Proposal

Narrative

Electrical methods are probably the most widely used geophysical techniques, particularly for any environmental investigations. They are also powerful tools to assist with archaeological exploration. The Department of Geosciences at FAU currently owns electromagnetic, magnetic and seismic instrumentation, however electrical methods are not available and are a critical part of the training of any exploration geophysicist and thus important for FAU students when applying for job positions, particularly since graduates in Geosciences are most commonly hired by environmental consulting companies and the petroleum industry. The purchase of this instrument (Terrameter by ABEM) will dramatically improve both the current teaching and research resources offered in 3 different departments: Geosciences (GEO), Anthropology (AN), and Visual Arts and Art history (VA&AH) in several ways: a) In-class undergraduate student training in the GEO, AN, and VA&AH curriculums: impacting about 720 students from attending several undergraduate courses (9 in GEO, 8 in AN, and 3 in VA&AH) that will directly incorporate either data acquisition or processing using the Terrameter. b) Hands-on undergraduate student training through research in all 3 departments (i.e. DIS and undergraduate support through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, OURI). Estimated: 15 students/year. c) Strengthening two international initiatives for FAU students: a field school in Ecuador offered by the AN Department, and a study abroad field research program in Italy offered by the VA&AH Department. d) Enhancing collaborations between the College of Sciences and the College of Arts and Letters; expanding on the already ongoing collaborations between PI Comas in GEO, Dr. Clifford Brown in AN, and Dr. Brian McConnell in VA&AH e) Improving in-class training and research capabilities for graduate students in all departments: Estimated 70 grad students from 4 courses in GEO; and 2 in AN.

Facilities

Not applicable: No renovation of facilities or upgrades are needed for this project

Hardware Requirements

All hardware requirements are incorporated in the requested budget and relate to the ABEM Terrameter LS2. As shown in the official quote attached, this includes: - The ABEM Terrameter LS2 with 4 input channels and 64 take-outs divided into 4 cables. - 5 meter spacing 16 take-outs cables (4) - 70 steel electrodes - 70 jumpers (cable to electrode) - cable joint for 16 take-out cable

Software Requirements

Also included in the official quote the instrument requires an operating software in order to invert the raw data. - Res2DInv 2D inversion software

Personnel Costs

A small amount to support an undergraduate student is requested to quickstart instrument purchase, initial testing, usage coordination, and field assistance during Year 1. A total of an equivalent of 10 hours a week for a student assistant at a rate of $14/hour is requested. This represents a total of $140 per week or $2,100 per semester for one and a half semesters (half semester during the Spring of 2021 and a full semester during the Fall of 2021). Total of $3,150 The Environmental Geophysics Lab will absorb the expenses associated with undergraduate support during the summer of 2021, through other external support. After 2021, it is anticipated that usage and coordination of the instrument will be performed by undergraduates in training (while doing DIS projects) and personnel (i.e. staff or graduate students) at the Environmental Geophysics Lab.

Other Costs

It is important to note that the company has offered virtual training at no cost, a value of approximately $3,000

Timeline

February-March 2021: ordering and purchase of the Terrameter. March 2021:Company's initial training and testing and first steps to coordinate usage by undergraduate student/helper. April 2021:usage schedule for Geosciences, Anthropology and Art History in place. An online schedule based on first come first serve basis will be placed under MyFAU website (following current calendars to reserve common Geoscience field equipment). May 2021:a virtual storage space is developed to share datasets within the Geosciences, Anthropology, and Art History departments. May-August 2021:field data acquisition and first DIS projects completed during the summer of 2021. The Environmental Geophysics Lab coordinates usage and covers undergraduate support during the summer. August-December 2021:implementation of data acquisition for other projects and DIS initiated during the Fall of 2021. Undergraduate student coordinates usage and provides field assistance.

Sustainability

Electrical methods have a very diverse range of applications in hydrological, groundwater and mineral exploration, engineering studies or environmental studies. Some of these applications include: mapping of geological boundaries and faults, detection of buried ores, or location of buried pipes and even land mines. One recent application that has been growing largely over the last decade is its applicability to archaeological studies such as human artifacts. For all these reasons incorporating hands-on training on this method will be very valuable for students at both the Anthropology and Art History department and their current research program in Archaeology, and will improve and expand dramatically their job applications after graduation. The Terrameter by Guideline Geo Americas is ideally suited for teaching purposes due the ease of deployment and operation (with a color screen display that shows preliminary results in the field), but also for applied field research due to its roughness and portability. For all these reasons the instrument is highly sustainable. Data storage and processed files will follow the protocols for any other geophysical data routinely generated at the Environmental Geophysics Lab (i.e. storage under central computer and two security backups with storage up to 3 Tb). A virtual storage space mainly designed for data sharing will also act as additional backup. By incorporating the instrument in currently undergoing projects at the Environmental Geophysics Lab, potential repairs once the warranty period of the instrument is expired (i.e. 1 to 2 years) will be absorbed by the Environmental Geophysics Lab, that has a well maintained recharge account. .

Resource Matching

The Environmental Geophysics Lab in Geosciences will provide support in several ways: 1) by hosting the Terrameter in the laboratory facilities located in Davie West. 2) by providing support for an undergraduate student during the summer of 2021 (for a minimum of 10 hours a week at $14 per hour and during 3 months). 3) by absorbing any expenses associated with maintenance and repair of the OhmMapper after 2021. Also, the company Guideline Geo Americas has graciously agreed to provide a 7 % educational discount on hardware and 10 % on software in this purchase (representing total savings of $3,207) plus additional virtual training for free (approximate value of $3,000).

Implementing Organization

The Department of Geosciences and the Environmental Geophysics Lab in particular will take the lead in implementing this project and storing and maintaining the equipment. The Anthropology Department (with Dr Clifford Brown as the liaison) and the Visual Arts & Art History Department (with Dr Brian McConnell as the liaison) will both participate also in the training exercises and will have the instrument available at any time as per the online scheduling system explained above. We hope that this purchase will not only strengthen teaching within all 3 Departments and 2 schools within FAU, but will also strengthen current research collaborations between them. The Environmental Geophysics Lab emphasizes such collaborations and will continue to do so by incorporating additional projects that include training and usage of the Terrameter by undergraduate students across different departments and colleges at FAU.