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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 1,243 records · Page 69Linked to original sources
USGS2010

A multilayered sharp interface model of coupled freshwater and saltwater flow in coastal systems: Model development and application

A quasi three-dimensional, finite difference model, that simulates freshwater and saltwater flow separated by a sharp interface, has been developed to study layered coastal aquifer systems. The model allows for regional simulation of coastal groundwater conditions, including the effects of saltwater dynamics on the freshwater system. Vertically integrated freshwater and saltwater flow equations incorporating the interface boundary condition are solved within each aquifer. Leakage through confining layers is calculated by Darcy's law, accounting for density differences across the layer. The locations of the interface tip and toe, within grid blocks, are tracked by linearly extrapolating the position of the interface. The model has been verified using available analytical solutions and experimental results. Application of the model to the Soquel-Aptos basin, Santa Cruz County, California, illustrates the use of the quasi three-dimensional, sharp interface approach for the examination of freshwater-saltwater dynamics in regional systems. Simulation suggests that the interface, today, is still responding to long-term Pleistocene sea level fluctuations and has not achieved equilibrium with present day sea level conditions.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

An efficient deterministic-probabilistic approach to modeling regional groundwater flow: 1. Theory

An efficient probabilistic model is developed and cascaded with a deterministic model for predicting water table elevations in regional aquifers. The objective is to quantify model uncertainty where precise estimates of water table elevations may be required. The probabilistic model is based on the two-point probability method which only requires prior knowledge of uncertain variables mean and coefficient of variation. The two-point estimate method is theoretically developed and compared with the Monte Carlo simulation method. The results of comparisons using hypothetical determinisitic problems indicate that the two-point estimate method is only generally valid for linear problems where the coefficients of variation of uncertain parameters (for example, storage coefficient and hydraulic conductivity) is small. The two-point estimate method may be applied to slightly nonlinear problems with good results, provided coefficients of variation are small. In such cases, the two-point estimate method is much more efficient than the Monte Carlo method provided the number of uncertain variables is less than eight.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

An efficient deterministic-probabilistic approach to modeling regional groundwater flow: 2. Application to Owens Valley, California

The applicability of a deterministic-probabilistic model for predicting water tables in southern Owens Valley, California, is evaluated. The model is based on a two-layer deterministic model that is cascaded with a two-point probability model. To reduce the potentially large number of uncertain variables in the deterministic model, lumping of uncertain variables was evaluated by sensitivity analysis to reduce the total number of uncertain variables to three variables: hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient or specific yield, and source-sink function. Results demonstrate that lumping of uncertain parameters reduces computational effort while providing sufficient precision for the case studied. Simulated spatial coefficients of variation for water table temporal position in most of the basin is small, which suggests that deterministic models can predict water tables in these areas with good precision. However, in several important areas where pumping occurs or the geology is complex, the simulated spatial coefficients of variation are over estimated by the two-point probability method.

California↗
USGS2010

Comparison of Darcian flow in corresponding flat and folded surfaces

F olds of aquifers are rarely accounted for in models of groundwater flow. To account for aquifer folds in groundwater flow models, the equation describing Darcian flow in a general surface is derived. The equation is used to calculate steady state hydraulic head distributions for corresponding folded and flat surfaces. Each flat surface has the same hydraulic conductivity distribution and boundary condition as the corresponding folded surface. The folded surfaces have folds similar to the folds of selected aquifers and have folds that have much larger changes in slope. The largest difference in hydraulic head caused by all folding is only about 0.5% of the largest difference in hydraulic head across each surface. Because of the smaller areal extent and the fact that the effect of a sequence of folds is not cumulative, the minor folds do not generate substantially larger hydraulic head differences than the major folds.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Response of the water level in a well to Earth tides and atmospheric loading under unconfined conditions

The response of the water level in a well to Earth tides and atmospheric loading under unconfined conditions can be explained if the water level is controlled by the aquifer response averaged over the saturated depth of the well. Because vertical averaging tends to diminish the influence of the water table, the response is qualitatively similar to the response of a well under partially confined conditions. When the influence of well bore storage can be ignored, the response to Earth tides is strongly governed by a dimensionless aquifer frequency Q ′ u . The response to atmospheric loading is strongly governed by two dimensionless vertical fluid flow parameters: a dimensionless unsaturated zone frequency, R , and a dimensionless aquifer frequency Q u . The differences between Q ′ u and Q u are generally small for aquifers which are highly sensitive to Earth tides. When Q ′ u and Q u are large, the response of the well to Earth tides and atmospheric loading approaches the static response of the aquifer under confined conditions. At small values of Q ′ u and Q u , well response to Earth tides and atmospheric loading is strongly influenced by water table drainage. When R is large relative to Q u , the response to atmospheric loading is strongly influenced by attenuation and phase shift of the pneumatic pressure signal in the unsaturated zone. The presence of partial penetration retards phase advance in well response to Earth tides and atmospheric loading. When the theoretical response of a phreatic well to Earth tides and atmospheric loading is fit to the well response inferred from cross-spectral estimation, it is possible to obtain estimates of the pneumatic diffusivity of the unsaturated zone and the vertical hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Solving groundwater flow problems by conjugate-gradient methods and the strongly implicit procedure

