2 Advances in characterizing groundwater, surface water, and their interactions

This session focuses on characterizing groundwater, surface water, and their interactions through fieldwork, modeling, and data synthesis. We welcome submissions addressing flow, transport, water quality, and water levels under both typical and extreme conditions.

Sunday, 22 March 2026
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CCC, Room 25

Geothermal Energy Utilization New York City and Geological Considerations- Six Case Studies

Paper number: 2-12
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

Abstract

New York City’s geology is quite complex and varies throughout the five boroughs, presenting   challenges for implementing Geothermal Heat Pump systems. Northern Manhattan contains bedrock of metamorphic rocks, till. glacial deposits. Whereas the central and southern margins of the island artificial landfill. Westchester, the Bronx, Northern Queens-Brooklyn and Staten Island contain metamorphic. Paleozoic’s Mesozoic  sedimentary rocks. Central and Southern Brooklyn-Queens are underlain by soft soils.  

 The presence of ground water aquifers and their geochemical characteristics fluctuate considerably, between adjacent properties and determine which systems are suitable ground coupling selection. The selection of a Geothermal Heat Pump System for a site is  based on 1)depth to bedrock,2)rock strength,3)thermal gradients,3)ground water yield 4)hydraulic conductivity,5 )ground water quality 6) ground water quality and temperature, and 7)aquifer thickness

The purpose of this presentation is review case studies of 6 currently operating geothermal energy  systems : 1) Brooklyn Children’s Museum(  upper glacial aquifer, Jameco Aquifer,2 supply and 2 diffusion wells,23 pumps,  55000 sq. ft., open loop vertical GHP , 2,661,000 BTU heating, 275 tons cooling)  2) Queens Botanical Garden ( upper glacial , Jameco Aquifer- Magothy Aquifer ,1 supply and 2 diffusion wells, 8 pumps, 4 used a one time, 16000 sq. ft., open loop vertical  GHP ,378,100 BTU/h heating, 37 tons cooling  ( 3) Weeksville Heritage ( upper glacial, Jameco ,Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers, 48 boreholes 20 feet apart, loop 10 pumps, 16,400 sq. ft., closed loop vertical GHP, 108 tons cooling  4) Lion House Bronx Zoo ( interconnected network fractures with secondary porosity, 5 wells , 6 pumps,40000 sq. ft.,  standing column vertical GHP, 1,057,000 BU/h heating,56 tons cooling  5)Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor ( low secondary permeability ,pilot borehole , no pumps,16,800 sq. ft., standing column vertical GHP , no feasible for SCW) and 6)New design Snug Harbor Geothermal(heat exchange through PVC, 32 boreholes, 5 pumps, 16800  sq. ft., closed loop vertical GHP, 1,114,400 BU/h heating ,91.5 tons cooling).

Problems encountered with geothermal energy utilization include buildups of biofilm on screens, mineral deposits, back pressures/low flow rates, fragments of bedrock, and lack of water. Solutions include water aeration, raising water temperature, UV purification system, pulsing and nitrogen gas, PVC piping in boreholes, and  stainless steel casing.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026NE-411107

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