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Depth-dependent sampling to identify short-circuit pathways to public-supply wells in multiple aquifer settings in the United States

Echantillonnage en fonction de la profondeur afin d’identifier les écoulements de type court-circuits dans les puits d’alimentation en eau potable, de plusieurs aquifères des Etats-Unis

Muestreo en función de la profundidad para identificar trayectorias de circuito corto en pozos de abastecimiento público en acuíferos localizados en múltiples sitios en los Estados Unidos

利用不同深度取样来识别美国多层含水层条件下流向公共供水井的优势路径

Amostragem a diferentes profundidades em furos de captação para abastecimento público para identificar possíveis trajectórias de contaminantes em diversos ambientes aquíferos nos Estados Unidos da América

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Abstract

Depth-dependent water-quality and borehole flow data were used to determine where and how contamination enters public-supply wells (PSWs) at study sites in different principal aquifers of the United States. At each of three study sites, depth-dependent samples and wellbore flow data were collected from multiple depths in selected PSWs under pumping conditions. The chemistry of these depth-dependent samples, along with samples of the surface discharge from the PSWs, was compared to that of adjacent nested monitoring wells. The results of depth-dependent analyses from sites in Modesto (California), York (Nebraska), and Tampa (Florida) are summarized and compared. Although the exact mechanisms for transport of contaminants to the PSWs varied among these hydrogeologic settings, in all three settings the presence of wells or boreholes or natural preferential flow paths allowed water and contaminants to bypass substantial portions of the aquifer and to reach PSWs or depths in the aquifer more quickly than would have occurred in the absence of these short-circuiting flow paths. The chemistry and flow data from multiple depths was essential to developing an understanding of the dominant flow paths of contaminants to PSW in all three settings. This knowledge contributes to developing effective strategies for monitoring and protection.

Résumé

La qualité de l’eau en fonction de la profondeur et les données d’écoulement de forages ont été utilisées pour déterminer la localisation et l’importance de la contamination qui pénètre les puits d’alimentation en eau potable (PAEP) à l’échelle de différents aquifères principaux des Etats-Unis. Pour chacun des trois sites d’étude, les échantillons en fonction de la profondeur et les données d’écoulement des forages ont été collectées en différentes profondeurs au niveau de PAEP en condition d’exploitation (pompage). La chimie des échantillons pris en différentes profondeurs ainsi que de l’eau prélevée au niveau de l’exhaure des PAEP a été comparée à celle d’un réseau de suivi sur des piézomètres environnants. Les résultats des analyses dépendantes de la profondeur des différents sites de Modesto (Californie), York (Nébraska) et Tampa (Floride) ont été résumés et comparés. Bien que les mécanismes exacts du transport de contaminants des PAEP variaient en fonction des conditions hydrogéologiques des sites, la présence des puits ou forages ou d’écoulements préférentiels naturels ont permis au niveau des trois sites, à l’eau et aux contaminants d’éviter des parties significatives de l’aquifère et d’atteindre les PAEP ou des profondeurs au sein de l’aquifère de manière plus rapide qu’en absence des écoulements de type court-circuits. La chimie et les données concernant les écoulements en différentes profondeurs étaient essentielles pour comprendre l’organisation des écoulements dominants des contaminants au niveau des PAEP dans les trois sites. Cette connaissance apporte une contribution pour développer des stratégies efficaces pour le suivi et la protection des captages.

Resumen

Se utilizaron datos de calidad de agua en función de la profundidad y de flujo de perforaciones para determinar donde la contaminación entra en los pozos de abastecimiento público (PSWs) en sitios de estudio en diferentes acuíferos principales de los Estados Unidos. En cada uno de los tres sitios estudiados, muestras en función de la profundidad y datos de flujo de pozos fueron recolectados a partir de múltiples profundidades en PSWs seleccionados bajo condiciones de bombeo. Se comparó la química de estas muestras en función de la profundidad, conjuntamente con las muestras de la descarga superficial de los PSWs, con los pozos de monitoreo adyacentes anidados. Los resultados de los análisis en función de la profundidad de los sitios en Modesto (California), York (Nebraska), and Tampa (Florida) fueron resumidos y comparados. Aunque los mecanismos exactos del transporte de contaminantes en los PSWs variaron entre estos sitios hidrogeológicos, en los tres sitios la presencia de pozos o perforaciones o trayectorias de flujo naturales preferenciales permitieron que agua y contaminantes esquiven porciones sustanciales de los acuíferos y alcancen los PSWs o profundidades en el acuífero más rápidamente que lo que habría ocurrido en ausencia de estos circuitos cortos en las trayectorias de flujo. Los datos de química y los datos de flujo a partir de múltiples profundidades fue esencial para desarrollar y entender las trayectorias de flujo dominantes de los contaminantes en los PSW en los tres sitios. Este conocimiento contribuye a desarrollar estrategias efectivas de monitoreo y protección.

