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Groundwater Chemistry, Hydrogeologic Properties, Bioremediation Potential, and Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of the Sand and Gravel Aquifer at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, near Milton, Florida, 2015–20

Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5124
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215124

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey completed a study between 2015 and 2020 of groundwater contamination in the sand and gravel aquifer at a Superfund site in northwestern Florida. Groundwater-quality samples were collected from representative monitoring wells located along a groundwater-flow pathway and analyzed in the field and laboratory. In general, ambient groundwater in the sand and gravel aquifer is acidic, dilute, and oxic. Groundwater age-dating results indicate recharge to the contaminated parts of the aquifer occurred between the 1970s and 1980s. Natural gamma, electromagnetic induction, and borehole nuclear magnetic resonance logs indicated that aquifer hydraulic conductivities generally increased with depth as the aquifer formation material became coarser, characteristic of a prograding marginal-marine delta depositional environment. Aquifer formation material incubated with radiocarbon (carbon-14) cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene demonstrated biodegradation directly to carbon dioxide in contaminated and uncontaminated parts of the aquifer. A three-dimensional, numerical groundwater-flow MODFLOW model of the sand and gravel aquifer in the study area was constructed. The calibrated model reasonably reproduced measured groundwater heads and streamflows. Moreover, the model can be used to run simulations of outcomes of potential remedial strategies, such as monitored natural attenuation, as part of future feasibility studies in the area.

Suggested Citation

Landmeyer, J.E., Swain, E.D., Johnson, C.D., Lisle, J.T., McBride, W.S., Chung, D.H., and Singletary, M.A., 2021, Groundwater chemistry, hydrogeologic properties, bioremediation potential, and three-dimensional numerical simulation of the sand and gravel aquifer at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, near Milton, Florida, 2015–20: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5124, 52 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215124.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Description of the Study Area
  • Methods
  • Results and Discussion of Sand and Gravel Aquifer Analysis
  • Assumptions and Limitations of Methods Used
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Groundwater chemistry, hydrogeologic properties, bioremediation potential, and three-dimensional numerical simulation of the sand and gravel aquifer at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, near Milton, Florida, 2015–20
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2021-5124
DOI 10.3133/sir20215124
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Caribbean Water Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center, WMA - Earth System Processes Division
Description Report: xi, 52 p.; Data Release: Dataset
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details