@proceedings {271, title = {Arsenic in central Massachusetts bedrock and groundwater}, volume = {42}, year = {2010}, note = {Accession Number: 2011-044094; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2010 annual meeting; Denver, CO, United States; Conference Date: 20101031; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 2; Collation: 216-217; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201125; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2010 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {2010/11/01/}, pages = {216 - 217}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, abstract = {Across the New England "arsenic belt," groundwater arsenic (As) concentrations often exceed the EPA{\textquoteright}s 0.01-mg/L drinking water standard. In overburden groundwater at a site within this belt in north-central Massachusetts, As has been reported at levels up to 7.6 mg/L. Bedrock at the site consists of Silurian Central Maine Terrane metasediments intruded by the Devonian Ayer granodiorite and Chelmsford granite. Exchange of hydrothermal fluids between these lithologies during intrusion and later deformation, faulting, and metamorphism resulted in crystallization of arsenic-bearing minerals, including arsenopyrite. Quaternary deglaciation and unloading dilated joint systems in the bedrock, allowing increased exposure of the mineralogy to meteoric water. Several arsenopyrite alteration products (e.g., scorodite), of varying solubilities, precipitated on fracture surfaces and along grain boundaries between major phases. In the emerging conceptual model for this site, groundwater is recharged in bedrock uplands and moves downgradient through the fracture network, becoming increasingly reducing as it moves along a flow path. Arsenic dissolved from arsenopyrite and arsenic-bearing alteration phases in bedrock remains in solution until the groundwater discharges to lowland areas hydraulically downgradient. In these adjacent lowlands, glacial sand and gravel overburden lies above the bedrock. When the reducing water reaches more oxidizing conditions, As-sorbing hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) precipitate out on the aquifer solids, resulting in accumulation of As in the deep overburden aquifer. A large landfill at this site, now closed and capped, imposed reducing conditions, and As is mobilized into groundwater by reductive dissolution of the HFO. The presence of elevated As in groundwater is consistent with arsenic-bearing phases generated in granitoids at depth during regional metamorphism, which were subsequently altered, and are being solubilized at present by the circulation of shallow groundwater through varying redox environments. This scenario is supported by geochemical and petrographic studies of the granitoids and the occurrence of the highest groundwater and soil arsenic concentrations in the adjacent deep overburden.}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, alteration, arsenic, arsenides, arsenopyrite, Ayer Granodiorite, BEDROCK, central Massachusetts, chelmsford granite, Devonian, dilation, discharge, dissolved materials, drinking water, Eh, fractures, General geochemistry 02A, geochemistry, granites, ground water, igneous rocks, joints, massachusetts, metals, metamorphism, meteoric water, overburden, Paleozoic, petrography, plutonic rocks, pollutants, reduction, solubility, solution, sulfides, theoretical models, United States}, isbn = {00167592}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010AM/finalprogram/abstract_182430.htm}, author = {McTigue, David F. and Stein, Carol L. and Brandon, William C. and Joseph P Kopera and Keskula, Anna J. and Koteas, G. Christopher} } @proceedings {280, title = {Deep geothermal potential of New England granitoids; the Fall River Pluton, southeastern Massachusetts}, volume = {43}, year = {2011}, note = {Accession Number: 2012-031359; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 46th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, North-Central Section, 45th annual meeting; Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Conference Date: 20110320; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 63; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201217; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 46th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, North-Central Section, 45th annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {2011/03/01/}, pages = {63 - 63}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, abstract = {Devonian-aged plutonic rocks that are interpreted to be part of the Fall River pluton, along the southern edge of the Narragansett Basin, appear to have potential as a source of deep geothermal energy. The Narragansett Basin covers a approximately 1500 Km (super 2) area in southern Massachusetts and is dominated by complexly deformed and metamorphosed, Pennsylvanian-aged, fluvial and alluvial deposits. A northeast-striking series of brittle faults and discrete shear zones define the southern margin of the basin. Preliminary modeling of igneous and gneissic fabrics from outcrops along the southern edge of the basin show that the granite dips predominantly north, northeast. This pattern suggests that granitoids along the southern edge of the basin continue beneath the Narragansett Basin and correlate with