Environmental Geology Laboratory

This easy-to-use, easy-to-learn-from laboratory manual for Environmental Geology employs an interactive question-and-answer format that engages the reader at the start of each exercise. Taking a developmental approach to learning, this manual emphasizes principles over rote memorization. The entire manual is written in a clear and inviting style, and includes scores of helpful hints to coach students as they tackle problems.

This easy-to-use, easy-to-learn-from laboratory manual for environmental geology employs an interactive question-and-answer format that engages the student right from the start of each exercise. Tom Freeman, an award-winning teacher with 30 years experience, takes a developmental approach to learning that emphasizes principles over rote memorization. His writing style is clear and inviting, and he includes scores of helpful hints to coach students as they tackle problems.

Environmental geologists use a wide range of geologic data to solve environmental problems and conflicts. Professionals and academics in this field need to know how to gather information on such diverse conditions as soil type, rock structure, and groundwater flow and then utilize it to understand geological site conditions. Field surveys, maps, well logs, bore holes, ground-penetrating radar, aerial photos, geologic literature, and more help to reveal potential natural hazards in an area or how to remediate contaminated sites. This new workbook presents accessible activities designed to highlight key concepts in environmental geology and give students an idea of what they need to know to join the workforce as an environmental geologist, engineering geologist, geological engineer, or geotechnical engineer. Exercises cover: • Preparation, data collection, and data analysis • Descriptive and engineering properties of earth materials • Basic tools used in conjunction with geoenvironmental investigations • Forces operating on earth materials within the earth • Inanimate forces operating on earth materials at the surface of the earth • Human activities operating on earth materials Each activity encourages students to think critically and develop deeper knowledge of environmental geology.

This laboratory manual has been fine-tuned to fulfill the needs of an introductory course for majors and non-majors. Reduced math and chemistry coverage and condensed lab exercises make the manual more manageable for your one-semester course, while offering a range of problems to match each student's abilities. Lab exercises focus on a broad range of environmental issues and include full-color photography to make identification problems easier. Author Harvey Blatt also covers the social issues relevant to environmental concerns and the effects of human intervention in geological processes.