This course is designed for a diverse audience, including scientists new to the field of environmental contamination, project managers, environmental policy and regulatory professionals, and environmental legal counsel. No mathematical background is required.

Groundwater contamination is a widespread issue at both current and historical chemical manufacturing or storage sites, involving contaminants such as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), solvents, petroleum products, dissolved metals, and pesticides,. Whether you are assessing risk, selecting a remediation strategy, or conducting forensic analysis to identify the potential sources of contamination, a foundational understanding of groundwater data is essential.

In this course, you will learn to:

1. Understand Groundwater Systems: Begin with a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts, features, and properties of groundwater systems, including how groundwater flows, the behavior of contaminants, and the natural processes that affect groundwater movement and quality.

2. Interpret Groundwater Flow Direction: Determine the flow direction of groundwater by interpreting the elevation of water in wells—a critical step in assessing contamination spread.

3. Define Contamination Extent: Evaluate contaminant concentrations in wells to map the spatial extent of contamination and estimate its potential reach, even with incomplete data.

4. Communicate Findings Effectively: Develop skills in visualizing spatial data and creating compelling illustrations and animations to communicate complex information to stakeholders, including clients, the public, and regulators.

This course offers a unique approach to visual communication, setting you apart in the environmental field. You will learn how to create impactful visualizations and animations using accessible tools like Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other simple, free software. These skills are particularly valuable, as the ability to clearly present your findings can be just as important as the analysis itself.