Pennsylvania Waters - Winter 2021–22 - Issue 6
Here's the latest USGS data, information, and findings on Pennsylvania's water resources, including local studies of groundwater quality and sediment in streams, regional studies of water quality and fish health in the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds, and national studies that include rivers in Pennsylvania.
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Water Quality of Domestic Wells in Marcellus Shale Region
A new USGS study, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, identifies factors affecting the quality of groundwater used for domestic supply within the Marcellus Shale footprint in north-central and north-east Pennsylvania using a combination of spatial, statistical, and geochemical modeling.
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
Surrogate regression models for computation of time series suspended-sediment concentrations, Chester County, Pennsylvania (2020)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA), has collected discrete stream samples for analysis of suspended-sediment concentrations at seven gaging stations where near real-time continuous data on stream discharge, and turbidity have been collected since 2005. Historical regression equations to estimate suspended-sediment concentrati
Fractured-Rock Test Holes in Areas of Marcellus Shale Gas Development, Pennsylvania
USGS and Pennsylvania Geological Survey analyzed rock cuttings, geophysical logs, water quality, water-bearing zones, gas-isotope, and other data from deep test holes drilled in fractured bedrock in north-central Pennsylvania. The results of this study helped to quantify the depth and character of fresh and saline groundwater in areas of shale-gas exploration and development.
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
Updated 2020 Nutrient and Suspended-Sediment Trends for the Nine Major Rivers Entering the Chesapeake Bay
Issue: The amount of nutrients and suspended sediment entering the Chesapeake Bay affect water-quality conditions in tidal waters. Excess nutrients contribute to algal blooms that lower the oxygen levels in tidal waters that are important for fish and shellfish. The algal blooms, along with suspended sediment, also decrease visibility in shallow waters for submerged aquatic grasses. The grasses are important because they put oxygen into tidal waters, provide habitat for fish and crabs, and food for waterfowl.
Perfluoroalkyl substances in plasma of smallmouth bass from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu is an economically important sportfish and within the Chesapeake Bay watershed has experienced a high prevalence of external lesions, infectious disease, mortality events, reproductive endocrine disruption and population declines. To date, no clear or consistent associations with contaminants measured in fish tissue or surface water have been found. Therefore,
Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
The U.S. Geological Survey measured cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins at 11 river sites throughout the conterminous United States in a multiyear pilot study during 2017–19 through the National Water Quality Assessment Project to better understand the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in large inland and coastal rivers. This report focuses on the first 2 years of