New Mexico Tech to expand groundwater monitoring, mapping with grant
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Efforts to map groundwater, expand research and analyze water data are getting an injection with state and federal grants.
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology announced Tuesday its New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources received more than $3.6 million in grants to expand research and services in several areas. The money will be used to purchase a new electron microprobe, geologic mapping, groundwater monitoring and water data application development, according to a news release announcing the grants.
The National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation program awarded the National Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech $1.6 million to purchase a cutting-edge electron microprobe that can perform tasks the bureau currently can’t do.
“This funding will support important research, enhance our analytical capabilities, and allow the Bureau to continue our impactful research throughout New Mexico and beyond,” said NMBGMR Director and State Geologist Dr. Michael Timmons.
The bureau also received nearly $600,000 from the U.S. Geological Survey to map water, mineral and energy resources and $300,000 from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer Interstate Stream commission for a mapping project.
The bureau will also receive $188,000 from the Bureau of Reclamation to compile water data in the Roswell Artesian Basin.
Two other grants will also support water resource projects in the state.
