News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, July 18, 1995
Whittemore is currently a senior scientist at the Survey. He joined the Survey in 1978 after teaching in the Kansas State University geology department from 1972-78.
The appointment was made by the Survey's director, Lee Gerhard. As acting section chief, Whittemore is responsible for the Survey's research program in groundwater, including studies of water-level declines in western Kansas, possible new sources of water such as the Dakota Aquifer, and the interaction between rivers and underground water sources.
Whittemore has a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Pennsylvania State University. He has developed chemical methods determining the source of salt water contamination in groundwater. By using geochemical tracers, Whittemore can determine if salt water contamination comes from natural sources, such as the dissolution of underground salt beds, or from human activities.
Whittemore is a past president of the Kansas Academy of Science and was a member of the Groundwater Quality Protection Strategy Advisory Task Force for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He has received grant and contract funding for research from the Kansas Water Office, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Kansas Water Resources Research Institute. He has written or co-authored more than 90 scientific publications and reports.
"Don Whittemore brings a strong scientific background to our groundwater program," said Gerhard. "He has more than 20 years of experience in dealing with Kansas water issues. That experience will be valuable in guiding our water research and information programs."