Characterization and assessment of MTBE contamination of groundwater: Student immersion in a real-world problem (OEDG Track 1 proposal)

Track 1：地下水MTBE污染的表征和评估：学生沉浸在现实世界的问题本项目集中在加利福尼亚州选定地区地下水MTBE（甲基叔丁基醚）污染的表征和评估。该项目旨在让来自加州州立大学多明格斯山分校代表性不足群体的学生在水文地质数据的收集、处理和解释中发挥主导作用。通过实习，学生们可以从当地的加州区域水质控制委员会获取数据，并参与地图分析、水质分析、钻孔测井解释和地下水数据处理。学生们还描述了每个研究地点的当地地质情况（例如，岩性、渗透率、孔隙度、水力梯度、含水层状况、水文地质边界条件、地形）。数据收集之后是分析建模、统计分析和结果解释。预期的科学成果包括确定给定MTBE羽流中的MTBE浓度水平，估计MTBE羽流的几何形状，以及评估羽流几何形状和速度的时间变化。科罗拉多州立大学多明格斯山分校和当地水务局的合作为学生提供了基本的实践经验，这是在政府或工业部门找到工作的关键优势。

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.