The performance of the preconditioned conjugate-gradient method with three preconditioners is compared with the strongly implicit procedure (SIP) using a scalar computer. The preconditioners considered are the incomplete Cholesky (ICCG) and the modified incomplete Cholesky (MICCG), which require the same computer storage as SIP as programmed for a problem with a symmetric matrix, and a polynomial preconditioner (POLCG), which requires less computer storage than SIP. Although POLCG is usually used on vector computers, it is included here because of its small storage requirements. In this paper, published comparisons of the solvers are evaluated, all four solvers are compared for the first time, and new test cases are presented to provide a more complete basis by which the solvers can be judged for typical groundwater flow problems. Based on nine test cases, the following conclusions are reached: (1) SIP is actually as efficient as ICCG for some of the published, linear, two-dimensional test cases that were reportedly solved much more efficiently by ICCG; (2) SIP is more efficient than other published comparisons would indicate when common convergence criteria are used; and (3) for problems that are three-dimensional, nonlinear, or both, and for which common convergence criteria are used, SIP is often more efficient than ICCG, and is sometimes more efficient than MICCG.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Solute transport with multisegment, equilibrium-controlled reactions: A feed forward simulation method

The feed forward method (FF method) is one of the ways of formulating operational equations which simulate transport of solutes influenced by equilibrium-controlled reaction networks. The FF method provides increased solution efficiency by adapting its formulations to some of the network's fundamental features. In this study the FF method is further developed by adapting and testing it for a variety of network conditions. Classes of homogeneous, classical heterogeneous, and ion exchange network segments are studied. Networks may contain only a single class of segments or they may involve two or three segment classes. The FF method is found applicable to all the cases tested. In only one of these cases, for the more complex configurations of network segments, the FF method does not attain all of its objectives. A systematic, stepwise approach to method development is employed. It reveals, for certain subnetworks, an a priori inadmissibility, irrespective of the method used, and, for some other networks, an a priori irrelevance to transport dynamics. It also demonstrates that when certain subnetworks, belonging to different segment classes, form a single network, synergism (or antagonism) may occasionally arise and decrease (or increase) the difficulty of solving the transport problem.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Apparent dispersion in transient groundwater flow

This paper investigates the effects of large-scale temporal velocity fluctuations, particularly changes in the direction of flow, on solute spreading in a two-dimensional aquifer. Relations for apparent longitudinal and transverse dispersivity are developed through an analytical solution for dispersion in a fluctuating, quasi-steady uniform flow field, in which storativity is zero. For transient flow, spatial moments are evaluated from numerical solutions. Ignored or unknown transients in the direction of flow primarily act to increase the apparent transverse dispersivity because the longitudinal dispersivity is acting in a direction that is not the assumed flow direction. This increase is a function of the angle between the transient flow vector and the assumed steady state flow direction and the ratio of transverse to longitudinal dispersivity. The maximum effect on transverse dispersivity occurs if storativity is assumed to be zero, such that the flow field responds instantly to boundary condition changes.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Estimating groundwater exchange with lakes: 1. The stable isotope mass balance method

Groundwater inflow and outflow contributions to the hydrologic budget of lakes can be determined using a stable isotope ( 18 O/ 16 O) mass balance method. The stable isotope method provides a way of integrating the spatial and temporal complexities of the flow field around a lake, thereby offering an appealing alternative to the traditional time and labor intensive methods using seepage meters and an extensive piezometer network. In this paper the method is applied to a lake in northern Wisconsin, demonstrating that it can be successfully applied to lakes in the upper midwest where thousands of similar lakes exist. Inflow and outflow rates calculated for the Wisconsin lake using the isotope mass balance method are 29 and 54 cm/yr, respectively, which compare well to estimates, derived independently using a three-dimensional groundwater flow and solute transport model, of 20 and 50 cm/yr. Such a favorable comparison lends confidence to the use of the stable isotope method to estimate groundwater exchange with lakes. In addition, utilization of stable isotopes in studies of groundwater-lake systems lends insight into mixing processes occurring in the unsaturated zone and in the aquifer surrounding the lake and verifies assumed flow paths based on head measurements in piezometers.

