Summer 2025 Projects

steps next to waterfall at Starved Rock State Park.

Summer 2025 Projects

Exploring Human–Natural Systems Connections

Project Summary

Environmental geology examines the interaction between humans and the environment, focusing on the stresses placed on natural systems by factors, such as changing land use, resource extraction, and transportation needs. It also emphasizes proactive management and protection to minimize and mitigate negative impacts. This field is crucial for natural resource assessment, land management, and environmental protection.

The Illinois State Geological Survey offers a unique platform for studying environmental geology. ISGS develops and distributes geologic information with municipal, state, federal, public, and industry stakeholders. Its environmental geologic studies emphasize observing natural responses outside the laboratory, playing a vital role in resource assessment, land management, and environmental protection throughout Illinois and nationwide.

Intern Tasks

Each intern will work collaboratively with their cohort and ISGS geologists to:

  • Develop skills in data collection, management, and analysis
  • Participate in fieldwork across urban environments, wetlands, and nature preserves
  • Gain an understanding of environmental protection regulations
  • Complete an individual project and present their findings

The internship will begin with a one-week organization and program orientation. Following this, interns will work alongside staff geologists on specialized topics, including nature preserves, wetlands, environmental site assessments, and water quality/geochemistry. The internship includes office and fieldwork on various projects and large-scale programs serving state agencies such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Tollway. Interns will dedicate time to developing and preparing a final project, which they will present in a seminar at the end of the program. These experiences will provide interns with a comprehensive understanding and practical knowledge of applied environmental geology conducted at the Illinois State Geological Survey.

3 people doing fieldwork, one holding a laptop and observing readings from a monitoring device and another recording data on a clipboard.
The Origin, Mineralogy and Rare Earth Element (REE) Distribution of the Hicks Dome Regolith

Project Summary

The Hicks Dome, located at the Pope-Hardin County line in southern Illinois, is a REE-enriched volcanic structure notable for its heavy rare earth element enrichment compared to light REEs, setting it apart from other U.S. mineral prospects. This project aims to analyze and interpret the geological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of the Hicks Dome Regolith to gain insights into its formation, mineralization processes, and economic potential.

This research advances knowledge of Illinois’ unique REE-enriched resources, particularly their deposition and igneous processes. It also supports critical mineral resource exploration, aligning with national priorities for resource security and economic development.

Project Goals

  • Develop a geological interpretation of the Hicks Dome Regolith’s origin and mineralization processes.
  • Characterize the mineralogical and geochemical distribution of REEs to evaluate their economic potential.
  • Enhance understanding of igneous and sedimentological interactions in REE enrichment.

Intern Tasks

Interns will support project goals through:

  • Sedimentological and depositional analysis of the regolith and associated breccias.
  • Investigation of igneous petrology to identify relationships between ultramafic intrusions and mineralization.
  • Characterization of mineralogical phases to determine the geochemical distribution of REEs and critical minerals.

The primary focus will be on core description and logging, with detailed documentation of soil characteristics, sedimentary structures, and depositional environments to support regional correlations and paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

Map of Hicks Dome using colors to show the distribution of limestone, sandstone and shale formations of different ages. Many sample locations from previous studies are indicated in the Chouteau Limestone, New Albany Shale, and undifferentiated Devonian formations located near the center of Hicks Dome.
Microplastics in Chicago’s Urban Soils

Project Summary

The widespread production and use of plastics in recent decades have led to their global distribution, with microplastics (MnPs) now present in various Earth deposits, from terrestrial soils to deep lakes and oceans. Understanding MnPs’ environmental degradation rates is essential for assessing their long-term impacts.

This project will identify, describe, and quantify MnPs in the soil and shallow subsurface of Chicago, making it one of the first studies of its kind. Plastics are lightweight, durable, insoluble in water, and resistant to degradation, which allows MnPs to behave like siliciclastic minerals but with greater mobility due to their lighter mass.

MnPs are emerging as a key marker of the Anthropocene, complementing radiogenic dating and mineralogical fingerprinting. Unlike other surface materials that degrade easily or lack widespread distribution, MnPs offer a reliable indicator of human influence on the environment.

