Geohydrology, Water Levels and Directions of Flow, and Occurrence of Light-Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids on Ground Water in Northwestern Indiana and the Lake Calumet Area of Northeastern Illinois

Kay, Robert T.; Duwelius, Richard F.; Brown, Timothy A.; Micke, Frederick A.; Witt-Smith, Carol A.

Abstract:

A study was performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to describe the geohydrology and distribution of light-nonaqueousphase liquids in an industrialized area of northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois. The geologic units of concern underlying this area are the carbonates of the Niagaran Series, the Detroit River and Traverse Formations; the Antrim Shale; and sands, silts, and clays of Quaternary age. The hydrologic units of concern are surface water, the Calumet aquifer, the confining unit, and the Silurian-Devonian aquifer. Water levels collected in June 1992 indicate that the water-table configuration generally is a subdued reflection of topography. Recharge from landfill leachate and ponded water, discharge to sewers, and pumping also affect the water-table configuration. A depression in the potentiometric surface of the Silurian-Devonian aquifer results from pumping. Light-nonaqueous-phase liquids were detected near petroleum handling, industrial and waste-disposal facilities. Horizontal ground-water velocity at the water table in the confining unit ranged from 4.4x10-4 to 1.0x10-3 feet per day. Horizontal ground-water velocity in the Calumet and Silurian-Devonian aquifers ranged from 1.0x10-2 to 3.4x10-1 and from 1.4x10-2 to 2.9x10-2 feet per day, respectively. Vertical hydraulic gradients indicate generally downward flow from the Calumet aquifer into the confining unit, then into the Silurian-Devonian aquifer. Calculated vertical groundwater velocity through the weathered and unweathered parts of the confining unit are 3.8x10-2 and 1.5x10-3 feet per day, respectively.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

25532

Citation Author:

Kay, Robert T.; Duwelius, Richard F.; Brown, Timothy A.; Micke, Frederick A.; Witt-Smith, Carol A.

Citation Contributing Office:

Geological Survey (U.S.)

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Citation Language:

ENGLISH

Citation Larger Work Title:

Citation LatN:

0414500

Citation LatS:

0413000

Citation LonE:

-0870500

Citation LonW:

-0874500

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Citation Phsyical Description:

v, 84 p.

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Citation Public Comments:

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Citation Publisher:

Geological Survey (U.S.)

Citation Series:

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Citation Series Code:

WRI

Citation Series Number:

95-4253

Citation Search Results Text:

Geohydrology, Water Levels and Directions of Flow, and Occurrence of Light-Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids on Ground Water in Northwestern Indiana and the Lake Calumet Area of Northeastern Illinois; 1996; WRI; 95-4253; Kay, Robert T.; Duwelius, Richard F.; Brown, Timothy A.; Micke, Frederick A.; Witt-Smith, Carol A.