ERTH 406/606  Environmental Geology

Professor: Qusheng Jin (CRN TBA) 4 credits 

Graded for Majors; P/NP optional for all other students.  $900 course fee and usual tuition and UO fees.

A field camp experience around Eugene-Springfield area

An applied introduction to the field methods of hydrogeology and environment cleanup. The class is built around a two-week field trip in Southern Willamette Valley, and will cover the following topics:

Stream hydrology measurements. We will use surveying equipment to measure the velocity, volumetric flow, and head gradient in a local river channel, and compare the measurements to the data from USGS National Water Information System.

Air quality and sampling. We will visit a local micrometeorological station, and learn about how the most common measurements, such as air temperature, wind, humidity and radiation, are carried out. We will also learn typical procedures and methods for collecting ambient air samples.

Soil characterization and vadose zone hydrology. We will learn the basics of soil science and vadose zone hydrology. Our plan includes (1) using sampling auger and digging soil pits, and identifying the basic components of typical local soil profile, (2) soil gas sampling, and measuring (3) infiltration rate, (4) soil moisture, and (5) hydraulic conductivity.

Well construction and residential water supply. We will work with local drilling companies to learn (1) well design (including casing, screen) and installation, (2) drilling methods (casing advancement drilling, fluid circulation drilling, and hollow-stem auger), (3) drilling log and borehole characterization, and (4) typical residential water supply system (submersible pump, power supply, holding tank, pressure gauge, etc.), water purification system (ion exchange, adsorption, etc.), and system maintenance.

Groundwater and well test. This chapter includes common methods for characterizing groundwater and aquifers. Topics include (1) water table measurement and three-point problem, (2) slug test in open boreholes, and (3) pump test in residential wells.

Water quality. This chapter focuses on water quality. We will learn (1) how to collect filtered and unfiltered water samples for chemical analyses from river channels, groundwater wells (including well purging and sampling), and residential houses, (2) how to chemically treat and preserve water samples for short-term storage and laboratory analysis, and (3) how to use standard probes and colorimetric methods to analyze unstable chemical parameters in the field. These unstable parameters include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, ferrous iron, sulfide, and alkalinity.

We will also learn how (4) to present the results of chemical analyses with hydrogeochemical diagrams, (5) to asses water quality by using EPA standards, and (5) to apply geochemical modeling and software package PHREEQC to analyze the results of chemical analyses, with a focus on mineral saturation.

Local environmental issues. We will learn environmental issues of local area. Possible topics include (1) wetland delineation, (2) phase I and II site assessment, and (3) groundwater arsenic contamination.