Publication Date

1988

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Booth, Colin J.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geology

LCSH

Aquifers--Illinois--Ogle County; Hydrology--Illinois--Ogle County; Groundwater--Illinois--Ogle County; Water--Pollution--Illinois--Ogle County

Abstract

Groundwater contamination caused by improper disposal of hazardous industrial waste has become a serious problem in the United States. The Byron-Johnson Salvage is an EPA Superfund Site in north-central Illinois where contamination of a shallow fractured dolomite aquifer has occurred. In this study, the hydrogeology and hydraulic characteristics of this aquifer were investigated to help understand contaminant migration paths and evaluate aquifer remediation potential. Water-level measurements taken across the study area indicate that regional groundwater flow patterns are partly controlled by topography and related fracture zones. However, water levels measured in closely spaced wells and piezometer nests suggest that a laterally variable zone of competent dolomite restricts vertical groundwater flow southeast of the site, resulting in steep, irregular water-table gradients at the salvage yard. Slug test analyses indicate lithologic/stratigraphic controls on permeability distribution within the dolomite, but also suggest that fracture interconnection, regardless of stratigraphic position, ultimately controls aquifer permeability. Analysis of core samples indicates that lithologic controls on permeability distribution are mainly due to preferential dissolution along fractures and other secondary openings. The cone of water-table depression during an aquifer pumping test conducted at the site was elliptical, with the direction of the major axis being nearly identical to the major orientation of faults and fractures measured in the area. This strongly suggests a structural control on aquifer anisotropy, and that contaminants may be transported from the site preferentially along systems of interconnected fractures. Quantitative aquifer-test analysis using the Boulton Streltsova- Adams (1978) double-porosity model for unconfined aquifers indicates that transmissivity along the major axis of the drawdown ellipse is approximately 660 ft/day, while transmissivity along the minor axis is approximately 480 ft/day.

Comments

Bibliography: pages [121]-125.

Extent

x, 148 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

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