1:500,000 scale earthquake epicenter and fault map
This project will research and verify earthquake data points for epicenters occurring in Indiana since 1800 with moment magnitudes greater than or equal to 3.0.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2014 Indiana Geological Survey Data Preservation Program
Inventory and catalogue approximately 40,000 grain-size sediment samples that are stored in approximately 700 core boxes and analyze/associate them with existing IGS records and databases.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
2014-15 Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition Website
The website provides information on the goals, products, and personnel of the eight Great Lakes state geological surveys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The GLGMC website is used by a number of individuals, including the general public, planners, consultants, and state and federal agencies.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
2015 Indiana Data Preservation Program
For many years, the IGS has kept geologic records, maps, field notebooks, and partially completed projects remaining from scientific research staff who retired or left employment. Approximately 32 file cabinets, 36 map cabinets, and 45 banker boxes exist at the IGS that contain geological paper records from past employees; for the most part, though, there is no catalog or inventory of these items. Some files and boxes are labeled with the name of a staff member or a general topic; however, current staff of the IGS do not know in detail what they contain. We do believe that some records are related to the IGS’s physical sample collections and various other geological databases, and they may contain descriptions of rock core, sediment samples, and outcrops. Documenting the details of these unexamined records would provide added value to our existing collections and geological databases.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
2015-16 Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition Website
The website provides information on the goals, products, and personnel of the eight Great Lakes state geological surveys (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The GLGMC website is used by a number of individuals, including the general public, planners, consultants, and state and federal agencies.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
2017 StateMap
The primary goal of mapping the portion of Elkhart quadrangle in Indiana is to gain an improved understanding of the chronology and 3-D stratigraphy of the glacial and glaciofluvial units in the area, already well mapped by earlier STATEMAP efforts at a more detailed scale.
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
2017 StateMap Project 1_Logansport 1:100,000 scale quadrangle bedrock mapping
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
2017-2018 Master Naturalist Program
Educate Master Naturalist participants about the geology of Indiana.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
2018-2019 Master Naturalist Program
Educate Master Naturalist participants about the geology of Indiana.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
2019 Limestone Month
This project seeks to educate the public about the geologic history of Indiana Limestone and its uses, through educational activities, photograph galleries, guided quarry tours, guided campus walking tours, and media interviews.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2019-2020 Master Naturalist Program
Educate Master Naturalist participants about the geology of Indiana.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
2020 IGWS Calendar
By using a portion of the IGWS digital collection of mineral images in the production of our 2020 IGWS calendar, it will provide a marketing tool with which our clientele can better visualize geologic mineral specimens. The calendar also will promote the fact that the IGWS has diverse collections of digital images, not only geologic in nature, but beautiful, as well. It will show the public how geology can be used as modern frame-able wall art and combined with the practicality of a calendar.
Primary Contact: Barbara Hill
2020 IMAA Teacher's Workshop
4-day workshop at the IUB Memorial Union in June 2018. Field trip to local quarries. IGWS leads demonstrations, talks, and assists with quarry tours.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2020 Limestone Month Festival
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2022 Indiana Master Naturalist
This project aims to pilot a new Indiana Master Naturalist program in Monroe County. The 10-week course will be taught in the new IGWS Learning Lab and allow the Survey to expand its adult-oriented programming by connecting natural resource organizations with non-traditional users.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2023 EAS Graduate Student Luncheon
Welcome new students and educate them about potential opportunities with the Indiana Geological and Water Survey.
Primary Contact: Kaitlyn Burress
2023 exhibit
The 2023 exhibition will be centered around the Pleistocene ice age. A physical exhibit will be developed in the IGWS lobby and a coordinating 150-ft geologic timeline will be installed in the Learning Lab. Complementary in-person and digital programming will be developed to extend the exhibition's reach and impact. UITS 3D will create a 3D Matterport scan of the Learning Lab, which will be linked on the IGWS website. The Ice Age exhibition will coordinate with the 2023 annual calendar and the new Indiana state fossil.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2023 Indiana Academy of Science annual meeting
Provide outreach to statewide researchers and professional societies on IGWS research and collections.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2023 Limestone Heritage Teacher's Workshop
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2023 Limestone Month Festival
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2023 NGGDPP: IGWS FAIR Data Initiative 2023-2024 - Legacy Research Access and Public Outreach
Part A – purchase new flat file cabinets and archival cardboard, then inventory, scan, transcribe, catalog, and rehouse 350 legacy maps and 60 field notebooks; Part B – scan 4,400 gamma logs and transcribe interpreted data; and Part C – photograph and catalog 2,000 specimens from the Education Collection.
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
2024 IMAA Teacher's Workshop
This workshop serves to educate teachers about Indiana geologic history and mineral resources while providing hands-on experiences that they can recreate in the classroom. The conference strengthens the relationship between the IMAA and the IGWS.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2024 Indiana Master Naturalist
This project will oversee the third Indiana Master Naturalist course at the IGWS Learning Lab. The 10-week course will allow the Survey to promote its expertise in natural resource education, expand its adult-oriented programming, and connection with natural resource organizations with non-traditional users.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2024 Learning Lab
Project improvements will increase the accessibility of the Learning Lab and offer more opportunities for intergenerational learning.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2024 Limestone Fest
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2024 NGGDDP (Data Preservation)
Update the Indiana National Coal Resource Data System (NCRDS), pair data with physical logs, and provide stratigraphic data to the National Index of Borehole Information (NIBI).
Complete the unconsolidated borehole database work from the 2023 Data Preservation award and provide unconsolidated lithologies to the NIBI.
Convert borehole wireline logs into a digital format usable in geological software and provide this data set through the new borehole system developed.
Redevelop a borehole database that has not been updated fully in the past 10 years.
Obtain critical mineral analysis on a select number of cores from a meteor impact crater.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
2024 USGS NGGDPP conference
Provide conference logistics and showcase IGWS collections and data preservation efforts. Particularly arranging the facility, registration, and reserving hotel blocks.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
2025 IGWS calendar
The 2025 calendar will focus on geologic mapping and geohazards, which will coordinate with the 2025 lobby exhibit on cartography.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
3-D reactive transport modeling of geological CO2 storage in Mount Simon formation
This project aims to build a comprehensive 3-D reactive transport model of Mt. Simon formation in south-west Indiana, and conduct multiple scenarios of CO2 (maybe CO2 alternate water) injection to study the imposed geochemical reactions and their effects on porosity and permeability.
Primary Contact: Babak Shabani
57th Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene -- At the edge of the Laurentide Ice Sheet: Stratigraphy and Chronology of Glacial Deposits in Central Indiana
Adjourn a group of professional geologists and students interested and conversant in the problems to discuss our results and directions of research. The trip will be the 57th Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene week field conference.
Primary Contact: William Monaghan
A systems approach to identifying exploration and development opportunities in the Illinois Basin: Digital portfolio of plays in underexplored Lower Paleozoic rocks
Develop a digital play portfolio for Devonian and deeper Paleozoic strata in the Illinois Basin, which represents a poorly understood and underutilized energy resource.
Primary Contact: Brian Keith
A three-dimensional aquifer visualization and groundwater flow model in the upper reaches of Lake Michigan drainage basin, NW Indiana, and GIS for the Lake Michigan drainage basin in Indiana
The purpose of this project was to organize existing information on northwestern Indiana hydrogeology into formats that will allow land-use and water-resource managers and governmental regulators easy access to such information and the ability to visualize the data.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
A three-dimensional, shallow groundwater flow model for the Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal Watershed, northwest Indiana
In this project, we organized existing information on hydrogeology into formats that will allow land-use and water-resource managers and governmental regulators to easily access and visualize such information.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
ABC's of Indiana Geology
Share a term on social media that relates to Indiana geology once a week, for 52 weeks.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Acquisition of an X-ray Diffraction System to Enhance Research Capabilities in Mineralogical Studies at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey
The objective of this project is to acquire an X-ray diffraction system for mineralogical analysis at the IGWS.
Primary Contact: Bei Liu
Acquisition of Control Points Throughout Indiana for Accurate Calibration of the Tromino Geophone
Our objective is to create a data base which will contain the frequencies for depth to bedrock throughout the state of Indiana. This would allow researchers to be able to properly create calibration curves that are specific to the region where research is being conducted. This would facilitate more accurate interpretations of data collected using the Tromino during research conducted by the survey. Data could be accessible by academic and/or industry researchers as a service provided by IGWS.
Primary Contact: Don Tripp
Agricultural BMP application to remediate nitrate contamination in a major outwash aquifer in Jackson County, Indiana
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Analysis of nitrate in groundwater in Jackson County, Indiana
The purpose of the study was to identify the source or sources of the nitrate.
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Annual submission of bibliographic information of geologic maps in Indiana to USGS
Ensure that geologic maps published by the IGS and other Indiana geologic maps are properly represented in the USGS Map Catalog.
Primary Contact: Robin Rupp
Application of transmitted light techniques for evaluation of thermal maturity
Project analyzes changes in color of structureless amorphous organic matter and palynomorphs in transmitted light through a range of maturity stages.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Architecture of the Salem Limestone (Mississippian) in the dimension stone district of south-central Indiana
The purpose of the project is to determine the architecture of a Salem carbonate shoal and the potential fluid-flow pathways.
Primary Contact: Brian Keith
Archiving Geophysical Logs
The objective of the archiving projectis to create standardized digital formats of all IGS geophysical logs and make them available to IGS staff and the public as PDF and LAS downloads via the IGS web site
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Assessing factors that influence roof and floor conditions in the Gibson County Coal Company's underground mine in Gibson County
The goal of this project is to predict roof and floor conditions in advance of mining.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
ASSESSING PELLET FUELS QUALITY: USING PETROGRAPHICAL METHODS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF IMPURTITES
The goal of our cooperative project is to:
1) Improve the methods of petrographic impurities identification
2) Develop and test petrographic pellet impurities classification
3) Test the quality of US pellets (nobody done this yet)
4) Publish article about importance of the petrographic method in pellet standards
5) Present the work at the Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Conference (June 24-26, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, WI)
6) Propose to the Pellet Fuels Institute idea of including petrographic method in pellet quality assurance and product certification.
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Assessing the Maquoketa Group in the Illinois Basin: age, character and resource potential
This project will establish the age and petrophysical characteristics of the various lithofacies present with the Maquoketa Group in the Illinois Basin. Such an evaluation will begin to approach the challenges of establishing if the organic-rich facies are time-specific or diachronous, and understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of the various rocks types present in the interval. The information gleaned in the proposed study could have a substantial influence on future exploration of unconventional reservoirs and for effective seals.
Specifically, we seek to: 1) characterize the elemental composition of Maquoketa units along multiple cross-basin transects, 2) establish the relative ages of these units, 3) integrate elemental and geophysical data sets of time-rock units to generate basin-wide isopachs 4) combine new organic carbon analyses with previously published reports to characterize oil and gas production potential of each unit and 5) characterize the pore size distribution, capillary entry pressures, and strengths of a select set of lithofacies that represent the stratigraphic interval .
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Assessment of geologic and hydrogeologic properties of formations within the Indiana portion of the Illinois Basin for geologic energy storage
The objective of this project is to work with the United States Geological Survey to identify available data that can be applied to research related to geologic energy storage in the Indiana portion of the Illinois Basin. Additionally, data gaps will be identified for future projects to address.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Assessment of Hydrologic Consequences of CO2 Sequestration within the Illinois Basin
This project is one component of a larger risk assessment for implementing industrial-scale CO2 subsurface storage throughout the Illinois Basin. The objective is to develop new data sets that are most critical for informing the basin-scale simulation and modeling effort. The IGS will provide region-specific data that a coordinated team of researchers from around the country will integrate into a basin-scale simulation of the effects of large-scale implementation of geological sequestration within numerous rock units in the deep subsurface.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Assessment of Potential for Induced Seismicity in the Illinois Basin
Determine if there are threshold values of pressures and volumes of injected fluids that could trigger earthquakes. Provide technical analysis to the policy makers and regulatory community that governs oil and gas development in the state and region.
Primary Contact: John Rupp
ASTM testing of the Salem Limestone
Data from the ASTM tests cited have been performed by the Indiana Geological Survey since the early 1950s. These data define physical strength and performance of masonry products fabricated from the Salem Limestone; the data also have been useful to geologists in interpreting depositional environments and diagenetic systems relevant to the Salem Limestone.
Primary Contact: Drew Packman
Augmented Reality 3D Sandbox
To develop and construct a high-interest, interactive exhibit display that demonstrates changing topography and the consequences of such processes.
Primary Contact: Kevin Russell
Augusta Lake project
The purpose of this project is to abate acid mine drainage that forms at the site and improve the quality of water in Augusta Lake which flows into the Patoka River.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Bedrock Geology of Bartholomew County, Indiana
This project has two objectives: 1) address the need for detailed geologic information about Bartholomew County by constructing a detailed geologic map of the county that shows the distribution of bedrock units that may contain resources or contribute to geologic hazards; and 2) develop new computer modeling techniques that facilitate the construction of three-dimensional (3-D) geologic models.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
Bedrock surface in White River Valley at locations with outwash ages before LGM
Develop a profile of the bedrock surface in the White River valley using the TROMINO at places where outwash ages suggest pre-LGM deposition within the White River valley (see Fig 1).
