Track 1: Characterization and assessment of MTBE contamination of groundwater: Student immersion in a real-world problem
This project centers on the characterization and assessment of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) contamination of groundwater in selected regions of California. The project is designed so that students from underrepresented groups at California State University Dominguez Hills take a lead role in the collection, processing, and interpretation of hydrogeological data. Students - working through internships - access data from local California Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and participate in map analysis, water-quality analysis, borehole log interpretation, and groundwater data processing. Students also characterize local geology at each study site (e.g., lithology, permeability, porosity, hydraulic gradient, aquifer condition, hydrogeological boundary conditions, topography). Data collection is followed by analytical modeling, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results. Expected scientific results include determination of MTBE concentration levels within a given MTBE plume, estimation of MTBE plume geometry, and evaluation of temporal changes in plume geometry and velocity. This collaborative effort between CSU Dominguez Hills and local Water Boards gives students fundamental hands-on experience, a key advantage in finding a job in government or industry.
