Challenges and Strategies for Implementing
Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy:
Online Course 2022, MODULE 1

This course helps apply Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to your sites. It builds on the principles of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy and continues with methods to achieve a holistic understanding of hydrogeologic relationships.

COURSE PREMISE:

Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (USEPA, 2017) is a relatively new application of Sequence Stratigraphy to environmental projects. Sequence Stratigraphy is a proven method used mainly in petroleum exploration for mapping coarse- and fine-grained sediment loads by reconstructing sedimentary basin fill processes into individual sequences of deposition related to sediment supply and accommodation.

One premise of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy is that coarse-grained portions of a heterogeneous aquifers conduct the majority of ground water flow and contaminant migration.

An advantage of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy is that it is a phased-based approach for discerning aquifer heterogeneity. Stratigraphers leverage existing data collected from soil boring logs, geophysical logs, and/or Cone Penetrometer Testing to recognize vertical trends of grain size distribution and then correlate those patterns into sedimentary facies models. Those models are then used to design ground water monitoring points and remedial action plans.

There are certain challenges in implementing Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy. Despite the proven reliability of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy for discerning aquifer heterogeneity, the method requires training in Sequence Stratigraphy. Applying ESS requires a basic understanding of depositional processes and the ability to put soil boring observations in the context of depositional environments, processes, stratigraphy, and subsurface relationships.

Some obvious challenges exist, such as ensuring subsurface data is accurate and complete. One problem is that soil classifications and the inferred grain-size data on soil boring logs may not conform to standards, resulting in erroneous stratigraphic interpretation.

Some less obvious challenges exist not only Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy, but also in our hydrogeologic work when it comes to modern problem solving. This course teaches critical strategies to measure "certainty vs uncertainty" in ground water and contaminant movement.

There are no short cuts for establishing the stratigraphic framework.

Strategies for deciphering depositional environments are fundamental to taking the mystery out of the subsurface. But the fundamentals for translating the story the sediments are telling onto soil boring logs remains a challenge. The fall-out from incomplete and/or inaccurate soil boring logs coupled with the financial need to perform work faster has favored High-Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC). HRSC measurements are fast, reproducible and include a manageable procedural analysis. However, subsurface complexities may demand more than just HRSC measurements alone to understand subsurface relationships.

We strive toward a holistic hydrogeologic approach that not only considers the nature of sedimentary sequences, but also post-depositional alterations such as weathering. Examining the entire ground water flow regime allows confidence in prioritizing data gaps, managing uncertainties, and analyzing aquitard integrity. The benefit is greater certainty for understanding ground water flow paths as well as contaminant migration, fate and transport, and receptors.

This course begins by introducing hydrogeologic principles related to Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy and subsurface investigations. It continues with steps for implementing both Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy and other common approaches to defining and characterizing the subsurface. The course builds on this foundation by demonstrating the merits of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy. It presents step-wise strategies for different regional depositional systems to help participants synthesize the role of stratigraphy and holistic hydrogeology at environmental sites.

COURSE APPLICATION:

Application of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy is proven to improve Conceptual Site Models (CSM) and provide a basis for stratigraphic relationships, groundwater flux, and associated contaminant transport.

This course helps apply Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to your sites. It builds on the principles of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy and continues with methods to achieve a holistic understanding of hydrogeologic relationships.

Ground water monitoring and remediation design efficiencies are dependent on understanding holistic ground water flow regimes through stratigraphic relationships and effects of post-depositional alterations.

Participants will learn what questions that should be asked - and answered - during a hydrogeologic investigation conducted using Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy. Drilling and sampling strategies and work process is a key component to implementing Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy. This course presents some methods that both simplify and maximize subsurface information for unraveling stratigraphic complexities.

This online course is not a primer for learning Sequence Stratigraphy.

 COURSE MODULE ONE

Register now for this unique online course that
demystifies the stratigraphic relationships to
ground water monitoring and contaminant transport.

A Record of Attendance Form is included free with each webinar for your record keeping and individual PDH verification. We ask your on-site coordinator to return the completed and signed copy of the Form to us following the webinar for (1) maintaining a separate copy as a service to attendees and (2) forwarding to NIU confirming attendance for those who order certificates.

Attendees may also order an official a Course Completion Certificate from Northern Illinois University for a small administrative fee. The Certificate is optional and may be ordered separately following the webinar to confirm your attendance and showcase the certificate on your office wall. Instructions for ordering certificates are given during the webinar.


* This webinar is eligible for the 'BUY THREE, GET THREE' discount; however ANY webinar series discount shown above cannot be combined with it.

Attendees will be invited to actively participate during this live and interactive on-line web seminar. Discussion is planned following the webinar for those who want to continue the session. Bring your questions to the webinar and present them to the instructor and other participants for exploring the best solution.

Instructor Bio

Tim Kemmis, PhD

Tim Kemmis is an accomplished Hydrogeologist who is internationally-recognized for his applied research in depositional environments and associated characterization of sedimentary facies and stratigraphic relationships. Tim received his bachelor's degree in soil science from the University of Illinois and was promptly drafted into the U.S. Army where he was trained basically to be a geotechnical lab technician, performing soil classification and testing. Returning to the University of Illinois after the Army, Tim did his master's degree in glacial geology while working as a graduate assistant at the Illinois State Geological Survey. Tim's research focused on depositional processes and the resulting stratigraphic relationships. From there, he worked 14 years for the Iowa Geological Survey, during which he received his Ph.D., and where he: Established the formal glacial stratigraphy for the Des Moines Glacial lobe based on depositional environments Determined the geometry and origin of jointing in glacial tills Developed a lithofacies code to decipher the history of glacial outwash and alluvial sequences Then in the 1990's, Tim was recruited by a large environmental and engineering consulting company where for most of time since then, he has worked as a senior consulting hydrogeologist and project manager for large-scale hydrogeologic investigations. Tim Kemmis has established sedimentary and stratigraphic frameworks at sites located around the world. He has refined regional and local geologic frameworks across the United States that are today used by state geological surveys. Tim is uniquely qualified and has (20+) years of teaching about how sedimentary processes relate to stratigraphy and the ground water flow regime. Because of Tim's unique perspective from both his research and consulting experience, he has assembled a practical and applied process for subsurface characterization that begins with accurate and complete soil descriptions. He is a co-founder of Midwest GeoSciences Group, the lead instructor for "Taking the Mystery Out of the Subsurface 2.0" and Hydrogeology of Glacial Deposits, and a co-author of the FIELD GUIDE FOR SOIL AND STRATRIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS.