Geologic Services: Environmental Geologists

An environmental geologist is a scientist whose specialties include studies, reviews and investigations involving the environment and the impact of human activities on it.  Their work often includes environmental site assessments, environmental hazard investigations, soil contamination investigations, remediation studies and subsurface analysis requiring sampling, interpretation and assessment of hydrogeologic data.
An environmental geologist holds a Bachelor’s degree in geology, or even a Master’s or doctoral degrees for those who are professors or instructors at colleges and universities.  Fieldwork for environmental geologists involves conducting tests and investigations to determine a number of different conditions regarding toxicity and/or contamination of a property.  The results of such tests are then used to make recommendations on needed actions, as well as the creation of policies to prevent or minimize any future contamination of the environment.
The necessity of exercising environmental due diligence by landowners and prospective property buyers underscores the importance of the services provided by geologists.  Investigations, such as Phase I ESAs, should only be conducted by firms offering environmental engineering services performed by highly qualified environmental geologists or engineers.  This helps ensure that tragic incidents like the debacle in Love Canal, New York never occur again.
Now, more than ever, geologists are needed to determine environmental hazards and identify contaminants discovered on so-called “brownfield sites.”  These cleanups take some time and require significant funds to complete.  Although it may be impossible to completely “clean” a contaminated site, environmental geologists, in collaboration with the government, ensure that incidents of environmental contamination and physical harm from such waste are mitigated as much as possible.
Companies and individuals planning to buy or sell properties should have the site reviewed prior to any change of ownership transaction.  Assessment of risk exposure from potential contaminants to human health and the environment is a vital preventative measure to avoid legal liabilities, attorney's fees and, most importantly, harm or loss of human life.
Environmental geologists help prevent and reverse property contamination as well as identifying steps to remediate and repair damage to soil, streams, wetlands, rivers and shorelines.  Military bases, dumpsites and old mining sites are the most common places visited and tested for hidden threats and dangers of poisonous and hazardous chemical contaminants.  Some sites have already been listed as superfund sites that will be subjected to cleanup and remediation.
Environmental due diligence is only the first step in the prevention and control of contamination.  As stewards of Earth, consumers and businesses alike should exercise environmental due diligence and compassion in actions involving the natural world.  Environmental geologists commit their lives to protecting and reviving the land, but everyone must do their fair share to ensure the planet remains a treasure for future generations.  Only through a concerted effort and adherence to national environmental regulations can this be accomplished.