granitoids exposed to the north. Regional joint sets in the Fall River pluton can be grouped into three dominant clusters at 350 degrees , 90 degrees , and 250 degrees based upon 86 field measurements. Low-angle sheeting joints are also common and suggest interconnected fracture networks at depth. Preliminary geochemistry from the Fall River pluton suggests that feldspars and accessory minerals contain the appropriate concentrations of heat producing elements, primarily U, Th, and K, to be a reasonable geothermal resource. K (sub 2) O values range from 2.4 to 5.0 weight percent. U and Th values (in ppm) range from 0.9 to 6.2 and 2.9 to 30.1 respectively. Assuming a relatively consistent composition at depth, a density of 2.6 kg/m (super 3) , and a thermal conductivity of 2.9 W/m degrees C, initial temperature modeling suggests average temperatures of 81 degrees C at depths of 5 kilometers and 93 degrees C at depths of 6 kilometers. Temperature estimates increase to approximately 150 degrees C and approximately 170 degrees C respectively when a two kilometer thick sediment package is modeled overlying the granitoids. The goal of current and future work is to improve assumptions about compositional uniformity as well as the regional position of granitoids at depth. At the conclusion of this work we hope to develop a protocol for studying geothermal potential of buried granitoids in New England in the absence of reliable drill-hole data. Preliminary estimates from this project suggest that basins underlain by granitoids of compositions similar to that of the Fall River pluton have reasonable potential as a deep geothermal resource.}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, depth, Economic geology, geology of energy sources 29A, Fall River Pluton, geochemistry, geothermal energy, gneisses, granites, Igneous and metamorphic petrology 05A, igneous rocks, intrusions, massachusetts, metamorphic rocks, plutonic rocks, plutons, southeastern Massachusetts, United States}, isbn = {00167592}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011NE/finalprogram/abstract_185900.htm}, author = {Goodhue, Nathaniel and Koteas, G. Christopher and John Michael Rhodes and Stephen B Mabee} } @proceedings {281, title = {Deep geothermal resource potential in Connecticut; progress report}, volume = {44}, year = {2012}, note = {Accession Number: 2012-090080; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Hartford, CT, United States; Conference Date: 20120318; Language: English; Coordinates: N405900N420300W0714800W0734400; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 77; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201247; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {2012/02/01/}, pages = {77 - 77}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, abstract = {The Connecticut and Massachusetts Geological Surveys are collaborating on a National Geothermal Data Project funded by the US Department of Energy through the Association of American State Geologists.Geothermal resources in Connecticut (CT) to date have been exploited using near surface ground source heat pump technology. This is the first investigation of CT deep geothermal resources. Many CT granitoids contain heat producing elements. The goal is to identify geologic units capable of producing enough heat, at reasonable drilling depths, to operate a viable geothermal power plant. Target rock units must contain enough uranium, thorium and potassium (U/Th/K) in combination with heat generated through the natural geothermal gradient of the Earth to generate electricity and co-produced direct heating. Heat at depth can be concentrated by an overlying insulating layer of sedimentary rocks and glacial sediments. 27 CT bedrock units were selected for sampling using existing mapping. 120 samples were analyzed using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. Heat production values (HPVs) at or greater than 4 mu W/m (super 3) were considered to be of interest. Values ranging from 4 to 18 mu W/m (super 3) were calculated for 7 of the 27 rock units. Elevated concentrations of thorium, ranging from 10.5 ppm to 245 ppm, were the primary contributors to increased HPVs. Initial results indicate that the warmest rocks are Permian and Precambrian, which is consistent with earlier results from granitoid bodies underlying the Atlantic Coastal Plain of Virginia (Speer et al., 1979). Additional bedrock samples will be analyzed to further characterize geochemical variations and potential HPVs of target rock units. Direct thermal conductivity measurements are being made of select bedrock samples in addition to sedimentary rocks of the Hartford Basin. Theoretical thermal profiles derived from rock geochemistry will provide an estimate of heat generated at depth for geologic units of interest and assist in determining the potential for an insulating layer overlying heat producing granitoids. Direct thermal conductivity measurements of unconsolidated materials throughout CT are also being made to support the ground-source heat pump industry. All data and mapping will be accessible via the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS).