Colby Steelman

• Hydrogeophysics, hydrogeology, vadose zone, applied geophysics
• Multi-scale geophysical characterization of groundwater flow systems
• Geophysical imaging of hydrodynamics, landform architecture, and geologic structures
• Source water protection and management
• Water resource assessment and monitoring

Dr. Steelman has made significant advancements in geophysical imaging techniques using ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction, and seismic, in combination with direct hydrogeologic observations to better understand the parameters and processes that define complex groundwater flow systems. 

His research utilizes a combination of field-based geophysical, hydrogeological, and geological information in the context of local to regional-scale groundwater flow systems to better understand the complex relationship between anthropogenic and natural groundwater processes within the Earth’s critical zone.

Earth 223: Field Methods in Hydrology

Sci 250: Environmental Geology

Recent publications include

• Capes, D.C., C.M. Steelman, and B.L. Parker (2018). Hydrologic interpretation of seasonally dynamic ambient temperature profiles in sealed bedrock boreholes. Journal of Hydrology, published on-line-2018. doi: 10.1016/j.hydrol.2018.10.005.

• Steelman, C.M., E. Arnaud, P. Pehme, and B.L. Parker (2018), Geophysical, geological and hydrogeological characterization of a tributary buried bedrock valley in southern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 55, 641 – 658, doi:  10.1139/cjes-2016-0120

• Steelman, C.M., D.R. Klazinga, A.G. Cahill, A.L. Endres, and B.L. Parker (2017), Monitoring the evolution and migration of a methane gas plume in an unconfined sandy aquifer using time-lapse GPR and ERT. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 205, 12 – 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2017.08.011

• Steelman, C.M., C.S. Kennedy, D. Capes, and B.L. Parker (2017), Electrical resistivity dynamics beneath a fractured sedimentary bedrock riverbed in response to temperature and groundwater/surface water exchange. Hydrology & Earth System Science, 21, 3105 – 3123, http://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3105-2017

• Steelman, C.M., J. Meyer, and B.L. Parker (2017), Multi-dimensional investigation of bedrock heterogeneity/unconformities at a DNAPL-impacted site. Groundwater Epub 2017 Apr 12, doi: 10.1111/gwat.12514

• Cahill, A.G., C.M. Steelman, O. Forde, O. Kuloyo, E. Ruff, B. Mayer, K.U. Mayer, M. Strous, M.C. Ryan, J.A. Cherry and B.L. Parker (2017), Mobility and persistence of methane in groundwater in a controlled release field experiment. Nature Geoscience, 10(4) 289+, doi:10.1038/NGEO2919

• Steelman, C.M., B.L. Parker and C.S. Kennedy (2015), Evaluating local-scale anisotropy and heterogeneity in a fractured bedrock riverbed using EM azimuthal resistivity and ground penetrating radar. Journal of Applied Geophysics 116, 156 – 166, doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2015.03.003

• Steelman, C.M., C.S. Kennedy and B.L. Parker. (2015), Geophysical conceptualization of a fractured sedimentary bedrock riverbed using ground-penetrating radar and induced electrical conductivity. Journal of Hydrology 521, 433 – 446, doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.12.001

Please see Colby Steelman's Google Scholar profile for a current list of his peer-revised articles.

• 2014-2016: Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (NSERC), University of Guelph.
• 2012-2014: NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Guelph.
• 2012: W.B. Pearson Medal in Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo.

• Joint appointments
• Cross appointments and adjunct
• Waterloo institute memberships - WIN, WI, IQC, etc. - and Perimeter Institute

• Definite Lecturer, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo

• Principle Investigator, G³⁶⁰ Institute for Groundwater Research, University of Guelph

• Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO)
• American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)
• European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
• International Association of Hydrogeologists​​

2012 Ph.D. Earth Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

2007 B.Sc. Earth Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada