Geochemistry of Groundwater in Cretaceous Sediments of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of Eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama

Lee, Roger W.

doi:10.1029/wr021i010p01545

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The sediments at well C-10 in this study were in unique contrast to Middendoff sediments from the other boreholes in that they were deposited under a lower delta plain environment and contain fine to medium quartzitic sands with thick silt and clay beds [Sargent and Flierroans, 1989]. Sodium concentrations in C-10 may be a direct result of ion exchange with layer silicates [e.g., Lee, 1985;Lee and Strickland, 1988] The iron concentrations are elevated in groundwaters from wells P-29, P-28, and P-24 (Table 1). Although the groundwater samples were filtered through a 0.2-/am filter in the field, subsequent filtering in the laboratory through a 0.1-/am filter substantially reduced the concentration of iron, suggesting that much of the iron measured may be in the colloidal state.…”

Section: Groundwater Chemistry Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

Murphy¹,

Schramke²,

Fredrickson³

et al. 1992

Water Resources Research

107

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Microorganisms present in deep Atlantic coastal plain sediments affect the geochemical evolution of groundwater and its chemical and isotopic composition, yet the factors controlling their origin, distribution, and diversity are poorly understood. The evolution of the groundwater chemistry, the fractionation of stable carbon isotopes, and the groundwater age are all indicators of the inorganic and microbial reactions occurring along a given flow path from groundwater recharge to groundwater discharge. In this study, tritium, 14C, and groundwater chemistry along three flow paths of the Middendoff aquifer in South Carolina were analyzed. The !4C ranged from 89 percent modern carbon (pmC) in the recharge zone to 9.9 pmC in the distal borehole; the/•3C remained relatively constant at ----22%•, suggesting microbial oxidation of organic carbon. Carbon isotope analyses of particulate organic carbon from core sediments and groundwater chemistry were used to model the carbon chemistry; the groundwater ages obtained from •4C ranged from modem to 11,500 years B.P. The highest frequencies of occurrence, numbers, and diversity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were found in boreholes near the recharge zone where the calculated ages were <1000 years B.P. The transport of microorganisms from the recharge zone may be responsible for this distribution as well as the electron acceptors necessary to support this diverse community of bacteria. The presence of both aerobic heterotrophs and anaerobic sulfate-and iron-reducing bacteria in the core sediments suggested the occurrence of anaerobic microsites throughout this otherwise aerobic aquifer. The highest in situ microbial respiration rate, as determined by modeling, was found along a flow path near the recharge area. It is likely that the electron acceptors necessary for supporting a diverse microbial community are depleted by the time the groundwater residence time in the Middendoff aquifer exceeds several hundred years. INTRODUCTION Abundant and diverse populations of microorganisms were found at depths of over 400 m in Atlantic coastal plain sediments at and near the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina [Balkwill, 1989; Fredrickson .et al., 1989; Jones et al., 1989]. These microorganisms are capable of affecting both the chemical and isotopic composition of groundwater and its geochemical evolution [Chapelle et al., 1987, 1988; Murphy et al., 1989; Plumruer et al., 1990; Chapelle and Lovley, 1990a; McMahon et al., 1990; Lovley et al., 1990a; McMahon and ½hapelle, 1991]. The complex interaction between microorganisms and organic carbon in the subsurface is perhaps most evident when the inorganic and isotopic chemistry of groundwater are modeled along a flow path from groundwater recharge to groundwater discharge. Reaction-path modeling of the chemical evolution and the change in stable isotopes along a flow path requires an understanding of the role of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in the carbon cycle and the nature of particulat...

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Section: Groundwater Chemistry Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

Murphy¹,

Schramke²,

Fredrickson³

et al. 1992

Water Resources Research

107

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“…Muscovite was common. Silt and clay were mixed with the sand and also were present as (Lee, 1985(Lee, , 1993Cook, 1993). Minor amounts of glauconite, calcium carbonate, and pyrite also have been reported (Lee, 1985(Lee, , 1993Cook, 1993).…”

Section: Hydrogeologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The chemistry of water in the Coastal Plain aquifers was characterized in previous studies on a regional scale (Foster, 1950;Back, 1960;Lee, 1985Lee, , 1993Cook, 1993), and the geochemical processes responsible for changes in ground water chemistry in the Eutaw aquifer were evaluated (Lee, 1985(Lee, , 1993. Foster (1950) determined that water with high sodium bicarbonate ion content in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain was the result of calcium replacement by sodium through cation exchange.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHALLOW GROUND WATER IN THE EUTAW AQUIFER, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA¹

