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About the Research.
The Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program specializes in locating and quantifying exchanges of groundwater and surface water, along with characterizing geologic structure and mapping hydrologic connectivity across varied landscapes.
The Hydrogeophysics CTT harnesses that magic using natural and induced geophysical signals to measure a range of hydrogeologic parameters relevant to the research of Integrated Science Teams.
For example, geophysical methods based on measuring the electrical, thermal, and (or) physical properties of surface water, groundwater, and the shallow subsurface can enable the efficient geolocation and quantification of groundwater and surface-water related processes. Such spatially comprehensive and spatially distributed information can tie point measurements to larger geologic structures and ecological processes impacting flow and transport at local and regional scales. Similar data types collected over time (i.e., time-lapse data) allow researchers to track highly dynamic processes such as the movement of contaminant plumes, soil moisture, and saltwater intrusion. As a result, we are better able to understand and forecast movement of water between groundwater and surface-water bodies and associated changes in water quality and quantity.
The Hydrogeophysics CTT has been a leader in advancing the use of hydrogeophysics to study groundwater/surface-water exchange, groundwater process, and controlling geology for decades via methods and software development and pioneering research. Current efforts continue to foster innovation and development of hydrogeophysical technologies and methodologies to answer important questions related to PFAS and metals fate and transport, HABs, and other pressing EH research goals.
Land Surface Geophysical Capabilities
Waterborne and Wetland Capabilities
Monitoring Well and Borehole Geophysical Capabilities
Uncrewed Aircraft Capabilities
† Hypertext links to non-USGS products and services; and the use of trade names, trademarks, company names, or other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government.
Science activities related to the Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team can be found below.
Multimedia items related to the Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team can be found below.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage. Streams that gain groundwater as they flow are common across glaciated regions such as the Delaware River Basin, and the...
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
A long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
A long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
USGS Hydrologist Eric White monitors a computer displaying real-time data inversions while towing a novel floating transient electromagnetic (TEM) system (i.e., FloaTEM) on the Columbia River near Richland, Washington, adjacent to the Hanford 300 Area.
USGS Hydrologist Eric White monitors a computer displaying real-time data inversions while towing a novel floating transient electromagnetic (TEM) system (i.e., FloaTEM) on the Columbia River near Richland, Washington, adjacent to the Hanford 300 Area.
Studying groundwater and permafrost with geophysics slideshow
Studying groundwater and permafrost with geophysics slideshow
About the Research.
The Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program specializes in locating and quantifying exchanges of groundwater and surface water, along with characterizing geologic structure and mapping hydrologic connectivity across varied landscapes.
The Hydrogeophysics CTT harnesses that magic using natural and induced geophysical signals to measure a range of hydrogeologic parameters relevant to the research of Integrated Science Teams.
For example, geophysical methods based on measuring the electrical, thermal, and (or) physical properties of surface water, groundwater, and the shallow subsurface can enable the efficient geolocation and quantification of groundwater and surface-water related processes. Such spatially comprehensive and spatially distributed information can tie point measurements to larger geologic structures and ecological processes impacting flow and transport at local and regional scales. Similar data types collected over time (i.e., time-lapse data) allow researchers to track highly dynamic processes such as the movement of contaminant plumes, soil moisture, and saltwater intrusion. As a result, we are better able to understand and forecast movement of water between groundwater and surface-water bodies and associated changes in water quality and quantity.
The Hydrogeophysics CTT has been a leader in advancing the use of hydrogeophysics to study groundwater/surface-water exchange, groundwater process, and controlling geology for decades via methods and software development and pioneering research. Current efforts continue to foster innovation and development of hydrogeophysical technologies and methodologies to answer important questions related to PFAS and metals fate and transport, HABs, and other pressing EH research goals.
Land Surface Geophysical Capabilities
Waterborne and Wetland Capabilities
Monitoring Well and Borehole Geophysical Capabilities
Uncrewed Aircraft Capabilities
† Hypertext links to non-USGS products and services; and the use of trade names, trademarks, company names, or other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government.
Science activities related to the Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team can be found below.
Multimedia items related to the Hydrogeophysics Core Technology Team can be found below.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage. Streams that gain groundwater as they flow are common across glaciated regions such as the Delaware River Basin, and the...
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
A long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
A long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
Eric White and Patrick Scordato of the USGS float an electromagnetic imaging tool along a coastal area in Massachusetts to identify terrestrial groundwater discharge that may be impacted by PFAS contamination.
USGS Hydrologist Eric White monitors a computer displaying real-time data inversions while towing a novel floating transient electromagnetic (TEM) system (i.e., FloaTEM) on the Columbia River near Richland, Washington, adjacent to the Hanford 300 Area.
USGS Hydrologist Eric White monitors a computer displaying real-time data inversions while towing a novel floating transient electromagnetic (TEM) system (i.e., FloaTEM) on the Columbia River near Richland, Washington, adjacent to the Hanford 300 Area.
Studying groundwater and permafrost with geophysics slideshow
Studying groundwater and permafrost with geophysics slideshow