Project 16: Field Seismic and Groundwater Investigation to Identify Structural Features Relating to the Discharge of Contaminated Groundwater to Little Bayou Creek through Seeps
PROJECT MANAGER
Steve Hampson, Assistant Director, Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment, University of Kentucky
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Dr. Alan Fryar, Associate Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky
Dr. Edward W. Woolery, Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences
University of Kentucky
Dr. Stephen Greb, Geologist, Energy and Minerals Section, Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky
BACKGROUND
Investigators have identified continuous discharges of TCE/99Tc contaminated groundwater to Little Bayou Creek (LBC) through seeps that appear to be coincident with linear and structural features identified in the vicinity of the PGDP. Seep discharge of TCE contaminated groundwater into LBC at approximately 400 ug/L has been routinely documented over the last five (5) years. TCE concentrations of 400 ug/L in the distal portions of the Northwest Plume are not congruent with published nature, extent, and “mechanism for transport” conclusions for the Northwest Plume (NWP). Concentrations of TCE > 400 ug/L in groundwater have only been identified in NWP test borings and monitoring wells located 1.5 miles to the south of the LBC seeps.
This study will: 1) conduct automated continuous sampling of the LBC seeps to document and characterize the 99Tc discharge concentrations; 2) conduct weekly grab sampling to document and characterize TCE discharge concentrations; 3) Deploy seismic field and ground penetrating radar geophysical methods to identify the relationships of the LBC seeps to paleologic and structural features underlying distal reaches of Northwest Plume
GOALS
TIME FRAME
One Year.
DELIVERABLES
1. Quarterly progress reports.
2. Project progress presentation at quarterly meetings.
3. Report summarizing the stratigraphic and structural features related to the Northwest Plume and Little Bayou Creek contaminant seeps.
TIME FRAME
One year
TEAM MEMBERS
Dr. Alan Fryar, Associate Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky
Dr. Stephen Greb, Geologist, Energy and Minerals Section, Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky
Dr. Edward Woolery, Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky
One half-time, MS-level research assistant (to be named)
Steven Hampson, Assistant Director, Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment, University of Kentucky
KRCEE is a collaborative effort of Kentucky universities and is administered by the University of Kentucky.
