Reaction-Transport Phenomena in Hydrogeologic Settings

Ground-water transport and geochemical reactions play a significant role in many geological processes. Such processes include diagenesis, ore deposition, petroleum migration, hydrothermal activity, and evaporite formation. These processes are important in that they produce economic mineral deposits and alter the characteristics of aquifers and reservoirs from which we obtain water supplies and mineral resources. Many of these processes have been studied in terms of the geochemical reactions or the ground-water transport involved. However, in many circumstances the reactions and transport are inseparable. Because of the complexity of coupling equations of transport and chemical reactions, very few studies have been made thus far in which geochemical reactions and ground-water transport are coupled and analyzed simulataneously. Objectives of this project will be to understand the interaction of ground- water transport and geochemical reactions in hydrogeologic settings, including: interactions between geochemical reactions and solute transport, interactions between geochemical reactions and heat transport, and the effects of heat and solute transport on variable-density flow and transport in natural systems. Additional objectives will be to understand the implications these interactions have for the geologic processes being studied, and to develop more efficient methods for studying processes that involve both ground-water transport and geochemical reactions.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 1999-2008

Fratesi, S. E., Vacher, H. L., and Sanford, W. E., 2007, Effect of an offshore sinkhole perforation in a coastal confined aquifer on submarine groundwater discharge, in Sanford, W., Langevin, C., Polemio, M., and Povinec. P., eds., 2007, A new focus on groundwater-seawater interactions: IAHS Publication 312, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, p. 256-263. (on-line abstract)

Gohn, G.S., Sanford, W.E., Powars, D.S., Horton, J.W., Jr., Edwards, L.E., Morin, R.H., and Self-Trail, J.M., 2007, Site report for USGS test holes drilled at Cape Charles, Northampton County, Virginia, in 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1094, 22 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 2761 KB)

Hughes, J.D., Vacher, H.L., and Sanford, W.E., 2007, Three-dimensional flow in the Florida platform: Theoretical analysis of Kohout convection at its type locality: Geology, v. 35, no. 7, p. 663-666. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Langevin, C., Sanford, W., Polemio, M., and Povinec, P., 2007, Background and summary, in Sanford, W., Langevin, C., Polemio, M., and Povinec. P., eds., 2007, A new focus on groundwater-seawater interactions: IAHS Publication 312, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, p. 3-10. (on-line paper in pdf format, 263 KB

MacNeil, R.E., Sanford, W.E., Connor, C.B., Sandberg, S.K., and Diez, M., 2007, Investigation of the groundwater system at Masaya Caldera, Nicaragua, using transient electromagnetics and numerical simulation: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 166, no. 3-4, p. 217-232. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Sanford, W., Langevin, C., Polemio, M., and Povinec. P., eds., 2007, A new focus on groundwater-seawater interactions: IAHS Publication 312, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, 344 p. (on-line information)

Sanford, W. E., and Pope, J. P., 2007, A simulation of groundwater discharge and nitrate delivery toChesapeake Bay from the lowermost Delmarva Peninsula, USA., in Sanford, W., Langevin, C., Polemio, M., and Povinec. P., eds., 2007, A new focus on groundwater-seawater interactions: IAHS Publication 312, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, p. 326-333.

Wood, W.W., and Sanford, W.E., 2007, Atmospheric bromine flux from the coastal Abu Dhabi sabkhat: A ground-water mass balance investigation: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 34, 5 p., doi:10.1029/2007GL029922. (on-line abstract or on-line article in pdf fomat, 158 KB, published 2007 by American Geophysical Union, not subject to U.S. copyright)

Gohn, G.S., Koeberl, C., Miller, K.G., Reimold, W.U., Cockell, C.S., Horton, J.W., Sanford, W.E., and Voytek, M.A., 2006, Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure Drilled, EOS, Transactions: American Geophysical Union, v. 87, no. 35, p. 349, 355.

Ingebritsen, S.E., Sanford, W.E., and Neuzil, C.E., 2006, Groundwater in Geologic Processes , 2nd edition: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 536 p. (on-line book information)

Sanford, W.E., Caine, J.S., Wilcox, D.A., McWreath, H.C., and Nicholas, J.R., 2006, Research opportunities in interdisciplinary ground-water science in the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1293, 21 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1.9 MB)

Sanford, W.E., 2005, A simulation of the hydrothermal response to the Chesapeake Bay bolide impact: Geofluids, v. 5, p. 185-201. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Hughes, J.D., Sanford, W.E., and Vacher, H.L., 2005, Numerical simulation of double-diffusive finger convection , Water Resources Research, v. 41, 16 p., doi: 10.1029/2003WR002777. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Wood, W.W., Sanford, W.E., and Frape, S.K., 2005, Chemical openness and potential for misinterpretation of the solute environment of coastal sabkhat: Chemical Geology, v. 215, p. 361-372.(on-line abstract)

Hughes, J.D., and Sanford, W.E., 2004, SUTRA-MS -- A version of SUTRA modified to simulate heat and multiple-solute transport: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1207, 129 p. (on-line publication in pdf format)

Jones, G.D., Whitaker, F.F., Smart, P.L., Sanford, W.E., 2004, Numerical analysis of seawater circulation in carbonate platforms: II. The dynamic interaction between geothermal and brine reflux circulation: American Journal of Science, v. 304, p. 250-284.

