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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Environmental Geosciences (DEG)

Abstract

 

Groundwater Quality Implications of Bank-Storage in a Crystalline-Rock Setting

James R. Mayer1, Jonathan Brinson2 and Barry George3

1 Geosciences Department, State University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118
2 Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, SD 57701
3 Geosciences Department, State University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118

James Mayer is a hydrogeologist with the Department of Geosciences, State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. His current research interests are stream–groundwater interaction and karst hydrogeology. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, his M.S. from Cornell University, and his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Barry George recently graduated from the State University of West Georgia where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.

Jonathan Brinson is currently seeking a M.S. in Geological Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. He received his B.S. from the State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.

ABSTRACT

 
Numerical simulation of interaction between a river and adjacent alluvium and saprolite groundwaters in the Piedmont physiographic province of western Georgia, U.S.A. suggests that bank storage in this crystalline-rock setting is mediated by elastic storativity rather than the more commonly assumed piston flow. Hydraulic head responds almost instantly to river stage increase despite relatively low hydraulic conductivity of surficial materials. Modeling suggests that aquifer hydraulic head variation is primarily a pressure response to stream stage change and that very little infiltration of river water into alluvium and saprolite occurs. Most unconfined aquifer bank storage models do not account for elastic effects and will therefore greatly underpredict the rate and magnitude of groundwater hydraulic head change and greatly overpredict surface water infiltration. Results suggest that groundwater adjacent to this and similar streams in crystalline-rock settings is not necessarily threatened by contamination from passing surface-water flood waves, even when a strong hydraulic connection between river and groundwater exists and even in cases where hydraulic gradient reverses and is temporarily directed from the river into its banks. Because this site is typical of many near-stream sites in the Piedmont and other crystalline-rock settings, these results may be widely applicable.

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