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Environmental Geology Major

What is Environmental Geology

The products and chemicals we use in our daily lives sometimes make their way into our soil and water and can adversely affect the health of people and wildlife. If the underground storage tanks at corner gas stations leak or if the local dry cleaners spill the solvents used to clean clothes, these chemicals can move through the soil to ground water, potentially polluting drinking water or allowing toxic vapor to enter basements and buildings.

An environmental geologist knows how to look at the underlying soil and rock, understands how the ground water moves, and figures out where those chemicals have gone to help find the best way to clean up the spill. County, state, and/or federal regulatory agencies require that reports documenting the geology, ground water, and contamination of such areas be submitted.

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