Abstract Geological Survey Ireland is a division of a government department and has typical origins as a geological survey founded to map the nation's natural resources. In recent years it has changed focus from more traditional geological mapping activities and methods to carrying out major projects of national societal value using, and developing, the latest technology. Programmes include one of the world's largest seabed surveys INFOMAR, a national groundwater mapping and protection programme, and modern geophysical and geochemical mapping under its Tellus programme. In addition the Survey has developed a successful geoscience research programme and a business cluster, Geoscience Ireland. By focusing on stakeholder engagement, effective communication of the value of geoscience and maintaining scientific rigour, geological surveys can be as relevant today as when they were founded.

Abstract State Geological Surveys (SGSs) in the USA play vitally important roles, providing sound, unbiased scientific information to each state and the nation. Although implementation of each survey's scientific programme has evolved differently, these organizations are often the principal drivers of economic development, and they consult on policies for protecting land and water, mitigating geologic hazards and promoting sustainable development. The SGSs are represented by the American Association of State Geologists. For more than 110 years, they have partnered with the federal government on important geoscience issues concerning topographic and geologic mapping, water, mineral and energy resources, and geologic hazards. These collaborations continue to develop and expand across multiple specialties, providing critical support to the SGSs. The future role of SGSs will depend on legislative decisions, contributions to research and development and scientific advancement, and ability to leverage support from existing and new collaborations with academia and with federal, state, county and municipal agencies. The Illinois State Geological Survey, one of the largest SGSs, has continually pursued relationships across geoscience sectors to develop a strong multidisciplinary scientific programme. Going forward, all SGSs will be challenged to develop an effective data stewardship programme to communicate with a diverse clientele.

Abstract This paper identifies potential sources, and the key chemical properties, of methane. Guidance is provided on deriving a conceptual site model for methane, utilizing various lines of evidence to inform a robust, scientific, reasoned and logical assessment of associated gas risk. Discussion is provided regarding the legislative context of permanent gas risk assessment for methane, including via qualitative, semi-quantitative and detailed quantitative (including finite element modelling) techniques. Strategies for mitigating risks associated with methane are also outlined, together with the legal context for consideration of methane both in relation to the planning regime and under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Abstract This volume draws together the final outputs of the five-year UNESCO / IUGS / IGCP Project 571 and presents new data on radon in the built and natural environments, radon as a diagnostic tool of geophysical phenomena, reflections and recommendations on the future of radon research and a critique of radon's asserted use as a therapy. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in radon from a range of different aspects and we would suggest that radon science has the potential to be a useful tool in understanding our environment as well as its impacts on human health.

Water access, sanitation, and security remain key foci of international aid and development. However, the increasing interconnectedness of hydrologic and social systems can cause water initiatives to have unexpected and cascading effects across geographic scales. This presents new challenges for geoscientists working in water development, as distant and complex socioeconomic and environmental relationships, or “telecouplings,” may significantly influence the outcomes and sustainability of development projects. We explore these emerging concepts through a case study in Ethiopia, which receives over half of its annual budget from foreign development assistance and is currently experiencing rapid population growth and environmental change. Using examples from the literature, we identify water development aid initiatives in rural and urban settings and at local and national scales. We then situate these within the telecoupling framework to reveal underlying social-hydrological relationships. Our results indicate that water development is linking Ethiopia’s hydrology with geographically distant communities and markets and creating new and often unexpected flows of people, material, and capital. These are resulting in cascading impacts and cross-scale feedbacks among urbanization, geopolitics, and the water-food-energy nexus in East Africa. We conclude with a discussion of the strengths, limitations, and potential of the telecoupling framework for geoscientists and development practitioners.

Groundwater resources in Haiti are considered abundant, with greater than 2 billion cubic meters per year (2 × 10 9 m 3 /yr) of renewable resources and 56 billion cubic meters of reserves. However, groundwater is not available everywhere and many aquifers are often low yielding, discontinuous, or are at risk from saltwater intrusion, overexploitation, reduced recharge, and contamination. Economic development, population growth, and climate change are factors that will increase stress on groundwater resources. Sector leadership, capacity building mechanisms, integrated water policy, and a clear regulatory framework are urgently needed to manage, regulate, and protect Haiti’s groundwater resources to achieve long-term security. Accomplishing this requires technical support and practical references that summarize the groundwater resources and their vulnerabilities, complexities, and opportunities. This chapter includes a summary of knowledge, information, and experience to aid the development and management of Haiti’s groundwater resources, as well as provides an overview of its complex hydrogeology. Five broad hydrogeological environments are differentiated: (1) Unconsolidated alluvium accounts for 26% of Haiti’s land area—it includes a large portion of the country’s groundwater reserves and is the most exploited for irrigation, industry, and potable water; (2) interior sedimentary units account for 32% of Haiti’s land area and include up to 25% of the country’s groundwater reserves—springs from carbonate aquifers are significant sources of water supply throughout the country; (3) reef carbonate accounts for 6% of Haiti’s land area, with locally available coastal karst aquifer systems serving some of the most rural, driest, and impoverished areas of Haiti; (4) semiconsolidated units account for 21% of Haiti’s land area—their low groundwater potential limits rural and urban water use throughout the country; and (5) igneous bedrock accounts for 15% of Haiti’s land area—its discontinuous groundwater reserves are an important source of water in rural and mountainous areas.