}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, Connecticut, Economic geology, geology of energy sources 29A, energy sources, geothermal energy, geothermal exploration, geothermal gradient, granites, heat flow, igneous rocks, New England, plutonic rocks, temperature, thermal conductivity, United States}, isbn = {00167592}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012NE/finalprogram/abstract_200494.htm}, author = {Gagnon, Teresa K. and Koteas, G. Christopher and Thomas, Margaret A. and Stephen B Mabee and John Michael Rhodes} } @proceedings {298, title = {Granite as a geothermal resource in the Northeast}, volume = {44}, year = {2012}, note = {Accession Number: 2012-090078; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Hartford, CT, United States; Conference Date: 20120318; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 76; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201247; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {2012/02/01/}, pages = {76 - 76}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, abstract = {In the absence of volcano-derived hydrothermal activity and high heat flow, granitic plutons provide an alternative geothermal resource from which heat may be usefully extracted. Compared with other crustal rocks, granites contain higher concentrations of the heat producing elements (K, U, Th). Additionally, they are more homogeneous and have simpler fracture systems than surrounding country rock, allowing for stimulation through hydro-fracking of large (>1 km (super 3) ) geothermal reservoirs. However, not all granites are created equal! Those with heat production > 5 mu W/m (super 3) , or with deep batholithic roots, are the most promising. Estimated temperatures at a given depth are related to the heat production, thickness and thermal conductivity of the granite. For example, the Carnmenellis Pluton in Cornwall, England (which will be drilled in 2012) is estimated to have temperatures in excess of 170 degrees C at a depth of 5 km, which is sufficient for co-production of electricity and hot water for heating. More importantly, granite bodies that are buried beneath thick sequences of thermally insulating sediments are also potential geothermal targets. Most successful examples to date include the Soultz sur Foret project in France, with temperatures of 200 degrees C at a depth of 5 km. (and which is currently producing electricity), Innamincka, Australia, with temperatures of 250 degrees C at a depth of 4 km. (which will be producing in 2012), and the seismically ill-fated project in Basel, Switzerland. Surely, if such projects involving the geothermal potential of granites, can succeed elsewhere, they can succeed here in the granite-rich Northeast? The geothermal potential of the Conway Granite, NH has long been recognized. Other possibilities include the Fitchburg Pluton, MA, and granites buried beneath the Carboniferous sediments of the Narragansett Basin and the Triassic sediments of the Connecticut River valley.}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, Cammenallis Pluton, Cornwall England, Eastern U.S., Economic geology, geology of energy sources 29A, energy sources, England, Europe, geothermal energy, geothermal exploration, granites, Great Britain, heat flow, hydrothermal conditions, igneous rocks, intrusions, Northeastern U.S., plutonic rocks, plutons, thermal conductivity, United Kingdom, United States, Western Europe}, isbn = {00167592}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012NE/finalprogram/abstract_200603.htm}, author = {John Michael Rhodes and Koteas, G. Christopher and Stephen B Mabee} } @proceedings {299, title = {Ground truth? Relationship between lineaments and bedrock fabric}, volume = {21}, year = {1989}, note = {Accession Number: 1991-043915; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 1989 annual meeting; St. Louis, MO, United States; Conference Date: 19891106; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: A68; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 1991; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 1989 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Dymek, Robert F. [chairperson]; Shelton, Kevin L. [chairperson]; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {1989/01/01/}, pages = {A68 - A68}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, aerial photography, BEDROCK, fabric, faults, fractures, granites, ground truth, igneous rocks, joints, lineaments, Maine, orientation, pegmatite, plutonic rocks, quartz veins, SLAR, structural analysis, Structural geology, Structural geology 16, United States, veins}, isbn = {00167592}, author = {Stephen B Mabee and Hardcastle, Kenneth C. and Donald U Wise} } @proceedings {301, title = {Implications for non-traditional geothermal resources in southern New England; variability in heat potential based on thermal conductivity and geochemistry studies}, volume = {44}, year = {2012}, note = {Accession Number: 2012-090079; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Hartford, CT, United States; Conference Date: 20120318; Language: English; Coordinates: N420000N473000W0670000W0733000; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 2; Collation: 76-77; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201247; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic}, month = {2012/02/01/}, pages = {76 - 77}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, address = {United States}, abstract = {Estimating geothermal potential in southern New England in