TY - Generic T1 - Characterizing fractured crystalline bedrock aquifers using hydrostructural domains in the Nashoba Terrane, eastern Massachusetts T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2006 A1 - Alex K Manda A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - David F Boutt KW - #StaffPubs KW - anisotropy KW - aquifers KW - BEDROCK KW - characterization KW - connectivity KW - crystalline rocks KW - eastern Massachusetts KW - fractures KW - ground water KW - heterogeneity KW - hydraulic conductivity KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - massachusetts KW - Nashoba terrane KW - outcrops KW - physical properties KW - site exploration KW - United States KW - water wells AB - Fractured crystalline bedrock aquifers are good sources of potable water in many parts of the world. However, siting of highly productive wells in these rock units remains a challenging and expensive task because fracture development at the regional scale is both heterogeneous and anisotropic. Using low cost field data to define units of rock that have similar lithologic and fracture characteristics can significantly reduce time and energy spent on determining areas with better than average aquifer productivity. These physical characteristics that impart a particular hydraulic character on rocks are used to delineate regions with similar hydrologic characteristics called hydrostructural domains (Mackie, 2002). Hydrostructural domains are delineated from fracture characterization data that were collected from 79 outcrops located in the Nashoba Terrane of eastern Massachusetts. Information collected and used to delineate the domains include the number and distribution of fracture sets, types of fractures present or absent, the degree of fracture development, fracture intensity/density, fracture connectivity and rock type. Discrete fracture networks are generated from the fracture characterization data to simulate groundwater flow in the region. Conductivity of particular units is evaluated and compared to results from existing pumping tests obtained from the US Geological Survey. Preliminary results indicate that there is great value in utilizing fracture characteristic data obtained from surface outcrops to predict subsurface groundwater flow characteristics of fractured bedrock aquifers. Water managers, developers and decision makers are eager to know which areas are the most promising for encountering highly conductive zones in the subsurface. Collecting extensive structural data from surface outcrops, although not as accurate as drilling wells, is a cheaper alternative that could provide at least a rough estimate of the hydraulic properties of fractured rocks leading to effective siting of new water wells. Hydrostructural domain maps may pinpoint specific areas that have a high potential for wells to encounter highly conductive zones and could therefore be a powerful tool in transferring information from one site to another without having to repeatedly undertake extensive site characterization. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 38 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_113075.htm IS - 77 N1 - Accession Number: 2007-032741; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Philadelphia, PA, United States; Conference Date: 20061022; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 25; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 200709; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Implications of diurnal river fluctuations on mass transport in a valley-fill aquifer T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2006 A1 - Brandon J Fleming A1 - David F Boutt A1 - Stephen B Mabee KW - #StaffPubs KW - aquifers KW - BEDROCK KW - clastic sediments KW - controls KW - diffusion KW - diurnal variations KW - drainage KW - drift KW - Eastern U.S. KW - Environmental geology 22 KW - floods KW - fluctuations KW - geochemical cycle KW - geologic hazards KW - ground water KW - measurement KW - mixing KW - models KW - Northeastern U.S. KW - numerical models KW - nutrients KW - pollution KW - processes KW - pumping KW - quantitative analysis KW - residence time KW - sediments KW - shallow aquifers KW - surface water KW - three-dimensional models KW - tracers KW - transport KW - United States KW - valleys KW - water pollution KW - water resources KW - water wells AB - Aquifers located in isolated stratified drift deposits in the northeastern portion of the US are extremely fragile and important groundwater resources. These aquifers, when restricted to bedrock valleys, are often strongly coupled to significant surface water drainage systems. In northwestern Massachusetts, surface water associated with the Deerfield River watershed is highly regulated by dams to protect against flooding and to generate hydroelectric power. Regular releases of water from these dams cause diurnal fluctuations in river stage. In a previous study performed by the USGS, measurements from two clusters of wells show a significant response to river stage fluctuations in the aquifer. Fluctuations in river stage and resulting changes in head levels in the aquifer cause a switch from a losing to a gaining stream. The flow reversals have implications for mass transport and nutrient cycling within the hyporheic zone. In this paper we investigate the physical hydrologic controls on mass transport in the shallow aquifer. Using a coupled groundwater flow and transport code, we built a quasi three dimensional transient numerical model to approximate the head changes in the aquifer caused by the stage fluctuations in the river. Flow velocities and residence times were estimated in the aquifer for a variety of flow conditions. The mixing process driven by the aquifer head changes were quantified in the proximity of the hyporheic zone and shown to significantly influence both vertical and horizontal flow velocities in a region close to the stream-aquifer boundary. The diurnal river stage changes also appear to influence farfield hydrologic conditions and potentially hydrologically isolate the river and hyporheic zone. To further investigate these mixing processes we applied a mass transport code with conservative tracers to the aquifer. Fluctuation of the river stage combined with the heterogeneous nature of the aquifer creates a pumping mechanism that creates excess mixing within shallow portions of the aquifer. Aquifer dispersivity and molecular diffusion both contribute to the anomalous mixing modeled in the shallow aquifer. Mixing driven by stream stage changes has important implications for nutrient cycling as well as contaminant transport in the shallow aquifer. