Superfund Research Program
Hydrogeology Core
Project Leader: Alexander F. van Geen
Grant Number: P42ES010349
Funding Period: 2000-2021
Project-Specific Links
Project Summary (2017-2021)
Characterizing groundwater flow is essential for documenting the geochemical processes in an aquifer. These processes affect arsenic (As). The Hydrogeology Core provides the tools and expertise for collecting and interpreting a broad range of hydrogeological data in the US and in Bangladesh.
At the Massachusetts Military Reserve research site on Cape Cod, which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Lot 86 Superfund site at North Carolina State University, this Core supports the collection of sediment cores and conducts reactive-transport modeling of As on behalf of the research project "Enhanced Remediation at Arsenic-Contaminated Sites in the US" within the Columbia University Superfund Research Program (CU SRP) Center.
In shallow aquifers of the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) cohort area in Bangladesh, this Core also supports the collection of sediment cores and the dating of groundwater using the 3H-3He method in 50 monitoring wells for comparison with data obtained over a decade ago.
In deeper aquifers of the HEALS area, this Core supports additional 3H measurements to document the downward penetration of shallow groundwater. These results, along with water levels and the stable isotopic composition of water, are targets for modeling the impact of asynchronous irrigation pumping on the redistribution of As in shallow aquifers on behalf of the research project "The Resilience of Low-Arsenic Aquifers and Their Role in Reducing Human Exposure" within the CU SRP Center.