News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, Oct. 16, 2006
LAWRENCE--A senior scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, has been named a Fellow of one of the world's largest geological societies.
Don Whittemore, head of the geohydrology section at the Survey, was elected as a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA), a scientific association with nearly 20,000 members in 85 countries that promotes the geosciences. GSA Fellows are chosen in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of science and geologic knowledge through such activities as applied research, publications, presentations, leadership in professional organizations, teaching, and administration of geologic programs.
Whittemore specializes in environmental geochemistry and water quality issues. He has developed chemical methods for determining the source of saltwater contamination in water resources. By using geochemical tracers, he determines if contamination comes from natural sources, such as the dissolution of underground salt beds, or from human activities. As section chief of geohydrology, Whittemore is responsible for the Survey's research program in groundwater, which includes studies of water-level declines in the Ogallala aquifer, factors controlling the movement of ground-water contamination, and interactions between rivers and groundwater and their effect on ecohydrology.
Whittemore has been at the Survey since 1978. He will be presented with the award at the Society's annual meeting in Philadelphia in late October.