Geology greatly influences the way chemicals move throughout the subsurface/soils and groundwater. For example, in my area we have karst topography. This means a bedrock that is made up of dissolvable geologic formations, in our case limestone. Because there is limestone here, which dissolves in slightly acidic water, we have caves, sinkholes, springs, floats, etc. Because of this estimating groundwater flow is almost impossible. We can have a well with water at 2 feet below the surface at a much higher elevation than a well with no groundwater going down 50 feet. It makes no sense. Most environmental reports I write discuss the geology of the area and how it influences the flow of subsurface chemicals. Geology can effect every aspect of environmental science, or it can only slightly influence it. It really depends on what aspect of environmental science you are researching/working in. Kate Quik environmental scientist Drury university Springfield MO
