Hydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States—A digital map compilation and database

Haj, Adel E.; Soller, David R.; Reddy, James E.; Kauffman, Leon J.; Yager, Richard M.; Buchwald, Cheryl A.

doi:10.3133/ds1090

Cited by 6 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The median reported well depth was 33 m (108 ft). Few groundwater wells are completed in unconsolidated sediments, as the mapped stratified drift aquifer in the domain is limited to the valley encompassing the Susquehanna River (Haj et al, 2018; Yager et al, 2019). Instead, groundwater wells in the study area primarily tap the fractured bedrock aquifer, which was extensively weathered by glacial and orogenic processes in the region (Williams et al, 1998).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites

Soriano

Siegel

Gutchess

et al. 2020

Water Resources Research

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The rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development (UD), made possible by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, has triggered concerns over groundwater contamination and public health risks. To improve our understanding of the risks posed by UD, we develop a physically based, spatially explicit framework for evaluating groundwater well vulnerability to aqueous phase contaminants released from surface spills and leaks at UD well pad locations. The proposed framework utilizes the concept of capture probability and incorporates decision-relevant planning horizons and acceptable risks to support goal-oriented modeling for groundwater protection. We illustrate the approach in northeastern Pennsylvania, where a high intensity of UD activity overlaps with local dependence on domestic groundwater wells. Using two alternative models of the bedrock aquifer and a precautionary paradigm to integrate their results, we found that most domestic wells in the domain had low vulnerability as the extent of their modeled probabilistic capture zones were smaller than distances to the nearest existing UD well pad. We also found that simulated capture probability and vulnerability were most sensitive to the model parameters of matrix hydraulic conductivity, porosity, pumping rate, and the ratio of fracture to matrix conductivity. Our analysis demonstrated the potential inadequacy of current state-mandated setback distances that allow UD within the boundaries of delineated capture zones. The proposed framework, while limited to aqueous phase contamination, emphasizes the need to incorporate information on flow paths and transport timescales into policies aiming to protect groundwater from contamination by UD.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites

Soriano

Siegel

Gutchess

et al. 2020

Water Resources Research

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“…Predicting subsurface geometry and lithology of buried sediment is difficult in this glaciated area, given the nature of glaciofluvial processes and the numerous glaciations to which large areas of the northern United States have been subjected. The "hydrogeologic terrane" classification system (terrane; Figures 1a, Table S1, Figure S1) were defined on the basis of overall thickness of Quaternary-age sediment (Haj et al, 2018), the predominant texture of the geologic materials at land surface (Soller et al, 2009), the predominant modes of glacial deposition, and the age of deposition. Two principal caveats apply to the terrane classification: there is substantial hydrogeologic variation within a delineated terrane, and terrane boundaries are positioned in a very general sense, with similarities in the geologic framework near boundaries on both sides.…”

Section: Hydrogeologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Machine Learning Predicted Redox Conditions in the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern Continental United States

Erickson

Elliott

Brown

et al. 2021

Water Resources Research

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Groundwater supplies 50% of drinking water worldwide (Zekster & Everett, 2004) and 35% in the United States (Dieter et al., 2018); however, geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants can compromise water quality, limiting groundwater availability (Foster & Chilton, 2003;Nordstrom, 2002). Reduction/oxidation (redox) processes and redox conditions affect groundwater quality by influencing the toxicity, mobility and transport of common geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants (e.g., arsenic, manganese, and nitrate) through processes such as ion exchange, degradation, sorption, complexation, and mineral dissolution/ precipitation (Bohlke, 2002;McMahon, Belitz, et al., 2019;Welch et al., 2000). Spatial patterns in redox conditions, therefore, influence and inform spatial patterns of groundwater contaminants in aquifers important

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“…In the eastern part of terrane 1A, sediments are largely derived from igneous and metamorphic bedrock (Rodgers 1989) ( Figure S8) that are low in calcareous material. In the western part of terrane 1A, sediments are derived from sedimentary bedrock with a higher carbonate content, albeit classified as non-carbonate sedimentary bedrock by Haj et al (2018) (Figure S8). Where sediments in terrane 1A are rich in carbonate, groundwater becomes saturated with respect to calcite increasing its buffering capacity -despite having water-sediment contact times limited by short flow paths ( Figure 5).…”

Section: Hydrogeologic Terranes and Hydrologic Position On The Land Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To counter these issues, output from process-based (numerical) and geostatistical models can be incorporated into a BRT model to integrate information on controlling processes or conditions and, thus, to help guide predictions (Fienen et al 2015;Read et al 2019). For example, numerical models of groundwater flow can provide predictor variables that constrain threedimensional aspects of the flow system such as water fluxes, flowpath lengths, and groundwater age (Walter and Starn 2013;Ransom et al 2017;Starn and Belitz 2018) and interpolated empirical observations can describe and constrain subsurface conditions that vary spatially and with depth such as aquifer texture characteristics (Nolan et al 2014;Ayotte et al 2016;Bayless et al 2017;Haj et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ML model was then used to estimate these four groundwater metrics throughout the entire GLAC system (Starn et al 2020). Information on subsurface characteristics such as the thickness and texture of glacial sediments was derived from the interpolation of subsurface observations from about 14 million water-well drillers' records (Bayless et al 2017;Haj et al 2018). Finally, geochemical modeling is used to gain further insight into conditions that favor either low or high pH conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Machine Learning Predictions of pH in the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern USA

et al. 2020

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A boosted regression tree model was developed to predict pH conditions in three dimensions throughout the glacial aquifer system of the contiguous United States using pH measurements in samples from 18,386 wells and predictor variables that represent aspects of the hydrogeologic setting. Model results indicate that the carbonate content of soils and aquifer materials strongly controls pH and, when coupled with long flowpaths, results in the most alkaline conditions. Conversely, in areas where glacial sediments are thin and carbonate-poor, pH conditions remain acidic. At depths typical of drinking-water supplies, predicted pH >7.5-which is associated with arsenic mobilization-occurs more frequently than predicted pH <6-which is associated with water corrosivity and the mobilization of other trace elements. A novel aspect of this model was the inclusion of numerically based estimates of groundwater flow characteristics (age and flowpath length) as predictor variables. The sensitivity of pH predictions to these variables was consistent with hydrologic understanding of groundwater flow systems and the geochemical evolution of groundwater quality. The model was not developed to provide precise estimates of pH at any given location. Rather, it can be used to more generally identify areas where contaminants may be mobilized into groundwater and where corrosivity issues may be of concern to prioritize areas for future groundwater monitoring.

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Hydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States—A digital map compilation and database

Abstract: Puzzle pieces showing hydrogeologic terranes of the northern Midwest part of the map of the contiguous United States; from figure 2 of this report.

Cited by 6 publications

References 8 publications

Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites

Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites

Machine Learning Predicted Redox Conditions in the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern Continental United States

Machine Learning Predictions of pH in the Glacial Aquifer System, Northern USA

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