GETSI Module: Evaluating the Health of an Urban Wetland Using Electrical Resistivity

Resource 2 Related Resources Lessons GETSI Module: Evaluating the Health of an Urban Wetland Using Electrical Resistivity Open Intermediate Open Resource This module introduces students to the fundamental principles and uses of electrical resistivity, with a focus on an environmental application. Students explore the characteristics and environmental setting of Harrier Meadow, a saltmarsh just outside of New York City. They investigate the relationship between electrical resistivity and physical properties of the soil in the marsh. Students also discover how variations in survey configuration parameters control investigation depth (how far into the ground the signals sense) and spatial resolution (what size objects can be detected). Finally, students learn about and then perform geophysical inversion, which is the process of estimating the geophysical properties of the subsurface from geophysical observations. In the final unit of the module, students evaluate the extent to which the geophysical dataset and direct physical measurements support the hypothesis, introduced in Unit 1, accounting for the distribution of Pickleweed in Harrier Meadow. This module is intended to require approximately 2-3 weeks of class time. Teaching material includes PowerPoints that may be used in lectures or provided for self-guided learning, exercises, and handouts that ask students to synthesize what they learn from the exercises. In addition, multiple choice and short answer questions can be given to students as homework, on quizzes, or on exams. There are also suggestions on how to adapt the course for a more introductory level or for a shorter time frame.   Keypoints: A great fit for courses in Geology Environmental Science Environmental Studies Earth Science Earth System Science Geophysics Related Lessons GETSI Module: Measuring Depth to Bedrock Using Seismic Refraction This module emphasizes how seismic methods are used to address problems or answer questions that apply to our everyday lives. Authentic datasets are used throughout the module, even for the simplest exercises. This allows students to grapple with the challenges of real data sets, where there is an element of interpretation in choosing where and how to measure variables. Lesson Intermediate GETSI Module: Using Ground Penetrating Radar for Forensic Geophysics This module considers the capabilities and limitations of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in urban/highly developed settings and for forensic applications. Students are asked to draw on their current understanding of common medical imaging methods and draw comparisons to GPR. The module as a whole focuses on the application of GPR to locating buried utilities (pipes, etc.) and to local graves. Lesson Intermediate We encourage the reuse and dissemination of the material on this site as long as attribution is retained. To this end the material on this site, unless otherwise noted, is offered under Creative Commons Attribution ( CC BY 4.0 ) license