摘要

在所研究的美国的一些主要含水层, 利用了不同深度的水质和钻孔水流数据来确定污染物进入公共供水井 (PSWs) 的途径和方式。对于三个研究场地, 不同深度的样品和井流数据是抽水条件下在选定的PSWs中多个深度上取得的。将这些不同深度样品和 PSWs 井口样品的水化学与邻近监测井的水化学进行了对比. 对Modesto (加利福利亚)、 York (内布拉斯加州) 和Tampa (佛罗里达州) 地区不同深度的分析结果进行了总结和比较。尽管不同水文地质背景下, 污染物运移到PSWs的机制不同, 但是在这三个背景条件下, 井或钻孔或天然优势路径的存在或使水和污染物绕过部分含水层进入PSWs, 或使其比没有优势流路径时更快地到达含水层的某一深度. 多个深度的水化学和水流数据对于理解这三个含水层背景下污染物进入PSWs的主要水流路径是必要的. 这有助于制定监测和保护的有效策略.

Resumo

Dados sobre a qualidade da água dependente da profundidade e da velocidade de fluxo em furos de captação foram usados para determinar a origem e os processos de contaminação que afectam furos de captação para abastecimento público (FCAP) em locais de estudo nalguns dos principais sistemas aquíferos dos Estados Unidos da América. Em cada uma das três zonas de estudo foram recolhidas amostras de água subterrânea e determinadas velocidades de fluxo, a diferentes profundidades, em furos de captação previamente seleccionados e em condições de bombagem. A composição química das amostras de água recolhidas em profundidade e à boca dos furos de captação foi comparada com a registada em multipiezómetros localizados em áreas adjacentes. Os resultados das análises realizadas a diferentes profundidades nas zonas de estudo de Modesto (Califórnia), York (Nebraska) e Tampa (Flórida) foram resumidas e comparadas. Apesar dos mecanismos de transporte de contaminantes nos FCAP variarem de acordo com os diferentes enquadramentos hidrogeológicos, verificou-se que, em qualquer uma das três zonas de estudo, a presença de poços, furos ou mesmo de zonas de fluxo preferencial natural, permitiu que a água e os contaminantes realizassem substanciais bypass nos circuitos naturais dos aquíferos, atingindo os FCAP ou maiores profundidades mais rapidamente do que seria de esperar na ausência destes bypass. Os dados sobre o quimismo da água e as velocidades de fluxo a diferentes profundidades nos furos de captação foram essenciais para um melhor entendimento das principais trajectórias dos contaminantes em cada uma das três zonas de estudo. Este conhecimento contribui para desenvolver estratégias de monitorização e protecção mais efectivas.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Assessment Programs Transport of Anthropogenic and Natural Contaminants Topical Study program. We are grateful to the Cities of Modesto, California, York, Nebraska, and Temple Terrace, Florida for their cooperation with this study as well as landowners who provided permission for well installation and sampling. We thank John A. Izbicki, Jason J. Gurdak, and anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, 4165 Spruance Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92101, USA

    Matthew K. Landon

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, Placer Hall, 6000 J St., Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA

    Bryant C. Jurgens & Karen R. Burow

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, 2010 Levy Av., Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL, 32310, USA

    Brian G. Katz & Christy A. Crandall

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, 6480 Doubletree Av., Columbus, OH, 43229, USA

    Sandra M. Eberts

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  1. Matthew K. Landon
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Correspondence to Matthew K. Landon.

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Landon, M.K., Jurgens, B.C., Katz, B.G. et al. Depth-dependent sampling to identify short-circuit pathways to public-supply wells in multiple aquifer settings in the United States. Hydrogeol J 18, 577–593 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0531-2

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