Primary Contact: William Monaghan
Biogenic methanogenesis and biodegradation of organic matter in coals
This collaborative research evaluates fundamental biogeochemical processes associated with microbial degradation of organic matter (OM) during generation of methane in coals. The overall goal is to understand the substrates that sustain microbial transformations of OM in coal beds, the nature of involved chemical pathways and effect of varying electron acceptor condition, and the role of these processes in the generation of coalbed methane (CBM).
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Boy Scouts Indiana Camp Maumee Mapping/Teaching Aid Project
1. Produce a 1:24,000 bedrock map
2. Acquire additional data points that would be used for this project as well as for StateMap Bloomington quad project.
3. Identify a potential drill site location for StateMap
Primary Contact: Don Tripp
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection (ILPC)-Continuation
To make this image collection and its associated metadata digital and available to researchers, scholars, and the general public through Indiana University's Image Collections Online (ICO) site and Indiana State Library's "Indiana Memory Project".
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
Building a Nation: The Indiana Limestone Photograph Collection (ILPC)-Continuation
To make this image collection and its associated metadata digital and available to researchers, scholars, and the general public through Indiana University's Image Collections Online (ICO) site and Indiana State Library's "Indiana Memory Project".
Primary Contact: Barbara Hill
Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative for U.S., Basins
The overall objective of this project is to assess availability of coal/coal waste/coal combustion products/AMD in Indiana that could potentially serve as sources of REE.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
CarbonSAFE:Wabash
Primary Contact: Ryan Kammer
Central Indiana Water Study Hydrologic Monitoring
Water resource planning requires data related to long-term trends in watershed and aquifer water-budget parameters including precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET, combined loss of water from land surface owing to evaporation and plant transpiration), and groundwater-level fluctuations during both dry and wet periods. The IWBN quantifies these parameters to support data-driven water-resource planning that considers the range of historic hydrologic conditions and regional trends that may arise from a changing climate.
Primary Contact: Babak Shabani
Characterization and treatment of pad marks on Indiana Limestone
Research is designed to identify the causes and composition of pad marks that develop on Indiana limestone so that they can be effectively removed and prevented.
Primary Contact: Nelson Shaffer
Characterization of Indiana's coal resource: Availability of the reserves, physical and chemical properties of the coal, and present and potential uses
Many key questions remain regarding the character of Indiana coals including: where are the reserves of low-sulfur coal; how much coal is available for mining; what factors control the ash and moisture content; what geological characteristics influence the occurrence of methane in some of the coals; which coals generate favorable byproducts; and where are the coal beds that are best suited for carbon sequestration? Additionally, there may be unrecognized properties of Indiana coals that could be exploited by emerging industries such as biotechnology, electronics, ceramics, or chemistry. The objective of this project is to produce a comprehensive report for the Center for Coal Technology Research documenting the physical and chemical characteristics of Indiana coal, with a special emphasis on the properties that are unique to Indiana and that our state can capitalize upon.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Characterization of organic matter in the Second White Specks Formation
This study presents approaches for evaluating hybrid source rock/reservoirs within tight-rock petroleum systems. The emerging shale play in the Upper Cretaceous Second White Specks and Belle Fourche formations in central Alberta, Canada is used as an example to evaluate organic and inorganic compositions and their relationships to pore characteristics
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Characterizing aquifer geometrics in Northern IN using geophysical techniques to profile the buried bedrock surface
To improve the density of data related to bedrock depth below the St. Joseph Aquifer System in northeastern St. Joseph and northwestern Elkhart County, we will employ newly developed passive seismic methods. The data will facilitate mapping at an improved resolution the base of the aquifer, where it coincides with the bedrock surface. The methods developed can be applied to valley-fill aquifers in the rest of the state. The enhanced bedrock topography data will also provide hydrologists and health department officials with better tools to investigate the geologic constraints on naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater in deep wells.
Primary Contact: Robin Rupp
Chemostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of IGS – Survey Drill Holes (SDHs)
Hypothesis: Conodont concentration correlates with whole rock composition.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Chemostratigraphy of the Borden Group utilizing pXRF technology
Hypothesis: Correlation at the member-level can be enhanced by incorporating chemostratigraphy with the traditional applications of lithostratigraphy and geophysical logs. Analyses can be utilized to facilitate correlations or to prioritize more intensive analyses utilizing destructive techniques such as XRD or thin sectioning.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Clearinghouse integration with OpenGIS services
The Indiana Geological Survey and Hamilton County, Indiana, will enable hosting of Web services based on the OpenGIS Consortium (OGC) standards, as part of the development of a statewide collection of distributed hosts. Also, the Indiana Geological Survey will provide metadata compliant with Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards to the Indiana Geographic Information Councils IndianaMap Web site, as part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
Coalbed gas potential in Indiana
The main objective is to carry out the research that helps to understand and to utilize this clean source of energy from coal
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Collaborative: A multiple-technique approach for deconvolving tropical cyclone effects on Late Quaternary geomorphic change in arid southwestern North America.
The project will perform:
1) A spatial identification and morphological, pedological (in collaboration with DRI), and sedimentological characterization of alluvial fan units in the Vizcaino and Colorado subregions of the Sonoran Desert.
2) develop a chronology of the identified alluvial fan units.
3) compare the Late Pleistocene chronology to other paleoclimate proxies and in particular to the record in Antinao et al (2016).
4) compare the Holocene chronology to a paleotempestological record on the Pacific coast (to be developed by this project through collaboration with LSU).
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
Combined underground coal gasification and CO2 Capture and Storage - TOPS - Technology options for coupled underground coal gasification and CO2 capture and storage
The main objective of the proposed project is to develop a generic underground coal gasification – carbon capture and storage (UCG-CCS) site characterization workflow which would address the dilemma faced by the proponents of reactor zone CO2 storage and offers technological solutions to source-sink mismatch issues that are likely to be faced in many coalfields.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Compilation of Monroe County 1:24,000-scale geologic maps
The objective of this project is to produce detailed 1:24,000-scale geologic maps of the Monroe County portions of the five 7.5-minute quadrangles that included the city of Bloomington, Indiana, the city’s developing fringe, and the Monroe County portion of the Mt. Carmel Fault and Leesville Anticline.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
Continuation of scanning out-of-print IGWS publications to post to the IGWS Bookstore and IGWS Archive.
To continue to make sure all publications and products produced by the IGWS are available digitally and are 'discoverable' to both the staff researchers and to the public.
To continue to assist the IGWS Photographer with timely completion of IGWS projects and publications.
Primary Contact: Will Knauth
Continuation of water quality monitoring of Mississippian Aquifer springs and addition of new springs to IGWS online database
Collect field chemistry data, flow estimates, water samples for lab analyses for all springs to be sampled. Data to be entered into online springs database for all sites, and the NGWMN for 21 sites designated for that organization's national database. Will plan on revisiting the sites requiring new nitrate data that are in the Mitchell Plateau for this year, approximately 35-40 of the springs requiring resampling.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Continuation of water quality monitoring of Mississippian Aquifer springs and addition of new springs to IGWS online database
Collect field chemistry data, flow estimates, water samples for lab analyses for all springs to be sampled. Data to be entered into online springs database for all sites, and the NGWMN for 21 sites designated for that organization's national database.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Conversion of historical data to GIS format for
Grand Calumet feasibility study
The objective of the work was to convert the hard-copy information to a digital geographic information system (GIS) format.
Primary Contact: Chris Dintaman
Converting Coal Maps to Story Maps
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
CRE - Resilient Hoosier Communities - Detailed topographic trail maps, promoting recreational opportunities along Indiana’s Knobstone escarpment
The need for detailed maps in the SWCI region is relevant and essential given the CRE Resilient Communities Goal 3 to increase recreation within the Indiana Uplands region. Providing access information, updated topographic data, trail locations, and other recreational opportunities is truly the first step in enhancing recreation in the area and getting more visitors to the Indiana Uplands region.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Critical minerals in Devonian metalliferous black shales of the Illinois Basin
The overall objective of this study is to collect new geochemical data on critical mineral (CM) concentrations of Devonian black shales. Understanding spatial and stratigraphic variations in CM will help evaluate these rocks as potential sources of various metals. These data also will help to better understand the ore mineralizing system models by documenting geochemical gradients, sedimentology, and characteristics of black shale-enclosing strata.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Critical Minerals in Pennsylvanian Black Shales in Indiana
The objective of this project is to expand our database on critical elements in the Pennsylvanian black shales
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Critical zone karst observatory
1) Designing and implementing an online registry and inventory system for dye traces that will update IndianaMap and provide notifications to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and emergency management professionals in the location where such traces occur.
a. This project mimics the implementation by the Kentucky Division of Water that provides a record of all dye traces conducted in the state. Information from these dye traces are incorporated into statewide maps that help state agencies create and implement development and construction plans.
b. Indiana citizens benefit from this project by having a source of information for active, and justified, projects that define groundwater flow.
c. Emergency professionals benefit from this project by having an actively updated source of information to distribute in advance of planned tracing activities or answer questions or concerns from citizens.
2) Soliciting existing dye trace data in state/federal agencies, universities, and consulting firms to enhance the presently existing layer in IndianaMap.
a. Decades of dye-trace data are presently scattered among environmental consultants, cave enthusiasts, and state agencies. This project will create and authoritative repository and source for these data.
b. This effort enhances existing layers in IndianaMap (http://maps.indiana.edu) by collecting all dye trace data in a free public-accessible and searchable site.
3) Conducting a sequence of dye traces in Harrison/Crawford Counties in collaboration with private landowners, tourist caves, state/federal agencies, and municipalities to better outline the boundaries of groundwater basins.
a. This project was specifically requested by Mr. Rand Heazlitt, manager of the Town of Corydon and a co-investor of Indiana Caverns.
b. Additional dye tracing will help guide exploration and define the limits of the landscape that contributes water to Indiana Caverns.
c. Targeted tracing will also help illustrate the direction and speed of groundwater flow, which can help Mr. Heazlitt leverage state funding to expand the sanitation system of the Town of Corydon in response to increased housing development.
4) Installing a set of field-based geochemical and water-level monitoring instrumentation in caves, wells, and springs of the Blueppring and Lost River karst basins of Lawrence and Orange Counties to provide insight into changes in water chemistry and discharge across the karst basins and during individual storms.
a. One outcome of this project is an increased understanding of how the landscape responds to rainfall, which have caused considerable flooding and are projected to become greater in intensity with climate change.
b. Data from some sites in this project will be made available online for the public and to visitors of Bluespring Cavern in real time on a website that can be live streamed in the visitor center.
5) Collecting water samples at six (6) locations in the Lost River karst basin that, when combined with the data in project 4, provide unique and valuable insight into the transport of carbon, nutrients, and sediments in an agriculturally intensive landscape.
a. The data from projects 4 and 5 will be used to create a comprehensive view of the rate of nutrient and sediment loss from these karst basins.
b. Such results are vitally important to better refining the role of karst landscapes in the global carbon cycle.
c. Results from this study will provide one node of data that can help model water quality changes in the Mississippi River watershed and better predict the ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico caused by excess nutrients.
Primary Contact: Lee Florea
Curatorship student exhibit
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
CUSEC-SG Historic Earthquake Epicenters and Active Seismic Monitoring Stations
Through the Central United States Earthquake Consortium-State Geologists (CUSEC-SG), the IGS is compiling and mapping these important information resources. The CUSEC is composed of the eight states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Data collection, verification, & encoding for the National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS) YR 2/5
The purpose of this project is to provide easy availability of point-source coal resource information, including coal location, thickness, depth, and other parameters.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Data Collection, verification, & encoding for the National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS) YR 2/5
The purpose of this project is to provide easy availability of point-source coal resource information, including coal location, thickness, depth, and other parameters.
Primary Contact: Garrett Marietta
Data compilation and analysis for the Coastal Nonpoint Source Management Plan
This study documented the surface-water quality monitoring efforts that have occurred in the subwatersheds of the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Plan Area. The data were analyzed to assess water-quality trends occurring in the program area. Results from this analysis were used to develop a monitoring plan for Indianas Coastal Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Data Preservation: Priority 2 –Strategic planning for data preservation related to coal-coal waste-coal combustion products chain in Indiana
The objective of this project is to develop a strategy for data preservation related to the coal/coal waste/coal combustion products/AMD chain, including both the existing data and also data that will be acquired in the future.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Data Science Consultancy Club mentoring: SICE student projects for IU Paleo & IGWS collections data
Evaluate artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning methods to generate a paleontological lexicon for geological terms and employ maximum likelihood models for natural language parsing in the auto-recognition of handwritten text for catalog transcription.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Database of Industrial Mineral Producers in Indiana
To produce a database of industrial minerals mines in the state and keep it up to date on a quarterly basis.
