Colin Plank, PG, is one of three instructors for the on-demand open-access online course, “Improving Geologic Data Collection for Groundwater Remediation Projects,” which includes a primer on Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS). The course is offered for free through the University of Iowa Learn Iowa platform.

Colin’s fellow instructors are Jessie Meyer, PhD, of the University of Iowa and Charles Newell, PhD, PE, BCEE, of GSI International. Geosyntec’s Mike Shultz, PhD, and Rick Cramer, PG, also contributed to the course’s development.

Development of this course was supported by a grant from the United States Department of Defense’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) and Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). Staff at the University of Iowa Distance and Online Education designed and produced the videos for this course.

About Colin

Colin is a Senior Principal Geologist based in Michigan with more than 20 years of experience focused on developing geologically grounded, process-based conceptual site models to guide subsurface investigations, reduce remediation times, and improve site management. He is a developer of the ESS approach to aquifer characterization and coauthor of “Best Practices for Environmental Site Management: A Practical Guide for Applying Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to Improve Conceptual Site Models” (USEPA Groundwater Issue Paper 2017).

About the Course

This open-access course is organized into five modules with short engaging videos, downloadable content (including graphical shading geologic logging templates for common depositional environments), an example database for storing high-resolution geologic data, reference, and quizzes.

Modules include the following:

• Issues with Current Geologic Logging Practices in the Groundwater Remediation Industry
• Using Graphical Geologic Logging Techniques
• Managing Data from Geologic Logs in Relational Databases
• Using Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS) to Develop Realistic Models for Groundwater Remediation Projects
• Using Graphical Shading Logs and Improved Geologic Models in Inform REMChlor-MD

More Information

Register for the course: Improving Geologic Data Collection for Groundwater Remediation Projects
For more information on geological data collection, contact Colin at Colin.Plank@geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Colin: Colin Plank