Aqua Terra Tech

Project Ecuador is named after the country in which the culmination of the group's efforts in fieldwork methods and interpretation will be tested. The Ecuador group has scheduled traveling to Quito Ecuador in November, 2009.

Working in conjunction with Ph D student Miriam Rios-Sanchez, we are performing ground truthing to aid in the delineation of a complexly fractured aquifer.  In areas with volcanic sediments overlying hard, fractured bedrock , such as the Quito Ecuador Basin, there is little known of the extents and limitations of aquifers. Undetermined aquifers have potential for creating social, economic and environmental issues. In partnering with Miriam, we hope not only to illuminate this specific aquifer, but to create a method for municipalities and universities in the area to identify aquifers, thus allowing sustainable management of this and other fractured aquifer systems.

Our Ground Truthing Field Expertise - Geophysics

SuperSting R1/IP: Uses Electrical Resistivity Sounding (ERS) to identify different resistivity layers in the surface and formulate a 2D subsurface image, allowing for the identification of water carried fractures. The electrodes and programming on the device may be altered to create different subsurface profile depths and lengths.

WADI: Uses very low frequency (VLF) radio waves to detect subsurface irregularities, such as faults. The VLF waves, obtained from stations around the globe emitting signals, are to be used to identify the location of subsurface irregularity.

Read about our recent trip to Ecuador! Visit our blog at http://aquaterratech.blogspot.com/