Primary Contact: Kathryn Shaffer
Database of physical testing results on Indiana Limestone
A digital database has been prepared of the results of more than 2,000 physical tests performed on Indiana building stone materials, which includes all the variables detailed for each of the standardized ASTM tests performed along with sample location information (where available). We evaluated the data set for QA/QC standards.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
DEAS Temporary Collections Management
- oversee movement of collections to temporary storage
- maintain safety and security of collections for duration of temporary custody
- incorporate assessment and inventory of collections with ongoing IGWS collections activities at Otis.
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
Developing a prototypical predictive model for beach closings in Indiana
Evaluate E. coli concentrations in stream flow discharging from Dunes Creek into the main swimming beaches at Indiana Dunes State Park and develop predictive models that relate the outfalls of creek water, as well as other hydrometeorological factors, to the concentrations of E. coli bacteria in the swimming zones of the beaches.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Development of a IGWS Publication Management System
The revised system will function as a peer-reviewed journal open to submission and review from IGWS and non-IGWS staff. Items reviewed for external publication will be stored in a 'dark archive' with publication numbers used internally for staff reporting and IGWS productivity metrics. Publications reviewed for internal publication will have DOI numbers assigned and will become available in a 'live archive' as indexable items available for open access.
Primary Contact: Lee Florea
Development of a statistically valid program for monitoring pesticides in groundwater in the State of Indiana
A monitoring network was developed that was statistically adequate for characterizing average levels of pesticides and other agricultural byproducts in supplies of groundwater.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Developments in the Indiana industrial minerals industry in 2012-2013 for the UGS Minerals Yearbook
To produce a report of industrial mineral mining developments in Indiana for the years 2012 and 2013.
Primary Contact: Kathryn Shaffer
Digital GIS compilation of selected data from Gas Potential of the New Albany Shale (Devonian and Mississippian) in the Illinois Basin
The objectives of the original study, completed in 1994, were to update, compile, review, and interpret available literature, maps, and unpublished data concerning the gas potential of the New Albany Shale in the Illinois Basin. A basinwide cooperative approach using the expertise of scientists from the Illinois Basin Consortium, comprising the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Indiana Geological Survey, and the Kentucky Geological Survey, was employed to produce basinwide maps and stratigraphic cross sections relating to the gas potential.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Digital surficial geologic map product for Monroe County, Indiana
To provide detailed geologic information in an area that continues to experience pressure on natural resources by a large population. The final product provides surficial geologic information for the county.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Digitization of Lithologic Strip Collection and Entry into the Digital Asset Management System
- Digitize existing Lithologic Strips
- Prepare and upload image files
- Enter the relevant location and project information in the metadata
Primary Contact: Kristen Wilkins
Digitization PEN: Paleoniches on the western Cincinnati arch, the Ordovician of Indiana
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Distance Learning
The objective is to create a series of distance learning webinars that will connect Indiana teachers and students to geoscience careers and research.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Distribution and characterization of coal-slurry deposits in Indiana
The purpose of the work was to provide preliminary estimates of the total area and volume of coal-slurry deposits (fine-grained refuse from coal-preparation plants) and to provide recommendations for future sampling and analysis.
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Distribution of mercury in Indiana coals and its implications for mining and combustion
1) Develop a database of mercury content of Indiana coal seams that can be used by the coal and energy industries;
2) Investigate controls on mercury content to formulate a predictive model for the coal and energy industries to make decisions about mixing coals to meet the new mercury regulations; and
3) Investigate techniques of mercury removal from coal.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Distribution of mercury in in-situ versus feed coal in Indiana
Specifically, the objectives of this project are as follows:
1) Data entry – updating trace element database with a special emphasis on mercury concentrations
We will refine the existing trace element database and update it with additional data obtained from coal companies and power plants, putting emphasis on washed coal.
2) Mapping Hg distribution in major coal beds in Indiana
An updated database will be used to map Hg distribution in major coal beds in Indiana.
3) Identifying locations of the new sources of Hg data in in-situ and feed coals: boreholes, coal mines, and power plants
Maps of Hg distribution will be used to identify areas that would need additional data. Existing mines and power plants will be approached for a possibility of obtaining new samples of feed coal.
4) Collection and analyses of new coal samples – New samples of coal will be collected and sent for analysis of coal quality (proximate, ultimate analysis) and trace elements, including Hg. Splits of the samples will be analyzed for maceral composition and vitrinite reflectance.
5) Collaboration with USGS personnel on incorporating our data into the USGS HG study – During the entire project duration, we will be collaborating with USGS personnel, and Allan Kolker as the Project Leader of the Mercury project. The collaboration will include discussions, joint field work, and complementary analysis.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Early Pennsylvanian Sediment Routing in the U.S. Eastern Interior
This study will apply source-to-sink methods to constrain the drainage basin boundaries of Early Pennsylvanian fluvial systems in the Illinois basin and neighboring basins.
Primary Contact: Isaac Allred
Earth MRI - Pennsylvanian paleosols
The objectives are to establish understanding of the variations of REE and other trace lelements in paleosols and identifiy those zones that could be considered a potential resource.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Editing of D. Engelhardt's unpublished reports on the Lower Pennsylvanian palynology of select core holes in Indiana.
To reformat Engelhardt's data into a survey open-file study
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
E-GeoNews 2020-2021
E-GeoNews, the newsletter of the Indiana Geological Survey, exists to inform people about the work and accomplishments of the Survey. It also announces events that are of interest to people interested in geology.
Primary Contact: Deborah DeChurch
E-GeoNews 2021-2022
E-GeoNews, the newsletter of the Indiana Geological Survey, exists to inform people about the work and accomplishments of the Survey. It also announces events that are of interest to people interested in geology.
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
E-GeoNews 2022-2023
E-GeoNews, the newsletter of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey, exists to inform people about the work and accomplishments of the Survey. It also announces events that are of interest to people interested in geology.
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
E-GeoNews 2024
E-GeoNews, the newsletter of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey, exists to inform people about the work and accomplishments of the Survey. It also announces events that are of interest to people interested in geology.
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
E-GeoNews newsletter 2018-19
E-GeoNews, the newsletter of the Indiana Geological Survey, exists to inform people about the work and accomplishments of the Survey. It also announces events that are of interest to people interested in geology.
Primary Contact: Deborah DeChurch
Elkhart Statemap 18
Develop a continuous mapping coverage at a regional scale for northern Indiana that can be used for planning purposes.
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
Enhanced Biological Natural Gas Production from Coal - China Gateway - a proposal for IU President's International Research Awards
There are 2 specific objectives that will be accomplished during the studies funded by the President’s International Research Award:
(1) We will build upon a year’s worth of preliminary research using small bottle reactors on methane generation from fungal-treated coal, and determine if methane can be generated using coal slurry in a larger sequential aerobic-anaerobic stirred tank reactor.
(2) We will also evaluate the effects of operating parameters, e.g., temperature, pH and medium composition on methane generation
**Flynn Picardal, SPEA, is the Project Director
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Environmental feasibility of using recycled tire pieces as media in septic system absorption fields
The Indiana Geological Survey demonstrated the feasibility of using recycled tires as a medium for on-site septic distribution fields.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Environmental Forecast Matrix PfEC GIS Development
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Eppley Institute - Monroe County Park Maps
Provide updated maps and analysis for Eppley report and for the county.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Evaluating geologic hazards at Bicycle Basin, Fort Irwin, California
The objective of this project is to determine the most likely driving mechanism for land surface deformation at Bicycle Basin playa. One hypothesis for surface crack/Earth fissure evolution is a tensile failure resulting from differential compaction of the aquifer system as depressurization occurs from groundwater pumping at nearby wells. Such a driving mechanism for Earth fissure development represents relatively deep-seeded stress and strain in the alluvial basin-fill units for which mitigation is likely to entail significant operations. In contrast, the observed presence of giant desiccation cracks in a network pattern across the playa suggests an alternative hypothesis is plausible in which surface cracks form from volume contraction with desiccation of clay-rich sediments. This potential mechanism for crack development represents a near-surface process for which mitigation is a relatively minor operation.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Evaluating tillage practices on near-surface groundwater recharge
The goals of this project are to install sensors and monitor the resultant water-balance data in different areas of the small watershed being subjected to different land-management (particularly agricultural) practices. Over time, statistically significant differences in the sites might be able to be linked back to how the land is managed.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Evaluation of acid mine drainage seeps
The purpose of this project was to abate acid runoff from seeps that develop at abandoned mine land sites after reclamation.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Evaluation of bench-scale acid mine drainage (AMD) bioremediation tests: Water-quality monitoring and data interpretation
This research is designed to treat these seeps so that the concentration of acidity, sulfate, and toxic metals is much reduced or eliminated.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Evaluation of contaminant storage and movement at a confined feeding operation
Data from similar studies indicate that nitrate concentrations are often high; we believe this occurs because rainfall early and late in the growing season flush commercial fertilizers and animal waste before they can be used to promote plant growth. Through our monitoring program, we tracked effects that manure-application practices had on groundwater quality in the area. This assisted personnel of the IDEM Office of Land Quality to identify problem situations that may require modification of current rules and management practices.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Evaluation of groundwater age and chemistry relations in aquifer systems in Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties
This project defined groundwater flow systems and their chemistry within Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Evaluation of Indiana Coals for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)
This is a 2-year study to evaluate Indiana coals in IGCC systems. The project includes field work, sample collection, new analytical work, as well as integration of new and existing
data for interpreting coal performance in an IGCC. We target major economic coal beds: the Danville, Hymera, Springfield, and Lower Block. Sampling locations are selected such that:
1) an adequate distribution of data points is provided using new and existing data, in order to
map the degree variability of individual parameters important for IGCC; and 2) available coal mines and drilling locations are used to obtain fresh samples.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Evaluation of Indiana Coals for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)
This is a 2-year study to evaluate Indiana coals in IGCC systems. The project includes field work, sample collection, new analytical work, as well as integration of new and existing
data for interpreting coal performance in an IGCC. We target major economic coal beds: the Danville, Hymera, Springfield, and Lower Block. Sampling locations are selected such that:
1) an adequate distribution of data points is provided using new and existing data, in order to
map the degree variability of individual parameters important for IGCC; and 2) available coal mines and drilling locations are used to obtain fresh samples.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Evaluation of Indiana coals for underground coal gasification (UCG)
Two main objectives of the project are:
1)Careful analysis of Indiana’s geology, coal properties, water resources, etc.;and
2)Identification of potential UCG sites and determination of the feasibility of this technology in Indiana.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Evaluation of methods for controlling metals deposition in acid seeps and acid mine drainage treatment wetlands
Since all metals precipitation systems need to have metal sludge excavated from them from time to time, it would be best for this metal sludge to be in a form that holds some commercial value. The objective of this study is to demonstrate methods for recovering valuable metals from acidic mine drainage by generating byproducts that have commercial value as raw materials for industry.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Evaluation of riparian buffer zones using a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing
The objective of this study was to assess the condition of riparian buffers in the Young's Creek Watershed.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Evaluation of the Carbon Sequestration Potential of the Cambro-Ordovician Strata of the Illinois and Michigan Basins
This study is a collaborative effort by a team of scientists from the University of Illinois, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Kentucky Geological Survey, Western Michigan University and the IGS. The objective of the IGS project is to support the assessment of the Cambro-Ordovician strata as a potential GCS reservoir/seal system through the development of new data sets of critical formation characteristics including: porosity, permeability, injectivity, mineralogy, fluid saturations and chemical composition, reservoir architecture and cap rock integrity.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Evaluation of the Illinois Basin coals for underground coal gasification (UCG)
We plan to synthesize all the information related to UCG and prepare a publication that would provide a comprehensive evaluation of coals for UCG basin wide
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Expanding the Indiana Geological and Water Survey’s contribution to the NGWMN
Groundwater-elevation data are collected primarily to determine how groundwater levels are changing over time. The data from sites with continuous/high-frequency water-level records are also used to assess groundwater-recharge dynamics for various hydrogeologic settings.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Expanding the Indiana Geological and Water Survey’s contribution to the NGWMN
Groundwater-elevation data are collected primarily to determine how groundwater levels are changing over time. The data from sites with continuous/high-frequency water-level records are also used to assess groundwater-recharge dynamics for various hydrogeologic settings.
Primary Contact: Babak Shabani
Exploring the sequestration efficiency of coals using neutron scattering: the effect of exposure to sub-and supercritical CO2 on the porous coal matrix
Two main objectives of this project are:
1) investigating CO2 adsorption mechanisms in coals and organic matter rich shales; and
2) documenting changes in the rock as a result of CO2 injection at reservoir conditions
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Extension of the GIS Atlas of Indiana project
Create a central repository of spatial data for Indiana and to make the data freely available to the public in a format that is readily accessible.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Extent, characteristics, and regional relations of the interlobate region in north-central Indiana
This project aims to develop an understanding of the physical properties, stratigraphic relations, and boundary conditions of the Saginaw, Huron-Erie, and Lake Michigan lobes
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
FAIR data: PDMS use by designated communities through time
Is the PDMS a data source that is Findable Accessible Interoperable and Reusable? Provide an assessment of staff perspectives on FAIR data compliance and suitability for the PDMS designated community.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Feasibility Assessment of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Options in the Central Illinois Basin, Illinois
The Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) will perform work as part of a larger project designed to develop a large-volume, carbon storage complex at an industrial facility in the United States. The objective of the IGS’s research will be to support the evaluation of the subsurface geological sequestration potential for an integrated commercial-scale CO2 capture, transport, and storage system. The IGS will be conducting tasks that contribute to the evaluation of potential storage reservoirs and seals that reside in the subsurface in an area surrounding a series of oil and gas fields located in a series of counties in the central portion of the Illinois Basin, Illinois. This area is host to a number of CO2 generating facilities and therefore a storage system at the site in Macon County could serve as key component of a larger system that integrates multiple sources in the region.
