Geological Society of America

8 D3. Environmental Geology (Posters)

Thursday, 12 April 2018
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 301 DE/Henley Concourse

GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE PINEY POINT AQUIFER

Paper number: 8-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Elizabeth Keily Presenting Author
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Glen Allen, VA
Arif M. Sikder
Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Richmond, VA
Mohammad Alauddin
Wagner College, Staten Island, VA
S. Leigh McCallister
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
Daniel Boehling
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA

Abstract

Sediments are the main sink for heavy metals in aquatic systems. Trace element concentrations in groundwater typically reflect the solid phases of the aquifer, but can vary depending on redox potential and the presence of organic matter, as well as anthropogenic activities. The present study will focus on the Piney Point aquifer, which accounts for roughly 5 percent of the groundwater supply in the Virginia Coastal Plain. The objective of this study is to assess the vulnerability of the Piney Point aquifer to trace element contamination released from its sediments. This will be conducted by preforming batch leaching experiments on the bulk sediments and observing the trace elements that are released into leachate solutions at high and low pH, as well as at ambient water conditions. As a study of this kind has not been performed in the Virginia Coastal Plain, this will provide a baseline of trace element concentrations for the Piney Point aquifer, as well as potential concentrations released in the event of pH change in the aquifer.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 3

doi: 10.1130/abs/2018SE-313272

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