Evaluation of Spring Discharge for Characterization of Groundwater Flow in Fractured Rock Aquifers: A Case Study from the Blue Ridge Province, VA

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dc.contributor.authorGentry, William Milesen
dc.contributor.committeechairBurbey, Thomas J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberHole, John A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSchreiber, Madeline E.en
dc.contributor.departmentGeological Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:30:45Zen
dc.date.adate2003-01-22en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:30:45Zen
dc.date.issued2003-01-10en
dc.date.rdate2004-01-22en
dc.date.sdate2003-01-16en
dc.description.abstractRecent models of groundwater flow in the Blue Ridge Province suggest multiple aquifers and flow paths may be responsible for springs and seeps appearing throughout the region. Deep confined aquifers and shallow variably confined aquifers may contribute water to spring outlets, resulting in vastly different water quality and suitability for potable water supplies and stock watering. A new Low Flow Recording System (LoFRS) was developed to measure the discharge of these springs that are so ubiquitous throughout the Blue Ridge Province. Analysis of spring discharge, combined with electrical resistivity surveying, aquifer tests, and water chemistry data reveal mixed shallow and deep aquifer sources for some springs, while other springs and artesian wells are sourced only in the deep aquifer. The technique is suitable for rapid characterization of flow paths leading to spring outlets. Rapid characterization is important for evaluation of potential water quality problems arising from contamination of shallow and deep aquifers, and for evaluation of water resource susceptibility to drought. The spring discharge technique is also suitable for use in other locations where fractured rock and crystalline rock aquifers are common.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-01162003-132850en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-01162003-132850/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/30965en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartthesis-b.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectspringsen
dc.subjectcrystalline rocksen
dc.subjectaquifer characterizationen
dc.subjectfractured rocksen
dc.subjectBlue Ridgeen
dc.titleEvaluation of Spring Discharge for Characterization of Groundwater Flow in Fractured Rock Aquifers: A Case Study from the Blue Ridge Province, VAen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineGeological Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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