A major emphasis of the project will be to develop an effective team capable of addressing the technical, geologic, engineering, economic, legal, policy, and stakeholder elements related to implementation of a real-world CO2 storage project. To assist in the accomplishment of this goal, the IGS will coordinate with the Illinois State Geological Survey staff and other partners in their effort to address the overall needs of the project. The specific emphasis of the IGS contribution to the team will be in the realms of 1) technical assessment of geological systems and 2) evaluation of regional infrastructural and regulatory components.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Field evaluation of on-site sewage disposal systems (OSDS) and broad-scale mapping of suitable and unsuitable areas for OSDS, Morgan County, Indiana
The objective of this project was to collect data concerning the subsurface groundwater characteristics that exist in and adjacent to on-site sewage disposal systems throughout the entire year.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Formation and remediation of pad marks on
Indiana Limestone
In this study, we tested a variety of padding materials to determine which produced the least discoloration on weathering.
Primary Contact: Nelson Shaffer
Friar Tuck acid mine drainage wetland project
The purpose of this project was to abate acid mine drainage that forms at the Friar Tuck site and flows into the Wabash River drainage system.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
FY2018 USGS NGGDPP Grant: Data Rescue, Preservation, Accessibility, and Discoverability
1. Sorting and cataloging 200 linear feet of unmanaged historic research records to reclaim data and archival documents and prioritize reclaimed materials for digitization;
2. Creating collection inventory metadata for ingestion in the National Digital Catalog (NDC) and Encoded Archival Description (EAD) compliant finding aids for inclusion on the IGWS website;
3. Cataloging and compiling metadata for a partially unmanaged collection of 4,500 limestone and mineral samples;
4. Processing sample metadata for International Geological Sample Number (IGSN) registration and ingestion into NDC.
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
FY2019 USGS NGGDPP Grant: IGWS FAIR Data Initiative 2019 – Geochemistry and Critical Minerals
Priority 1
- Evaluating and updating 114 existing metadata records in the National Digital Catalog (NDC);
- Inventory and cataloging of 25 boxes of rediscovered geochemical specimens;
- Processing sample metadata for International Geological Sample Number (IGSN) registration and ingestion into NDC;
Priority 2
- Inventory, cataloging, and digitizing 204 linear feet of industrial minerals records
- Inventory, rehouse, and compile condition reports for 7,500 geochemical specimens;
- Processing sample metadata for International Geological Sample Number (IGSN) registration and ingestion into NDC;
- Creating collection inventory metadata for ingestion in the NDC;
Priority 3
- Identifying and providing digital access to publicly available drill core data and information for priority areas with the potential for hosting critical mineral resources;
- Describing the relevant mineral information for mineral deposits and occurrences that host critical minerals;
- Providing geospatial representation(s) of areas that delineate prospective areas or geologic belts with the potential for hosting critical mineral resources together with supporting datasets; and
- Describing critical minerals assets to increase use and understanding, including creating metadata records for submission to the NDC.
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
FY2020 USGS NGGDPP Grant: CARST: Collective Access & Resource Space Tandem for Simultaneous Management of Physical Sample Collections and Digital Assets
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
FY2022 USGS NGGDPP: IGWS FAIR Data Initiative 2022 – Records Center and Server Salvage
• Purchase 5,000 Hollinger boxes and label sleeves to store records on new high-density shelving
• Inventory and rehouse 693.4 LF of petroleum industry records
• Merge, reduce, and rehouse 101.3 LF of duplicated gamma log records
• Organize, describe, and ingest into ResourceSpace 26,000 core photographs and interpreted X-ray fluorescence data pdfs
• Update National Digital Catalog records (NDC)
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
FY22 Traveling Discovery Trunks
Provide themed traveling discovery trunks that the general public (teachers, scout leaders, outreach groups) can loan for 2 weeks from the IGWS. Each trunk will contain real specimens and/or replicas, a curriculum guide, and assorted support materials.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
FY23-24 Traveling Discovery Trunks
This project will create new themed trunks for hydrogeology and paleontology topics. User feedback will inform trunk contents and each trunk will contain real specimens and/or replicas, a curriculum guide, and assorted support materials.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
FY25 outreach print materials
This project will create a set of unified printed materials that can be used for outreach events and stakeholder meetings. The materials will be promote the services and mission of the IGWS to a statewide audience.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
FY25 Traveling Discovery Trunks
This project will update materials in existing Discovery Trunks and oversee educator loans.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
GENI - Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial
Provide detailed maps of each county at various scales using base data and data provided by each county that are timeless and can be used for many years in the classroom and at other educational opportunities.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Geochemical exploration for Borden Group brine seeps
This project will explore for the existence of salt seeps in the Borden Formation of Brown and Lawrence counties, and analyze samples of high conductivity stream or seep water to determine the composition and concentration of major chemical components and trace components of lithium and bromide in an attempt to determine if the component composition and ratios match that of the historic mineral springs of the French Lick area of Orange County.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Geochemistry Database
The objective of this project is to develop an easily accessible database for the Indiana Geological Survey's large and growing inventory of geochemical data.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Geographic information system (GIS) of solid and hazardous waste sites in central Indiana
The Indiana Geological Survey will create a GIS database of 18 solid/hazardous waste sites throughout central Indiana.
Primary Contact: Chris Dintaman
Geoheritage
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Geologic map of Shoals 7.5-minute quadrangle
Complete map by May, 2005
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Geologic support of abandoned and active coal mines in Indiana for ventilation design
This study was conducted to evaluate ventilation systems in underground coal mines and to identify ways in which improvement of ventilation systems in relation to different methane sources can increase mine safety. Coal mine methane has always been considered as a danger for underground coal mining. It can create a serious threat to mining safety and production. Proper mine ventilation can keep methane levels below the explosive limit and at the same time coal seam degasification is a means to recover energy from the methane gas retained in coal.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
GeoMinute video series
To reach much of the public sector in Indiana using the “Youtube” methodology, by shooting short (1 minute) topical geologic subjects. This will be done by interviewing existing personnel about their current research or area of expertise and by using mostly existing equipment.
Primary Contact: Barbara Hill
Geomorphology, Stratigraphy and Chronology of the Flatwoods area, south-central Indiana
The objectives of this study are to compile existing stratigraphic, mineralogic, and geophysical data and couple this with new data collection (passive seismic, deep coring, and geochronology) in order to reconstruct the Quaternary geologic history of the Flatwoods area.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
GeoNotes 2023-2024
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
GeoNotes for 2017
Create new GeoNotes to continue educational outreach
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Glacial terrains: Digital products for outreach and education
To address these issues, we will combine existing digital data sets and regional glacial-terrain mapping with newly available subsurface databases, digital elevation models (DEMs), and digital imagery. This process will continue an evolution toward the use of streamlined, user-friendly desktop environments using off-the-shelf software.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Groundwater geochemistry of Indiana aquifers: database development and analysis of the natural chemical character of bedrock and glacial aquifer systems
Compile groundwater geochemical analyses conducted in Indiana into a standardized database and analyze the data based on unique aquifer systems.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Groundwater in aquifer systems of LaGrange County–baseline water chemistry, nitrate contamination, and aquifer sensitivity
The study was conducted to determine the baseline water chemistry and the levels of naturally occurring and man-made contaminants in the groundwater of LaGrange County.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Hendricks County Water Study
1) determine needed resources to properly characterize the available water resources from the area
2) reach out to additional community governments and state government for support of the project
3) seek funding opportunities for a county wide study of the water resources
4) show value of research towards water resource studies for Indiana communities
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Hoosier National Forest Landslide Mapping
Primary Contact: Victoria Leffel
Hydrochemical evaluation and predictive modeling of sulfate-reducing bioreactor cells
The goal of the research project is to evaluate and model the performance and longevity of SRBCs for the passive remediation of AMD.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Hydrologic modeling to evaluate E. coli loading in the Dunes Creek Watershed, Porter County, Indiana
The primary issues in the Dunes Creek Watershed are sources of E. coli. We conducted surface-water numerical modeling to:
1) Represent the hydrology, sediment, and bacterial characteristics in the drainage network; and
2) Simulate how land-use and land-management changes (for example, adding riparian buffers, filling or plugging ditches) might achieve reduction of E. coli in Dunes Creek.
1) Represent the hydrology, sediment, and bacterial characteristics in the drainage network; and
2) Simulate how land-use and land-management changes (for example, adding riparian buffers, filling or plugging ditches) might achieve reduction of E. coli in Dunes Creek.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Hydrologic suitability of mine spoil as a medium for septic-tank absorption fields
The goal of this project was to provide the Indiana State Department of Health with tools to expeditiously process applications for septic-field permits on reclaimed coal mine lands.
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
IDEM RiverWatch Program
Collect pertinent data for the IDEM volunteer stream monitoring program known as RiverWatch. Students will be trained to (1) collect water quality data consisting of: temperature, conductivity, pH, redox, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, nitrate, phosphate; (2) flow estimation of stream using cross-section and velocity method; (3) record physical description of stream and bank up to 200 ft above monitoring point, describing stream bed, riparian zone, and sinuosity of stream; (4) collection and identification of macroinvertebrates living in stream at monitoring site, (5) test for total coliform and E. coli bacteria in stream. Student activity will be monitored and assisted as needed. Students will enter data into online forms at IDEM website.Monitoring activity will be conducted once each season for one year for a total of 4 monitoring days.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
iDigBio Digital Data in Biodiversity Research Conference
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
IGS Enterprise Data Preservation and Digitization Program
• To significantly improve access to IGS records, documents, and materials for research and public access.
• To bring to light forgotten and little known documents and records
• To develop configurable templates for databases to promote research and data dissemination.
• Continue to apply for funding from the USGS National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
IGS Geospatial Portal
The Survey needs a central enterprise data store that users across all divisions of the organization can access and update. Project data will be collected centrally and can be used (and updated) in future projects. This continually improving data set will not only make work easier within the Survey, but can be used as a product for external use as well.
Primary Contact: Ben Romlein
IGS Miscellaneous Map: Near-surface Aquifer Sensitivity in Indiana
Develop a conceptual model of the physical factors and processes that control groundwater recharge in Indiana, and devise an objective measure of recharge over the landscape. Develop a statewide assessment of aquifer sensitivity to near-surface contamination based on the relationship of recharge to migration of contaminants through the unsaturated zone.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
IGS Miscellaneous Map: Near-surface Groundwater Recharge in Indiana
Develop a conceptual model of the physical factors and processes that control groundwater recharge in Indiana, and devise an objective measure of recharge over the landscape. Develop a statewide assessment of aquifer sensitivity to near-surface contamination based on the relationship of recharge to migration of contaminants through the unsaturated zone.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
IGS Miscellaneous Map: Sinkhole Development Risk in south-central Indiana
Identify both existing areas of karst development in south-central Indiana, along with identification of the spatial distribution of areas with high probabilities of karst or sinkhole development.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
IGWS Collections Management
Short-Term
- fulfill CAP goal of creating an item-level inventory of all materials by ingesting existing catalogs into the new CARST management system and conducting new inventories and assessments to identify missed materials;
- continue to document and address ongoing issues resulting from the moves to and from temporary housing locations
- continue assessing and defining unaddressed housing issues and needs
Medium-term
- identify and clearly differentiate between known donated collections, collections generated through in-house work/fieldwork, and loaned materials
- research and resolve any identified provenance and usage questions or concerns, especially those related to historic "found-in-collection" materials
- identify and prioritize paper materials for archival digitization
- assign or resolve DOI and IGSN (igsn.org) registrations for appropriate materials through IU Libraries and System for Earth Sample Registration (SESAR)
- transfer or expunge materials not appropriate for reference library, Records Center, in-house archive, specimen repository, education collection, or outreach giveaway activities
---this includes identification of materials appropriate for inclusion in IU Archives
Long-term
- increase accessibility to materials
- mitigate future loss or disassociation of materials
- create appropriate archival environment for housing materials in perpetuity
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
IGWS Library and Archives Management
Short-Term
- fulfill CAP goal of creating an item-level inventory of materials
- identify and transfer or expunge materials not appropriate for reference library, public records room, or in-house archive
- identify materials appropriate for inclusion in IU Archives, prioritize their digitization then transfer them
Medium-term
- identify and prioritize materials for archival digitization
- accurately determine records housing needs for return to renovated building (number of boxes, flat file sizes, rolled storage, etc.)