Wisconsin↗
USGS2010

Estimating groundwater exchange with lakes: 2. Calibration of a three-dimensional, solute transport model to a stable isotope plume

A three-dimensional groundwater flow and solute transport model was calibrated to a plume of water described by measurements of δ 18 O and used to calculate groundwater inflow and outflow rates at a lake in northern Wisconsin. The flow model was calibrated to observed hydraulic gradients and estimated recharge rates. Calibration of the solute transport submodel to the configuration of a stable isotope ( 18 O) plume in the contiguous aquifer on the downgradient side of the lake provides additional data to constrain the model. A good match between observed and simulated temporal variations in plume configuration indicates that the model closely simulated the dynamics of the real system. The model provides information on natural variations of rates of groundwater inflow, lake water outflow, and recharge to the water table. Inflow and outflow estimates compare favorably with estimates derived by the isotope mass balance method (Krabbenhoft et al., this issue). Model simulations agree with field observations that show groundwater inflow rates are more sensitive to seasonal variations in recharge than outflow.

Wisconsin↗
USGS2010

Simulation of lake evaporation with application to modeling lake level variations of Harney‐Malheur Lake, Oregon

A physically based eddy diffusion model for simulating the seasonal variation in lake temperature and evaporation is presented and validated. Because no lake‐specific fitting of the parameters of the model is necessary, the model can be used to simulate evaporation in studies of climate change and lake hydrology in a variety of settings. The eddy diffusion model is used to simulate evaporation for input to a simple lake level model that is applied to reconstruct recent fluctuations in the level of Harney‐Malheur Lake caused by climatic variations.

Oregon↗
USGS2010

Comparison of photon correlation spectroscopy with photosedimentation analysis for the determination of aqueous colloid size distributions

Colloidal materials, dispersed phases with dimensions between 0.001 and 1 μm, are potential transport media for a variety of contaminants in surface and ground water. Characterization of these colloids, and identification of the parameters that control their movement, are necessary before transport simulations can be attempted. Two techniques that can be used to determine the particle-size distribution of colloidal materials suspended in natural waters are compared. Photon correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) utilizes the Doppler frequency shift of photons scattered off particles undergoing Brownian motion to determine the size of colloids suspended in water. Photosedimentation analysis (PSA) measures the time-dependent change in optical density of a suspension of colloidal particles undergoing centrifugation. A description of both techniques, important underlying assumptions, and limitations are given. Results for a series of river water samples show that the colloid-size distribution means are statistically identical as determined by both techniques. This also is true of the mass median diameter (MMD), even though MMD values determined by PSA are consistently smaller than those determined by PCS. Because of this small negative bias, the skew parameters for the distributions are generally smaller for the PCS-determined distributions than for the PSA-determined distributions. Smaller polydispersity indices for the distributions are also determined by PCS.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2010

Chemical weathering in the Loch Vale Watershed, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Mineralogic, hydrologic, and geochemical data were used to determine the source of solutes to surface waters draining the Loch Vale Watershed (LVWS), an alpine-subalpine drainage located in the Front Range of Colorado. The flux of dissolved solids from LVWS is primarily controlled by interactions between snowmelt and materials derived from the local bedrock; the biomass has only a minor effect on solute budgets except for ammonium. LVWS is underlain by Precambrian granite and gneiss, the major minerals include quartz, microcline, plagioclase, biotite, and sillimanite. Small amounts of calcite were found along hydrothermally altered zones in the bedrock. Mass balance calculations indicate that the weathering of calcite contributes nearly 40% of the cations derived within the basin. The importance of calcite weathering in LVWS is a result of its chemical reactivity and the high rate of physical erosion in this alpine environment. The average cationic denudation rate in the drainage (390 eq/ha/yr) is similar to long-term rates in forested Adirondack watersheds (500–600 eq/ha/yr), but much lower than the average for the North American Continent (3800 eq/ha/yr). Surface waters in LVWS are susceptible to acidification should acid deposition from the atmosphere increase.

Colorado↗
USGS2010

The chemistry of iron, aluminum, and dissolved organic material in three acidic, metal-enriched, mountain streams, as controlled by watershed and in-stream processes

Several studies were conducted in three acidic, metal-enriched, mountain streams, and the results are discussed together in this paper to provide a synthesis of watershed and in-stream processes controlling Fe, Al, and DOC (dissolved organic carbon) concentrations. One of the streams, the Snake River, is naturally acidic; the other two, Peru Creek and St. Kevin Gulch, receive acid mine drainage. Analysis of stream water chemistry data for the acidic headwaters of the Snake River shows that some trace metal solutes (Al, Mn, Zn) are correlated with major ions, indicating that watershed processes control their concentrations. Once in the stream, biogeochemical processes can control transport if they occur over time scales comparable to those for hydrologic transport. Examples of the following in-stream reactions are presented: (1) photoreduction and dissolution of hydrous iron oxides in response to an experimental decrease in stream p H, (2) precipitation of Al at three stream confluences, and (3) sorption of dissolved organic material by hydrous iron and aluminum oxides in a stream confluence. The extent of these reactions is evaluated using conservative tracers and a transport model that includes storage in the substream zone.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2025

