Ph: 763.607.0092 Fax: 763.658.1539 Email: info@midwestgeo.com 6771 County Road 8 SW    Waverly MN   55390 
Site Navigation: Home > Upcoming Courses > Assessing Ground Water Movement and Contaminant Migration Through Aquitards: Hydrogeologic Analysis and Field Techniques 











Download Class Brochure








Location    Dates    Cost    Instructors    CEU Info    Class Summary    Course Topics    Registration Info    What to Bring    What Will You Receive    Travel    Driving Directions    Accessing Fermilab    About Fermilab   



Apply this course to any aquitard setting. It features practical aspects of hydrogeologic analysis for Environmental, Engineering, and Water Resources projects.





Location:
Northern Illinois University Extension Campus
1120 East Diehl Road
Naperville, Illinois 6523

With field components at:
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)
Dates:
May 5, 6, 7, 2009 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Registration from 7:00 - 8:00 am, May 5, 2009

Cost:
Register Now: $980.00
Register after April 24, 2009: $1,295.00



A group discount of 20% may be applied when five or more people from the same company register at the same time during the early registration period.

Government discounts available, please inquire at 763.607.0092.

Student discounts are available for students with full-time enrollment verification.

Student please inquire to info@midwestgeo.com

Introduction and Course Description
Aquitards (low-hydraulic conductivity hydrogeologic units) are critically important to groundwater and contaminant movement. Characterizing aquitards for environmental and water resource projects is important for protecting deep aquifers and understanding potential contaminant pathways for previously impacted aquifers. Both unconsolidated and bedrock aquitards share inherent low hydraulic conductivities, but approaches and field methods for characterizing each type can be completely different. Appropriate characterization requires site-specific understanding about the aquitard’s origin, unit distribution, heterogeneity, fracturing, and the effects of secondary weathering or tectonics.

We have designed a course to help you design and perform effective characterizations of aquitards for assessing ground water movement and contaminant migration.  From basic hydraulics to comprehensive fracture analysis, this course addresses the practical aspects of hydrogeologic analysis for environmental, engineering and water resources projects. 

This course features the most up-to-date information and procedures on petroleum (LNAPL) subsurface behavior, distribution and recoverability in fine-grained sediments.  We will also cover recent advances in pathogenic virus contamination discovered in deep aquifers where the procedures for identifying, sampling, sample transport and lab testing is continually being updated and improved.  Join us in May for this unique one-of-a-kind course.


Fractures in Fine-Grained Glacial Deposits: Special Session
Jointing in fine-grained glacial deposits (including till) will be addressed during a special workshop session.  Attendees on Day 3 will learn about 3-D joint geometries and relationships of the joints to weathering zones in till and understand the differences between those joints and others associated with stress relief features such as lake bluff erosion, river bank erosion, and steep man-made excavations. Learn how professionals use a variety of techniques to identify and characterize fractures, macropores, and other discontinuities in aquitards. Share your successes and ideas during a special workshop session.

Field Component
An exciting benefit of this course is the unique opportunity to observe the stacked sequence of clayey units at Fermilab and test the main principles taught during the classroom portions of the course.  Together we will conduct a comprehensive fracture analysis through the glacial sequence using Rotasonic sampling methods.   Geoprobe Systems will introduce the new Hydraulic Profiling Tool (HPT) with Electric Conductivity (EC) Logging---real-time output of electrical conductivity with a hydraulic pressure profile of the soil strata.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to sample from a dedicated FLUTe discrete water sampling device and conduct slug tests in vertically nested wells installed in the clayey glacial succession and underlying bedrock. 

Instructors:
Kenneth Bradbury, PhD, PG; Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Paul M. Kesich; Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Tim Kemmis; PhD, PG; Earth Tech

Madeline Gotkowitz; Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Mark Borchardt, PhD; Marshfield Medical Research Foundation

David Hart, PhD, PG; Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Mark Adamski, PG; BP America

Dan Kelleher, PG; Midwest GeoSciences Group


Testimonials:

Thank you for organizing and putting together such an exceptional course and top notch group of presenters. (My co-worker and I) talked about the course all the way home. The tools provided during the (Aquitard Course) will be a major contribution towards solving problems in low permeability formations and by taking a new approach at how we can look at the Geology beneath a particular sight. I know that the more we work with these tools, the better and easier it will become. Thanks again and I look forward to attending additional courses in the future.
 - Bradley D. Nordberg, Sr. Hydrogeologist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

As usual, just a wonderful (course).
 - Julie Weatherington-Rice, Bennett & Williams, Inc.

I attended this course in preparation for increasing my project responsibilities as a hydrogeologist. The material presented and training received is necessary for any hydrogeologist or engineer who is concerned about potential contaminant migration through aquitards in his/her work. This course, like all Midwest Geosciences courses, is very well organized and taught by top-notch instructors. I recommend this course to all environmental professionals who work with soil and groundwater contaminant fate and transport.
- Alan Stone, Hydrogeologist and Project Manager, Concord Engineering and Science, Inc.

Great Course! The field (exercises) were great! The presentation on viruses was very interesting!
 - Stephanie Handeland, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

(The course) made me look at aquitards in a new way ….as separate components based on (geologic) units instead of one 'whole' unit.
 - Michael Summers, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The entire course was very applicable to my daily projects. The discussions, open forum, and the hands on field work really shined.
 - Jeremy Reynolds, Huff & Huff, Inc.

Great course, notebook, instructors, and examples!
 - Guilio Scarzella, AMEC, Inc.

This very intensive and technical class was outstanding in every respect. This seminar involved problem solving, field work, and presentations. I would highly recommend this class to all hydrogeologists regardless of the program they serve.
 - Brian Kalvelage, Senior Regional Hydrogeologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Everything was great...the (session about) glacial depositional environments cleared up some of (my questions) about glacial sediments. I enjoyed examining the sediment core and (learning) from the experts. Dr. Bradbury's presentation on aquitard integrity, fractures and their importance of controlling hydrogeology was extremely informative. The presentations on viruses in the GW and sinking LNAPLs were profound and all new to me.
 - Karen Nelson, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

I felt all sections of the course contributed valuable information and resources.
 - Stephen Williamson, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The (aquitard course) was excellent, thank you!
 - Mike Zillmer, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources


Course Topics

Day One: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Registration and Introduction

Session 1: Background, purpose, and motivation

  • Need for course
  • Importance of aquitards
  • Types of aquitards
  • Location for course (glacial and bedrock)
  • Hydrogeology of aquitards

    •                          o        Deposition, genesis
                              o        Fractures
                              o        Dangers of hydrostratigraphic characterization in aquitards studies
                              o        Role in regional flow systems
                              o        Historical perspectives

    Session 2:  Hydraulics of aquitards

    • Vertical ground water movement
    • Horizontal flow
    • Key parameters (K, S, n)
    • Porous vs fracture-dominated flow
    • Calculation of flow rates
    • Effects of scale

    Session 3:   Strategy for field investigations of aquitards

    • Purpose (water supply vs contaminant studies)
    • Conceptual models: spatial variability and transport pathways
    • Collecting internal and external data
    • Refining the conceptual model

    Classroom workshop 1: Interpretation of Hydraulic Gradients through Aquitards

    • Eau Claire aquitard
    • Maquoketa shale
    • Lake Oshkosh
    • Fermilab

    Session 4:  Evaluating hydraulic properties of aquitards

    • Laboratory tests, time response
    • Slug tests
    • Pumping tests - use and abuse
    • Packer tests
    • Regional drawdown
    • Models
    • Extrapolation to larger areas

    Session 5: Monitoring and Field Instrumentation for Aquitard Studies 

    • Traditional piezometer nests
    • Horizontal nests
    • Multi-level monitoring systems
    • Buried transducers

    Session 6:  Transport through aquitards

    • Basic processes of transport
    • Dissolved species
    • NAPLs and DNAPLs
    • Particulates, viruses

    Session 7: Geophysical techniques in aquitard evaluation

    • Choosing the appropriate geophysical tool
    • Surface techniques to delineate thickness and extent
    • Borehole techniques to identify lithologies and flows

    Session 8: Water sampling from aquitards

    • Water quality parameters and inorganic chemical species
    • Purging and sampling wells in a low-K environment
    • Sampling pore water

    Session 9: Isotope techniques in aquitard studies 

    • Tritium
    • Oxygen-18/deuterium
    • Carbon-14

    Day Two: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

    Session 10.  Midwestern Glacigenic Aquitards I.  Depositional environments, primary depositional properties, and stratigraphy

    • Complexity of glacigenic aquitard sequences in the Midwest
    • Subglacial depositional environment: aquitards and properties
    • Supraglacial, ice-marginal, and ice-contact depositional environments: aquitards and properties
    • Glacilacustrine/Lacustrine depositional environments: aquitards and properties
    • Midwestern Quaternary stratigraphy: unraveling the complexity of site-specific sequences

    Session 11: Characterizing Aquitards and Identifying Unexpected Field Conditions during Field Activities

    • Key elements of boring log information for aquitards studies
    • Mechanics of field analysis and recognition of unexpected subsurface conditions

    Session 12:  Fermilab Stratigraphic Sequence: Glacial Succession and Bedrock Stratigraphy

    • Stratigraphic Framework
    • Ground Water Movement and Hydrogeologic Monitoring

    FIELD COMPONENT

    Depart NIU Extension at 10:30am; Arrive Fermilab Field Site (Muon Lab Nested Well Field Area) at 11:00am

    Field Workshop 1: Characterizing Aquitards and conducting a fracture analysis in the glacial setting using a boring with continuous rotasonic sampling by Boart Longyear Company

    • Recent advances in rotasonic sampling
    • Depositional environments and secondary weathering zones
    • Building the stratigraphic framework
    • Dangers of hydrostratigraphic characterization in aquitards studies
    • Fracture investigation techniques and analysis

    Field Workshop 2:  Field techniques for characterizing hydraulic gradients and sampling ground water in aquitards

    • Discrete vertical ground water sampling and profiling using a specifically designed FLUTe System for this course.

