Profession environmental geologist

Environmental geologists study how mineral operations may impact the composition and physical characteristics of the earth and its resources. They provide advice on issues such as land reclamation and environmental pollution.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Environmental legislation

  The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

Skills

• Conduct sediment control

  Manage sediment control processes and projects. Plan sediment control actions to prevent eroded soil from polluting nearby waterways.

• Use technical drawing software

  Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.

• Examine geochemical samples

  Analyse laboratory samples using equipment such as spectrometers, gas chromatographs, microscopes, microprobes and carbon analysers. Determine the age and characteristics of environmental samples such as minerals, rock or soil.

• Conduct erosion control

  Manage erosion control processes and projects. Plan erosion control actions to control or prevent erosion from occurring and avoid water pollution or soil loss.

• Address problems critically

  Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.

• Conduct environmental site assessments

  Manage and oversee environmental site prospection and assessments for mining or industrial sites. Designate and demarcate areas for geochemical analysis and scientific research.

• Study groundwater

  Prepare and conduct field studies in order to determine groundwater quality. Analyse and interpret maps, models and geographical data. Compose a picture of area groundwater and land contamination. File reports on issues with landfill groundwater, e.g. area pollution caused by coal combustion products.

• Manage environmental impact

  Implement measures to minimise the biological, chemical and physical impacts of mining activity on the environment.

• Communicate on the environmental impact of mining

  Prepare talks, lectures, consultations with stakeholders and public hearings on environmental issues related to mining.

• Advise on mining environmental issues

  Collaborate with engineers, surveyors, geotechnical staff and metallurgists, involved in environmental protection and land rehabilitation after mining activities.

• Develop site remediation strategies

  Conduct field studies and and provide advice on areas with polluted soil or groundwater at industrial sites and mining sites. Devise methods to store excavated soil. Develop strategies to rehabilitate exhausted mining sites back into a natural state.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB