My research interests are in groundwater resources, specifically mapping and
quantifying the lateral heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity in clastic and/or
carbonate aquifers using various geophysical methods. To date, the majority of
hydraulic conductivity measurements are taken from single well pump tests. This
technique is an excellent means of measuring hydraulic conductivity within the
zone of capture of the well being tested. The measurements of hydraulic
conductivity are, however, limited to that zone of capture. By conducting a
number of combined seismic, resistivity, and induced polarization surveys and
ground-truthing those surveys to pumping tests from nearby wells, I plan to map
and possibly quantify the heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity in either a
clastic or carbonate aquifer.
Currently, I am looking at two potential sites to conduct my research. The
first test site would be located in selected portions of the Ogallala aquifer
in the Texas Panhandle. The demands for water in this area far exceed the natural
recharge rates, resulting in a "mining" of water in the Texas Panhandle. Many
efforts have been made to model this aquifer in order to accurately predict
the amount of water that is present today and will be present in the next 50
years. By increasing the geographic extent of hydraulic conductivity
measurements, a more accurate prediction can be made of the amount of water
available in the Ogallala. The second site would be located in South Florida
near Lake Okeechobee. My research would be in conjunction with the joint effort
between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management
District to restore and maintain the Florida Everglades. In order to accomplish
this task it is imperative that the subsurface in this area is accurately
characterized.
