Project Info
Submarine Groundwater Discharge along the New England Continental Shelf
Brandon Dugan
dugan@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This project will help constrain groundwater being discharge from continental shelf sediments into the ocean to better understand driving forces, implications for sediment deformation (e.g., pockmark formation), and nutrient delivery to the ocean. Few dedicated studies have been done to understand the rates of groundwater flow in marine shelf sediments and what controls discharge to the ocean in space and time. In this project, we will used existing data that has been collected for other studies (e.g., hydrocarbon exploration, geohazards) and re-interpret it to develop an understanding of where fluid flow is likely and how it evolves over time. We will focus on the New England continental margin as part of a larger project to understand this system and to apply the knowledge worldwide. Outputs will be used in 2D models that couple fluid flow, sea-level variations and glaciation, so the undergraduate researcher will be trained in a multi-disciplinary way that integrates geophysics, hydrogeology, and process-based modeling. Ultimately this research could lead to better resource control for coastal communities in need.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.
1) New England Margin studies upon which we will build to better understand offshore groundwater
a) https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014GC005569
b) https://ngwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00627.x
c) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44611-7
d) https://www.ecord.org/expedition406/
Primary Contacts:
Brandon Dugan dugan@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
The student should have basic understanding of introductory physics and introductory geology. They should also be comfortable working with electronic data on a computer workstation. Experience with computer modelling will help, but is not required.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4-5 hours/week
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
I will work closely with the student to ensure that their knowledge base grows in geophysics, seismic interpretation, hydrogeology, and groundwater modeling. As part of the work, the student will also gain skills on hypothesis development and testing. The student will also get experience presenting their work through writing and presenting.
MENTORING PLAN
I will use a multi-pronged mentoring approach. At the start of the project, I will work closely with the student to define our goals and to make sure they understand how their contributions are valuable to the larger offshore groundwater research project. We will also set up weekly meetings with milestones for each week. One of the goals will also be for the student to present their results at a conference such as the fall American Geophysical Union meeting. When it comes time for this, I will work carefully with the student on written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior
Senior