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Submarine Groundwater Discharge in the Delaware Estuary

EPA Grant Number: U915363
Title: Submarine Groundwater Discharge in the Delaware Estuary
Investigators: Schwartz, Matthew
Institution: University of Delaware
EPA Project Officer: Boddie, Georgette
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through January 1, 2001
Project Amount: $102,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1998)
Research Category: Fellowship - Oceanography , Academic Fellowships , Aquatic Ecosystems

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to assess the biogeochemical impact of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into the Delaware Estuary by quantifying the groundwater flux magnitude and characterizing the associated groundwater chemistry.

Approach:

Excess radon (Rn) is used as a natural tracer of groundwater inputs into estuarine waters. By measuring the excess Rn activity in estuarine surface waters, the Rn activity in source aquifers and various other Rn fluxes (e.g., sediments, porewaters, and air-sea exchange), the groundwater flux magnitude can be calculated. Nutrient and contaminant fluxes can be calculated using this modeled groundwater flux, and the chemistry of the groundwater can be discharged. These inputs then can be studied in the context of our extensive biogeochemical background information for the Delaware Estuary to assess the biogeochemical impact of SGD in the Estuary (and other regional estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River). Any biogeochemical impact related to SGD relates directly with the "health" of an estuary with respect to anthropogenic inputs and development and natural biogeochemical cycling.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, groundwater, hydrogeology, contaminants, biogeochemistry, estuary, radon, RN, estuary, nutrient, Delaware, Delaware estuary, submarine groundwater discharge, SGD, anthropogenic, estuarine. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Toxics, Water, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Oceanography, estuarine research, HAPS, Ecology, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Aquatic Ecosystem, Mid-Atlantic, Ecological Indicators, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Ecology and Ecosystems, Geochemistry, Radionuclides (including radon)5, groundwater, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), submarine groundwater discharge, estuarine waters

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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