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Research about Tennessee

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Tennessee.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
USGS2001

Ground-water levels and water-quality data for wells in the Spring Creek area near Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, April and May 2000

Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB) occupies about 40,000 acres in Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tennessee. Numerous site-specific ground-water contamination investigations have been conducted at designated solid waste management units (SWMU’s) at AAFB. Several synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), primarily chlorinated solvents, have been identified in groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells near SWMU 8 in the Spring Creek area. During April and May 2000, a study of the groundwater resources in the Spring Creek area was conducted to determine if VOC’s from AAFB have affected local private water supplies and to advance understanding of the ground-water-flow system in this area. The study focused on sampling private wells located within the Spring Creek area that are used as a source of drinking water. Ground-water-flow directions were determined by measuring water levels in wells and constructing a potentiometric-surface map of the Manchester aquifer in the study area. Data were collected from a total of 35 private wells and 22 monitoring wells during the period of study. Depths to ground water were determined for 22 of the private wells and all 22 of the monitoring wells. The wells ranged in depth from 21 to 105 feet. Water-level altitudes ranged from 930 to 1,062 feet above sea level. Depths to water ranged from 8 to 83 feet below land surface. Water-quality samples were collected from 29 private wells which draw water from either gravel zones in the upper part of the Manchester aquifer, fractured bedrock in the lower part of the Manchester aquifer, or a combination of these two zones. Concentrations of 50 of the 55 VOC’s analyzed for were less than method detection limits. Chloroform, acetone, chloromethane, 2-butanone, and tetrachloroethylene were detected in concentrations exceeding the method detection limits. Only chloroform and acetone were detected in concentrations equal to or exceeding reporting limits. Chloroform was detected in a sample from one well at a concentration of 1.2 micrograms per liter (µg/L). Acetone was detected in a sample from another well at a concentration of 10 µg/L. Acetone also was detected in a duplicate sample from the same well at an estimated concentration of 7.2 µg/L, which is less than the reporting limit for acetone. The only contaminant of concern detected was tetrachloroethylene. Tetrachloroethylene was detected in only one sample, and this detection was at an estimated concentration below the reporting limit. None of the VOC concentrations exceeded drinking water maximum contaminant levels for public water systems.

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USGS2001

Ground-water hydrology and water-quality data for wells, springs, and surface-water sites in the Bradley-Brumalow creeks area near Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, September to December 1999

Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB) occupies about 40,000 acres in Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tennessee. The primary mission of AAFB is to support the development of aerospace systems. This mission is accomplished through test facilities at Arnold Engineering Development Center AEDC), which occupies about 4,000 acres in the center of AAFB. Several synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), primarily chlorinated solvents, have been identified in ground-water samples at AEDC. Private groundwater supplies in the Bradley-Brumalow Creeks area are hydraulically downgradient from AEDC and could be affected by transport of VOC’s in the ground water at AEDC. From September to December 1999, a comprehensive investigation of the groundwater resources in the Bradley-Brumalow Creeks area was conducted to determine if VOC’s from AEDC have affected local private water supplies and to advance understanding of the ground-water-flow system in this area. The investigation focused on locating and sampling all private water wells and springs located within the Bradley-Brumalow Creeks area that are used as a source of drinking water, though not all of the wells and springs sampled are currently used as a source of drinking water. Ground-water-flow directions were investigated by conducting base-flow stream measurements, measuring water levels in wells, and constructing a potentiometric-surface map of the Manchester aquifer in the study area. Data were collected from a total of 150 private and 88 monitoring wells during the course of the study. Depths to ground water were determined for 103 of the private wells and 86 of the monitoring wells. The wells ranged in depth from 14 to 167 feet deep. Water-level altitudes ranged from 946 to 1,081 feet above sea level. Depths to water ranged from 3 to 93 feet below land surface. Water-quality samples were collected from all 150 private wells that draw water from the Manchester aquifer. Additionally, a reconnaissance of 8 springs and 33 surface-water sites was conducted in the Bradley-Brumalow Creeks area. Discharge measurements were made at 5 of the 8 springs and all 33 of the surface-water sites as part of the regional base-flow component of the study. Water-quality samples were collected at 8 of the springs and 9 of the surface-water sites. Water-level-altitude data collected from wells and base-flow data collected from streams and springs were used to construct a regional potentiometric-surface map of the Manchester aquifer in the study area. Several notable features are illustrated on the map, including a groundwater divide that roughly follows the regional surface-water divide, a “saddle” along the groundwater divide lying northeast of AEDC, and two prominent groundwater“troughs” (valleys) extending east and southeast from the divide toward Bradley Creek. Water-quality samples collected from the 150 private wells, 8 springs, and 9 surface-water sites in the Bradley-Brumalow Creeks area were analyzed for major ions and VOC’s. The sampled water is predominantly of the calcium bicarbonate type. Specific conductance for sampled water ranged from 10 to 788 microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm), with a median of 104 µS/cm. The range and median value for pH in sampled water were 4.5 to 8.0, and 6.3, respectively. Concentrations of most of the VOC’s analyzed for were less than detection limits. None of the sample results exceed drinking water maximum contaminant levels for public water systems. However, some compounds were detected in concentrations exceeding analytical reporting levels. Two wells produced samples containing toluene in concentrations of 1.4 and 1.3 µg/L. Chloroform also was detected in the sample from another well at a concentration of 2.4 µg/L. Other contaminants of concern were detected in estimated concentrations less than their reporting limits, referred to as estimated values. Samples from three wells showed the presence of tetrachloroethylene (PCE). Estimated concentrations of PCE in the samples ranged from 0.13 to 0.74 µg/L. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in a sample from one of the three wells (0.35 µg/L). 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) was detected in another well (0.13 µg/L). Dichlo-rodifluoromethane was detected in samples from three other wells. Estimated concentrations of dichlorodifluoromethane ranged from 0.23 to 1.1 µg/L. Samples from another well, a spring, and a surface-water station also showed the presence of trace amounts of toluene. Estimated concentrations of toluene ranged from 0.11 to 0.47 µg/L. Benzene was detected in a sample from one well at an estimated concentration of 0.18 µg/L. Xylenes and ethylbenzene were detected in the samples from another well at estimated concentrations of 0.38 and 0.1 µg/L, respectively. For the VOC’s detected, the fre-quency of detections and median concentrations are compared to data from ambient rural ground water. Most of these volatile organic compounds, particularly the chlorinated solvents PCE, TCE, and 1,1,1-TCA, occur at concentrations above these ambient levels in the ground water at several solid waste management unit sites at AAFB. Collectively, data obtained during the study can aid in the understanding of regional ground-water-flow pathways and their relation to activities at AAFB.

