The position of the fresh water/saltwater interface in hydrostratigraphic units underlying six counties in northeastern North Carolina / by Michelle L. Volosin.
| Author/creator | Volosin, Michelle L. author. |
| Other author | Spruill, Richard K., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2001. |
| Description | 233 leaves : illustrations and maps (some color, some folded) ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The purpose of this thesis is to provide a detailed description of the hydrostratigraphic units underlying northeastern North Carolina, and the location of the fresh water / saltwater interface within those units. Groundwater is a limited natural resource and is relied upon for domestic, commercial, and agricultural uses in northeast North Carolina. Over the next several years, groundwater demands in this area are expected to increase due to significant population, industrial, and agricultural growth. Hydrogeologic analysis of the aquifers underlying the selected counties (Martin, Bertie, Hertford, Chowan, Perquimans, and Pasquotank), with particular emphasis on analysis of the position of the fresh water / saltwater interface, is an essential step toward understanding the resource potential of the region. Nine east-southeast dipping hydrostratigraphic units (labeled A through I) underlie the selected study area. Geophysical and lithologic data from 110 wells indicate that the sand and limestone aquifer units dip east-southeast and thicken coastward. The hydrostratigraphic units generally dip 5-10 ft/mile toward the southeast. These are Cretaceous to Recent strata deposited as transgressive and regressive nearshore marine and continental facies. Silt and clay confining layers that separate the aquifers are of extremely variable thickness. The areal extent of the aquifers also varies. Four of the nine hydrostratigraphic units (A, B, H, and I) underlie the entire study area. Saltwater (>250 ppm Cl) is identified in two of these units west of the Chowan River (Aquifers H and I) and in all screened units (except the surficial aquifer) east of the Chowan River. Chloride concentration increases to the south-southeast in each of the salty hydrostratigraphic units. Concentrations in excess of 7,000 ppm are identified in wells screened in Aquifer D in southeast Pasquotank County. Understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater in the study area is an essential part of analyzing the water resources for this region. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geology. |
| General note | Advisor: Richard K. Spruill |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2001 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-41). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |