GLY 514 Project

Graduate students (those enrolled in GLY514) will be asked to perform an independent research project. The purpose of this project is to develop skills that are particularly important to graduate studies: independent thinking, creativity, written and oral communication. You will be asked to prepare a case study of one example of potential or existing ground-water contamination. This case study will be documented in a short report (5-10 pages) and in a 10 min presentation to the entire class. The objectives of the research project are to familiarize you with the details of one hydrogeology-related case study, and to provide the rest of the students in the class an opportunity to "see hydrogeology in action."

I will be looking for evidence of your understanding of hydrogeology and/or hydrogeochemistry. Information about site history, health effects, political and social ramifications should be used for context and background only. When selecting the project make sure that there will be sufficient information about the geology available, so that you can provide a hydrogeologic interpretation of the site.

1. The site must involve contamination of the ground-water below the water table.  Other, water-resource or water protection projects may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

2. There must be sufficient information on the hydrogeology to characterize existing contamination and predict potential migration and/or degradation of contaminants.

3. The site must have been recent enough so that you can interview participants in the identification, clean-up, or regulation of the site.

4. Must not be the subject of your Thesis.

1. A 5-10 page written report outlining the history, site hydrogeology, description of contamination, and proposed, ongoing, or completed remediation efforts.  Try to focus your discussion on the hydrogeology, taking advantage of those concepts learned in class. This is a technical document, all specific statements must be cited and a reference list provided.

2. Bried notes from one phone or personal interview from a participant in the case.  The participant may be a geologist or engineer, community activist, lawyer, or government regulator that was involved with the case.  Ideally, you will get more than one interview with different points of view (e.g. regulator vs. community activist), but you are required to perform at least one interview.  This interview should consist of asking the participant 5 or more directed questions about the case.

3. A 10 minute oral presentation.  It is important that before you create your presentation, you read and try to follow the tips on giving effective presentations.  These tips are more directed toward technical presentations, but you should try to follow the same format.

You must hand in a one-page proposal of the site that you have selected by September 30, in class.I will approve your site or ask you to choose another based upon the proposal.  The proposal should indicate (1) the location of the site, (2) the contamination at the site, (3) your potential sources for information and interview, (4) general description of the contamination and hydrogeology.  The final presentations will be given during the last week of class.  Written reports will be due the day of the final.

Undoubtedly the easiest place to start is the web.  See the useful links page for a few suggestsions.   To contact regulators, try the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) or EPA Region 2 Office.