the absence of borehole heat flow data or geophysical studies has led to a focus on models based on thermal conductivity, geochemistry, and density-based heat production models. Preliminary estimates of geothermal potential generally match borehole-based heat flow data from similar tectonic environments. Nevertheless, microstructural and compositional heterogeneity with depth remain largely unconstrained. The extrapolation of regional structures based on detailed field mapping has helped to improve structural projections adjacent to major basins. However, an additional source of error in models of heat potential-with-depth are thermal conductivity estimates of igneous and meta-igneous rocks throughout Massachusetts (MA) and Connecticut (CT). Over three hundred granitoid localities in MA and CT have been analyzed to date. The southern New England region can be simplified into four major litho-tectonic zones: the Taconic-Berkshire Zone of western MA and northwestern CT, The Bronson Hill Zone associated with the CT River valley, the Nashoba Zone of central MA and eastern CT, and the Milford-Dedham Zone of eastern MA and eastern CT. Granitic rocks adjacent to the CT River valley and the Narragansett Basin vary considerably in thermal conductivity. Granites adjacent to the Narragansett Basin vary from 2.9 to 3.7 W/m * K. Average thermal conductivity values, combined with modeled heat production values, produce temperatures at 3 km depth along the Narragansett Basin that approach 85-115 degrees C. Values of meta-igneous rocks from the margin of the CT River valley in MA and CT vary more considerably in thermal conductivity, from 1.8 to 3.9W/m * K. Modeled heat potentials at 3 km depths along the eastern margin of the CT River valley vary between 74-122 degrees C and appear to be largely related to compositional variation. However, local rock composition is also related to metamorphic grade and fabric development, suggesting that both fabric and composition are first order controls on thermal conductivity. Modeling based on these data set to date suggests that combining thermal conductivity, whole rock geochemistry data, and density measurements can produce accurate reconnaissance estimates of geothermal potential in southern New England.}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, chemical composition, Connecticut, Economic geology, geology of energy sources 29A, energy sources, geothermal energy, geothermal exploration, granites, heat flow, igneous rocks, massachusetts, models, New England, plutonic rocks, thermal conductivity, United States}, isbn = {00167592}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012NE/finalprogram/abstract_200837.htm}, author = {Koteas, G. Christopher and John Michael Rhodes and Stephen B Mabee and Ryan, Amy and Schmidt, Joe and League, Corey and Goodhue, Nathaniel and Adams, Sharon A. and Gagnon, Teresa K. and Thomas, Margaret A.} } @proceedings {351, title = {The influence of ductile structure and rheological heterogeneity on brittle structures as exhibited by Avalonian granites in southeastern Massachusetts}, volume = {40}, year = {2008}, month = {03/2008}, pages = {3}, publisher = {Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States}, edition = {2}, address = {Buffalo, NY}, abstract = {The orientation and geographic distribution of joints, veins, and brittle faults show a conspicuous correlation with the heterogeneous distribution of foliation and lineation intensity in Neo-Proterozoic granites and their deformed counterparts in southeastern Massachusetts. Field mapping and stereonet analysis of brittle and ductile structural data collected during 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping of the Milford quadrangle yielded the following general observations, which suggest that the ductile deformational history of this region appears to have strongly influenced the later development of brittle structures in the same rocks: The behavior of these fractures in relation to ductile structure have implications for rheological constraints on tectonic models of the post-Alleghenian core of the New England Appalachians, hydrogeologic models of regional fractured bedrock aquifers, and the interpretation of topographic lineaments.}, keywords = {$\#$StaffPubs, acadian, alleghenian, avalon, BEDROCK, dikes, foliation, fracture, fracture system, fracture trace, fractures, granite, granites, Hopkinton, joints, l-tectonites, lineaments, lineation, Milford, Upton}, url = {https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008NE/finalprogram/abstract_134899.htm}, author = {Joseph P Kopera} } @article {335, title = {The Massachusetts Geothermal Data Project}, year = {2013}, publisher = {Massachusetts Geological Survey}, abstract = {A series of geothermal maps and datasets for Massachusetts derived from data collected by the MGS for Massachusetts and Connecticut. These data include whole rock geochemistry, rock and soil thermal conductivity, hot spring aqueous geochemistry, and derivative thermal and heatflow modeling. The project includes multiple datasets and products which can be accessed here or via the National Geothermal Data System (http://search.geothermaldata.org/dataset?q=Massachusetts). These datasets and products are: Maps: Comprising MGS Miscellaneous Maps 13-01 through 13-08 Data: can be downloaded from the links below