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 38 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_115285.htm IS - 77 N1 - Accession Number: 2010-061334; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Philadelphia, PA, United States; Conference Date: 20061022; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 468; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201034; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - JOUR T1 - A field study (Massachusetts, USA) of the factors controlling the depth of groundwater flow systems in crystalline fractured-rock terrain JF - Hydrogeology Journal Y1 - 2010 A1 - David F Boutt A1 - Diggins, Patrick A1 - Stephen B Mabee KW - #StaffPubs KW - aquifers KW - boreholes KW - crystalline rocks KW - eastern Massachusetts KW - fractured materials KW - fractures KW - ground water KW - hydraulic conductivity KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - massachusetts KW - Nashoba terrane KW - permeability KW - porosity KW - preferential flow KW - shallow-water environment KW - substrates KW - United States AB - Groundwater movement and availability in crystalline and metamorphosed rocks is dominated by the secondary porosity generated through fracturing. The distributions of fractures and fracture zones determine permeable pathways and the productivity of these rocks. Controls on how these distributions vary with depth in the shallow subsurface (<300 m) and their resulting influence on groundwater flow is not well understood. The results of a subsurface study in the Nashoba and Avalon terranes of eastern Massachusetts (USA), which is a region experiencing expanded use of the fractured bedrock as a potable-supply aquifer, are presented. The study logged the distribution of fractures in 17 boreholes, identified flowing fractures, and hydraulically characterized the rock mass intersecting the boreholes. Of all fractures encountered, 2.5% are hydraulically active. Boreholes show decreasing fracture frequency up to 300 m depth, with hydraulically active fractures showing a similar trend; this restricts topographically driven flow. Borehole temperature profiles corroborate this, with minimal hydrologically altered flow observed in the profiles below 100 m. Results from this study suggest that active flow systems in these geologic settings are shallow and that fracture permeability outside of the influence of large-scale structures will follow a decreasing trend with depth. Copyright 2010 Springer-Verlag PB - Springer : Berlin - Heidelberg, Germany CY - Federal Republic of Germany VL - 18 SN - 1431217414350157 UR - http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10040-010-0640-y IS - 88 N1 - Accession Number: 2011-042136; Language: English; Coordinates: N420000N425000W0695500W0714500; Collation: 16; Publication Types: Serial; Updated Code: 201124; Illustration(s): illus. incl. 3 tables, geol. sketch map; Number of References: 58; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Hydrogeology Journal ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Implications of anthropogenic river stage fluctuations on mass transport in a valley fill aquifer JF - Water Resources Research Y1 - 2009 A1 - David F Boutt A1 - Brandon J Fleming KW - #Hydro KW - #WaterResources KW - aquifers KW - boundary conditions KW - Charlemont KW - Deerfield River basin KW - fluctuations KW - fluvial features KW - Franklin County Massachusetts KW - ground water KW - human activity KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - hydrology KW - massachusetts KW - numerical models KW - preferential flow KW - rivers KW - shallow aquifers KW - streams KW - surface water KW - transport KW - two-dimensional models KW - United States KW - valleys AB - In humid regions a strong coupling between surface water features and groundwater systems may exist. In these environments the exchange of water and solute depends primarily on the hydraulic gradient between the reservoirs. We hypothesize that daily changes in river stage associated with anthropogenic water releases (such as those from a hydroelectric dam) cause anomalous mixing in the near-stream environment by creating large hydraulic head gradients between the stream and adjacent aquifer. We present field observations of hydraulic gradient reversals in a shallow aquifer. Important physical processes observed in the field are explicitly reproduced in a physically based two-dimensional numerical model of groundwater flow coupled to a simplistic surface water boundary condition. Mass transport simulations of a conservative solute introduced into the surface water are performed and examined relative to a stream condition without stage fluctuations. Simulations of 20 d for both fluctuating river stage and fixed high river stage show that more mass is introduced into the aquifer from the stream in the oscillating case even though the net water flux is zero. Enhanced transport by mechanical dispersion leads to mass being driven away from the hydraulic zone of influence of the river. The modification of local hydraulic gradients is likely to be important for understanding dissolved mass transport in near-stream aquifer environments and can influence exchange zone processes under conditions of high-frequency stream stage changes. PB - American Geophysical Union : Washington, DC, United States VL - 45 SN - 0043139719447973 UR - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2007WR006526/full IS - 44 JO - Water Resources Research ER - TY - JOUR T1 - A method of estimating bulk potential permeability in fractured-rock aquifers using field-derived fracture data and type curves JF - Hydrogeology Journal Y1 - 2013 A1 - Alex K Manda A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - David F Boutt A1 - Cooke, Michele L. KW - #StaffPubs KW - aquifers KW - boundary conditions KW - eastern Massachusetts KW - fractured materials KW - fractures KW - ground water KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - massachusetts KW - Nashoba terrane KW - naturally fractured reservoirs KW - numerical models KW - permeability KW - prediction KW - pump tests KW - simulation KW - two-dimensional models KW - United States AB - A method is devised for estimating the potential permeability of fracture networks from attributes of fractures observed in outcrop. The technique, which is intended as a complement to traditional approaches, is based on type curves that represent various combinations of fracture lengths, fracture