Hydrogeological Research Sites and Observatories

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Université de Rennes 1, France, and Research Center Jülich, Germany, are cosponsoring the special session "Hydrogeological Research Sites and Observatories" at the 2008 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, in San Francisco, California, on December 15-19, 2008. Scientists from all over the world will present results of research on the fate of contaminants in the subsurface that's conducted at long-term hydrogeological research sites. The USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology (Toxics) Program has been conducting research at long-term hydrogeological research sites since 1984. Results from the Toxics Program's Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, New Jersey, and Mirror Lake, New Hampshire research sites will be presented.

Session Description

Long-term hydrogeological research sites have been developed over the last three decades to address topics such as characterization and modeling of flow and transport in heterogeneous and fractured media, biogeochemical process understanding, remediation, and waste disposal. These sites also are important testing grounds for new measurement and monitoring technologies. For example, at sites such as Borden, Cape Cod, MADE, Mirror Lake, and Stripa, multidisciplinary investigations have allowed significant advances in hydrogeological research. The datasets obtained include detailed characterization of the geological heterogeneity; system-state observations; and measurements from aquifer tests, tracer tests, and pilot scale remediation efforts. These datasets have been valuable for testing conceptual models and experimental methodologies, as shown by the numerous publications that they have generated.

This session will highlight the present state-of-the-art of broad topics relevant to hydrogeological research sites, from their development and management to the synthesis and application of data and results. We welcome contributions from both existing and planned hydrogeological field experiments or projects. We especially encourage contributions that examine the following questions: What approaches at existing sites have been successful? What do we learn from experimental sites? How can we couple measurements, models and theory? How can we build databases that include long term observations, experiments and detailed information about heterogeneity? How can the data be used by the scientific community? How can the results be transferred to address societal issues? Prospective talks about the new scientific questions that need to be addressed by experimental sites and the data that are critically missing are also welcome. This session represents an opportunity for fostering collaborations among scientists who develop, manage, and conduct investigations at hydrogeologic research sites; and among researchers who seek data and/or sites for testing methods, models and theories.

USGS Presentations

• Multidisciplinary Studies of the Fate and Transport of Contaminants in Ground Water at the U.S. Geological Survey Cape Cod Toxic Substances Hydrology Program Research Site, Massachusetts, by D.R. LeBlanc, R.L. Smith, D.B. Kent, L.B. Barber, and R.W. Harvey (INVITED)
• The Role of Forethought and Serendipity in Designing a Successful Hydrogeological Research Site, by A.M. Shapiro, and P.A. Hsieh
• Multidisciplinary investigation of the fate, transport, and remediation of chlorinated solvents in fractured rocks at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC): Scientific and management challenges, and strategies for a successful research program, by C.R. Tiedeman, D.J. Goode, A.M. Shapiro, P.J. Lacombe, F.H. Chapelle, P.M. Bradley, T.E. Imbrigiotta, J.H. Williams, G.P. Curtis, P.A. Hsieh
• Examining the Role of Topological Factors in Controlling the Hydraulic Conductivity of Granular Deposits Through the Analysis of Geophysical Well Logs: Results From the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Site, by R.H. Morin, D.R. LeBlanc

Conveners

• Tanguy Le Borgne, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France,
• Claire R. Tiedeman, USGS,
• Harry Vereecken, Research Center Jülich, Germany,

General Conference Information

• Conference Home Page
• Full Session Agenda - Part 1 - Part 2

More Information

• Chlorinated Solvents in Fractured Sedimentary Rock, Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Research Site, West Trenton, New Jersey
• Sewage Contamination in Sand and Gravel Aquifers, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• Subsurface Point-Source Contamination Investigations

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