Judson Mead Geologic Field Station

This course makes use of a network of ground water monitoring wells, stream gaging stations, a SNOTEL site, and soil sample sites in the Willow Creek Demonstration Watershed, a facility installed for use by classes at the IU Field Station.

The class also works on two contrasting abandoned mine sites to discuss remediation. The emphasis is on data gathering in the field, making use of the permanent fixed sites as well as individual measurements and observations conducted using portable instruments. Students use the same general field area as the rest of the course, to benefit from accumulated knowledge. Groundwater flow and aquifer characterization, surface and groundwater geochemistry and the geochemical evolution of groundwater, and the generation of acid mine drainage will be the main topics covered.