Hydrogeology and Waste Disposal: Students Detect Ground Water Pollution

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Amid growing concern over toxic waste and pollution of drinking water resources, the need for well-educated hydrogeologists increases. The aim of this project is to teach students methods for the detection of ground water pollution, particularly pollution by waste disposal facilities. This will be done by improving the already-existing program in hydrogeology at Northeastern Illinois University. Major instruments to be purchased under this program include a mobile motorized auger, which students will use to learn methods of drilling, logging, and developing monitoring wells, and a pressure transducer-type water level indicator, which will allow students to make tests of the water-tightness of landfill covers. For detection of pollution, a gas chromatograph and spectrophotometer will enable students to chemically analyze water samples to detect and quantify pollution by leaking toxic wastes. This project is significant because it will train hydrogeologists in the areas most needed today. Identifying the paths and rate of movement of leaking landfill leachate is crucial to detection and remediation of polluted water. Toxic waste cleanup efforts have shown that studying the interactions between water and organic chemical wastes is of paramount importance. If today's students are to address these problems as tomorrow's scientists, they must learn the proper methods of research. The institution will match the award with an equal amount of funds.