Robinson¹,

Journey

2004

J American Water Resour Assoc

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Ground water samples were collected from 30 wells located in, or directly down gradient from, recharge areas of the Eutaw aquifer in Montgomery, Alabama. The major ion content of the water evolves from calcium‐sodium‐chloride‐dominated type in the recharge area to calcium‐bicarbonate‐dominated type in the confined portion of the aquifer. Ground water in the recharge area was under saturated with respect to aluminosilicate and carbonate minerals. Ground water in the confined portion of the aquifer was at equilibrium levels for calcite and potassium feldspar. Dissolved oxygen and nitrite‐plus‐nitrate concentrations decreased as ground water age increased; pH, iron, and sulfate concentrations increased as ground water age increased. Aluminum, copper, and zinc concentrations decreased as ground water age and pH increased. These relations indicate that nitrate, aluminum, copper, and zinc are removed from solution as water moves from recharge areas to the confined areas of the Eutaw aquifer. The natural evolution of ground water quality, which typically increases the pH and decreases the dissolved oxygen content, may be an important limiting factor to the migration of nitrogen based compounds and metals.

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“…Cretaceous cover strata of the Tuscaloosa Group form a world-class, high-yield aquifer (Carlston, 1944;Lee, 1985). These strata intercept meteoric recharge throughout their outcrop distribution and contain potable water throughout the study area.…”

Section: Geochemistry and Subsurface Flowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Management Strategies for Improved Coalbed Methane Production in the Black Warrior Basin

Pashin

McIntyre-Redden

Mann

et al. 2013

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The modern coalbed methane industry was born in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama and has to date produced more than 2.6 trillion cubic feet of gas and 1.6 billion barrels of water. The coalbed gas industry in this area is dependent on instream disposal of co-produced water, which ranges from nearly potable sodium-bicarbonate water to hypersaline sodium-chloride water. This study employed diverse analytical methods to characterize water chemistry in light of the regional geologic framework and to evaluate the full range of water management options for the Black Warrior coalbed methane industry.Results reveal strong interrelationships among regional geology, water chemistry, and gas chemistry. Coalbed methane is produced from multiple coal seams in Pennsylvanian-age strata of the Pottsville Coal Interval, in which water chemistry is influenced by a structurally controlled meteoric recharge area along the southeastern margin of the basin. The most important constituents of concern in the produced water include chlorides, ammonia compounds, and organic substances. Regional mapping and statistical analysis indicate that the concentrations of most ionic compounds, metallic substances, and nonmetallic substances correlate with total dissolved solids and chlorides.Gas is effectively produced at pipeline quality, and the only significant impurity is N 2 .Geochemical analysis indicates that the gas is of mixed thermogenic-biogenic origin. Stable isotopic analysis of produced gas and calcite vein fills indicates that widespread late-stage microbial methanogenesis occurred primarily along a CO 2 reduction metabolic pathway. Organic compounds in the produced water appear to have helped sustain microbial communities.Ammonia and ammonium levels increase with total dissolved solids content and appear to have played a role in late-stage microbial methanogenesis and the generation of N 2 . iv Gas production tends to decline exponentially, whereas water production tends to decline hyperbolically. Hyperbolic decline indicates that water volume is of greatest concern early in the life of a coalbed methane project. Regional mapping indicates that gas production is controlled primarily by the ability to depressurize permeable coal seams that are natively within the steep part of the adsorption isotherm. Water production is greatest within the freshwater intrusion and below thick Cretaceous cover strata and is least in areas of underpressure.Water management strategies include instream disposal, which can be applied effectively in most parts of the basin. Deep disposal may be applicable locally, particularly where high salinity limits the ability to dispose into streams. Artificial wetlands show promise for the management of saline water, especially where the reservoir yield is limited. Beneficial use options include municipal water supply, agricultural use, and industrial use. The water may be of use to an inland shrimp farming industry, which is active around the southwestern coalbed methane fields. The best opportunities f...

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Geochemistry of Groundwater in Cretaceous Sediments of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of Eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama

Cited by 28 publications

References 8 publications

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHALLOW GROUND WATER IN THE EUTAW AQUIFER, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA¹

Water Management Strategies for Improved Coalbed Methane Production in the Black Warrior Basin

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Geochemistry of Groundwater in Cretaceous Sediments of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of Eastern Mississippi and Western Alabama

Cited by 28 publications

References 8 publications

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

The influence of microbial activity and sedimentary organic carbon on the isotope geochemistry of the Middendorf Aquifer

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHALLOW GROUND WATER IN THE EUTAW AQUIFER, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA1

Water Management Strategies for Improved Coalbed Methane Production in the Black Warrior Basin

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GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SHALLOW GROUND WATER IN THE EUTAW AQUIFER, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA¹