The study will examine MnP distribution with depth and compare their abundance in a wetland site (water-logged soils) and a terrestrial site (well-drained soils). Results could inform communities about public health risks associated with MnPs in soils and groundwater.

This research is linked to a USGS-funded STATEMAP project investigating the impacts of changing land use over the past ~150 years on Chicago’s subsurface environment. Existing core and outcrop samples from this mapping effort will be analyzed, alongside new investigations comparing MnP distribution across sites with differing land uses.

Intern Tasks

With training provided, students will:

  • Prepare sediment samples for MnPs, including digestion and extraction onto filters
  • Classify and analyze MnPs using microscopy
  • Contribute to a report on MnP distribution in Chicago’s surficial sediments, potentially establishing a reference marker for the Anthropocene.
Approximately 12 feet of surficial core in tubes placed side-by-side with a measuring stick. The core has been split with an open core face exposed. The core is generally composed of gravel, soils, sands, and clay.
Illinois Basin West geology research for CO2 injection well permit applications

Project Summary

The Illinois Basin West (IBW) project, a Department of Energy Phase III CarbonSAFE initiative, aims to geologically characterize the Cambrian Mt. Simon Sandstone and Eau Claire Formation storage complex near Springfield, Illinois, and submit U.S. EPA Class VI permit applications for CO2 injection wells. Key activities include drilling a characterization well, acquiring 2D and 3D seismic data, and completing deliverables such as NEPA environmental reporting, a Storage Field Development plan, and a Community Benefits plan.

Intern Tasks

  • Research the Illinois Basin’s stratigraphy, historical geology, and structural geology, focusing on Sangamon County and adjacent areas.
  • Write three sections for the U.S. EPA Class VI permit application: Regional Geology, Local Structural Geology, and Seismic History.
  • Integrate findings from the project’s 2D seismic data into the research.

This project will provide the intern with a broad understanding of Illinois Basin geology, CCUS practices, and the permitting process for Class VI CO2 injection wells.

A man in a reflective vest inside a Vibroseis truck on a straight road surrounded by grass and trees. The Vibroseis truck is a vibrating truck that generates sound waves to detect subsurface structures and properties.
A Play-Based Exploration of CCS in the Illinois Basin

Project Summary

Play-based exploration interns will acquire practical skills and knowledge in exploration geology, subsurface data analysis, digital cartography, and Captured Carbon Sequestration (CCS) industry practices through hands-on experience with data management and mapping tools like ArcGIS. Our interns will play a crucial role in improving the accessibility and understanding of geological data, contributing to the development of tools to assist in carbon dioxide (CO2) storage site development in Illinois. They will achieve this by creating an approachable website featuring interactive story maps that make geological concepts relatable to diverse audiences.

Intern Tasks

This summer internship will provide experience in geospatial database development and utilize play-based exploration methods to identify high-potential CO2 storage sites in Cambro-Ordovician-aged strata in Illinois. The intern will research the suitability of different subsurface geological, surface, and societal datasets based on defined criteria; apply the suitability analysis via modeling algorithms in GIS; and generate maps reflecting and relating subsurface, land surface, and societal data. Then they will categorize regions in Illinois based on CO2 storage potential and associated suitability.

5 maps illustrating the thickness of identified CO2 storage reservoirs with the state of Illinois. The Mt. Simon Sandstone is present across the majority of the sate and is shown to be thickest in northeastern Illinois near Grundy County and Ford County. The Mt. Simon sandstone thins to the northwest and southwest. The combined Ironton-Galesville sandstones are present across much of northern Illinois and are shown to be thickest in northeastern Illinois near. The formation thickness pinches out across central Illinois. The Potosi Dolomite are present across much Illinois, except at the norther border, and is shown to be thickest in southern Illinois near. The Potosi Dolomite thins to the north. The New Richmond Sandstone is shown to be across the northwestern quadrant of Illinois. Two foci of peak thickness are generally located over Marshal County and Morgan County. The formation New Richmond Sandstone thins on both sides of these foci to the northwest and southeast. The St. Peter Sandstone is shown to be distributed across most of Illinois. Slight variations in thickness occur throughout the state. Galesville-Ironton and New Richmond Sandstone maps are from the published work of Lasemi and Askari (2014). Other maps are based on recent mapping as part of CarbonSAFE Illinois projects.
Probabilistic modeling of Rare Earth Element (REE) resources in the Illinois Basin

Project Summary

The Department of Energy-sponsored Illinois Basin Carbon Ore, Rare Earth, and Critical Mineral (CORE-CM) project developed probabilistic models to estimate REE resources within coal seams, coal wastes, and known deposits in the Illinois Basin. These advanced models, created using @RISK, require further refinement. This internship will focus on data analytics, transformation, and probabilistic modeling to improve the models, integrate new data, and enhance their reliability. 