    Field Workshop 3:  Slug Testing Aquitards

    • Measuring water levels in nested wells and calculating vertical seepage rates
    • Speeding up test durations for slug tests in low-K units
    • Introduction of the Lo-K ™ Slug Test Assembly

    Depart Fermilab at 5pm; arrive at NIU Extension at 5:30pm

    Hospitality Suite sponsored by I.E.S. Cap-It-All Products, Inc.

    Day Three: Thursday, May 7, 2009

    Session 13: Aquitards in groundwater flow models

    • Modeling concepts
    • Parameter estimation
    • Sensitivity

    Session 14:   Pathogenic Virus Contamination in Deep Aquifers

    • Background and history of virus contamination
    • Status of problem and degree of hazards
    • Various on-going research
    • Assessment of sampling techniques, storage, shipping, and analysis for viruses in ground water

    Session 15:   Midwestern Glacigenic Aquitards II. 

    • Secondary weathering and related effects Weathering zones and alteration of primary depositional properties
    • Fractures in glacigenic aquitards: subglacial shear, ice-contact faulting, vertical jointing, and natural and man-induced fracturing (river and lake bluff lines, excavations, etc.)
    • Preliminary observations on vertical jointing in Midwestern Quaternary deposits: geometry, origin, significance

    Classroom Workshop 2 (Fractures in Fine-Grained Sediments)

    • Learn how professionals use a variety of techniques to identify and characterize fractures, macropores, and other discontinuities in aquitards. Share your successes and ideas during a special workshop session.

    Session 16:   LNAPL in Fine Grain Soils

    • Big pores and little mores – the significance of macropores
    • Role of threshold entry pressure in multi fluid systems
    • Does LNAPL float on the water table in Fine Grained Soils?
    • Vertical gradients in Fine Grained Soils with changing rainfall conditions
    • Impact on saturations in Fine Grained Soils and other soils

    Session 17: Modeling LNAPL distribution and recovery

    • Residual LNAPL saturations in Fine Grained Soil
    • Considerations for modeling LNAPL in Fine Grained Soils
    • API LNAPL Distribution and Recovery Model
    • Example model application in Fine Grained Soils and in LNAPL under confined conditions

    Session 18: Bedrock Aquitard Case Studies

    • Regional distribution, thickness, and geometry
    • Hydrogeologic nature and impacts from local water supplies
    • Maquoketa shale
    • Eau Claire aquitard

    Session 19: Sedimentary Sequence Aquitard Case Studies

    • Glacial lake Oshkosh clays
    • More

    Session 20: Course wrap up and discussion of participant’s problem

    • Participants are encouraged to bring their aquitard-related projects to the course and present them to the entire class.  Presentations are on a first come, first served basis and are limited to 15 minutes maximum.  Presentations that include corporate promotion are not permitted and all presentations are requested to be submitted before April 20 to Midwest GeoSciences Group for review.

    Course Adjourns at 5pm.


Registration:
Advance registration is necessary in this limited-enrollment workshop to reserve space and receive course materials. A confirmation letter will be sent within 10 days of registering for the course.

Registration is accepted on a first come, first served basis. A minimum of 25 people must be registered by April 24th to conduct this course. Last year, this course reached maximum capacity.

Special arrangements for diet, equipment, or handicap facilities should be indicated when registering for the course.

You can register:
- Online Registration Form
- Phone: 763.607.0092
- Fax: 763.658.1539
- Mail your registration form to:

Midwest GeoSciences Group
6771 County Road 8 SW
Waverly, Minnesota 55390



What to bring:
Bring a calculator and any field forms that you normally use for field work. Dress according for variable weather.

Bring a camera too. Fermilab is a scientist’s wonderland and there are many things to see and do.

What you will receive:
You will receive 24.0 contact hours of instruction, a Course Notebook, a Field Guide for Soil and Stratigraphic Analysis and a Field Guide for Rock Core Logging and Fracture Analysis by Midwest GeoSciences Group, and a CEU completion certificate from Northern Illinois University.

Continental breakfast, morning coffee break, lunch, and an afternoon break will be served with the course. Recording devices are not permitted during classroom sessions.

