Association of Environmental

& Engineering GeologistsNew York – Philadelphia Chapter

Second Annual Student NightClarion Hotel, Somerset, NJ

Thursday, April 7, 2016

AEG NY-P Thanks You!

Oral Presentation

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Oral Presentation

“Comparing Surface Interpolation Techniques for Accurate

Target Location using an Electromagnetic Survey over Buried

Steel Drums”

Presented by Bowen Liu, University of Pennsylvania

Electromagnetic surveys are commonly used in geophysics to

locate buried metallic objects such as 55-gallon cold-rolled

carbon steel drums. The field data is plotted on a map and

interpreted for target locations. This research project uses

electromagnetic field data collected at discrete points over

buried drums to generate continuous surfaces using several

interpolation techniques. The field survey used a Geonics

EM31 Terrain Conductivity device to measure the apparent

conductivity per meter, as well as, the inphase ratio of

secondary to primary magnetic fields at an experimental

station in Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania. The targets were buried

drums oriented north south and east west. The data was

synchronized to a global positioning system which provided

georeferenced geophysical measurements. Multiple data sets

were collected over a single drum and by using several drums

these data sets provided statistical replication. The surfaces

were created in a geographic information system using

common interpolation techniques and the results were

compared to determine which interpolation technique is the

most accurate for finding drums using an electromagnetic

survey.

AEG NY-P Thanks You!

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and effort

to coordinate a successful Student Night!

A BIG THANK YOU to the students who presented this

evening!

Remember: Students join for FREE.

AEG offers many opportunities for students, including: online

resources, publications, annual meetings, section meetings,

seminars, networking, scholarship and career

resources. Participating in meetings enables students to

interact with practicing professionals and is a great way for

students to learn more about applied geology. Visit

“Join/Renew” at www.aegweb.org and fill out the

Complimentary Student Membership application.

New York-Philadelphia Board and Committee Members:

Chair: Curt Schmidt, H2M

Vice Chair: Bill Gottobrio

Treasurer: Rose DeLorenzo, Matrix New World

Secretary: Amanda Forsburg, Langan

Program Committee

Loren Lasky, Ted Toskos, Mark Zdepski, Niall Henshaw, Bharat

Patel, Mia Painter, Chad Freed, Amanda Forsburg, Joe Torlucci

Internal Affairs Committee

Mia Painter, Brionna O’Connor, Amanda Forsburg, Rose

DeLorenzo, John Dougherty, Jim Peterson, David Hoffman

External Affairs Committee

Chad Freed, Casey Twele, Rose DeLorenzo, Alan Uminski

Are you interested in getting involved? Let us know! Email us

at aeg.nyp@gmail.com.

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Oral Presentation

“Using GIS to Model the Watersheds in Chester County”

Presented by Britney Vazquez, University of Pennsylvania

Land cover changes are an important factor to consider in any

watershed basin analysis. An increase in impervious areas due

to urban development leads to increases in runoff, which in

turn affect the health of watersheds. Geographic Information

Systems, or GIS, was used to analyze the impacts of land cover

changes in the watersheds of Chester County, PA on runoff

generation using three different land cover layers: 1992, 2001,

and 2011. The watersheds for each USGS gauge were also

constructed using Arc Hydro Tools. The Soil Conservation

Services Runoff Curve Number (CN) method was used to

determine the amount of runoff in the county as a whole, as

well as in each individual watershed. Water quality data was

also collected in order to analyze any relationships between

land cover changes and the health of the watersheds. Land

cover was found to be significantly different between each

year, with the total developed area increasing from 19% to 40%

from 1992 to 2011. The total vegetation area decreased from

44% to 34% during this time period. In addition, several USGS

gauges within the county displayed significant increases in

discharge, pH, and specific conductivity and decreases in

turbidity from 1992 to 2011.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Thank you to those who made personal

contributions to support our event!

Missy Holzer

Loren Lasky

Ted Toskos

Rose DeLorenzo

Curt Schmidt

Joe Torlucci

Amanda Forsburg

Oral Presentation

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“Comparison of Field and Laboratory Methods for Measuring

Hydraulic Conductivity in the Unsaturated Zone in Engineered

and Native Soils”

Presented by Pablo R. Garza, Villanova University

Stormwater control measures (SCMs) are used in urban and

suburban areas to control runoff volume and peak flow rates, as well

as improve the quality of runoff water. Rain gardens are one type of

vegetated SCM which can contain engineered or native media. A

major component used in design and performance of SCMs and rain

gardens is hydraulic conductivity, which can be measured in the field

using various infiltration testing techniques. Infiltration testing can be

performed during initial site investigations to determine the

appropriate SCM design and performed post-construction to ensure

the SCM is performing well. The double-ring infiltrometer (ASTM

D3385) is the most commonly used technique. However, the double-

ring can be cumbersome because the infiltrometers are large and

require a great deal of energy to install and a large quantity of water

to perform. In this study, the authors employed various infiltration

techniques to determine the in-situ hydraulic conductivity at various

sites. These sites included rain gardens of varying ages with

engineered media, as well as a site with native soils where test pits

were dug during an investigation to determine future SCM design.

The authors built a Modified Philip-Dunne Infiltrometer and

compared it to other field methods such as the double-ring and

single-ring infiltrometer. Additionally, a falling-head PVC pipe test

was designed by the authors and is also used in the comparison

study. The in-situ measurements obtained with the Modified Philip-

Dunne test were compared to laboratory values obtained with the

UMS KSAT Benchtop Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Instrument,

which complies with DIN 19683-9 and DIN 18130-1. Preliminary

results indicate that the Modified Philip-Dunne provides results

similar to the other tests methods, producing hydraulic conductivities

within one order of magnitude as the other methods.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

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Oral PresentationThank You To Our Sponsors Poster Session

“The Geology and Ecology of the Tarkill Creek in

Delaware State Forest, PA” – Presented by Brooke

Durnin, Widener University

“Developing a Hydrologic Model and Quantifying the

Water Quality of Pecks Pond using Remote Sensing

and Geographic Information System Technology” –

Presented by Janelle Jesikiewicz, University of

Pennsylvania

“Monitoring Sediment Storage on a Restored

Floodplain: Climate Variability as a Consideration in

Assessing Long-Term Effectiveness” – Presented by

Kendra Decker, West Chester University

“Using Ground Penetrating Radar to Quantify

Vegetation Volume in a Eutrophying Lake in the

Poconos” – Presented by Taylor Mantey, University of

Pennsylvania

“Using Remote Sensing Techniques to Assess Rockfall

Risks at Delaware Water Gap” – Presented by

William Akin, University of Pennsylvania

Jayne Warne, PE

President

jwarne@matrixneworld.com

26 Columbia Turnpike

Florham Park NJ 07932

973.240-1800 Fax 973.240-1818

www.matrixneworld.com WBE/OBE/SBE

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Thank You To Our SponsorsThank You To Our Sponsors

NOVA is a professional firm offering services in

Environmental Geophysical Engineering and

Surveying Services. We provide these services

for both public and private sector clients at

sites located throughout the United States and

European Union. NOVA specializes in surface

and borehole geophysical surveys, including:

seismic testing, seismic reflection, seismic

refraction, ground penetrating radar (GPR),

electromagnetic survey (EM61), borehole

logging, and geophysical logs. NOVA,

additionally provides comprehensive

subsurface utility location (CSUL).

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