Faculty
Richard C. Berg
- Senior Geologist and Director, Geological Mapping Program
- Ph.D., Illinois (1979)
- Research Interests: Quaternary Studies, Groundwater
- Protection, Mapping Techniques
- Office: 215 Natural Resources Bldg.
- Phone: (217) 244-2776
- E-mail: berg@geoserv.isgs.uiuc.edu
Richard C. Berg has been most of his career developing methods to best assess groundwater contamination potential at multi-state to county/municipal scales and methodologies to portray geologic materials in three-dimensions. He has been an active participant at numerous USEPA and USGS activities representing the "states" perspective on groundwater protection issues and trying to assure that sound land-use planning decisions are based on a thorough understanding of the geologic framework and how groundwater interacts with the framework.
Within the last year, Dr. Berg has been director of the Survey's geological mapping program, with a mission to integrate expertise and datasets from all disciplines of Survey staff into a program that will geologically map and develop databases for each 7.5-minute quadrangle of Illinois, will make geologic mapping a core element of long-term Survey research, and will meet the increasing needs of the people of Illinois for detailed geologic information and derivative by-products (such as groundwater protection maps). As part of this effort, he is on a task group with representatives from state geological surveys in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan as well as the USGS to develop a formal coalition between the USGS and state surveys to map the Quaternary sediments at 1:24,000-scale in the Great Lakes states. This will be a model program for future coalitions between the USGS and other states.
Recent Publications
Berg, R. C., H. A. Wehrmann, and J. M. Shafer. 1989. Geological and hydrological factors for siting hazardous or low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 546, 61p.
Hensel, B. R., R. C. Berg, and R. A. Griffin. 1990. Numerical estimates of potential for groundwater contamination from land burial of municipal wastes in Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Environmental Geology 134, 84 p.
Newman, W., R. C. Berg, P. Rosen, and H. D. Glass. 1990. Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Boston Harbor drumlins, Massachusetts USA: Quaternary Research, vol. 34, p. 148-159.
Keefer, D. A., and R. C. Berg. 1990. Potential for aquifer recharge in Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Map, Scale 1:1,000,000.
Hensel, B. R., D. A. Keefer, R. A. Griffin, and R. C. Berg. 1991. Numerical estimate of a landfill compliance limit: Journal of Ground Water, p. 218-224.
Weibel, C. P., and R. C. Berg. 1991. Importance of geologic characterization of potential low-level radioactive waste disposal sites: Environmental Geology and the Water Sciences, vol. 18, no. 3, p. 209-214.
Bhagwat, S. B., and R. C. Berg. 1992. Environmental benefits versus costs of geologic mapping: Environmental Geology and the Water Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 33-40.
Soller, D. R., and R. C. Berg. 1992. A methodology for the regional assessment of aquifer contamination potential based on geologic framework: Environmental Geology and the Water Sciences, vol. 19, no. 3, p. 205-213.
Greenpool, M. R., and R. C. Berg. 1992. Paducah 1 x 2 Quadrangle, geologic materials at the surface: Illinois State Geological Survey Open-File Series 1992-11, Map, Scale 1:250,000.
Soller, D. R., and R. C. Berg. 1992. Using regional geologic information to assess relative aquifer contamination potential—an example from the central United States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 92-694, Map Scale 1:100,000 with text.
Berg, R. C., and M. R. Greenpool. 1993. Stack-unit geologic mapping: Color-coded and computer-based methodology: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 552, 11 p.
Berg, R. C. 1994. Geologic aspects of a groundwater protection needs assessment for Woodstock, Illinois: A case study: Illinois State Geological Survey Environmental Geology 146, 27p.
Curry, B. B., K. A. Troost, and R. C. Berg. 1994. Quaternary geology of the Martinsville Alternative Site, Clark County, Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 556, 83p.
Berg, R. C. and C. C. Abert. 1994. Large-scale aquifer sensitivity model: Environmental Geology, International Journal of Geosciences, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 34-42.
Berg, R. C., and M. R. Greenpool. 1994. Stack-unit map of the Paducah 1 x 2 Quadrangle: Geologic materials to a depth of 15 meters: Illinois State Geological Survey Illinois Map 3, Scale 1:250,000.
Berg, R. C., D. A. Keefer, M. Demissie, and G. Ramamurthy. 1997. Regional evaluation of ground-water and surface water interactions: Preliminary method development and analysis: Illinois State Water Survey Miscellaneous Publication 181, 37p.
Locke, R. A. II, R. C. Berg, H. A. Wehrmann, M. V. Miller, and D. A. Keefer. 1997. Vulnerability of Illinois Nature Preserves to potential ground-water contamination, Volume I: Methodology and initial assessment: Illinois State Water Survey Contract Report 612, 125p.
Locke, R. A. II, R. C. Berg, and M. J. Mushrush. 1997. Vulnerability of Illinois Nature Preserves to potential ground-water contamination, Volume II: Selected site data from vulnerability assessments and sensitivity classifications: Illinois State Water Survey Contract Report 612A, 427p.
Berg, R. C., D. A. Keefer, M. Demissie, G. Ramamurthy, and C. A. Job. 1997. Preliminary method development and evaluation of a statewide assessment of ground water and surface water interactions: Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation, vol. 17, no. 3, p. 64-69.
Curry, B. B., R. C. Berg, and R. A. Vaiden. 1997. Geologic mapping for environmental planning, McHenry County, Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Circular 559, 79p.