Geochemistry & Geophysics
Boise State has developed world-class expertise in studies of the Earth’s shallow subsurface and in chemical analysis and characterization of geologic materials from around the world. This research has applications for everything from cleaning up oil spills and identifying the sources of surface water pollution, to understanding the consequences of climate change.
DEFINITIONS
Geochemistry involves the investigation of the chemical composition of Earth materials by using precise instrumentation and advanced methodologies to analyze samples.
Geophysics uses physical principles to study properties of the Earth, including the investigation of the shallow subsurface using non-invasive techniques such as seismic imaging and electromagnetics.
AT-A-GLANCE
Interdisciplinary research programs bring together faculty experts in civil engineering, geophysics, hydrogeology, aqueous and isotope geochemistry, glaciology, seismology, geography and other fields
CGISS, the Center for Geophysical Investigation of the Shallow Subsurface at Boise State, is the nation’s largest geophysics research group focused exclusively on the Earth’s shallow subsurface
PH.D. Programs in geosciences and in geophysics, as well as master’s and undergraduate programs, incorporate research opportunities as a key part of curricula
Field Laboratories including the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site along the Boise River support a range of studies
National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, U.S Department of Agriculture, Minerals Management Service, and other agencies provide research support
Private industry support includes GX Technology Corp., Conoco Phillips, Alaska Clean Seas, Statoil ASA (Norway), BP Exploration, Shell Technology Norway, ExxonMobil, and Schlumberger
Collaborations with MIT, Harvard, UC-Berkeley, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, Idaho National Laboratory, SINTEF (Norway), and other institutions worldwide
PROJECTS
• Earthquake hazard studies that are yielding new information about the location and uplift history of fault zones in the Pacific Northwest
• Glacier Studies in Alaska to understand how water moves through glaciers, information that is shedding new light on processes involved in global warming
• Geochronology research to understand the geologic time scale on a much more precise level than has been possible in the past, providing scientists with new information to understand the effects of climate change
• Arsenic Studies to identify the reasons for elevated levels of arsenic in groundwater in Asia and in Idaho and that could be used by officials to develop practices to minimize risks
• Hydrogeophysical Studies to develop new methods to image the composition and structure of the subsurface through noninvasive means
• Geophysical research to study whether certain types of rock formations could be used as a possible site for carbon dioxide sequestration
• Snowpack Studies that utilize ground- based high-resolution radar to determine how the amount of water stored in the snowpack varies across a mountain slope
CAPABILITIES
Field laboratories and on-campus facilities with advanced instrumentation support a broad range of research endeavors
MATT KOHN, PH.D.
Among Dr. Kohn’s current projects is a study of mountain-building processes in the Himalayas of northwest India and an analysis of the fossilized teeth of prehistoric verte- brate species. On research trips to the Himalayas, Dr. Kohn (pictured at right) and his students collect rock samples containing recrystallized minerals. When characterized chemi- cally, these tiny minerals indicate temperature, depth and other factors that help determine how the mountain range evolved. In another study, Dr. Kohn compares the oxygen iso- tope composition along the length of fossilized teeth to understand how the animal’s diet changed seasonally. The data provide infor- mation about climate conditions in past eons and could be used to help predict how Earth’s climate is likely to change in the future.
HANS-PETER MARSHAll, PH.D.
A snow scientist and glaciologist, Dr. Marshall (pictured at right) is study- ing new ways to measure the equivalent amount of liquid water stored in the mountains as snow, and other properties in seasonal and permanent snowpacks. His research is improving our under- standing of the spatial distribution of snow, which is important for assessing avalanche danger on mountain slopes, predicting spring runoff patterns, forecasting water resources for irrigation, power genera- tion and fisheries, and understanding the impacts of climate change. Dr. Marshall has developed portable, ground-based radar to measure the amount of water stored in the seasonal snowpack. The radar provides more than 50 readings per second and is orders of magnitude faster and equally as accurate when compared to conventional methods such as digging snowpits. He also uses this radar system as a validation tool for airborne and satellite measurements and believes space-based “snow radar” may be key to accurately assessing snowpack depth and water content at the watershed and mountain range scale worldwide. He is currently adapting the instrument for use on a helicopter and is performing preliminary tests in Valdez, Alaska.
EMILY HINZ, PH.D. STUDENT
Hinz (pictured at left) is conducting field experiments and lab analyses to study how water flows through the subsurface and through the “hyporheic” zone, where surface and groundwater mix. As part of her research, Hinz is using ground-penetrating radar to detect conductivity changes in water that has been injected with a saline tracer. If successful, the experiments could be used to develop new computer models and assessment tools to predict and monitor water flow in a variety of environments. The opportunity to conduct experiments at field sites such as the univer- sity’s Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site is among the rea- sons Hinz said she selected Boise State for her doctoral studies. “The geophysics program here is pretty amazing,” said Hinz. “There are lots of research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.” Hinz works with Dr. John Bradford, an associate professor affiliated with the university’s Center for Geophysical Investigation of the Shallow Subsurface, on her studies.