Estimates of global surface water dynamics harnessing near real-time land cover observations and open science geospatial capabilities

Spatio-temporal changes to our world’s surface water resources are escalating. Translating how these changes impact communities and ecosystems requires time-varying data of Global Surface Water Extents (GSWE). Traditionally, GSWE mapping has been limited to static estimates, with recent efforts focusing on annual averages, frequency and occurrence of long-term variations. Building upon these foundational capabilities, we harnessed remotely sensed Sentinel-2 based near real-time Dynamic World (DW) land cover products to produce the first-of-its-kind 10 m resolution GSWE dataset representing 2015–2023. Our dataset estimated 2.5 million km 2 of permanent waters and 8 million km 2 of seasonal waters worldwide. Comparing our Sentinel-2 based data to contemporary Landsat-based GSWE, we observed that our data mapped less water within the >50% probability of occurrence range, suggesting a lower presence of open permanent water especially in high latitudes, deviating from what we previously learnt from Landsat data. Statistical analysis compared to well-established observational products and widely used GSWE datasets across some of the world’s most ecologically significant regions, including Pantanal in South America and Haor in South Asia, supports the overall physical realism of our data in predicting global open surface water dynamics. Our key contribution is a prototype Open Science operational framework that extracts routinely available DW products, runs geospatial analytics, and creates actionable water information for educators, researchers, and stakeholders at any scale of practical interest. We present examples of this operational capability through instant mapping of flood in Spain and drought in Lake Urmia, Central Asia, frequent monitoring of river extent changes at the Ganges–Brahmaputra confluence, and above all, interoperability with other existing GSWE applications.

Environmental Research Letters↗
USGS2019

Characterizing seismogenic fault structures in Oklahoma using a relocated template matched catalog

Oklahoma is one of the most seismically active places in the United States as a result of industry activities. In order to characterize the fault networks responsible for these earthquakes in Oklahoma, we relocated a large-scale template matching catalog between 2010-2016 using the GrowClust algorithm . This relocated catalog is currently the most complete statewide catalog for Oklahoma during this seven-year window. Using this relocated catalog, we identified seismogenic fault segments by developing an algorithm that clusters earthquakes and then identifies linear trends within each cluster. Considering the large number of earthquakes in Oklahoma, this algorithm made the process of identifying previously unmapped seismogenic faults more approachable and objective. We identify approximately 2500 seismogenic fault segments which are in general agreement with focal mechanisms and optimally oriented relative to maximum principle stress measurements. We demonstrate that these fault orientations can be used to approximate the maximum principle stress orientations.

Oklahoma↗
USGS2000

Occurrence and distribution of microbiological indicators in groundwater and stream water

A total of 136 stream water and 143 groundwater samples collected in five important hydrologic systems of the United States were analyzed for microbiological indicators to test monitoring concepts in a nationally consistent program. Total coliforms were found in 99%, Escherichia coli in 97%, and Clostridium perfringens in 73% of stream water samples analyzed for each bacterium. Total coliforms were found in 20%, E. coli in less than 1%, and C. perfringens in none of the groundwater samples analyzed for each bacterium. Although coliphage analyses were performed on many of the samples, contamination in the laboratory and problems discerning discrete plaques precluded quantification. Land use was found to have the most significant effect on concentrations of bacterial indicators in stream water. Presence of septic systems on the property near the sampling site and well depth were found to be related to detection of coliforms in groundwater, although these relationships were not statistically significant. A greater diversity of sites, more detailed information about some factors, and a larger dataset may provide further insight to factors that affect microbiological indicators.

Water Environment Research↗
USGS2006

Evaluation of the persistence of micropollutants through pure-oxygen activated sludge nitrification and denitrification

The persistence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and household and industrial chemicals through a pure-oxygen activated sludge, nitrification, denitrification wastewater treatment facility was evaluated. Of the 125 micropollutants that were tested in this study, 55 compounds were detected in the untreated wastewater, and 27 compounds were detected in the disinfected effluent. The persistent compounds included surfactants, fire-retardant chemicals, pesticides, fragrance compounds, hormones, and one pharmaceutical. Physical-chemical properties of micropollutants that affected partitioning onto wastewater solids included vapor pressure and octanol-water partition coefficients.

Water Environment Research↗