Hydrogeologic investigation at a waste disposal site in northern New Jersey

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Northeastern Environmental Science; (United States)

OSTI ID:6969492

Orient, J P ^[1]

---

1. Pittsburgh Univ., PA (United States)

A hydrogeologic investigation was performed near a waste disposal site in northern New Jersey to determine the adverse effects of past waste disposal activities on local groundwater. Major elements of the investigation included drilling, well installations, aquifer testing, and groundwater sampling. Two groundwater flow systems within glacial drift deposits and two within bedrock were identified and characterized during the study. A glaciolacustrine clay deposit, absent at the site, but present throughout most of the downgradient area, separates the two glacial drift flow systems and serves to restrict the spread of contamination within the deeper glacial drift flow system. Within the uppermost bedrock unit, fracturing controls groundwater occurrence and movement, with horizontal stress-relief joints serving as main conduits for lateral groundwater migration. Groundwater flow patterns differ in each of the four flow systems studied, as each system is influenced by different controls on flow direction. Contaminant distributions were unique to each flow system evaluated. The investigation revealed that the hydraulic interconnections among the four flow systems play an important role in the migration of contamination. Small, local surface water drainages and larger, regional surface water features exerted separate controls over groundwater and contaminant movement. Nearby, large-volume pumping wells also influence groundwater flow directions and contaminant migration. These findings illustrate that a thorough understanding of geologic/hydrogeologic conditions and local anthropogenic effects is essential to developing an adequate understanding of the adverse effects of waste disposal activities on groundwater.

• OSTI ID: 6969492
• Journal Information: Northeastern Environmental Science; (United States), Vol. 9:1-2; ISSN 0730-630X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GROUND WATER
CONTAMINATION
NEW JERSEY
WATER POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
WASTE DISPOSAL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)