Long-term
- increase accessibility to materials
- mitigate future loss of materials
- create archival environment for housing materials in perpetuity
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
IGWS ResourceSpace DAMS Content Curation and System Refinement
Addition of metadata to collections ingested into RS, digital curation and ingest of IGWS materials, alterations and refinements of elements of RS system.
Primary Contact: Will Knauth
IGWS Specimen and Non-Paper Collections Management
Short-Term
- fulfill CAP goal of creating an item-level inventory of materials
- document materials damaged in the move to the temporary housing location
- identify and transfer or expunge materials not appropriate for repository, education collection, or outreach giveaway activities
- reclaim misidentified, partially identified, poorly identified, or unidentified materials for reincorporation in previously curated collections
- standardize nomenclature to incorporate into the System for Earth Sample Registration (SESAR) and obtain IGSN numbers
Medium-term
- identify and clearly differentiate between known donated collections, collections generated through in-house fieldwork, and loaned materials
- research and resolve any identified provenance and usage questions or concerns, especially those related to historic "found-in-collection" materials
- accurately determine housing issues and needs for materials beyond core library prior to return to renovated building
- correlate SESAR nomenclature with Dana, Strunz, Hey's CIM, ABCD-EFG, OGC GeoSciML, and DarwinCore as appropriate (preferably as an automatic, back-end relational assignment within the CMS, especially where the mineralogical classifications are concerned)
Long-term
- increase accessibility to materials
- mitigate future loss of materials
- create appropriate archival environment for housing materials in perpetuity
Primary Contact: Jennifer Lanman
IGWS STATEMAP Products Spreadsheet/Database
This task focuses on creating and maintaining a spreadsheet/database that contains information for all the STATEMAP maps and map-related documents that the IGWS has completed and/or submitted to the USGS since 1993. The spreadsheet/database will contain the following information for each map or map-related product: the year that the project was initiated, the name of the mapped area, the map scale, the amount of federal and state dollars contributed to the product, designation of each map as a bedrock or surficial map, the IGWS publication number, the availability of the product from the IGWS Bookstore, the correct citation for the IGWS published and unpublished documents, and the USGS STATEMAP grant number.
Using the spreadsheet/database, an updated interactive map will be created to showcase the mapping efforts in the state. This map (located on the STATEMAP webpage) will provide links to published STATEMAP products for the public; another version will provide links to both published and unpublished STATEMAP products for the IGWS staff.
The data could also be used to either update the Data Collection Viewer or create a new application, the IGWS Data Hub, to showcase all survey work. A second phase to the project could be to create a StoryMap.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
IGWS Website Redesign
Convert entire IGWS Website to use node.js, react, and express. Using these modern frameworks along with IU Rivet markup and styles for UI will standardize and bring our website up to date. In addition work on the intranet and rolling items into the main site for employees who are logged in will be evaulated.
Primary Contact: Kevin Fuller
iLITH Database
The objective of this project is to overhaul the IDNR water-well database, redefining it for use in plotting and visualization of subsurface data with accurate locations and standardized lithologic descriptions, and to create integrated plotting tools for use with the database and ArcView GIS 3.3 software.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
IM Producers Indiana Map Update, Storymap, and Data Download Services
This objective of this project is to improve public access to data pertaining to Indiana industrial mineral mines.
Primary Contact: Kathryn Shaffer
IMLS: Promoting Digital Access and (Re-)Discovery of the IU Paleontology Collection
To enhance the accessibility and discoverability of the type and figured specimens (especially including the entirety of the Rexroad conodont collection) via high-resolution macrophotography.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Incorporation of high-resolution Indiana GIS data into Flyover Country via Macrostrat
To enhance wonder and knowledge of the natural resources of the State of Indiana by incorporating geologic data into the Flyover Country mobile app.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Indiana bat cave inventory
As part of Tier 2 environmental studies being conducted in association with the proposed Interstate-69 transportation corridor through southwestern Indiana, it is necessary to determine if any caves within 5 miles of the proposed corridor are winter hibernacula for this species of bat.
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Indiana bedrock core location map
The objectives of this project are to:
Create a derivative dataset that is connected to the current IGS drill cores (data from the PDMS) that can be used for mapping core locations, their sampled intervals, and reference numbers.
Assign created stratigraphic unit abbreviations, an additional field, in the existing IGS drill core location data table or tables. This field will be used for labeling the locations on the map and give user a quick reference to the stratigraphic unit without having to search through many attributes.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Indiana bedrock core map viewer
The objectives of this project are to:
Create a derivative dataset that is connected to the current IGS drill cores (data within the PDMS) that can be used for mapping core locations, their sampled intervals, and reference numbers.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Indiana Coal Mine Information System
The IGS maintains and updates the CMIS GIS database to provide accessible and functional data, technical assistance to the AML Program, and to respond to requests for information from the public. GIS and database applications are created to improve access to AML's historical and contemporary water-quality database.
Primary Contact: Rebecca Meyer
Indiana Coal Quality Database (ICQD)
The Indiana Geological Survey has collected data and created databases on various physical and chemical parameters of Indiana coals for many years. This project creates the most comprehensive coal quality data compilation available for Indiana coals.
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Indiana Contribution to the National Geothermal Data System
State-specific geothermal data will be compiled into an integrated, distributed, and searchable national data system, referred to as the "National Geothermal Data System."
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Indiana Geologic Data Preservation Program 2008
These data have been collected and stored at the IGS for well over 100 years, yet many have not received the proper cataloging and archiving necessary to ensure their long-term preservation and ready access. Moreover, they have often been stored in temporary facilities, and adequate space and resources for the long-term preservation of samples and data have not been maintained. Finally, no formal effort has been initiated to comprehensively inventory, catalog, and document the many geological and geophysical holdings of the IGS. In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sponsored the first coordinated data preservation planning effort of which the IGS played a part. This work continued in 2008 with additional funding from the USGS and in-kind support from the IGS.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
Indiana Geologic Data Preservation Program 2009
These data have been collected and stored at the IGS for well over 100 years, yet many have not received the proper cataloging and archiving necessary to ensure their long-term preservation and ready access. Moreover, they have often been stored in temporary facilities, and adequate space and resources for the long-term preservation of samples and data have not been maintained. Finally, no formal effort has been initiated to comprehensively inventory, catalog, and document the many geological and geophysical holdings of the IGS. In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sponsored the first coordinated data preservation planning effort of which the IGS played a part. This work continued in 2008 with additional funding from the USGS and in-kind support from the IGS.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
Indiana Geologic Names Information System
The database facilitates labeling stratigraphic data in IGWS digital and paper archives, aid IGWS researchers in locating current geologic nomenclature for their publications, and provide web-based access to IGWS geologic nomenclature to a broad spectrum of users from academia, industry, government, and the general public.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Indiana Geological Survey Geologic Names Information System
The database facilitates labeling stratigraphic and structural features data in IGWS digital and paper archives, aids IGWS researchers in locating current geologic nomenclature for their publications, and provides web-based access to IGWS geologic nomenclature to a broad spectrum of users from academia, industry, government, and the general public.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Indiana Geological Survey Geologic Names Information System
The database will facilitate labeling stratigraphic data in IGWS digital and paper archives, aid IGWS researchers in locating current geologic nomenclature for their publications, and provide web-based access to IGWS geologic nomenclature to a broad spectrum of users from academia, industry, government, and the general public.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Indiana Geological Survey Geologic Names Information System
The database facilitates labeling stratigraphic data in IGWS digital and paper archives, aid IGWS researchers in locating current geologic nomenclature for their publications, and provide web-based access to IGWS geologic nomenclature to a broad spectrum of users from academia, industry, government, and the general public.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Indiana Geological Survey Geologic Names Information System
The database will facilitate labeling stratigraphic data in IGS digital and paper archives, aid IGS researchers in locating current geologic nomenclature for their publications, and provide Web-based access to IGS geologic nomenclature to a broad spectrum of users from academia, industry, government, and the general public.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 1
Primary Contact: Lee Florea
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 2
Primary Contact: Deborah DeChurch
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 3
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 4
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 5
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
Indiana Journal of Earth Sciences - Volume 6
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
Indiana Limestone Photo Collection - University of Michigan School of Information Student Digital Curation Project
Have a subsection of the ILPC in Resource Space by the conclusion of the project with all currently extant metadata description attached. As well as to add depth to metadata descriptions for greater accessibility and utility. Generate effective workflows to guide similar work in the future.
Primary Contact: Will Knauth
Indiana Limestone Photo Collection: Digitization and Dissemination
To make this image collection and its associated metadata digital and available to researchers, scholars, and the general public through Indiana University's Image Collections Online (ICO) site and
creating an interactive GIS website that will enable users to visualize, question, and interpret data to reveal spatial and temporal relationships, patterns, and trends.
Primary Contact: Licia Weber
Indiana Reach Index update
Conduct a pilot study to establish a methodology to update selected watersheds with high-resolution (1:24,000) stream segments from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD).
Primary Contact: Chris Dintaman
Indiana Society of Mining and Reclamation Board
ISMR is a professional alliance providing opportunity for education and communication of technical advances in mining and reclamation.
Primary Contact: Rebecca Meyer
IndianaMap
Create a central repository of spatial data for Indiana and to make the data freely available to the public in a format that is readily accessible.
Primary Contact: Richard Hill
IndianaMap data sharing initiative and Demonstration of four key Framework data layers
Proof of consept project
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
IndianaMap Maintenance
Updating IndianaMap data, adding IndianaMap data, tracking the work that is done on a monthly basis.
Primary Contact: Chris Dintaman
Integrate Indiana's Broadband Map into the IndianaMap
One of the requirements of the Map Indiana Broadband project is to make the data available to the public. This will be accomplished by adding the broadband map data to the IndianaMap (www.indianamap.org) as hosted by the IGS. Also as part of this contract, the IGS will updae the supporting technology.
Primary Contact: Chris Dintaman
Integration of Central Baja California Research Activities
The goal of this IGWS project is to consolidate activities and results from research by the PI and his students at multiple institutions, in a manner that results are efficiently shared with main PIs from the grants explained above. The goal is to take advantage of synergies via sharing ideas, data, collaborating in the field and in laboratory activities.
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
Interdisciplinary Highly-Collaborative Research
This project will inform the D2I and UITS RDS case study on institutional data management processes at the IGWS and serve as a vehicle for feedback on how the IGWS can improve those internal processes.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Internal Architecture of the Tolleston Beach using Ground Penetrating Radar
Additional subsurface tools are needed to understand the architecture of the Tolleston Beach. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) that images the subsurface to depths of 10s of meters, is portable, non-invasive, and less expensive. It can be used to build cross-sections of the landform.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Investigation of groundwater in abandoned underground coal mines
Increase public awareness and interest in the potential use of underground mine waters as a geothermal resource, a groundwater resource, and a mine-reclamation resource.
Primary Contact: Denver Harper
Investigation of the Origin and Nature of Coke Variations in Non-Recovery/Heat-Recovery Coke Making
The objective of our research is to further investigate the role of coal blend dilatation and rheology on coke porosity and CSR in an unconstrained heat-recovery cokemaking technology.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Investigation of the source/cause of subsurface voids at Mt. Baldy, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, to mitigate visitor safety.
The objective of this agreement is to investigate these previously undocumented anomalies in an effort to determine risk to visitors at INDU, investigate the “hole” phenomenon, and guide park decision making with regard to visitor safety and public education and understanding of know/unknown hazards.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
IU Bicentennial: Uncovering the Hidden History of Megalonyx jeffersonii to Engage in Indiana University’s Natural History Collections
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
IWBN for Eclipse Monitoring
Update the stations to take faster measurements during the time leading upto and through the eclipse on April 8, 2024. Update the website to showcase the IWBN station information better and give it front page billing during the eclipse.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Karst Poster
These water-quality problems result from human activities and can be prevented in part through better education of the general public about the areal extent, characteristics, and sensitivity of the karst environment.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Lake Maxinkuckee & Bass Lake
Provide initial guidance as to what monitoring, data collection, and analysis would need to be conducted to determine the state of groundwater resources in the area.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Lake Michigan tributary monitoring
The purpose of this project is to characterize temporal variations in bacterial outfalls at the mouths of creeks (such as Derby Ditch) that flow into Lake Michigan.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Landmarks in Indiana Geology
This project focuses on chronicling (Chronicle and Document goals) the history of geological discoveries and events in the State of Indiana. Moreover, this project documents the changing needs for energy, mineral, and water resources in the state and the activities of IU and IGS researchers to support the state’s economy. Because of the close association of IU and the IGS, many of these geological discoveries were made by IU faculty working for the IGS. Notable IU researchers (Celebrate and Recognize goals) include R. D. Owen, E.T. Cox, E.R. Cummings, C.A. Mallott, W.N. Logan, R.R. Schrock, W.D. Thornbury, C. Deiss, J. Patton, and R. Shaver.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Late Holocene lake level of Lake Huron
The purpose of this project is to determine the physical limits and timing of past lake-level fluctuations during the last 5,000 years.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Late Holocene lake level of Lake Michigan
The purpose of this project is to determine the physical limits and timing of past lake-level fluctuations during the last 5,000 years.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Late Holocene lake level of Lake Superior
The purpose of this project is to determine the physical limits and timing of past lake-level fluctuations during the last 5,000 years.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Late Wisconsinan Ice Margin Chronology, south-central Indiana
The goal is to document the chronology and stratigraphy of late Wisconsinan tills in south-central Indiana.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Late Wisconsinan Ice Margin Chronology, south-central Indiana (Year 2) - Coalition 2016
The goal is to document the chronology and stratigraphy of late Wisconsinan tills in south-central Indiana.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Learning Lab
This project will serve as an example for hands-on learning with collections on the IU campus.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Library Program
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Limestone Testing with Baldwin Press
This project will identify the strength of limestone and test results will be submitted to the limestone providers for evaluation.