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USGS2001

Hydrogeology and ground-water flow in the Memphis and Fort Pillow aquifers in the Memphis area, Tennessee

On the basis of known hydrogeology of the Memphis and Fort Pillow aquifers in the Memphis area, a three-layer, finite-difference numerical model was constructed and calibrated as the primary tool to refine understanding of flow in the aquifers. The model was calibrated and tested for accuracy in simulating measured heads for nine periods of transient flow from 1886-1985. Testing and sensitivity analyses indicated that the model accurately simulated observed heads areally as well as through time. The study indicates that the flow system is currently dominated by the distribution of pumping in relation to the distribution of areally variable confining units. Current withdrawal of about 200 million gallons per day has altered the prepumping flow paths, and effectively captured most of the water flowing through the aquifers. Ground-water flow is controlled by the altitude and location of sources of recharge and discharge, and by the hydraulic characteristics of the hydrogeologic units. Leakage between the Fort Pillow aquifer and Memphis aquifer, and between the Memphis aquifer and the water-table aquifers (alluvium and fluvial deposits) is a major component of the hydrologic budget. The study indicates that more than 50 percent of the water withdrawn from the Memphis aquifer in 1980 is derived from vertical leakage across confining units, and the leakage from the shallow aquifer (potential source of contamination) is not uniformly distributed. Simulated leakage was concentrated along the upper reaches of the Wolf and Loosahatchie Rivers, along the upper reaches of Nonconnah Creek, and the surficial aquifer of the Mississippi River alluvial plain. These simulations are supported by the geologic and geophysical evidence suggesting relatively thin or sandy confining units in these general locations. Because water from surficial aquifers is inferior in quality and more susceptible to contamination than water in the deeper aquifers, high rates of leakage to the Memphis aquifer may be cause for concern. A significant component of flow (12 percent) discharging from the Fort Pillow aquifer was calculated as upward leakage to the Memphis aquifer. This upward leakage was generally limited to areas near major pumping centers in the Memphis aquifer, where heads in the Memphis aquifer have been drawn significantly below heads in the Fort Pillow aquifer. Although the Fort Pillow aquifer is not capable of producing as much water as the Memphis aquifer for similar conditions, it is nonetheless a valuable resource throughout the area.