Cancellations:
Cancellations may be made up to two weeks before the course, however, 25 percent of the course fee will be charged. Cancellations made after two weeks before the course will be charged $500. No refunds. One substitute is allowed for each registrant who is unable to attend.

Continuing Education Information
  

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a Course Completion Certificate will be administered by Northern Illinois University.

  

Most state professional licensure programs accept CEUs for this course.

Classroom Venue
Northern Illinois University Extension Campus
1120 East Diehl Road
Naperville, Illinois 60563

The NIU Extension Campus is located in Naperville approximately ½-mile west of Naper Boulevard (Exit off of I-88 Tollway). The NIU Extension Campus is located approximately ½-mile from the Holiday Inn Select. Although a hotel shuttle is available by reserving it through the Holiday Inn Select, the distance is walkable on a nice day using the sidewalk.

Travel:
If you are flying to Chicago, Fermilab is located in Batavia, Illinois which is approximately 20 miles from O’Hare Airport and 25 miles from Midway Airport. Transportation to and from Chicago O'Hare Airport or Midway Airport is available by limousine, taxi or car rental. There is no public transportation to Fermilab.

Car Rental
All of the usual rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, etc.) are located at the airports. For the best price, we recommend Ace Rent-a-Car at O'Hare Airport, telephone 1-800-243-3443 or 847-297-3350.

Limousine Service
Reservations for limousine service should be made in advance when possible. West Suburban Limousine: 1-800-345-LIMO or 630-668-9600. For pickup instructions after your arrival at O'Hare Airport or Midway Airport, call 1-800-942-LIMO.

Taxis
Following is a list of taxi cab companies users can call if they need transportation offsite. There are many more listed in the Yellow Pages.

American Taxi
Naperville (630) 305-3908

Driving Directions:

From Chicago
From Chicago, travel west on the Eisenhower (I-290) to I-88 (80 cents) Exit I-88 at the Farnsworth exit, north or right (60 cents). Farnsworth becomes Kirk Road. Follow Kirk Road to Pine Street. Turn right at Pine Street, Fermilab's main entrance.

From O'Hare Airport
From O'Hare, take I-90 east toward Chicago. After just a couple of miles, take I-294 south, toward Indiana (80 cents) From I-294 take the exit to I-88, the east-west tollway, toward Aurora (80 cents). From I-88, take the Farnsworth exit (60 cents). Turn north onto Farnsworth. Farnsworth becomes Kirk Road. Follow Kirk Road to Pine Street. Turn right on Pine Street, the Main Entrance to Fermilab. Come to Wilson Hall, the High Rise, you'll see it sticking up off the prairie.

From Midway Airport
Take Cicero Avenue North to the Stevenson Expressway South (I-55) to I-355 North (toward Northern Suburbs). Take I-355 to the East-West tollway (I-88). Take I-88 West for approximately 10 miles to the Farnsworth North Exit and turn right. Travel 2.9 miles to the Pine Street entrance to the Fermilab site.

Accommodations
TBD

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory:
We chose Fermilab for this course location because of the regional thick glacial aquitard and the deep bedrock aquitards beneath the site.

Fermilab is a Department of Energy facility and is approximately 10 mi2 in size dedicated to basic research into particle physics - investigating the smallest building blocks of matter separated by the smallest distances that science has ever explored.
http://www.fnal.gov

     

Geologic Setting at Fermilab:

The distinctive formations, members, and facies that comprise the Quaternary-age sequence at Fermilab were first identified by Landon and Kempton (1971). These formations, members, and facies differ in origin, physical properties, and hydrogeologic characteristics. They affect ground water flow, and because the sequence is dominated by fine-grained subglacial tills, the units collectively behave as an aquitard over the underlying Silurian-age bedrock aquifer. However each unit exhibits a different vertical seepage rate and thus vertical seepage is dependent on the thickness and distribution of each unit at any given area.

The Quaternary-age Lemont Formation at most areas across Fermilab is approximately 65 feet thick and is subdivided into two members, the Yorkville and Batestown members. The Yorkville Member is further subdivided into three informal, but distinctive facies that include, from the top downward, a resedimented glacial facies, Facies A, Facies B, and Facies C. Facies A, B, and C are each composed of uniform, clay?rich diamicton, and each is interpreted to be subglacial till deposited by consecutive glacial advances. The Yorkville Member overlies the Batestown Member, the oldest member of the Lemont Formation at the Fermilab site. The Batestown Member, in contrast to the overlying Yorkville Member, is composed primarily of diamicton that is courser than the overlying units and also includes occasional discontinuous beds of sorted meltwater deposits. The following schematic presents the Quaternary-age stratigraphic units at Fermilab.








Download Class Brochure





© 1997 - 2008 Midwest Geosciences Group   Waverly, Minnesota