The geology department is completely revamping laboratories in introductory geology and coordinating laboratories in groundwater geology and environmental geophysics to provide a series of integrated, inquiry-oriented, field-based experiences addressing interrelated, local geological problems and stressing the need for multidisciplinary approaches. These laboratories focus on the geology and environmental problems of the local area, which depends on a confined aquifer for its water supply. Contamination of this water by agricultural pesticides and industrial waste has occurred to varying degrees. Purchase of modern equipment with improved data acquisition and digital data-transfer capabilities makes it possible to undertake meaningful problems during course laboratories, even at the introductory level. Introductory geology laboratories include a refraction seismic survey to define aquifer thickness, a resistivity survey to continue monitoring a leachate plume, a magnetic gradiometer survey of old industrial sites to search for potential contamination sources, measurement of water levels in observation wells to map the potentiometric surface, and determination of aquifer transmissivity and storativity to assess groundwater movement rates. Combined laboratories in groundwater geology and environmental geophysics complement this effort, thereby building on the introductory experience. Additional activities include seismic reflection profiling to map sediment stratigraphy and advanced groundwater analysis to assess possible plume migration paths. GPS information together with all field data from all courses can be added to an extensive GIS database for production and evaluation of derivative maps that students evaluate.
