SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP44881S

A Geologic and Flow-System-Based Rationale for Ground-Water Sampling

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Representative measurements of ground water require a sampling protocol based on the physical and hydraulic properties of the geologic materials. Measurements must be made within the context of the site and areal ground-water flow systems. A multizone geologic system in east-central Pennsylvania is used as an example of instrumentation by geologic and hydrologic criteria. Geology is that of a weathered, fractured, sedimentary rock mantle overlying deeper, less fractured, sedimentary rock strata.

The focus of this paper is on describing the domain of and controls on ground-water flow within the shallow (<15 m) and deep (15 to 100 m) fracture systems. A systematic approach, using commonly available information, identifies the areal extent, depth, hydraulic conductivity distribution, and paths of ground-water flow in the two systems. This approach was tested within a 7.4-km2 watershed and at stream-valley cross sections. The findings indicate that ground-water quality distribution is accurately portrayed in both settings if the sampling scheme is based on geologic and flow system controls. Ground-water sampling wells must be located, and their data interpreted, by grouping according to geology and the ground-water flow system elements of recharge, lateral flow, and discharge zones.

Author Information

Urban, JB
Northeast Watershed Research Center, USDA-ARS, University Park, PA
Gburek, WJ
Northeast Watershed Research Center, USDA-ARS, University Park, PA
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 468–481
DOI: 10.1520/STP44881S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5037-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0968-1