Intern Tasks

  1. Develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the modeling process, either as a written guide or a programmed script in accessible software (e.g., Mathematica, MATLAB).
  2. Convert probabilistic models to a more accessible modeling environment.
  3. Incorporate waste volume data from Kentucky and Indiana, ensuring alignment with USGS GIS datasets.
  4. Enhance coal seam models by:
    • Refining REE calculations.
    • Developing proxy functions.
    • Streamlining models with fewer calculations.
    • Integrating insights from coal waste studies.
  5. Prepare refined reporting materials for estimates.
Evaluation of CO2 Storage Potential

Project Summary

The CO2 Site Storage Potential Evaluation internship is part of a broader effort to characterize and evaluate geological formations for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Illinois Basin. This project is focused on characterizing the geology at the second-largest cement facility in North America to assess its capacity for injecting 2 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Intern Tasks

Interns will gain practical experience in subsurface geologic analysis, contribute to the characterization workflow, and support the development of carbon storage strategies.

Tasks will include:

  • Geologic Model Review: Analyze and interpret regional geologic conceptual models to understand the stratigraphic and structural framework of the storage complex.
  • Core and Cutting Analysis: Perform detailed descriptions of core samples and drill cuttings from a stratigraphic test well to identify key lithologic and depositional features.
  • Sample Collection and Analysis: Collect samples for laboratory analysis, including elemental composition and mineralogy.
  • Core Laboratory Analysis: Conduct routine core analysis to evaluate porosity, permeability, and other reservoir properties.
  • Thin Section Examination: Analyze thin sections to determine mineral abundance, pore geometries, and diagenetic processes.
  • Geophysical Well Log Integration: Correlate geological findings with geophysical well log data to refine storage site characterizations.
  • Numerical Modeling: Contribute to developing reservoir simulation models to predict CO2 injection behavior and optimize storage strategies.

Learning Outcomes

Through this internship, participants will:

  • Contribute to critical energy transition initiatives by resolving key geological uncertainties.
  • Gain hands-on experience in subsurface geological evaluation techniques.
  • Develop skills in core description, data integration, and numerical modeling.
  • Understand the regulatory and technical aspects of CCS projects.
Generalized conceptual stratigraphic column from the Illinois Basin, shows layers of rock utilized as oil reservoirs, impervious sealing rocks (shale), and saline water. Hypothetical research and carbon sequestrations wells are shown to penetrate over 7,000 ft.
Geophysics fieldwork to support 3D mapping of aquifers in Boone County, Illinois

Project Summary

This project supports the Airborne Geophysics Program at the Illinois State Geological Survey, using helicopter-based airborne electromagnetics (HTEM) to map 3D geology to depths of about 300 meters. In 2025, we will collect airborne, ground-based geophysical, and drilling data in Boone County, Illinois, to map sand and gravel aquifers and shallow bedrock.

Intern Tasks

Interns will gain hands-on experience in applied geology, working in supervised teams to:

  • Conduct fieldwork, including ground-based geophysical surveys (electrical and seismic) and drilling.
  • Process geophysical data and interpret core samples from drilling.

Interns will be mentored by full-time geologists. No prior experience in geophysics is required. Fieldwork will constitute 50-70% of the workload, with office-based tasks making up the remainder. Interns will travel overnight for up to four nights per week. The cohort will be encouraged to synthesize data and present findings from this fieldwork as a poster at the Geological Society of America (GSA).

We look forward to an exciting and productive summer in 2025!

A geologist in the field, along a densely shrubbed rural pathway. She is crouched down observing readings from a monitoring device. A GPS unit, walkie-talkies, and a field notebook and pen are nearby on the ground.

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