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Contaminants in Groundwater near Superfund sites in Pennsylvania Active

By Pennsylvania Water Science Center August 23, 2023

USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of Superfund and other hazardous-waste sites in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with EPA. Additional cooperative support has been provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery, and local government agencies.

Highlights

  • Many Superfund sites in southeastern Pennsylvania are underlain by Newark Basin fractured-sedimentary-rock aquifers, which historically have been used for industrial and drinking-water supply
  • Field testing characterized the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic strata showing the predominant role of dipping bed-oriented fractures in contaminant migration
  • Measured water levels in wells were used to construct water-level maps, and aquifer testing revealed high-permeability hydraulic connections between wells
  • Groundwater-flow models were developed based on synthesis of monitoring data and field-test results for selected sites
  • Simulations of transport paths were compared to observed contaminant distributions, and the simulated effect of changes in pumping on flow paths helped optimize pump and treat system operation
  • Areas contributing recharge to streams and discharging wells were mapped using the groundwater-flow models; as groundwater withdrawals in the area have decreased, a higher proportion of local recharge ultimately discharges to streams

 

USGS has also investigated groundwater contamination in sedimentary and carbonate aquifers near Philadelphia and in fractured-rock aquifers near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, EPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and others.

 

 

map of Pennsylvania with colored dots, shading, and county outlines
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National Priority List (NPL) Superfund sites in Pennsylvania. Map identifies sites where USGS cooperative studies are ongoing or have been completed as of October, 2023. (USGS, site locations from catalog.data.gov/dataset/npl-superfund-site-boundaries-epa)

 

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

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Quarry photo with dipping sedimentary rock, SE Penn. Newark Basin

Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania

USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery counties...
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Contaminants in groundwater near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania

USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of former Navy bases in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Additional cooperative support for these investigations has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bucks and Montgomery counties...
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USGS scientist with equipment used to inject fluids for a bioaugmentation experiment

Contaminant Fate and Transport Studies in Fractured Sedimentary Rock Aquifers at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, N.J.

Contaminants associated with industrial, airport, and other activities are present in groundwater in fractured-rock aquifers, posing long-term hazards to drinking-water supplies and ecosystems. The heterogeneous character of fractured rock challenges our understanding, monitoring, and remediation of such sites.
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New Jersey Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Contaminant Fate and Transport Studies in Fractured Sedimentary Rock Aquifers at the former Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), West Trenton, N.J.

Contaminants associated with industrial, airport, and other activities are present in groundwater in fractured-rock aquifers, posing long-term hazards to drinking-water supplies and ecosystems. The heterogeneous character of fractured rock challenges our understanding, monitoring, and remediation of such sites.
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Groundwater, surface water, bed sediment, soil, benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and biological indices data collected near and at the Open Burning/Open Detonation (OB/OD) Areas at the Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 2018-2021

Sampling is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at nine wells, eight surface water sites, three bed sediment retention ponds, and two fields for soil samples at areas near and within the Open Burning/Open Detonation (OB/OD) areas in the Ammunition Area (AA) of Letterkenny Army Depot. Analytical results for groundwater samples collected from 2018-2021 are provided in “OBOD_wells_data_201
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Altitude of selected beds and inferred faults in boreholes as identified from geophysical logs at Valmont TCE Site, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

This dataset contains altitudes of selected beds and inferred faults in boreholes within an area of interest determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Valmont TCE Superfund site in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The selected beds correspond to sections of borehole geophysical logs with elevated natural gamma activity as described in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Open-F
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Soil Chemistry and Quality Control Data in support of Environmental Monitoring at the Open Burning/Open Detonation (OB/OD) areas in the Ammunition Area (AA) at Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 2021

Soil sampling was needed to provide analytical soil data for areas near the Open Burning/Open Detonation (OB/OD) areas in the Ammunition Area (AA) of Letterkenny Army Depot. The U.S. Geological Survey sampled 10 locations and prepared the samples for chemical analyses. Samples were collected from depths of zero to six inches with a stainless-steel trowel. Multiple subsamples (10-20) were homogeniz
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Quality Control and Soil Quality Data in support of Baseline Environmental Monitoring at the Ammonium Perchlorate Rocket Motor Destruction (ARMD) Facility at the Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 2016

From September to December, 2016, herein referred to as the baseline characterization period, monthly samples were collected from four groundwater wells, one surfacewater site, and nine soil samples near the ARMD Facility. The only surfacewater site sampled monthly during the baseline characterization period was upgradient of the facility. There was no streamflow at surfacewater sites downgradient
By
Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Colorful lidar data map over black background
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sUAS at Darby Creek Superfund Site
Group of people outside smiling at camera with drone on the ground
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sUAS at Darby Creek Superfund Site
Colorful elevation model of ClearView Landfill
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sUAS at Darby Creek Superfund Site
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Hydrogeologic framework, water levels, and selected contaminant concentrations at Valmont TCE Superfund Site, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 2020

The Valmont TCE Superfund Site, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is underlain by fractured and folded sandstones and shales of the Pottsville and Mauch Chunk Formations, which form a fractured-rock aquifer recharged locally by precipitation. Industrial activities at the former Chromatex Plant resulted in trichloroethene (TCE) contamination of groundwater at and near the facility, which was identified

Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Alex R. Fiore, Philip H. Bird
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Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Baseline environmental monitoring of groundwater, surface water, and soil at the Ammonium Perchlorate Rocket Motor Destruction Facility at the Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 2016

Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, built an Ammonium Perchlorate Rocket Motor Destruction (ARMD) facility in 2016. The ARMD Facility was designed to centralize rocket motor destruction and contain or capture all waste during the destruction process. Ideally, there would be no contaminant transport to air, soil, or water from the facility, but the Code of Federal Regulations requ
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Daniel G. Galeone
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Effects of changes in pumping on regional groundwater-flow paths, 2005 and 2010, and areas contributing recharge to discharging wells, 1990–2010, in the vicinity of North Penn Area 7 Superfund site, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

A previously developed regional groundwater flow model was used to simulate the effects of changes in pumping rates on groundwater-flow paths and extent of recharge discharging to wells for a contaminated fractured bedrock aquifer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Groundwater in the vicinity of the North Penn Area 7 Superfund site, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was found to be contaminated with org
Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Daniel J. Goode
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Surface geophysics and porewater evaluation at the Lower Darby Creek Area Superfund Site, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2013

In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 3, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is participating in an ongoing study to aid in the identification of subsurface heterogeneities that may act as preferential pathways for contaminant transport in and around the Lower Darby Creek Area (LDCA) Superfund Site, Philadelphia Pa. Lower Darby Creek, which flows into the Delawar
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Charles W. Walker, James R. Degnan, Michael J. Brayton, Roberto M. Cruz, Michelle M. Lorah
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Water Resources Mission Area, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Investigations of groundwater system and simulation of regional groundwater flow for North Penn Area 7 Superfund site, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Groundwater in the vicinity of several industrial facilities in Upper Gwynedd Township and vicinity, Montgomery County, in southeast Pennsylvania has been shown to be contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the most common of which is the solvent trichloroethylene (TCE). The 2-square-mile area was placed on the National Priorities List as the North Penn Area 7 Superfund site by the U.
Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Daniel J. Goode
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Geophysical Logs, Specific Capacity, and Water Quality of Four Wells at Rogers Mechanical (former Tate Andale) Property, North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site, Lansdale, Pennsylvania, 2006-07

As part of technical assistance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in the remediation of properties on the North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site in Lansdale, Pa., the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2006-07 collected data in four monitor wells at the Rogers Mechanical (former Tate Andale) property. During this period, USGS collected and analyzed borehole geophysical and video logs of
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Lisa A. Senior, Philip H. Bird
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of Water-Chemistry and Water-Level Data at the Henderson Road Superfund Site, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1991-2008

Several shutdown-rebound tests have been conducted at the Henderson Road Superfund Site, which has been on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List since 1984. For a given test, the extraction wells are turned off, and water samples are collected from selected monitor wells at regular intervals before and during cessation of pumping to monitor for changes in chemical con
Authors
Ronald A. Sloto
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Geophysical Logs, Aquifer Tests, and Water Levels in Wells in and Near the North Penn Area 7 Superfund Site, Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 2002-2006

Ground water in the vicinity of several industrial facilities in Upper Gwynedd Township and Lansdale Borough, Montgomery County, Pa., is contaminated with several volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The 2-square-mile area was placed on the National Priorities List as the North Penn Area 7 Superfund Site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 1989. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) c
Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Randall W. Conger, Philip H. Bird
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Simulation of ground-water flow and areas contributing recharge to extraction wells at the Drake Chemical Superfund Site, City of Lock Haven and Castanea Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Extensive remediation of the Drake Chemical Superfund Site has been ongoing since 1983. Contaminated soils were excavated and incinerated on site between 1996 and 1999. After 1999, remedial efforts focused on contaminated ground water. A ground-water remediation system was started in November 2000. The source area of the contaminated ground water was assumed to be the zone 1 area on the Drake Chem
Authors
Curtis L. Schreffler
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of geophysical logs and aquifer-isolation tests, Phase III, August 2002 to March 2004, Crossley Farm superfund site, Hereford township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Between August 2002 and March 2004, geophysical logging was conducted in 23 boreholes at the Crossley Farm Superfund Site, Hereford Township, Berks County, Pa., to determine the water-producing zones, water-receiving zones, zones of vertical-borehole flow, and fracture orientation where applicable. The boreholes ranged in depth from 71 to 503 ft (feet) below land surface. The geophysical logging d
Authors
Randall W. Conger, Dennis J. Low
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Borehole geophysical logging and aquifer-isolation tests conducted in well MG-1693 at North Penn Area 5 Superfund Site near Colmar, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Borehole geophysical logging and aquifer-isolation (packer) tests were conducted in well MG-1693 (NP-87) at the North Penn Area 5 Superfund Site near Colmar, Montgomery County, Pa. Objectives of the study were to identify the depth and yield of water-bearing zones, occurrence of vertical borehole flow, and effects of pumping on water levels in nearby wells. Caliper, natural-gamma, single-point-res
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Philip H. Bird
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Arsenic, Boron, and Fluoride Concentrations in Ground Water in and Near Diabase Intrusions, Newark Basin, Southeastern Pennsylvania

During an investigation in 2000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) of possible contaminant releases from an industrial facility on Congo Road near Gilbertsville in Berks and Montgomery Counties, southeastern Pennsylvania, concentrations of arsenic and fluoride above USEPA drinking-water standards of 10 ?g/L and 4 mg/L, respectively, and of boron above the USEPA health advisory lev
Authors
Lisa A. Senior, Ronald A. Sloto
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Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. National Park Service