The Use of Computer Workstations in the Study of Environmental Geology: Integration of Geophysical and Geologic Data

Geophysical techniques coupled with the modern computer workstation have not been widely used in environmental geology. The Kansas Geological Survey is investigating the application of the computer workstation in a number of projects underway that involve environmental questions and problems associated with salt dissolution. The computer workstation provides an efficient approach to integrate geologic and geophysical interpretations of the shallow subsurface. In addition to modification of available techniques originally developed for computer-aided exploration and development of hydrocarbons, several new applications unique to shallow subsurface characterization are being developed. All applications are capable of addressing environmentally-related questions at various scales from regional aquifer mapping to site specific characterization. Various geophysical and geologic methods have been used to image the shallow subsurface (0-100 m). These methods used in conjunction with a modified computerized interpretation system include high-resolution seismic reflection (2-D and 3-D), vertical seismic profiling (VSP), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and color image transformation and treatment of the transformed wireline log data as "seismic" traces (pseudo-seismic). The computer workstation approach allows efficient, detailed and integrated studies to be performed at these sites. Examples from throughout Kansas involving a variety of environmental questions and problems associated with salt dissolution are used to illustrate the utility of using the computer workstation in the study of environmental geology.