The Paul Edwin Potter Internship - Past Projects

2024 Projects

2024 Potter interns conducting a practice geophysical survey in front of the University of Kentucky library
2024 Potter interns conducting a practice geophysical survey in front of the University of Kentucky library
1. Water storage in karst: Develop an understanding of how water moves underground
Research Question:
Are there more amounts of water stored in a Karst or Alluvium setting in Big Sinking Creek?
Final Project:
Using Quantitative Dye Trace and Discharge Measurements to Locate Groundwater Storage
Darryl Woods Jr
Northern Kentucky University Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology
"Using Quantitative Dye Trace and Discharge Measurements to Locate Groundwater Storage"
2. Geomorphology & water structural relationships: Develop an understanding of the relationship between structural geology and geomorphology
Research Question:
How does the structural geology of Red River Gorge impact the formation of caves in Cave Hollow?
Final Project:
Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation
Madison High
Eastern Kentucky University Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy
"Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation"
3. Groundwater contamination issues: Develop an understanding of some potential contaminants
Research Question:
Do we see differences in dissolved organic fluorescence of Big Sinking Creek and Cave Hollow Spring?
Final Project:
Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation
Sierra Ison
Northern Kentucky University Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology
"Using Geochemical Analysis to Compare Cave Hollow Spring and Big Sinking Creek"
4. Cave Habitat: Develop an understanding of the relationship between biota and geomorphology/hydrology
Research Question:
Are there any environmental factors that correlate to where species are located within the cave? (Zoning, Water Quality, Nutrients, Temperature, Humidity, and/or Turbidity)
Final Project:
Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation
John Thomas Gribbins
University of Kentucky Earth & Environmental Sciences
"The Influence of Environmental Factors on Cave Biota Locality within the cave"
5. Cave Habitat: Develop an understanding of the relationship between biota and geomorphology/hydrology
Research Question:
What are the ideal environmental conditions for salamanders in the cave?
Final Project:
Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation
Abbie Grzynkowicz
University of Kentucky Earth & Environmental Sciences
"Factors That Drive Salamander Habitat Use Within the Twilight Zone"
6. Groundwater vulnerability modeling: Develop an understanding of where on the surface is the highest risk of contaminating the groundwater
Research Question:
What factors may affect the nutrient distribution within the cave?
Final Project:
Impact of Red River Gorge's Structural Geology on Cave Passage Orientation
Emelia Harris
Morehead State University Engineering Sciences
"Understanding Distribution of Nutrients in Karst Systems Using Biogeochemical Methods"
2024 Potter Interns and mentors
2024 Potter Interns and mentors at Natural Bridge, KY.

2023 Projects

2023 Potter intern Will Hemenover working in the water lab with KGS student employee Solomon Nketsia
2023 Potter intern Will Hemenover working in the water lab
with KGS student employee Solomon Nketsia
Dolomitization and mineralization of the Jeptha Knob structure
Summary: The enigmatic Jeptha Knob has intrigued researchers for a long time with various origins proposed including cryotovolcanic, cryptoexplosive, and meteorite impact origins, as well as origins related to explosive release of gases, and hydrothermal alteration associated with tectonic processes. Interestingly, dolomitization of some carbonate units is restricted exclusively to the area of Jeptha Knob. The goal of this project is to characterize these dolomites, which, in turn, will help decipher the origin of Jeptha Knob.
Final Project:
A Petrographic and Geochemical Investigation into the Dolomitization of the Jeptha Knob Structure, Kentucky
Ethan Davis
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"A Petrographic and Geochemical Investigation into the Dolomitization of the Jeptha Knob Structure, Kentucky"
Machine Learning Assisted LiDAR Sinkhole Mapping
Summary: Sinkholes are a well-known hazard in Kentucky where more than half of the land surface is underlain by carbonate rocks susceptible for sinkhole development. We propose to identify sinkholes from LiDAR-derived high-resolution elevation data with assist from a machine learning model.
Final Project:
Advancing Sinkhole Identification and Mapping in Kentucky using Lidar and Machine Learning
Olivine Painter
Berea College Geology and General Chemistry
"Advancing Sinkhole Identification and Mapping in Kentucky using Lidar and Machine Learning"
Using Arc Hydro Groundwater to delineate hydrostratigraphy in the northern Mississippi Embayment, Kentucky
Summary: Intern will use Arc Hydro Groundwater software to delineate the hydrostratigraphy of the northern Mississippi Embayment in western Kentucky.
Final Project:
A Preliminary Hydrogeologic Assessment of the McNairy Aquifer in Marshall and Calloway Counties, Kentucky
Maxwell Mickelson
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"A Preliminary Hydrogeologic Assessment of the McNairy Aquifer in Marshall and Calloway Counties, Kentucky"
Dye Tracing Karst Groundwater in the Daniel Boone National Forest
Summary: The Daniel Boone National Forest has extensive karst resources along the Cumberland Escarpment. The groundwater systems have not previously been documented. The intern will work with KGS researchers to document springs, caves, and conduct dye traces to determine groundwater flow paths in the National Forest.
Final Project:
Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment of War Fork Watershed in Daniel Boone National Forest
Will Hemenover
Western Kentucky University Biology and Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies
"Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment of War Fork Watershed in Daniel Boone National Forest"
2023 Potter Interns
2023 Potter Interns. Left to Right: Will Hemenover, Olivine Painter, Maxwell Mickelson, and Ethan Davis

2022 Projects

2022 Potter intern Alex Arimes using GIS and lidar data to identify landslide features
2022 Potter intern Alex Arimes using GIS and lidar data
to identify landslide features
Machine Learning Assisted Lidar Sinkhole Mapping
Summary: Sinkholes are a well-known hazard in Kentucky where more than half of the land surface is underlain by carbonate rocks susceptible for sinkhole development. We propose to identify sinkholes from lidar-derived high-resolution elevation data with assistance from a machine learning model.
Final Project:
Machine Learning Aided LiDAR Sinkhole Mapping, Ellie Stevens, University of Kentucky Geography
Ellie Stevens
University of Kentucky Geography
"Machine Learning Aided LiDAR Sinkhole Mapping"
Kentucky Seismic Wave Data
Summary: This internship with the Kentucky Seismic and Strong-Motion network will focus on using new seismic instrumentation to investigate the effects of near-surface sediments on seismic waves in the New Madrid seismic zone. The intern will assist with operating the instruments and will process, analyze, and make an initial interpretation of their recordings. This project will require two nights of overnight travel.
Final Project:
H/V Spectral Ratios of the Jackson Purchase Region, Kentucky Using 5Hz Nodal Geophones
Russell Rogers
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"H/V Spectral Ratios of the Jackson Purchase Region, Kentucky Using 5Hz Nodal Geophones"
Paleo-fluid evolution in the Western Kentucky Fluorspar District
Summary: Fluid inclusion analysis can provide an insight into the evolution of the mineralizing fluids and provide a better understanding of the controls of ore mineralization. The intern will work in the KGS fluid inclusion lab to collect fluid inclusion microthermometry data from rock core samples created during an ongoing critical mineral research project.
Final Project:
Paleo-fluid evolution in Western Kentucky Fluorspar District
Zachary Walton
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"Paleo-fluid evolution in Western Kentucky Fluorspar District"
Landslide Inventory Mapping and Landslide Characterization Using a UAV
Summary: This project proposes a comprehensive evaluation of landslide activity in the Hindman 7.5-minute quadrangle, eastern Kentucky. The primary tasks will include landslide inventory mapping, lidar-based elevation differencing, and landslide characterization using the KGS unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Final Project:
Landslide Inventory Mapping in Eastern Kentucky
Alexandra Arimes
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"Landslide Inventory Mapping in Eastern Kentucky"
Mapping the Geology of Environmental Justice in Kentucky
Summary: This project will use a variety of data sources and geographic information system (GIS) software to explore the nexus between topography, geology, natural hazards such as flooding and landslides, natural resource exploitation, economics, and demographics to better understand the spatial relationship between Kentucky’s geologic legacy and environmental justice issues.
Final Project:
From Perished Peaks to Sliding Slopes: Mapping Landslides and Environmental Justice on Select Mountaintop Removal Sites in Eastern Kentucky
Dilni Abeyrathne
University of Kentucky Department of Geography
"From Perished Peaks to Sliding Slopes: Mapping Landslides and Environmental Justice on Select Mountaintop Removal Sites in Eastern Kentucky"
Drone-Based Aeroradiometric Mapping to Characterize Soil Radon Potential
Summary: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a public health concern because it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. KGS researchers have previously shown there is a relationship between bedrock type and indoor radon levels. The intern will work with KGS researchers to expand upon that research by mapping levels of naturally occurring uranium, the parent material of radon, in soil using a drone-based gamma spectrometer and comparing the results to soil radon measurements.
Final Project:
Field Tests Of A UAV-Compatible Spectrometer To Evaluate Its Suitability For Detailed Soil Radon Potential Mapping
Alexandria Thomas
University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences
"Field Tests Of A UAV-Compatible Spectrometer To Evaluate Its Suitability For Detailed Soil Radon Potential Mapping"
2022 Potter Interns
2022 Potter Interns. Top Row, Left to Right: Alexandra Arimes, Alexandria Thomas, Ellie Stevens.
Bottom Row, Left to Right: Dilni Abeyrathne, Russell Rogers, Zachary Walton
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