains, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Des 2006.

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, D.J., Notosiswoyo, S., Soemintadiredja, P., 2008, Hydrogeological Model of Stratovolcano using Physical and Chemical Parameters of Groundwater at Mt. Ciremai’s Spring Zone, presented at International Symposium on Efficient Groundwater Resources Management Bangkok Thailand.

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, DJ. and Bogaard, T., 2006. Spatial Analysis of Volcanic Hydrogeology at Gunung Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia, Persidangan Bersama Geosains. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, DJ. and Hutasoit, LM., 2003. Geological Control to Spring Emergence. Case Study: East Slope of Mt. Ciremai, Buletin Geologi. Buletin Geologi, 35 (1): 8.

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, DJ., Notosiswoyo, S. and Soemintadiredja, P., 2009a. Hydrochemical tracers to map hydrogeological setting at Mount Ciremai. Warta Bapeda

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, DJ., Notosiswoyo, S. and Soemintadiredja, P., 2009b. Hydrogeochemistry of Volcanic Hydrogeology based on Cluster Analysis of Mount Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Hydrology.

Irawan, DE., Puradimaja, DJ., Yuwono, S. and Syaifullah, TA., 2000. Geological Mapping of Volcanic Deposit for Volcanic Aquifer System Identification. Case Study: Pasir Jambu-Situwangi Soreang, Bandung Regency, West Java. Buletin Geologi, 3.

Irawan, DE., Silaen, H., Puradimaja, DJ., 2006, Hydrogeological Boundaries of Spring Belt at Strato Volcano. Case study: Gunung Ciremai, Gunung Gede - West Java and Gunung Karang-Pulasari – Banten, Indonesia Accepted in Conference of Volcano International Gathering.

Irawan, DE., Silaen, H., Puradimaja, DJ., 2006, The Hydrogeology of the Volcanic Spring Belt, East Slope of Gunung Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia, Annual Conference of International Association of Engineering Geologist, Nottingham, UK.

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Irawan, DE., Silaen, H., Puradimaja, D.J., 2006, The Hydrogeology of the Volcanic Spring Belt, East Slope of Gunung Ciremai, West Java, Indonesia, Annual Conference of International Association of Engineering Geologist, Nottingham, UK.

Puradimaja, D.J., Irawan, DE., Brahmantyo, B., Silaen, H., 2007, Hydrodynamic Relationship between River and Aquifer to Water Quality at Ciliwung River Banks. an Overview of Integrated Water Management, presented at International Symposium and Workshop on Current Problems in Groundwater Management and Related Water Resources Issues, 2-8 December 2007.

Puradimaja, DJ., Hendri Silaen, Irawan, DE., 2003, New Hydrogeological Determination of Normal and Hot Spring Complex at Ciwaringin – G. Kromong – Pesawahan, North of Ciremai Volcano, West Java, Indonesia, International Conference on Mineral and Energy Resources Management 2003, 28 – 31 July 2003, Yogyakarta.

Puradimaja, DJ., Wikantika, K., Irawan, DE., 2004, Groundwater Management based on Real Time Spatial Monitoring, Case Study: Tangerang Regency, International Workshop on Earth Science and Technology, Kyushu University, Japan.

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