Hydrogeophysics Laboratory — Storrs, Connecticut
Science Center Objects
About the Laboratory
The geophysicists and hydrologists at the Hydrogeophysics Laboratory develop, demonstrate, and support the application of geophysical methods to environmental-health investigations. They have expertise in a diverse suite of geophysical field methods including electrical, electromagnetic, seismic, radar, gravity, and thermal; these methods are run from land-based, waterborne, unmanned aerial system (UAS), and airborne platforms.
A saltwater tracer was injected into the shallow aquifer at a uranium-contaminated site in Colorado and monitored for 28 days using a combination of geophysical and well-sampling arrays; the sampling array is marked by the white standpipes adjacent to the central injection tank.
(Public domain.)
Key Capabilities
- Geophysical tomography
- Thermal imaging
- Heat tracing of groundwater/surface-water exchange
- UAS collection of thermal and hyperspectral imagery
- Integration of geophysical, hydrologic and chemical sampling
View looking down at a remediation research area, Loring Air Force Base, Maine. White tubing is part of the steam injection setup. USGS scientists conducted geophysical borehole surveys to determine if borehole radar could be used to monitor the steam injection remediation.
(Public domain.)
Key Instrumentation
- Land-based geophysical equipment: electrical, electromagnetic, seismic, radar, distributed temperature sensing, and infrared cameras
- Waterborne geophysical equipment: electrical, electromagnetic, seismic, radar
- Borehole geophysical methods: all standard tools, advanced imaging tools, and nuclear magnetic resonance
- UAS systems (2) for remote collection of airborne thermal and hyperspectral imagery
Laboratories and Capability Teams
Short descriptions of our specialized laboratories and capabilities across the United States.