Plummer, L.N., Bexfield, L.M., Anderholm, S.K., Sanford, W.E., and Busenberg, E., 2004, Hydrochemical tracers in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, USA: 1. Conceptualization of groundwater flow: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 12, no. 4, p. 359-388. (on-line abstract and on-line article or on-line article in pdf format, 1741 kb)

Plummer, L.N., Bexfield, L.M., Anderholm, S.K., Sanford, W.E., and Busenberg, E., 2004, Geochemical characterization of ground-water flow in the Santa Fe Group aquifer system, Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4131, 395p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 30 MB)

Plummer, L.N., Sanford, W.E., Bexfield, L.M., Anderholm, S.K., and Busenberg, E., 2004, Using geochemical data and aquifer simulation to characterize recharge and groundwater flow in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico, in Hogan, J., Phillips, F.M., and Scanlon, B., eds., Groundwater Recharge in a Desert Environment: The Southwestern United States: Water Science and Applications Series, v. 9, American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C., p. 185-216.

Sanford, W.E., 2004, Hydrothermal response to the Chesapeake Bay bolide impact, in Edwards, L.E., Horton, J.W.Jr., and Gohn, G.S., compilers, ICDP-USGS workshop on Deep drilling in the central crater of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA; proceedings: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2004-1016, p.42-43.

Sanford W.E., Gohn, G.S., Powars, D.S., Horton, J.W., Jr., Edwards, L.E., Self-Trail, J.M., and Morin, R.H., 2004, Drilling the central crater of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure: A first look: EOS, Transactions American Geophysical Union, v. 85, p. 369, 377.

Sanford, W.E., Plummer, L.N., McAda, D.P., Bexfield, L.M., and Anderholm, S.K., 2004, Hydrochemical tracers in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, USA: 2. Calibration of a groundwater-flow model: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 12, no. 4, p. 389-407. (on-line abstract and on-line article or on-line article in pdf format, 1817 kb)

Sanford, W.E., Plummer, L.N, McAda, D.P., Bexfield L.M., and Anderholm, S.K., 2004, Use of Environmental Tracers to Estimate Parameters for a Predevelopment Ground-Water-Flow Model of the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4286, 102 p.

Sanford, W., 2003, Heat flow and brine generation following the Chesapeake Bay bolide impact, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 78-79, p. 243-247. (on-line abstract)

Jones, G.D.,Whitaker, F.F., Smart, P.L., and Sanford, W.E., 2002, Fate of reflux brines in carbonate platforms: Geology, v, 30, no. 4, p. 371-374. (on-line abstract)

Sanford, W.E., 2002, Recharge and groundwater Models: An overview, Hydrogeology Journal, v. 10, no. 1, p. 110-120. (on-line abstract)

Sanford, W.E., Deak, J., and Revesz, K., 2002, Parameter estimation using carbon-14 ages: Lessons from the Danube-Tisza interfluvial region of Hungary, in Korvar, K. and Hrkal, Z., eds. ModelCARE 2002, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Calibration and Reliability in Groundwater Modeling, Prague, Czech Republic, 17-20 June 2002: Acta Universitatis Carolinae - Geologica 2002, v. 46, no. 2/3, p. 373-376.

Wood, W.W., and Sanford, W.E., 2002, Hydrogeology and solute chemistry of the Coastal-Sabkha Aquifer in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in Barth, H.J., and Boer, B., eds, Sabkha Ecosystems, volume 1, The Arabian Peninsula and adjacent countires: Tasks for Vegetation Science: Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, p. 173-185.

Wood, W.W., Sanford, W.E., and Abdul Rahman S.A.H., 2002, Source of solutes to the coastal sabkha of Abu Dhabi, The Geological Society of America, Bulletin, v. 114, no. 3, p. 259-268. (on-line abstract)

Sanford, W.E., Revesz, K., and Deak, J., 2001, Inverse modeling using ¹⁴C ages: Application to groundwater in the Danube-Tisza interfluvial region of Hungary, in Seiler, K.P. and Wohnlich, S., eds., New Approaches Characterizing Groundwater Flow, Proceedings of the XXXI International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress, Munich, Germany, September 2001: A.A. Balkema, p. 401-404.

Sanford, W.E., and Wood, W.W., 2001, Hydrology of the Coastal Sabkhas of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 9, no. 4, p. 358-366. (on-line abstract or on-line pdf file)

Wilson, A.M., Sanford W.E., Whitaker, F.F., and Smart, P.L., 2001, Spatial patterns of diagenesis during geothermal circulation in carbonate platforms: American Journal of Science, v. 301, no. 8, p. 727-752. (on-line abstract or on-line pdf file)

Jones, G., Whitaker, F.F., Smart, P.L. and Sanford, W.E., 2000, Numerical Modeling of geothermal and reflux circulation in Enewetak Atoll: implications for dolomitization: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 69-70, no. 1-3, p. 71-75. (on-line abstract)

Plummer, L.N., Bexfield, L.M., Anderholm, S.K., Sanford, W.E., and Busenberg, E. 2000, Geochemical characterization of ground water flow in parts of the Santa Fe Group aquifer, Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico, in Cole, J.C., ed., U.S. Geological Survey Middle Rio Grande Basin Study -- Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 15-16, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-488, p. 7-10.

Sanford, W.E., Plummer, L.N., McAda, D.P., Bexfield, L.M., and Anderholm, S.K., 2000, Estimation of hydrologic parameters for the ground-water model of the Middle Rio Grande Basin using carbon-14 and water-level data, in Cole, J.C., ed., U.S. Geological Survey Middle Rio Grande Basin Study -- Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 15-16, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-488, p. 4-6.

Wilson, A.M., Sanford, W.E., Whitaker, F.F. and Smart, P.L., 2000, Geothermal convection: mechanism for dolomitization at Enewetak Atoll: Journal of Geochemical Exploration 69-70, no. 1-3, p. 41-45. (on-line abstract)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Ward E. Sanford
U.S. Geological Survey, 431 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192
Email: wsanford@usgs.gov
Telephone: 703-648-5882

For information on additional projects in the National Research Program, see Indexes to NRP projects and bibliographies