Geology topics
J. M. Neil
Publications and source records attributed to J. M. Neil.
Influence of redox potential on selenium distribution in ground water, Mendota, western San Joaquin Valley, California
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Test holes for monitoring surface-water/ground-water relations in the Cottonwood Creek area, Shasta and Tehama Counties, California, 1984-85
Ten test holes were drilled to obtain hydrogeologic information for an investigation of stream-aquifer interaction near proposed damsites on Cottonwood Creek and South Fork Cottonwood Creek, California. At each site, one deep well was completed below the first confining clay encountered in the upper Tehama Formation to determine hydraulic gradients between water-bearing deposits in the Tehama Formation and overlying channel deposits. At three sites along Cottonwood Creek, two shallow wells were drilled at each site on a line perpendicular to the stream channel to determine if groundwater in channel deposits is moving toward or away from the stream channel and to monitor water levels. Geophysical logs were correlated with lithologic logs compiled from analyses of drill cuttings to determine depths for setting well screens. After pumping to confirm hydraulic connection between each well and the Tehama Formation, water levels were monitored monthly from June 1984 to June 1985; at two sites, water levels were above the altitude of the stream channel bottom during all streamflow conditions. Tritium dating indicates two wells have water more than 100 years old; one well has either a mixture of old and new water or an intermediate-aged water. (USGS)
Data for selected pesticides and volatile organic compounds for wells in the western San Joaquin Valley, California, February to July 1985
During February to July 1985, water samples were collected from 55 wells in the western San Joaquin Valley, California, for chemical analysis to determine if 20 selected pesticides and 26 volatile organic compounds were present. Twenty-six of the sampled wells are completed in the shallow unconfined regional aquifer and 29 wells are completed in the deep confined regional aquifer. Water from six of the sampled wells, four of which are completed in the shallow unconfined aquifer, contained detectable levels of the pesticides or volatile organic compounds. Four samples contained a single pesticide, one sample contained two pesticides, and one sample contained 5.9 microgm/liter of toluene, a volatile organic compound. Five of the six pesticides detected were triazine herbicides; the maximum concentration was 0.2 microgm/liter. Four samples with detectable concentrations of triazine herbicides are from wells used for domestic water supply; however, drinking-water standards have not been established for triazine herbicides. (USGS)
Map of California showing distribution of selenium concentrations in wells sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1975-85
Samples from 230 wells in California were analyzed for dissolved selenium during 1975-85. Most of the sample wells are concentrated in eight areas of the State. Selenium was detected in all eight areas; however, only 6 of the 230 wells had concentrations greater than 10 micrograms per liter. Selenium was detected most frequently in wells of the Davis-Woodland area of the Sacramento Valley and in wells in Santa Barbara County.
Dissolved-selenium data for wells in the western San Joaquin Valley, California, February to July 1985
Water samples were collected for selenium analysis from 63 wells in western San Joaquin Valley, California, during February to July 1985. Results of the data collection indicate that dissolved selenium concentrations ranged from less than 1 to 120 micrograms per liter; more than 50 percent of the wells sampled had concentrations of less than 1 microgram per liter. Four additional samples collected from public supply wells in the western valley had concentrations ranging from less than 1 to 2 micrograms per liter. All samples from five public supply wells east of the study area had concentrations less than 1 microgram per liter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's drinking-water standard of 10 micrograms per liter for selenium was slightly exceeded in 2 of 39 domestic wells (11 and 13 micrograms per liter) and substantially exceeded in 2 of 11 irrigation and agricultural wells (55 and 120 micrograms per liter). (USGS)