New Paltz Studies Hydrogeology at the Vassar College Field Station
01/26/2010
Dr. Chowdhury's Hydrogeology course provides our students with a solid grounding in both the theory and practice of hydrogeology, including physical and chemical characteristics of streams and groundwater. The field excursions for the course give hands-on experience on hydrologic field data collection using commonly used instruments and techniques.
Our previous post showed students working at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Another local resource is the Vassar College Field Station where students get hands-on experience doing hydrogeologic studies. The purpose of work is to get experience on aquifer testing (pump test and slug test), including determination of the hydraulic head, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and storativity, as well as ground water chemistry using field probes (pH, conductivity, DO and more), and streamflow measurement.
The class prepares to set up the aquifer testing equipment. Test well is in foreground.
Dr. Chowdhury oversees the well testing procedures.
Testing the well requires careful lowering of equipment.
Surface water flow measurements are taken across a stream using flow meters.
Water chemistry can be fun! Field probes are used to determine surface water chemistry.