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USGS2000

Lead exposure in American black ducks after implementation of non-toxic shot

Lead poisoning from the ingestion of spent shotgun pellets has been recognized as an important disease of North American waterfowl since Bellrose's (1959) research >40 years ago. Nation-wide regulations banning the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting were established in 1991. We compared the prevalence of lead exposure in American black ducks ( Anas rubripes ) wintering on 2 areas in Tennessee before (1986-88) and after the ban (1997-99) to assess the effect of the ban on lead shot on this species. Prevalence of elevated blood lead in black ducks declined by 44% from before (11.7% prevalence) to after (6.5% prevalence) the implementation of non-toxic shot. The reduction in lead exposure was pronounced in adult black ducks (from 14.3% to 5.3%). However, prevalence in lead exposure remained similar in juvenile black ducks (from 8.2% to 8.3%). Additional evidence from lead ingestion and lead poisoning mortality events also indicates that lead exposure has declined in waterfowl in the Mississippi flyway. We believe that lead ingestion will continue to decline, despite the persistence of lead shot in some wetlands. The impact of reduced lead exposure on waterfowl populations needs to be assessed.

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USGS2000

Superfund GIS - 1:250,000 Geology of Tennessee

This data set is a digital representation of the printed 1:250,000 geologic maps from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Geology. The coverage was designed primarily to provide a more detailed geologic base than the 1:2,500,000 King and Beikman (1974). 1:24,000 scale coverage of the state is available for about 40 percent of the state. Formation names and geologic unit codes used in the coverage are from the Tennessee Division of Geology published maps and may not conform to USGS nomenclature. The Tennessee Division of Geology can be contacted at (615) 532-1500

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USGS2000

Biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes at a karst site in middle Tennessee

This report presents results of field and laboratory investigations examining the biodegradation of chlorinated ethenes in a karst aquifer contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). The study site, located in Middle Tennessee, was selected because of the presence of TCE degradation byproducts in the karst aquifer and available site hydrologic and chlorinated-ethene information. Additional chemical, biological, and hydrologic data were gathered to evaluate whether the occurrence of TCE degradation byproducts in the karst aquifer was the result of biodegradation within the aquifer or simply transport into the aquifer. Geochemical analysis established that sulfate-reducing conditions, essential for reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents, existed in parts of the contaminated karst aquifer. Other areas of the aquifer fluctuated between anaerobic and aerobic conditions and contained compounds associated with cometabolism, such as ethane, methane, ammonia, and dissolved oxygen. A large, diverse bacteria population inhabits the contaminated aquifer. Bacteria known to biodegrade TCE and other chlorinated solvents, such as sulfate-reducers, methanotrophs, and ammonia-oxidizers, were identified from karst-aquifer water using the RNA-hybridization technique. Results from microcosms using raw karst-aquifer water found that aerobic cometabolism and anaerobic reductive-dechlorination degradation processes were possible when appropriate conditions were established in the microcosms. These chemical and biological results provide circumstantial evidence that several biodegradation processes are active in the aquifer. Additional site hydrologic information was developed to determine if appropriate conditions persist long enough in the karst aquifer for these biodegradation processes to be significant. Continuous monitoring devices placed in four wells during the spring of 1998 indicated that pH, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and oxidation-reduction potentials changed very little in areas isolated from active ground-water flow paths. These stable areas in the karst aquifer had geochemical conditions and bacteria conducive to reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes. Other areas of the karst aquifer were associated with active ground-water flow paths and fluctuated between anaerobic and aerobic conditions in response to rain events. Associated with this dynamic environment were bacteria and geochemical conditions conducive to cometabolism. In summary, multiple lines of evidence developed from chemical, biological, and hydrologic data demonstrate that a variety of biodegradation processes are active in this karst aquifer.

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USGS1999

Efficacy of identifying stocked crappies in a Tennessee reservoir through oxytetracycline marking

Oxytetracycline (OTC) immersion was used to identify black-nosed crappies, a morphological variation of black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus , stocked into Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, during fall 1997. The technique effectively marked 97% of the treated fish. Analysis of one otolith per fish by one reader successfully identified 98% of marked and unmarked fish in a blind test. Marks were formed before annulus formation and were not obscured by annulus-related autofluorescence, suggesting that OTC can be effectively used late in the year (Oct and Nov) in Tennessee.