Primary Contact: Alex Martinez
Locating and characterizing important springs of the Indiana Uplands
Scour publication archives for historical spring data dating back to 1901; visit 100 springs to sample water quality and compare these results to available historical data; use these data to develop and make available a geospatial database of springs; and develop a crowdsourcing geospatial tool to acquire information on springs and engage residents in communities throughout SWCI.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Louisville 100K Bedrock Mapping
Create a new bedrock map of the Louisville 100k quadrangle map. Update, compile, review, and interpret available literature, maps, and unpublished data concerning bedrock geology in the Louisville 100k quadrangle.
Primary Contact: Victoria Leffel
Lower Pennsylvanian incised valley fills and comparison to Amazon River facies and processes
The object of this study is to develop models to explain fill successions in incised valleys found in the Pennsylvanian of the Illinois Basin.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Madison-West Bedrock Mapping
Update, compile, review, and interpret available literature, maps, and unpublished data concerning bedrock geology in the western half of the Madison 100k quadrangle. Create a uniform geo-database of the western portion of the Madison 100k quadrangle map.
Primary Contact: Victoria Leffel
Major points sources of CO2 emissions from coal in Indiana
Provide major point sources of CO2 emissions from coal in Indiana (map and tabular data), including coal-burning electric power plants and industries and institutions.
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Making the Rexroad conodont collection accessible for research
This study will recover loaned material and organize and inventory the entire Rexroad conodont collection so that it can be fully utilized in research.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Map of the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Unconformity in Indiana
Working maps (circa 1980s) of the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian unconformity have been scanned for Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Pike, Sullivan, and Vigo counties. Many of these maps were approved by Stan Keller. We will search inventory in Marching 100 for additional maps. Data and contours from these maps, as well as the new field data, will be incorporated into a new ArcGIS Pro layer.
Primary Contact: Kilauren Driscoll
Mapping bedrock geology in Lawrence County
This project anticipates the need for more detailed geologic information to guide planning in and around a major population center along the SR 37 and US 50 corridors. The project is also intended to expedite current scientific studies of the economically important Salem Limestone and related rocks in Lawrence County, and to further refine computer mapping techniques. The detailed geologic framework and databases that this project will create are intended to provide data for the quantitative assessment of dimension and crushed stone resources in the county.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Mapping bedrock geology, Monroe County
This project anticipates the need for more detailed geologic information to guide planning in and around a major population center along the corridor of the of the Interstate 69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville. The project is also intended to expedite current scientific studies of the economically important Salem Limestone and related rocks in central Monroe County, and to further refine computer mapping techniques. The detailed geologic framework and databases that this project will create are intended to document karst features and to provide data for the quantitative assessment of dimension and crushed stone resources in the county.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
Mapping bedrock geology, Wabash area
Continue computer-aided geologic mapping from central Indiana into the Wabash Valley. Trace bedrock mapping units northward into classic exposures of Silurian facies. Create a database of geologic information as a basis for geologic mapping and as a resource for future exploration and exploitation of construction aggregate.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
Mapping glacial geology, Greenfield-New Castle-Muncie area
The purpose of this project was to document the three-dimensional distribution of coarse-grained deposits that serve as aquifers and fine-grained deposits that protect those aquifers; identify potential gravel aggregate resources in areas of former glacial meltwater streams; identify and document different kinds of glacial landscapes; and explain the significance of glacial landscapes relating to the history of glaciation in Indiana, the impacts that glacial geology have on the way we live, and the value of glacial deposits as natural resources.
Primary Contact: Marni Karaffa
Mapping the Quaternary Geology in Kosciusko County
This overall objective of this project is to provide a county map (1:48,000-scale) to provide a detailed framework of the unconsolidated sediments and landforms in Kosciusko County. Mapping will provide background for making geotechnical, transportation, and land-use planning decisions in an area dominated by coarse-grained sediments and natural lakes. Mapping will also increase knowledge of ice lobe dynamics in northern Indiana, an ares of multiple ice lobe interactions.
Primary Contact: Marni Karaffa
Maps of the New Albany Shale in the Illinois Basin
Most comprehensive digital compilation of geologic information about the New Albany..
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Marketing efforts
To increase the visibility of IGWS activities, resources, and research statewide.
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
Marketing efforts
To increase the visibility of IGWS activities, resources, and research statewide.
Primary Contact: Sara Clifford
Micro-scale chemical and mineralogical heterogeneity of shales and its influence on permeability of the Upper Devonian/Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation in Canada
The overall hypothesis to be tested is that the rock fabric and specifically mutual arrangement of organic matter and mineral matter in shales influences porosity and permeability in tight oil/gas reservoirs and that understanding this mineral/organic distribution is critical for prediction of both gas storage and producibility.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Middle-Holocene (ca. 6500 to 3500 years ago) lake-level change of ancestral Lake Superior, Huron Mountains, Upper Michigan
The primary objective is to determine the age and elevation of foreshore sediments associated with beach ridges in a strandplain located in the Huron Mountains, Upper Michigan. These data will be used to generate a relative paleohydrograph for the site covering 3000 years, from roughly 6500 to 3500 years ago.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Midwest Geologic Sequestration Consortium (MGSC)
The purpose of this project is to determine if the rock systems in the subsurface of the Illinois Basin are strong enough for effective and permanent storage of carbon dioxide that can contribute to global warming.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Midwest Geologic Sequestration Consortium (MGSC)
The purpose of this project is to determine the appropriate methodologies for permanent storage of gases that can contribute to global warming. The feasibility of geological sequestration in the Cambro-Ordovician section within the Illinois Basin is being evaluated.
Primary Contact: John Rupp
Midwestern Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP)
The objective of this study is to compile known basic geological attributes of deep oil and gas reservoirs, black shales, coals, and saline aquifers. These attributes will then be assessed with the objective of calculating their ability to effectively store large volumes of liquid CO2. The project is designed to move into a second phase where these candidate formations are tested with a drilling and injection program.
Primary Contact: Cristian Medina
Mine Map Acquisition and Digital Archiving Project
To continue the preservation of Indiana’s historic coal mine map information through the collection,
processing, scanning, georeferencing, digital archiving, and electronic distribution of Indiana’s historic coal mine maps through the IGS CMIS project and Web site.
Primary Contact: Licia Weber
Mitchell CarbonSAFE
Primary Contact: Valerie Beckham-Feller
Monitoring and forecasting outfalls of E. coli-contaminated streamflow at Burns Ditch, south shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana
This project characterized temporal variations in bacterial outfalls at the mouths of creeks (such as Burns Ditch) that flow into Lake Michigan.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Monitoring and modeling a large-scale experiment to change the direction of groundwater flow at the Blackfoot reclamation site in Pike County, Indiana
In an effort to ameliorate the problem, personnel of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation (IDNR-DOR) are planning a large-scale experiment to change the direction of groundwater flow away from the seepage area and toward an area where it will encounter alkaline spoils prior to discharging at the surface. The study combines detailed hydrologic monitoring with groundwater flow modeling to evaluate, optimize, and diagnose all the reasons why the reclamation strategy does or does not succeed. The project will commence prior to any reclamation activities but will continue through and after the period of hydrologic manipulation so that a thorough evaluation can be accomplished.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Monitoring and Modeling a Large-Scale Experiment to Change the Direction of Groundwater Flow at the Blackfoot Reclamation Site in Pike County: Part 2 Assessing the Efficacy of Reclamation that Includes the Construction of a Large Wetland/Bioreactor System
The project will involve a continuation of hydrochemical monitoring with much emphasis placed on the evaluation of the performance of a large wetland/bioreactor system that is being designed to treat acid mine drainage that is discharging from a valley located within this abandoned mine land site.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Monitoring hydrologic conditions in the vicinity of an acid seep at the Chinook abandoned mine lands site in Clay County, Indiana
We undertook a monitoring study to more fully characterize the hydrology of a large abandoned coal-waste deposit at the Chinook abandoned mine lands reclamation site. The ultimate goal of the project was to monitor the response of the water table in the coal-waste deposit to precipitation events.
Primary Contact: Jack Haddan
Morphosequences & Deglaciation Record in Northern Indiana: Chronology of 3 lobes in the St. Joseph & Kankakee valleys - Coalition 2016
The main objective of this project is to map outwash and morphosequences of outwash and moraines and determine the chronology of these deposits related to the Lake Michigan, Saginaw, and Huron-Erie lobes in the St. Joseph and Kankakee drainage basins in northern Indiana using a GIS framework. Another primary goal is to develop an absolute chronology for morphosequences and ice margins of the three lobes by using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fan/outwash sediments tied directly to ice margin positions. Combined with a relative chronology identified by cross-cutting relationships of landforms and stratigraphy, these OSL ages can provide a framework for timing of fluctuations of the Lake Michigan, Saginaw, and Huron-Erie lobes.
Primary Contact: William Monaghan
Mount Rainier Fumarole Cave Exploration and Science
Primary Contact: Lee Florea
National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographic Information System (NATCARB)
The purpose of NATCARB is to facilitate the evaluation of geological sequestration of CO2 in the United Sates and Canada by compiling all pertinent geological information useful for such evaluations into a database. When completed, the database will allow users to estimate the amount of CO2 emitted by various sources (such as power plants, refineries, and other fossil fuel consuming industries) and relate these volumes to geologic reservoirs that can provide safe and secure sequestration over time.
Primary Contact: John Rupp
National Geologic Mapping Database (NGMDB) Map Catalog 2007-2015
The objective of this IGS project is to ensure that geologic maps published by the IGS and other Indiana geologic maps are included in the NGMDB, thus addressing the IGS's mission to disseminate information.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
National Geologic Mapping Database (NGMDB) Map Catalog 2015-2017
Ensure that geologic maps published by the IGS and other Indiana geologic maps are properly represented in the USGS Map Catalog.
Primary Contact: Robin Rupp
National Mesonet Program
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
National Mesonet Program
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
National Water Quality Leadership & Partnerships
To build partnerships throughout the state of Indiana that would support the development of unified educational program centered around water quality, drinking water, and actions for improvement.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
New 1:100,000-scale mapping of the Indiana heartland
We will create and publish 1:100,000-scale maps of the project area depicting the bedrock topography and bedrock geology. Developing digital interpretations of the bedrock surface and the distribution of bedrock units anticipate the demand for computer-generated assessments of resource distribution, quantity, and quality. A relational database will be made available to allow government and industry planners and citizens to rapidly locate geologic data.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
New 1:100,000-scale mapping of the Indianapolis 30 x 60 minute quadrangle
We will create and publish 1:100,000-scale maps of the project area depicting the bedrock topography and bedrock geology. Developing digital interpretations of the bedrock surface and the distribution of bedrock units anticipate the demand for computer-generated assessments of resource distribution, quantity, and quality. A relational database will be made available that can be used to rapidly locate geologic data requested by government and industry planners and citizens.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
NGWMN 2022-2024
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
NGWMN FY23
The objectives of this project are to install two new monitoring wells and refurbish a previously built well.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Northern Indiana Quaternary cross sections
The objective of this project is to provide subsurface geologic data and correlation of glacial sediments needed for water resource management, land-use planning, and infrastructure projects. The project will obtain new borehole data in addition to compiling existing subsurface information, including downhole geophysical data (gamma-ray logs), water well logs, and archived borehole information, for all of northernmost Indiana.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Open Access Publications: RS/Bookstore/IUSW
To process IGWS publications for accessibility and ensure an accurate asset entry and retrieval option is in place for all Open Access Pubs. This will be accomplished in three repository locations, ResourceSpace, IUScholarWorks, and the IGWS bookstore; with all relevant data stored in IU secured cold data storage.
Primary Contact: Will Knauth
Optimization of bioreactor cell design for treating low-flow acid mine drainage in the Midwest: Model development and demonstration
This project will test and demonstrate sulfate-reducing bioreactor cell (SRBC) technology on low-flow, metal-rich acid seeps in the Midwest. A predictive model capable of assisting engineers in designing SRBCs for AMD sources throughout the Midwest will be developed.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Oral History
Staff at the IGWS will be trained on best practices for oral history interviews by the IU Archives through the IU Bicentennial Campaign. Staff will conduct interviews with retired, emeritus, and/or affiliated staff members with video and audio recordings. The recordings will be submitted to IU Archives for transcription and storage.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Ordovician Time Scale
Lots of pXRF analysis and mentoring of two undergraduates.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Organic matter in the Illinois Basin: Interactive atlas: Part I – New Albany Shale
To design and prepare interactive atlas of organic matter. We plan to start with the New Albany Shale, followed by the coals and other formations in the Illinois Basin.
