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Applied Geophysics: Toxic Substances Hydrology Research

Overview

Two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity field set up at Naval Air Warfare Center research site, New Jersey. Eric White (USGS OGW BG) walks the 2D-resistivity line, collecting GPS data.

Applied geophysical research at the USGS Office of Ground Water, Branch of Geophysics (OGW BG) focuses on the development and modification of surface, borehole, and water-borne geophysical characterization and monitoring methods as applied to ground-water investigations and on the testing of newly developed and emerging geophysical technologies. As part of this work, OGW BG conducts applied research on the use of geophysical methods to provide increasingly quantitative spatial and temporal information about subsurface structure, hydrologic processes, and the distribution of tracers or contaminants. Support from the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program provides full funding for some projects as well as seed money for other areas of applied research at OGW BG.

Projects & Activities

Hydrologic Systems Assessment

Ongoing research:

Integrated Borehole Geophysical Logging for Characterization of the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), New Jersey

Integrated Surface Geophysical Methods for Characterization of the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), New Jersey

Past research:

Development and Testing of New Square-Array Resistivity Sounding Method (Mirror Lake/Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampsire)

Vertical-Radar Profiling for Porosity Estimation in Porous Media (Massachusetts Military Reservation, Cape Cod, Massachusetts)

Mapping of Leachate Plume Through Resistivity and EM Measurements of Local Trees (University of Connecticut landfill study area, Connecticut)

Hydrologic and Remedial Process Monitoring

Ongoing research:

Monitoring Rate-Limited Mass Transfer Using Geophysics (Charleston, South Carolina)

Borehole Geophysical Methods Used to Monitor Amendment Emplacement and Geochemistry Changes During Vegetable Oil Biostimulation (U.S. Navy Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant (NIROP), Fridley, Minnesota)

Optimized Enhanced Bioremediation through 4D Geophysical Monitoring and Autonomous Data Collection, Processing, and Analysis (Brandywine Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland)

Past research:

Mapping Aquifer Heterogeneity: Integrated Analysis of Geophysical and Hydraulic Data (Massachusetts Military Reservation, Cape Cod, Massachusetts)

Borehole-Radar Methods Used to Monitor a Steam-Enhanced Remediation Pilot Study (Former Loring Air Force Base, Maine)

Geophysical Monitoring of Oil-Injection Remediation Pilot Study (Orlando, Florida)

Borehole Imaging of In Situ Stress Tests (Mirror Lake/Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampsire)

Borehole Radar Imaging of Injected Permeable Reactive-Iron Wall (Massachusetts Military Reservation, Cape Cod, Massachusetts)