Benton County Karstic Mapping Project. Barbara France, Dustin Kochen, Tiffany Clark, John Maloney Paul Lowery's Environmental Geology

Transcription

1 Benton County Karstic Mapping Project Barbara France, Dustin Kochen, Tiffany Clark, John Maloney Paul Lowery's Environmental Geology

2 Intro Karst refers to an area of bedrock that is very susceptible to dissolution by acidity levels in the water that travels around and through it. Karstic features are things like caves, sinkholes and fissures. These features occur mostly in areas who's bedrock is made either of limestone or dolomite. This makes the effect of karst features in an area especially interesting to us because almost all of northwest Arkansas sits on top of either limestone or dolomite.

3 Project overview We have taken pictures and recorded the GPS coordinates of approximately 10 different karstic sites within the Benton County area. We used this information to create an easy to understand map that can be viewed on the internet by the general public. By mapping these karstic features in our county, we will be creating a new source of public knowledge where one had not existed before.

4 Community We aim to provide a knowledge base to be used by city planners, water departments, tourists and the general public. Increase understanding of Benton county's geological features, as well as increase awareness and conservation of these areas. Provide information about Benton county's karstic systems and other Arkansas geological processes to out of state enthusiasts via our website.

5 Curriculum Possess a foundation in environmental geology prerequisite for higher level courses. Relate geological principles to environmental issues. Recognize the relationships between humans and the environment, particularly the effects of population growth on natural systems. Gain understanding into how the scientific method is applied to environmental issues

6 Technology GIS Geographic Information System GPS Global Positioning System Microsoft power point Digital Cameras Internet research

7 Skills Developed Networking GIS operation GPS Map making Communication skills Teamwork Research Scientific evaluation skills Critical thinking

8 Division of Labor Barb- research/ site selection/photograph/gps/website/powerpoint Dustin- research/ site selection/photograph/gps/website/powerpoint Tiffany- research/ site selection/photograph/gps/website/pamphlet

9 Time line Sept 26 Barbara contacted Joyce Higgins, set up meeting Oct 8 Research on Karstic features on internet/ Barbara Barb plotted points at locations in Bella Vista Sept 29 Meet with Joyce Higgins/ both Barbara and Tiffany interviewed. Oct 15 Tiffany started working on informational brochures,met with Denis Dean Dustin working on GIS Oct 3 Dustin/Barb plotted points at Hobbs park area/ both took photographs/barb used GPS Tiffany/Dustin/Barb plotted points in Bella Vista area Barb took pictures/ Dustin took pictures/ Tiffany used GPS

10 Time line Nov. 16 Barb collecting research Dustin working on power point Nov. 26 Barb, Dustin, Tiffany met with Diane to work on EMPACTS webpage Nov. 28 Barb, Dustin, Tiffany met with Diane to work on EMPACTS webpage, downloaded pics that were taken, imported GPS sites, Tiffany finalized brochures Dec. 3 Discussed over between Barb, Tiffany, Dustin what was needed to finalize project Barb modifying powerpoint

11 Dec. 4 Met with Diane for last time to link webpage and powerpoint. Dec 6 Present to class/ Barb, Tiffany, Dustin all participate. Time line

12 Division of Labor Barbara Meet with J. Higgins Photography Web page design Research Dustin Meet with R. Hignight GPS plotting Map design Research Tiffany Meet with J. Higgins Photography Karstic history research Met with D. Dean

13 Methodology Each group member selected at least 3 areas of known karst terrain to locate and photograph. Each member participated in traveling to their chosen sites, and documented the feature that was found along with a GPS coordinate of the location. These locations were compiled and used to create a publicly editable google map as well as an arcgis map.

14 Outcome GIS overlay highlighting karstic areas. Web page with karstic map designed to allow new points to be entered. Karst location photos. Research information pertaining to local groundwater contamination and other hazards.

15 Benton County Known Sites Latitude Longitude Location Site Feature Van Winkle 1 B1 Fissure Spring House B2 Spring Van Winkle 2 B3 Fissure Van Winkle 3 B4 Fissure Shaddox Hollow B5 Cave Wonderland Cave B6 Cave Tanyard Creek B7 Cave American Legion B8 Cave Lowes Site B9 Fissure B B10 Fissure Cave Springs B11 Cave

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17 Our local ecosystem s sensitivity is severely complicated by the fact that northwest Arkansas is one of the fastestgrowing metropolitan areas in the United States. Residential and industrial developments have been built or are planned to be built directly on top of these fragile underground Karstic areas. Content Knowledge

18 Content Knowledge Karst can lead to uneven settling. This can cause cracks in the floor, walls and foundation, weakening a building's structural integrity. Engineering plans need to include ways to compensate for differential compaction in areas showing karst topography.

19 Content Knowledge In areas where there has been pipe leakage, overpumping, etc., subsurface cavities can form causing a slow subsidence of the affected area or a sudden collapse of the affected soil and structure above it.

20 Content Knowledge The porous and fractured nature of karst also makes it very susceptible to pollution. After it rains, runoff enters the aquifer quickly and transfers any and all unfiltered contaminants.

21 Content Knowledge The extensive network of karstic waterways beneath our county lacks the impermeable boundaries that other aquifers possess, making it easy for contamination to spread quickly and over long distances. This can have a costly impact on the water quality for the residents of communities within the area.

22 Content Knowledge Our community sits on a fragile and in some ways dangerous geological structure. If we are to keep from harming it and avoid having it harm us we have a need to educate ourselves and understand our situation.

23 geology.arkansas.gov earth.google.com GIS Denis Dean Joyce Higgins Dianne Phillips References /Environmental%20Geology/Karst%20bent on/karstb.htm

24 Resources Our Web Page: /Environmental%20Geology/Karst%20ben ton/karstb.htm The google map: To help the map grow contact for editing rights.