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Organizing 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP) in Bloomington
To organize Annual Meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP) in Bloomington, IN in September 2019.
Primary Contact: Agnieszka Drobniak
Outreach print materials
This project will create a set of unified printed materials that can be used for outreach events and stakeholder meetings. The materials will be promote the services and mission of the IGWS to a statewide audience.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
PDMS Fix 2022-2024
The main objective of this project is to merge all of the records by removing the "Records Cornucopia" and adding all of the scanned documents to their correct location in the "Reports" and "Log Info" sections of the PDMS. The method for obtaining records in the future may also be changed so that the PDMS can be maintained more easily.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
PDMS Maintenance
The long-term goal is to populate the PDMS with current and historical data for petroleum wells and fields in Indiana.
Primary Contact: Valerie Beckham-Feller
Peoria Loess Chronology and Provenance
This project will determine the provenance and chronology of deposition of Peoria Loess during the last glacial period in central Indiana.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Petrographic and chemical characterization of Indiana coals and their use in the steel industry
The purpose of this project was to provide a detailed chemical and petrographic characterization of selected coal seams in Indiana, with the main focus on the Danville Coal Member of the Carbondale Formation and the Lower Block Coal Member of the Brazil Formation.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Petroleum Database Management System
Facilitate access to information related to oil and gas wells in Indiana and to provide this information in ways that will allow it to be accessed efficiently by users.
Primary Contact: Charles Zuppann
Petrophysical characterization, regional distribution, and geologic storage suitability of units within the Cambro-Ordovician sequence
The objective of this study is to compile known basic geological attributes of deep oil and gas reservoirs, black shales, coals, and saline aquifers. These attributes will then be assessed with the objective of calculating their ability to effectively store large volumes of liquid CO2. The project is designed to move into a second phase where these candidate formations are tested with a drilling and injection program.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
PfEC: Urban Green Infrastructure geospatial data portal development
We will create an ArcGIS Online organizational account for ERIGIS and build several StoryMaps, data layers, and gallery features for the data synthesis and visualization needs of the Grand Challenges.
Primary Contact: Gary Motz
Pike County Pre-Feasibility Study
The objective of the pre-feasibility study is to assess the feasibility of injecting and storing a total of 100 million metric tons of CO2.
Primary Contact: Valerie Beckham-Feller
Piloting the OSDU platform for inter-state geological survey data management for synthetic 3D mapping initiative
This project will evaluate the efficacy of the OSDU data platform and determine whether or not the OSDU is a suitable candidate for enterprise data management for the IGWS and the energy, stratigraphy, and other data siloes.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Planning, coordination, and training associated with lead sampling activities in schools
The objective is to provide comprehensive planning, coordination, and sampling services for all schools that express interest and participate in the Indiana school water sampling program.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
POTENTIAL FOR CRITICAL MINERALS IN COAL MINING PRODUCTS, BYPRODUCTS, AND REJECTS, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON RARE EARTH ELEMENTS (REE)
The overall objective of this project is to develop methodologies to identify potential targets for REE recov-ery from the coal value chain. To address this main objective, the more specific goals of this project are to:
1) Determine REE content in Indiana coals and identify coal beds that have highest REE concentrations. Although REE will be the critical elements of particular interest in this project, other elements such as aluminum, phosphorous, uranium, titanium, manganese, gallium, germanium, cobalt, and others will also be examined. These elements are included for bolstering our predictive tools such as principal component analysis, which will allow future explorations for REE to use less expensive methods to locate potential REE resources.
2) Evaluate the distribution of REE in various fractions generated by coal preparation plants: coarse re-fuse, fines, clean coal. The coarse refuse will be of special interest because REE concentrate in min-eral fractions. We expect that coarse refuse from coals having high REE contents as established in point 1 could be targets for REE recovery.
3) Investigate REE concentration in pulverized rejects from power plants and fly ash and bottom ash generated from Indiana coals. Because, as mentioned above, REE are dominantly associated with mineral fractions, they are concentrated in the mineral and glass phases of coal ashes. Special effort will be put into obtaining coal ash from the coals of increased REE concentrations, as established in point 1;
4) Assess REE potential in acid-mine drainage (AMD). AMD contains REEs in dissolved form, making them less expensive to process although concentrations are much lower than in raw coal material or coal combustion concentrates. Preliminary data suggest a strong correlation of REEs to aluminum and magnesium in AMD, indicative of a noncoal detrital clay association, which becomes soluble under acidic conditions.
5) Based on 1–4, identify set of geological/chemical attributes that can be used as proxies for “sweet spots” for REE. We will use selected statistical methods, for example, principal component analysis (PCA) to identify associations of REE with other elements, coal properties, geographic location, etc. These attributes will be used as a predictive tool for elevated occurrences of REE and ultimately will help to delineate best targets for future recovery.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Potential karst development areas in the Hoosier National Forest
Identify both existing areas of karst development in the Hoosier National Forest, along with identification of the spatial distribution of areas with high probabilities of karst or sinkhole development.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Potential nonpoint-source contamination of the Spring Mill Lake drainage basin
Determine the sources of contaminants that pollute Spring Mill Lake.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Potential of Lower Block and Upper Block Coal Members for coking: Resources and properties
We plan to evaluate resources of the Lower Block and Upper Block Coal Members and map their availability
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Predicted responses of unconsolidated materials throughout Indiana to seismically induced ground shaking
Measure shear-wave velocities in the major types of unconsolidated materials that exist in Indiana and construct a first-phase National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) classification map for the state.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Prediction of CO2 sorption in coal seams
The overall research goals are to:
1) Develop a reliable and practical method to measure CO2 sorption in coal in realistic temperature/pressure conditions;
2) Determine CO2 sorption characteristics in coals of specific rank, type, and lithotype structure; and
3) Evaluate how fast and how much of initially present methane (CH4) can be desorbed from coal during CO2 adsorption.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Public Presentations and Tours
Engage public in earth science topics and issues.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Quake Cottage Program 4
To educate a variety of target audiences about earthquakes hazards and risks within the state and mitigation practices that reduces the economic and health impacts of such events.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Quake Cottage Program 5 - CUSEC
To educate a variety of target audiences about earthquakes hazards and risks within the state and mitigation practices that reduces the economic and health impacts of such events.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Quality of coals in Indiana: Collecting new data
The main objective is to collect coal samples and obtain new analyses on coals to expand the coal-quality database.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Quaternary Geology of Bartholomew County (Azalia quadrangle)
This study will produce a detailed Quaternary geologic map of the Azalia 7.5-minute quadrangle with a cross section and detailed descriptions of map units.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Quaternary Geology of Bartholomew County (Elizabethtown and Hope quadrangles)
This study will produce a detailed Quaternary geologic maps of the Elizabethtown and Hope 7.5-minute quadrangles with cross sections and detailed descriptions of map units.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Quaternary Geology of Bartholomew County (New Bellsville and Columbus quadrangles)
This study will produce detailed Quaternary geologic maps of the New Bellsville and Columbus 7.5-minute quadrangles with cross sections and detailed descriptions of map units.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Quaternary Laboratory Activities
Continue laboratory activities in support of research for Quaternary group at IGWS
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
Rates and Controls on Toxic Metal Leaching from Coal-Combustion Residues Utilized as Structural Fills in Reclamation Settings: Emphasis on the Midwestern AML Site
The project, which combines field, laboratory, and modeling components, will determine the conditions under which trace elements are leached from CCRs in field settings as well as rates of leaching when CCRs are in contact with various ambient water chemistries.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Regional Initiative to Accelerate CCUS Development Deployment in Midwestern and Northeastern USA
The objective of this study is to identify and address key technical challenges that are current impediments or areas of concern preventing the establishment of CCUS in the study region. The project is separated into four tasks: addressing key technical challenges; facilitating data collection, sharing, and analysis; evaluating regional infrastructure; and promoting regional technology transfer.
Primary Contact: Ashley Douds
Relating groundwater recharge to near-surface aquifer sensitivity in Indiana
Develop a conceptual model of the physical factors and processes that control groundwater recharge in Indiana, and devise an objective measure of recharge over the landscape. Develop a statewide assessment of aquifer sensitivity to near-surface contamination based on the relationship of recharge to migration of contaminants through the unsaturated zone.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Resource assessment and production testing for coal-bed methane development in the Illinois Basin
The goal of this project is to obtain fundamental baseline information on methane for Illinois Basin coals and associated organic-rich shales. This study will provide valuable data to stimulate development of gas from areas believed to have the best potential for economically extractable CBM in the Illinois Basin.
Primary Contact: John Rupp
Restoration of West Dunes Creek-Great Marsh complex
The design of the project was intended to further scientific research and insight into potential reduction of E. coli levels in receiving waters following increased solar exposure, sedimentation, filtration, increased retention, and biological treatment provided by wetlands.
Primary Contact: Greg Olyphant
Revised digital elevation model of Indiana
The objective of this project was to create 30-meter DEMs using recently acquired digital line graph (DLG) data for the areas containing Level 1 data. The new DEMs were merged into the entire Indiana data set, replacing the Level 1 data.
Primary Contact: Robin Rupp
Roxana Loess Chronology and Provenance
This project will determine the provenance and chronology of deposition of Roxana Loess prior to the last glacial maximum in west-central Indiana.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
S_Kankakee 100k Quaternary Mapping
The objective of this project is to provide surficial and subsurface geologic data needed for water resource management, land-use planning, and infrastructure projects. The project will obtain new data in addition to compiling existing geologic maps and associated data.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Sampling and drilling of unconsolidated sediments
This purpose of this project is to provide a cost-effective method of obtaining subsurface glacial material samples and stratigraphy data in areas of mapping priority, areas that either lack data (or complete sets of data), or in areas of specific research interests.
Primary Contact: Marni Karaffa
Shale Gas: Geochemical and Physical Constraints on Genesis, Storage, and Producibility
This project is comprised of two tasks related to shale gas: (1) Study of porosity in shale; and (2) Generation of catalytic shale gas. Each task focuses on an individual aspect in need of basic shale research for industrial and environmental reasons. For task 1, for the next 3 years, we intend to investigate links between porosity and permeability and ultimately producibility of hydrocarbons from shale. For task 2 we will study mechanisms of catalysis in shales. So far, the mechanism of geocatalytic shale gas generation remains elusive.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Shale Gas: Geochemical and Physical Constraints on Genesis, Storage, and Productibility
This project is comprised of three tasks related to shale gas: (1) Study of porosity in shale; (2) Natural methane outgassing from shales into the atmosphere; and (3) Generation of catalytic shale gas. Each task focuses on an individual aspect in need of basic shale research for industrial and environmental reasons. All three tasks are conceptually linked.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Significance of isotopically labile organic hydrogen in the thermal maturation of source rocks
The main objective of the project is to evaluate the geochemical magnitude and significance of hydrogen isotopic exchangeability in kerogens.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Silurian Sr-isotope chemostratigraphy of southern Indiana
Complete a Sr-isotope curve for southern Indiana tied to previously collected geochemistry.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
Simulation of CO2 Storage in the Arches Province of the Midwestern United States
This study will produce a three dimensional model of the subsurface geology in the Arches region, followed by numerical simulations on the injection of supercritical carbon dioxide into the Upper Cambrian Mount Simon Sandstone.
Primary Contact: Cristian Medina
Social Media
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Solid Biomass Energy
1) Create/improve the method of petrographic quality assessment for wider range of solid biomass products (including intermediate crops, crop by-products, grass, and other agricultural waste).
2) Expand our research expertise into growing biomass technologies like gasification (holzgas), torrefaction (biomass suitable for co-firing in coal-fired power plants), and anaerobic digestion (production of a methane-rich biogas from wet biomass sources).
3) Investigate relationships between raw fuel composition and the properties of their combustion and gasification emissions with a focus on parameters that could be used to predict the environmental and health impacts of fuel use.
4) Promote the idea of including petrographic analysis in solid biomass quality assurance testing and product certification with manuscripts, and presentations.
5) Expand collaboration with international universities and industry.
6) Create an "umbrella" center.
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Source-water assessment
The objective of this project was to develop fact sheets for 650 individual, noncommunity, nontransient, public ground-water supplies throughout Indiana, as part of the Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP).
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
South Central Indiana Tromino Data Point Collection
The objective of this project would be to have Tromino data point coverage along transects that cross river valleys as well as locations that have minimal or questionable bedrock surface data.
Primary Contact: Don Tripp
Southeast Indiana Landslide Mapping
Map and inventory landslides in Louisville, Madison, Greensburg, Cincinnati, Falmouth 100,000 scale quadrangles.
