Characterization of Site Hydrogeology April 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Technical Guidance Manual for Hydrogeologic Investigations and Ground Water Monitoring Chapter 3 2015 Characterization of Site Hydrogeology April John R. Kasich , Governor Mary Taylor, Lt. Governor Craig W. Butler , Director TECHNICAL GUIDANCE MANAUAL FOR HYDROGEOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS AND GROUND WATER MONITORING CHAPTER 3 Characterization of Site Hydrogeology April 2015 Revision 2 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Drinking and Ground Waters P.O. Box 1049 50 West Town Street, Suite 700 Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049 Phone: (614) 644-2752 epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/ TGM Chapter 3: Site Hydrogeology 3-ii Revision 2, April 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. iii PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... v CHANGES FROM THE FEBRUARY 2006 TGM ............................................................................ vi 1.0 PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS ................................................................................................ 2 2.0 FIELD METHODS TO COLLECT HYDROGEOLOGIC SAMPLES AND DATA ......................... 5 2.1 DIRECT TECHNIQUES ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Boring/Coring ................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.2 Test Pits and Trenches ................................................................................................. 7 2.1.3 Pumping and Slug Tests ............................................................................................... 7 2.1.4 Tracer Tests .................................................................................................................. 7 2.1.5 Ground Water Level Measurements .............................................................................. 9 2.2 SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNIQUES ...................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 Geophysics ................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2 Cone Penetration Tests .............................................................................................. 11 2.2.3. Aerial Imagery ............................................................................................................ 12 3.0 HYDROGEOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION............................................................................ 12 3.1 STRATIGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 13 3.2 DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF UNCONSOLIDATED MATERIALS ............... 13 3.2.1 Classification Systems ................................................................................................ 13 3.2.2 Texture (Particle Size, Particle Shape and Packing) ................................................... 15 3.2.3 Plasticity...................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.4 Toughness .................................................................................................................. 16 3.2.5 Dilatancy ..................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.6. Typical Field USCS Fine Grained Soil Classes in Ohio .............................................. 17 3.2.7 Consistency ................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.8 Color ........................................................................................................................... 18 3.2.9 Moisture Content ......................................................................................................... 18 3.2.10 Consistency .............................................................................................................. 19 3.2.11 Sedimentary Structures and Depositional Environment ............................................. 20 3.3 DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF CONSOLIDATED MATERIALS ..................... 22 3.4 FRACTURING .................................................................................................................... 23 3.5 ANTHROPOGENIC INFLUENCE ....................................................................................... 26 3.6 GROUND WATER OCCURRENCE ................................................................................... 27 3.6.1 Flow Direction ............................................................................................................. 28 3.6.2 Hydraulic Gradient ...................................................................................................... 35 3.6.3 Porosity/Effective Porosity .......................................................................................... 35 3.6.4 Hydraulic Conductivity................................................................................................. 36 3.6.5 Intrinsic Permeability/Coefficient of Permeability ......................................................... 42 3.6.6 Transmissivity ............................................................................................................. 43 3.6.7 Storage Coefficient, Specific Storage and Specific Yield ............................................. 43 3.6.8 Flow Rate .................................................................................................................... 43 3.6.9 Saturated Zone Yield .................................................................................................. 44 4.0 GROUND WATER USE DETERMINATION ............................................................................ 45 4.1 PUBLICLY AVAILABLE RECORDS ................................................................................... 45 4.2 SURVEYS .......................................................................................................................... 45 4.3 OTHER LINES OF EVIDENCE .......................................................................................... 45 5.0 ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF HYDROGEOLOGIC INFORMATION .......................... 46 5.1 WRITTEN DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................. 46 5.2 RAW DATA ........................................................................................................................ 47 5.3 CROSS SECTIONS ........................................................................................................... 48 TGM Chapter 3: Site Hydrogeology 3-iii Revision 2, April 2015 5.4 MAPS ................................................................................................................................. 48 5.5 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 49 6.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 50 TGM Chapter 3: Site Hydrogeology 3-iv Revision 2, April 2015 PREFACE The subject of this document is techniques to characterize hydrogeology beneath a site. It is part of a series of chapters incorporated in Ohio EPA’s Technical Guidance Manual for Hydrogeologic Investigations and Ground Water Monitoring (TGM), which was originally published in 1995. Ohio EPA now maintains this guidance as a series of chapters rather than as an individual manual. These chapters can be obtained at epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/tgmweb.aspx. The TGM identifies technical considerations for performing hydrogeologic investigations and ground water monitoring at potential or known ground water pollution sources. The purpose of the guidance is to enhance consistency within the Agency and inform the regulated community of the Agency’s technical recommendations and the basis for them. Ohio EPA utilizes guidance to aid regulators and the regulated community in meeting laws, rules, regulations and policy. Guidance outlines recommended practices and explains their rational. The methods and practices described in this guidance are not intended to be the only methods and practices available to an entity for complying with a specific rule. Unless following the guidance is specifically required within a rule, the agency cannot require an entity to follow methods recommended by the guidance. The procedures used to meet requirements usually should be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the individual site, project, and applicable regulatory program, and should not comprise a rigid step-by-step approach that is utilized in all situations. TGM Chapter 3: Site Hydrogeology 3-v Revision 2, April 2015 CHANGES FROM THE FEBRUARY 2006 TGM Ohio EPA’s Technical Guidance Manual for Hydrogeologic Investigations and Ground Water Monitoring (TGM) was first finalized in 1995. Chapter 3 (Characterization of Site Hydrogeology) was subsequently updated in October 2006. This is the second revision to the chapter. Section numbers were added to make the document easier to read. References were updated, in particular, the references to ASTM standards. The appendix listing out geophysical techniques was removed. The Agency decided that it would maintain a Geophysical Chapter