USGS - science for a changing world

USGS Groundwater Information: Hydrogeophysics Branch

*  Home *  Resources *  Research *  Publications *  About *  Contact Us *  Groundwater Information

ATTENTION:
As part of improvements to the USGS Water Resources Mission Area web presence to better serve you, this site is being sunset.
As some content is migrated to new locations, users will be redirected automatically.
In the interim, these pages are not being updated.
If you have questions, please contact the Hydrogeophysics Branch at hgb_help@usgs.gov

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Internal USGS users should bookmark our new HGB internal home page: https://water.usgs.gov/usgs/espd/hgb/


Borehole geophysics for investigations of ground-water contamination in fractured bedrock

Williams, John H. and Anderson, J. Alton, U. S. Geological Survey, 425 Jordan Road, Troy NY 12180

Abstract

Borehole geophysics has provided critical information for investigations of groundwater contamination in fractured bedrock. The U.S. Geological Survey has applied borehole-geophysical methods at sites contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and underlain by sedimentary and crystalline bedrock in the Northeast and California. These methods include gamma and induction logging; borehole imaging (acoustic and optical televiewer); and fluid-property logging (specific conductance and temperature), single- and cross-hole flowmeter testing (heat pulse and electromagnetic), and point sampling for VOCs under ambient and pumped conditions. Integrated analysis of the borehole geophysical logs helped to delineate lithology; correlate stratigraphic units; and define the distribution and orientation of bedding, foliation, and fractures. The analysis also helped to characterize the distribution of fracture-flow zones; quantify vertical flow between zones in open boreholes under ambient and pumped conditions; and estimate transmissivity, hydraulic head, and connectivity of the zones. The geohydrologic information gained through the application of borehole geophysics was useful for general site characterization and source identification as well as the design and evaluation of monitoring and remediation programs.


The presentation given for this abstract is available online from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Support Project Semi-Annual Meeting (Niagara Falls, New York, October 20-23, 2003) web site.


Final copy as submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Support Project Semi-Annual Meeting for publication as: Williams, J.H., and Anderson, J.A., 2003, Borehole geophysics for investigation of ground-water contamination in fractured rock [abs.], in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technical Support Project Semi-Annual Meeting, Niagara Falls, New York, October 20-23, 2003: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed February 4, 2004, at http://www.epa.gov/tio/tsp/download/2003_meeting_fall/williams_john_abstract.pdf

USGS Home Water
Climate and Land Use Change Core Science Systems Ecosystems Energy and Minerals Environmental Health Natural Hazards

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/publications/EPATSP_2003_Williams/index.html
Page Contact Information: Contact the Hydrogeophysics Branch
Page Last Modified: Thursday, 29-Dec-2016 20:02:59 EST