Primary Contact: Victoria Leffel
Spatial analysis of 20 water utilities in Indiana
This project will support the larger study of the water utilities, focusing on providing a data-quality and accuracy assessment of the locations of 20 water utilities in Indiana. In addition, each water-extraction point (well or intake) will be characterized with respect to a suite of spatial landscape data layers.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Spatial analysis of significant water withdrawal facilities in Indiana
This project will support the larger effort of improving the data accuracy in databases important to water resources planning in Indiana.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
State Park Geology Guides
This project will update the state park guides published in 1974-1988 and create new guides for for other state park locations. The guides will be made available on the IGWS website, DNR Resource webpage, and distributed to DNR personnel.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
State Park Geology Guides
Produce geologic guides for the most popular state parks in Indiana to enhance the visitors’ experience. The audience is the interested lay reader.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
STATEMAP 2015 Morgan County
The 2015 STATEMAP project will produce (1) a preliminary bedrock geologic map of the Mooresville East 7.5-minute quadrangle (1:24,000-scale) with a cross section and detailed descriptions of map units and (2) preliminary detailed Quaternary geologic maps of the Martinsville and Mooresville West 7.5-minute quadrangles (1:24,000-scale) with cross sections and detailed descriptions of map units.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
STATEMAP 2016
Advance our understanding of the bedrock of Morgan County specifically, and the broader understanding of the Sanders Group to the New Albany Shale interval. Create products that can be accessed and utilized by a broad user group from geologists to planners.
Primary Contact: Patrick McLaughlin
StateMap 2019 - South Bend
The goal of this project is to develop a Quaternary geology stratigraphy, presented as a 2D map, that helps in building a 3D geological mapping of the state.
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
StateMap 2021 Program
Create new maps that include: 1) bedrock mapping in the southern half of the Bedford quadrangle in south-central Indiana, 2) bedrock mapping in northern half of the Madison, Falmouth, and Louisville quadrangles in southeast Indiana, and 3) unconsolidated mapping of ice-marginal sediments between the cities of Jasper and Washington in south-central Indiana
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
StateMap 2022 Program
Create new maps that include:
1) Quaternary mapping of the Bloomington 100k quadrangle
2) Bedrock mapping of the Jasper and Indiana portion of Tell City 100k quadrangle maps
3) Bedrock mapping of the Princeton and Indiana portions of adjacent 100k quadrangle maps
Data updates:
1) Updated NGMDB entries with new URLs, citations, etc.
Stratigraphy:
1)Formalizing a Late Pleistocene stratigraphy for northern Indiana
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
StateMap 2023 Program
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Statewide seismic hazard project
In collaboration with Purdue University, we created a GIS that depicts the seismic hazard for the entire state of Indiana. The final product includes stochastic acceleration maps for various earthquake scenarios along with layers indicating the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil classification types (for example, amplification effects as well as liquefaction potential).
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
Statewide Subsurface Energy Project
The goal of this project is to develop products that help stakeholders and decision-makers, from communities to government and industry, identify areas that satisfy the technical requirements for geological sequestration and the community needs within those areas.
Primary Contact: Ashley Douds
Stratigraphy and chronology of Late Wisconsinan glacial deposits, south-central Indiana - Coalition 2017
The goal is to document the chronology and stratigraphy of late Wisconsinan glacial sediments in south-central Indiana and build a 3-D geological model of unconsolidated sediments for the region.
Primary Contact: Henry Loope
Stratigraphy and chronology of the Pleistocene Glacial Lake Patoka, south central Indiana
The goal of this study is to combine existing stratigraphic, mineralogic and geophysical data and current interpretations by Dr. Gray, to new datasets to be produced during the study (from shallow coring, geochronology, passive seismic data) in order to develop a litho- and chronostratigraphic framework of the GLP area.
Primary Contact: Jose Luis Antinao
Stratigraphy and maturity of the New Albany Shale–new insights from recently acquired and archived cores
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Ste. Genevieve Limestone Indian Creek Beds
This study aims to formally characterize the IC using outcrops and cores donated by the U.S. Gypsum Corporation (USGC) by describing the lithology and analyzing stable light isotopes from samples collected. Using these two methods, we will use the stratigraphy and geochemical analyses to determine the depositional history of the IC.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Stratigraphy of the Brazil Formation coal and their potential for coking - Phase 2
Two main objectives of this project are:
1) advance understanding of the stratigraphy of the Brazil and Staunton Formation coals so that the seam identification and correlation become more reliable within the state as well as the entire Illinois Basin; and
2) investigate properties of the coals with the special emphasis on coking properties and consequently on their application in the steel industry
Primary Contact: Maria Mastalerz
Studies at 20LU115: A stratified Late Woodland Archaeological Site
1) Chronology of dune formation at sleeping bear point in relationship to coastal dune else where in lake Michigan.
2) Chronology of the archaeological site in relationship of other sites around the Lake Michigan shoreline.
3) Assessing the threat of the archaeological site if erosion continues at Sleeping Bear Dunes.
4) A ghost forest is associated with the paleosol and was composed mainly of White Pine. We will map the extent and density of this forest as represented by the location of buried (now exposed) stumps.
5) Assess the age of the archaeological site and how such sites are incorporated into dune.
6) provide a chronology to the cobble beaches near the site to related water level in lake Michigan to coastal dune formation processes and archaeological site formation, and
Primary Contact: William Monaghan
Subsurface Characterization and Infrastructure Development For CarbonSAFE Illinois Storage Corridor
Primary Contact: Ashley Douds
Sulfate-reducing bioreactor net discharge monitoring
From monitoring flow rates along with chemical and stable isotopic components, the research conducted at this site will provide data for evaluating the effectiveness of the bioreactor in reducing acid-mine drainage, evaluating the microbial activity, and constructing a predictive model capable of providing sizing and longevity information to organizations desiring to build additional bioreactors for future low-flow AMD seep amelioration projects.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
Sulfates in Indiana Substrates
Project designed to assist by developing screening method, comparison of accuracy between different soluble sulfate analytical methods, and providing GIS maps showing areas of concern for elevated sulfates, as well as gaps in statewide distribution for existing soil and groundwater data sets.
Primary Contact: Tracy Branam
The Earthquake Hazard in Indiana (video production)
Using animations, field footage, and taped interviews, we created a 20-minute video that discusses the causes for earthquakes, the detection of earthquakes, the seismically active regions in Indiana and neighboring states, and remedial measures to mitigate the effects of severe seismicity.
Primary Contact: John Steinmetz
The elevation and architecture of the peak Nipissing shoreline along southern Lake Michigan
Construct a paleohydrograph for the area.
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
The Indiana Shallow Geothermal Monitoring Network: A test bed for facilitating the optimization of ground-source heat pumps in the glaciated Midwest
A comprehensive monitoring network that provides in-situ measurements of shallow subsurface thermal conductivity, temperature gradients, and soil moisture has not been developed to date.
Primary Contact: Shawn Naylor
The Indiana Water Balance Network
The Indiana Water Balance Network (IWBN) was developed to monitor trends in water loss and gain for different components of the hydrologic cycle in various hydrogeologic settings.
Primary Contact: Babak Shabani
The Indiana Water Balance Network (IWBN)
Primary Contact: Shawn Naylor
The Indiana Water Balance Network (IWBN)
Primary Contact: Shawn Naylor
The Indiana Water Balance Network - 2
The Indiana Water Balance Network (IWBN) was developed to to monitor long-term trends for various components of the hydrologic cycle, including near-surface atmospheric conditions, soil physical parameters, and groundwater level.
Primary Contact: Babak Shabani
Three-Dimensional Geologic Mapping of a Quaternary Paleovalley System, Bartholomew County (Edinburgh quadrangle)
This study will produce a detailed Quaternary geologic map of the Edinburgh 7.5-minute quadrangle with a cross section and detailed descriptions of map units.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Three-dimensional geologic model development of the Huntertown Formation, Allen County, Indiana
The objective of this project is to develop a three-dimensional geologic model appropriate for representing realistic subsurface conditions in a groundwater flow model of glacial deposits in Huntertown, Indiana (Allen County).
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Three-dimensional groundwater modeling in Berrien County, Michigan
The objective of this project is to scientifically assess the performance of three-dimensional hydrogeologic models developed by pure statistical data interpolation and three-dimensional hydrogeologic models developed by experienced geologists familiar with the emplacement mechanisms of geologic materials.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
TM01 Updated - Charles Deam Wilderness Map
Continue to provide cartographic and detailed topographic trail map for the Charles Deam Wilderness and surrounding areas.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
TM04 & TM05 Updates and Reprint
Continue to provide cartographic and detailed topographic trail map for the Morgan-Monroe SF, Yellowwood SF, Ravina Woods SF, Mountain Tea SF, and Brown County State Park
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Traveling Discovery Trunks v2
Provide themed traveling discovery trunks that the general public (teachers, scout leaders, outreach groups) can loan for 2 weeks from the IGWS. Each trunk will contain real specimens and/or replicas, a curriculum guide, and assorted support materials.
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon
Unconsolidated sediment (soil) core description database forms - Core-nucopia
Primary Contact: Robert Autio
Unsaturated-zone hydrology of glacial hydrogeologic settings in Indiana
Unsaturated zone data from monitoring sites in eight unique glacial hydrogeologic settings are processed and analyzed to better understand rates of water movement toward underlying aquifers and adjacent surface water bodies.
Primary Contact: Shawn Naylor
Update of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey History for the IU Bicentennial
Update the IGWS history document produced by Patton (1988)
Primary Contact: Todd Thompson
Update of the Lake Michigan Rim Web site and data layers for the Grand Calumet feasibility study
Work with partners from local, state, and federal government to acquire updated GIS data and redesign the Lake Rim Web site.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Update of whetstone tombstone database
The purpose of this project is to continue to maintain and update the whetstone tombstone database.
Primary Contact: Richard Powell
Uplands Drinking Water: Formative research with stakeholders to support reliable, safe, and affordable water
We will systematically gather the perspectives of professional stakeholders who are involved in managing the region’s drinking water, to pinpoint actions towards ensuring access to reliable, safe, and affordable drinking water for the Indiana Uplands. The project will focus particular attention on these aspects of the region’s drinking water:
1)Characterizing the current landscape of drinking water sources in the Uplands. This will include estimating the population having access to a regulated community water supply, and the population relying on unregulated sources (private wells, cisterns, ponds, other).
2)Enumerating the key concerns of professional stakeholders about the reliability, safety, palatability, and affordability of drinking water, and the main challenges they describe for regulated, community water systems and unregulated water systems.
3)Eliciting these stakeholders’ observations of local people’s drinking water consumption (or lack thereof) in their service regions.
4)Identifying and building consensus around needed updates to southern Indiana’s water infrastructure, including outlining potential options for greening this infrastructure (e.g., by decreasing energy used to produce and process water).
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
US-China Clean Energy Research Center, Advanced Coal Technology Consortium
The objective of the CERC-ACTC program is to advance R&D on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology such that it may play an integral role in mitigating CO2 emissions over the coming decades.
Primary Contact: Kevin Ellett
Water Educational Mobile Unit Planning
To build partnerships throughout the state of Indiana that would support the development of the Water Quality On Wheels educational mobile unit, determine the practicality and feasibility of such a unit, and develop a unified educational program centered around water quality and actions for improvement.
Primary Contact: Ginger Davis
Watershed modeling tools and linkages to the Lake Rim geographic information system (GIS)
This project focuses on surface-water hydrology of the Trail Creek and Little Calumet Watersheds. We will provide the physical basis for studying surface-water flow and contaminant transport in the pollution of ground and surface waters of the Lake Rim area of northwestern Indiana.
Primary Contact: Sally Letsinger
Web-based glacial & bedrock geologic map products & databases for Bartholomew County, IN (Year 2) - Coalition 2016
The objective of this task is to provide detailed geological information in an area that continues to experience pressure on natural resources by a large population. The final product will provide traditional surficial and bedrock geological information, as well as subsurface information, derivative maps, and summaries that will help users understand and make use of the wealth of geologic information that is becoming available for Bartholomew County.
Primary Contact: Matthew Johnson
Web-based glacial and bedrock geologic map products and databases for Allen County, Indiana
To provide detailed geologic information in an area that continues to experience pressure on natural resources by a large population. The final product will provide traditional surficial geologic information, as well as a depiction of subsurface information based on subsurface databases.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Web-based glacial and bedrock geologic map products and databases for Bartholomew County, Indiana
The objective of this task is to provide detailed geological information in an area that continues to experience pressure on natural resources by a large population. The final product will provide traditional surficial and bedrock geological information, as well as subsurface information, derivative maps, and summaries that will help users understand and make use of the wealth of geologic information that is becoming available for Bartholomew County.
Primary Contact: Walter Hasenmueller
Web-based glacial and bedrock geologic map products and databases for Marion County, Indiana
To provide detailed geologic information in an area that continues to experience pressure on natural resources by a large population. The final product provides traditional surficial geologic information, as well as a depiction of subsurface information based on subsurface databases.
Primary Contact: Nancy Hasenmueller
Web-based interactive map of biofuels production and retail facilities
The Indiana Geological Survey will provide accurate and timely information about the location and basic attributes of biofuels production facilities and distribution outlets located within the state.
Primary Contact: John Rupp
Whetstone StoryMap
Primary Contact: Polly Sturgeon