orientations and proportions (i.e., intensities) of fractures that participate in flow. Numerical models are used to derive the type curves. To account for variations in fracture aperture, a permeability ratio (R) defined as the permeability of a fracture network in a domain divided by the permeability of a single fracture with identical fracture apertures, is used as a dependent variable to derive the type curves. The technique works by determining the point on the type curve that represents the fracture characteristics collected in the field. To test the performance of the technique, permeabilities that were derived from fractured-rock aquifers of eastern Massachusetts (USA) are compared to permeabilities predicted by the technique. Results indicate that permeabilities estimated from type curves are within an order of magnitude of permeabilities derived from field tests. First-order estimates of fracture-network permeability can, therefore, be easily and quickly acquired with this technique before more robust and expensive methods are utilized in the field. Copyright 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg PB - Springer : Berlin - Heidelberg, Germany CY - Federal Republic of Germany VL - 21 SN - 1431217414350157 UR - http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10040-012-0919-2 IS - 22 N1 - Accession Number: 2013-055373; Language: English; Coordinates: N421500N424500W0704500W0714500; Collation: 13; Publication Types: Serial; Updated Code: 201334; Illustration(s): illus. incl. 4 tables, geol. sketch maps; Number of References: 41; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Hydrogeology Journal ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Carbon Sequestration: Developing an assessment of potential CO2 storage resources in Massachusetts - Final Report: Estimate of CO2 Storage Resource Potential in Massachusetts Saline Aquifers and Unmineable Coal Seams Y1 - 2011 A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - David F Boutt A1 - Petsch, Steven T KW - #MGSPub KW - #MGSPubs KW - #Report KW - #Reports KW - Carbon KW - climate change KW - CO2 KW - coal KW - coal seams KW - Hartford Basin KW - injection KW - Narragansett Basin KW - sequestration AB - Geologic carbon sequestration, defined as the permanent storage of CO2 in underground geologic reservoirs, is emerging as an important strategy towards mitigation of increasing accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere and associated greenhouse gas warming and climate change. These efforts have been organized nationally through programs such as the U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Fossil Energy – National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) – Carbon Sequestration Program and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) – Energy Resources Program – Health and Environment Section – Geologic CO2 Sequestration Research initiative. These organizations have partnered with a network of regional participants to evaluate CO2 storage resource potentials in geologic formations throughout the United States and Canada, through the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships program. To date, however, CO2 storage resource potentials for geologic formations in Massachusetts have not been incorporated into any national or regional carbon sequestration initiative, nor have resources for local geologic carbon storage in Massachusetts been estimated or calculated. During a preliminary investigation into geologic carbon sequestration potential in Massachusetts, researchers at the University of Massachusetts identified five potential candidate geologic formations for further study. These include: sandstone aquifers in the Connecticut River Valley, unmineable coal seams in southeastern Massachusetts, organic-rich shales in the Connecticut River Valley, basalts in the Connecticut River Valley, and organic-rich metamorphic rocks in the western Berkshire Hills. Through sponsorship from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a project was developed to gain more information about these candidate formations related to their hydrogeologic characteristics and potential carbon storage resource. This information has been used to assess if some or all of these candidates meet screening criteria for geologic carbon storage and to provide data for volumetric carbon storage models as outlined by methodologies developed by the USGS and NETL. This research also has identified gaps in knowledge and information regarding key hydrogeologic characteristics for the candidate formations in Massachusetts. These data are required to determine if formations meet screening criteria and to estimate total storage resources. Prepared for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center under Task Order 09-1 PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey CY - Amherst, MA UR - http://www.geo.umass.edu/stategeologist/Products/reports/CarbonSequestrationReport.pdf ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Hydrogeologic investigation of the west Charlemont aquifer, Charlemont, Massachusetts Y1 - 2007 A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Flemig, B. A1 - David F Boutt KW - #Hydro KW - #MGSPub KW - #Reports KW - #WaterResources KW - aquifer KW - Charlemont KW - controlled release KW - dam KW - Deerfield River KW - hydro KW - hydrogeology KW - power AB -

The University of Massachusetts Department of Geosciences and Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist were asked by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to make an assessment of the extent, thickness and hydraulic properties of the West Charlemont aquifer located in valley fill deposits along the Deerfield River in the Town of Charlemont, Massachusetts. Previous work by Gay et al. (1974) mapped these fill deposits as a medium yield aquifer (51 gallons per minute, gpm, to 200 gpm). The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate further the potential of this medium yield aquifer as a viable groundwater resource for the Town of Charlemont. Results from six new seismic refraction surveys, three new boreholes, analysis of grain size distribution curves and a review of previous borehole logs and geophysical surveys were compiled to build a conceptual 3-dimensional visualization of the aquifer system. These data were used to make a first-order estimate of potential yield.

PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey UR - http://www.geo.umass.edu/stategeologist/Products/reports/CharlemontFinalReport.pdf ER -