This USGS site explains what an aquifer is and defines the different types of aquifers based on six principal lithologies; sandstone, carbonate, sandstone-carbonate, igneous and metamorphic, sand and gravel, and other rock types. The site features maps and descriptions of the major aquifers in the United States as well as general information about groundwater occurrence and quality. The site also ... Full description.

This USGS site provides access to data sets collected by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. It features fact sheets, reports, bibliographies, additional data sets and links to other resources about nutrients in streams, rivers and aquifers of the United States. The site briefly explains what nutrients are, how they are used in the agricultural industry, how they react chemically in the ... Full description.

This EPA site provides information about how sediments get contaminated, where the pollutants come from, how contaminated sediments become concentrated in lakes, rivers and oceans, their effects on plants and animals, and strategies used to treat and prevent contaminated sediments. Extensive links provide access to publications and additional information from other state and federal agencies. The ... Full description.

This program is designed to help farmers and ranchers determine what environmental risks may exist in their operations. Topics include livestock waste disposal, water well safety, nutrient management, pesticide use and petroleum storage. The website features training materials and slide shows, an electronic newsletter, case studies, and information about signing up for the Farm-A-Syst voluntary assessment ... Full description.

In this curricular unit, students learn how water becomes contaminated with specific water-borne diseases, read personal accounts of unsafe water, and work together to brainstorm solutions to the water problems of communities in Africa. The website includes complete lesson plans, a list of materials, assessment tools, and links to on-line components of the exercise. Activities within this module include ... Full description.

Stanford University's Waterscape project provides this interactive webpage where users will find projects completed by students enrolled in The Water Course. This course studies the pathway that water takes from precipitation to human consumption. Student projects evaluate water quantity and quality in their hometowns and address the natural balance of human and natural needs. From this website users ... Full description.

This is a collection of 18 geology exercises that are designed for teachers with little or no geology background. Each exercise includes relevant background information, complete instructions, student handouts and answer keys. Topics include rock and mineral identification, Bowen's reaction series, crystal models, topographic maps, earthquakes, groundwater, oil exploration, plate tectonics and more. ... Full description.

This report outlines the proceedings and progress from the Visual Tools for Watershed Education forum. The forum was developed in response to questions about how effective educators and conservation leaders were in communicating about watersheds. This report discusses the use of visuals aids in communicating about watersheds and how they have been successful where verbal approaches have not. Full description.

This site provides an illustrated lecture from a geochemistry course offered by Dr. Scott Wood at the University of Idaho. Topics include a review of the structure and formation of the Earth's crust, atmosphere, and hydrological cycle, and the composition of the atmosphere. Additional topics covered are the concept of residence time, geological and biological sources of components in the atmosphere, ... Full description.

This site provides access to a number of visual resources and supporting material about physical processes acting in rivers and floodplains. Visualizations include simple animations, visual output from numerical models, sediment transfer movies, and numerous static illustrations and photos. Resources can be integrated into lectures, labs, classes, or other activities about fluvial processes and landscape ... Full description.