Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology presents the 2009 SEMINAR SERIES. Trilby Cox, Seismologist University of California, San Diego

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1 presents the 2009 SEMINAR SERIES April 9, 2009 April 16, 2009 April 23, 2009 April 30, 2009 May 7, 2009 Up, Up, and Array Trilby Cox, Seismologist University of California, San Diego Pharmaceuticals in Groundwater Gary Icopini, Research Hydrologist, Butte Rafting Siberia: A 500-Mile Geological Journey Jim Sears, Professor of Geology University of Montana, Missoula Groundwater Flow Modeling of the Lower Beaverhead River Julie Ahern, Assistant Research Professor, Butte Modeling Alluvial Aquifers Stillwater River Shawn Reddish, Professional Scientist, Billings All seminars are held on the Campus in the Chemistry and Biology Building Room 101 4:00 p.m. Please contact Colleen Elliott, MBMG, or Peggy Delaney, MBMG, for further information.

2 The USArray is one of three EarthScope observatories designed to explore the structure and evolution of the North American continent. Comprised of a Transportable Array of 400 broadband seismometers, a Flexible Array of hundreds of broadband, short period, and active-source stations, a Reference Network of 100+ stations, and a Magnetotelluric Facility of seven permanent and 20 portable station, the USArray project will provide the scientific community with an unprecedented opportunity to image the crustaland upper mantle structure under the contiguous 48 states and Alaska. The high quality data collected from these facilities are openly distributed to scientists world-wide, and a number of research studies have already produced stunning discoveries. The USArray Transportable Array, currently encompassing the entire state of Montana, will be the focus of this presentation - from design and construction, to data collection and analysis, to data products and research results

3 Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Montana Groundwater and Streams Gary Icopini, Research Hydrologist Recent media attention has highlighted the fact that pharmaceuticals and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been reported in a number of aquifers and streams throughout the U.S.A. The source for these chemicals to the environment is usually human or animal sewage waste. These biologically-active chemicals are generally present at very low concentrations (µg/l to ng/l). Even at these low concentrations, some of these chemicals have been shown to have adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic life (e.g. feminization of fish). This presentation will review the scientific concerns about this type of contamination. Results will also be presented from two studies conducted by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology on the distribution of these chemicals in groundwater and streams of Montana.

4 Rafting Siberia: A 500-Mile Geological Journey Jim Sears, Professor of Geology The University of Montana, Missoula Jim Sears has been researching the ancient Precambrian tectonic connection between Siberia and western North America, including Montana, for the past 30 years. In 2004 and again in 2008, he traversed Siberian rivers to collect samples to test the connection. In all, over 500 miles of river expeditions were made. In southeastern Siberia are rocks like those in Death Valley and in northern Siberia are rocks like our own strata of Montana. Join Jim as he outlines his tectonic theory and shows comparative photos and data.

5 Groundwater Flow Modeling of the Lower Beaverhead River Basin presented by Julie Ahern, Assistant Research Professor Concern and conflict over Montanaís water resources have increased in recent years, due to a combination of natural and human-induced changes. Regulatory action first focused on surface water resources, and several basins in southwest Montana were closed to new surface water appropriations. After recognizing the connection between surface water and groundwater, attention turned toward groundwater withdrawals as well. In 2007, House Bill 831 was passed to examine groundwater withdrawals in the closed basins of southwest Montana and the impacts on surface water and groundwater resources. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology was charged with conducting these analyses. Join Julie as she reviews one case study focused on the lower Beaverhead river basin that involved extensive field work, hydrogeologic analyses and groundwater flow modeling.

6 Aquifers and Streams in the Stillwater-Rosebud Watershed presented by Shawn Kuzara, Professional Scientist The Stillwater River and Rosebud Creek watersheds have experienced tremendous population growth (over 28% between 1990 and 2000) which represents a trend away from traditional agricultural uses such as irrigated fields and grazing toward smaller parcel ownership. The growth is placing an increased reliance and demand on the groundwater and surface-water systems in the area and may be decreasing recharge potential. It is currently not known how much development the aquifers can support and what effect increased aquifer pumping will have on the areas streams and springs. A hydrogeologic assessment is needed to help guide and plan development to minimize impacts to the quality and quantity of the areas water resources. Shawn Kuzara will review the data being collected to evaluate the potential productivity of the aquifers, recharge rates, and the interconnection of streams and aquifers, as well as ongoing monitoring work and preliminary interpretations.