This awareness has led to increased efforts to clean up past problems and to reduce the future impact on the environment. Geophysics has a role to play in both areas.
Environmental geophysics is a new field.
It is primarily used to identify, map or predict the presence and potential movement of surface water and groundwater, and to identify contaminants in the soil within the upper 10 to 50 m of the Earth's surface. It can also be used to help locate sites for underground waste disposal. Working Conditions Environmental geophysicists often are part of multi-disciplinary teams which include geological engineers, biologists, hydrogeologists and technicians. They can be involved in a wide variety of activities that are both geophysically and non-geophysically related. Environmental geophysicists often welcome the chance to leave the desk behind, pack up their portable computer and travel out of the city to investigate problem sites, even in inclement weather.