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USGS1998

Faulting along the southern margin of Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Approximately 320 km of deep seismic-reflection profiles in northwestern Tennessee reveal the structure of a major portion of the southeastern margin of the Reelfoot Rift. This rift margin consists of at least two major down-to-the-west late Precambrian to Cambrian normal faults. Maximum fault displacement at one location is 3 km. These two faults strike N50°E, in their northern portions; over their southern extent they trend N30°E however. Numerous faults in these reflection lines displace Paleozoic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary reflectors. The dominantly reverse faulting, folding, and positive flower structures in the shallower section indicate Eocene or younger transpression. We believe the late Tertiary faulting is due to reactivation of the basement faults, because on some of the reflection lines basement normal faults can be traced into Tertiary reverse faults, the Tertiary faults parallel the basement faults, and the Tertiary faults overlie or are adjacent to the basement faults. Numerous faults displace the highest (youngest) reflectors and therefore we do not know how recently faulting has occurred. Previous studies have identified Quaternary faulting within the southeastern Reelfoot Rift margin of western Tennessee, however. Thus, we believe all of the late Tertiary faults identified in this research should be evaluated for possible Quaternary movement.

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USGS1998

Caradocian chitinozoans from the Central Basin, Tennessee

Chitinozoans occur in low numbers and diversity in all formations of the Caradocian Stones River and Nashville Groups of the Central Basin, Tennessee. Sixteen species have been found in the interval studied: Belonechitina micracantha, B. robusta, B. seriespinosa, B. wesenbergensis, Calpichitina lata, Conochitina elegans, C. minnesotensis, Cyathochitina kuckersiana, Desmochitina minor, Lagenochitina cf. L. baltica, Pistillachitina pistillifrons, Rhabdochitina magna, R. turgida, R. usitata, Sphaerochitina actonica and Spinachitina multiradiata . On the basis of the chitinozoans present, the lower part of the Stones River Group is correlated to the North American Black Riveran Stage interval (British lower Caradocian Series). The upper part of the Stones River Group and the Nashville Group are correlated to the Black Riveran-Edenian interval (lower to middle Caradocian).

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USGS1998

Effects of reservoir hydrology on reproduction by largemouth bass and spotted bass in Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee

Age-0 largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and spotted bass M. punctulatus were collected from Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, 1992–1996, to evaluate effects of reservoir hydrology and hatching of shad Dorosoma spp. on hatching and first-year growth and survival of these two species. Fish were collected in cove rotenone samples in early Aug and electrofishing samples biweekly throughout the summer; hatch dates and age-specific growth for both species were determined from cove samples with sagittal otoliths. Hatching of both species ranged from early April to early Jun. Initiation of largemouth bass spawning, but not spotted bass spawning, was positively related to the first day water levels achieved full pool. Mean hatch dates of both species were positively related to the first day of full pool. Timing of spawning for both species was not related to water temperature. Largemouth bass exhibited bimodal length-frequency distributions by midsummer in two wet years and length frequencies were unimodal in dry years; spotted bass always formed unimodal length-frequency distributions. When largemouth bass exhibited bimodal length distributions, earlier hatched fish grew faster than later hatched fish. Spotted bass grew at similar rates, regardless of hatch date, every year except during 1992 when later hatched fish grew faster than earlier hatched fish. Weekly survival of largemouth bass in their first summer was positively related to reservoir water level. First-year growth of both species was not directly affected by the timing of threadfin shad D. petenense or gizzard shad D. cepedianum hatching.

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USGS1998

Rainfall and water-level data for a wetland area near Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee, October 1996 through September 1997

Rainfall amounts and water levels at a degraded wetland area near Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee, were collected to assist the Tennessee Department of Transportation with a program designed to restore the wetland to a more natural condition. The site is located along a channelized reach of Big Creek Drainage Canal, east of State Route 240, and near the southeastern boundary of the Naval Support Activity Memphis, Millington. Rainfall amounts were recorded at 5-minute intervals using a tipping-bucket rain gage from October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1997. Total rainfall for this period was 70.16 inches. In general, water levels at the wetland were above or near the ground surface during the 6-month period from the first of January through June 1997. For the remainder of the year, water levels generally subsided to several feet below land surface. However, some locations within the wetland were wet or highly saturated year round.

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USGS1997

Rainfall and water-level data for a wetland area near Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee, October 1995 through September 1996

Rainfall amounts and water levels were collected at a wetland area near Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee, to assist the Tennessee Department of Transportation with a program of wetland restoration. The site is located along a channelized reach of Big Creek Drainage Canal, east of State Route 240, and near the southern boundary of Naval Support Activity Memphis. Rainfall amounts and water levels for the site were recorded from October 1, 1995 to September 30, 1996. Total rainfall for this period was 47.58 inches. In general, water levels at the wetland were above or near the ground surface during the 6-month period from the first of January through the end of June 1996. For the remainder of the year, water levels generally subsided to several feet below land surface. However, some locations within the wetland were wet or highly saturated year round.

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