ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03091.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTGeothermal energy–the naturally occurring heat of the earth's crust–has been used since earliest time by man for a variety of purposes. In recent times, wells have been drilled in close proximity to surface indicators of geothermal heat in an attempt to utilize this resource. The steam or hot water obtained from these wells has been used for agricultural and recreational purposes, to heat buildings, and to generate electricity. It has been estimated that by the year 2,000 between 30,000 Mw and 395,000 Mw of electricity can be generated in the United States with naturally occurring steam.Most geothermal systems of the world are located either in volcanic districts or at the margins of continental plates above subduction zones or spreading ridges. In addition, large quantities of heated ground water under pressure are found throughout the world in many large artesian basins.The various geothermal systems of the world can be divided into three major types based on the occurrence of associated ground waters: hydrothermal, geopressured and hot dry rock masses. In a hydrothermal system most of the heat energy is transferred by convective circulation of ground water and/or steam. Hydrothermal systems can be divided into three general types: vapor dominated, in which only dry steam is produced; wet steam, in which steam and hot water are produced; and hot‐water systems in which only hot water is produced.In the United States the most optimum location for the existence of a commercial geothermal deposit is either in the Gulf of Mexico artesian basin or in the mountainous States of the West where hydrothermal systems are found.At present, and probably for years to come, the primary geothermal exploration efforts will be aimed at discovering and developing high‐temperature hydrothermal systems to be used for generation of electricity. Typical problems that will be encountered in the exploration and development of such systems are: (1) Defining the type of hydrothermal system under investigation; (2) ground‐water flow direction, whether it is vertical or horizontal; (3) recharge rates and areas; (4) porosity and permeability determination; (5) water needs and consumptive usage; (6) disposal of waste fluids; and (7) legal and institutional considerations. A discussion of each problem area is presented. In order to solve many of these problems at the outset, it is believed that the geohydrologist should be an essential member of the explora

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03092.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTFuel oil, underlying approximately four acres, was discovered floating on the water table beneath oil products' storage tanks. The oil, of unknown origin, originally was observed discharging to a river adjacent to the storage tank area from an abandoned clay tile. Approximately 35,000 gallons (132,500 liters) of oil were intercepted and contained prior to the field investigation by borings.Hantush's (1968) theory for the formation of a fresh‐water lens in an unconfined saline aquifer was used to examine the decay of an oil lens resulting from a catastrophic oil spill at the site. The theory indicated that too much time had elapsed from the first detection of oil at the surface to the collection of subsurface information to make it feasible to speculate on the precise nature of the spill event–catastrophic or a slow leak. Application of the theory and consideration of the ground‐water hydrology of the site did make it possible to identify the probable source area of the spill. Analysis of the flow system also assisted in the selection of the appropriate collection system to clean‐up the spill.Subsequent to the boring program, an electrical resistivity survey was conducted to test the feasibility of delineating the extent of the subsurface oil by this method. Only modest success was achieved, apparently because of the thinness of the oil‐bea

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03093.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTAny improperly constructed orinadequately destroyedwater well can endanger ground‐water quality by providing a path for pollutants to reach usable water. Another kind of well, the cathodic protection well, can also present a hazard to ground water.Cathodic protection wells house devices used to alleviate electrolytic corrosion of pipelines, tanks, and other installations situated in a corrosive environment. They are widely used in the petroleum and gas industry. Cathodic protection is a technique used to prevent or minimize this corrosive action by redirecting the current to a substitute anode which then deteriorates instead of the pipeline. To offset the disadvantages of horizontal, or shallow vertical, anodes, and since almost all ground water has enough salt to conduct electricity, the vertical deep anode (cathodic protection well) was developed. They normally range from 100 to 500 feet in depth and 8 to 10 inches in diameter.To prevent cathodic protection wells from acting as conveyances for pollutants, they must be properly designed and constructed at the outset and, when their useful lives are over, properly destroyed. This is best done by following standards of good practice. California has developed and is implementing such standards as part of its program for ground‐water basin protect

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03094.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTA classical battle between landowners desiring to protect their fresh ground water from pollution and oil companies needing a disposal zone for injection of oil‐field brines developed in Texas County, Oklahoma.Initial studies showed that the disposal zone (Glorieta Formation) was in places only 500 feet below the bottom of the fresh‐water aquifer (Ogallala Formation). Furthermore, solution/collapse features in the intervening formations plus numerous poorly plugged wells and exploration holes provided potential avenues of brine migration. The potential for pollution appeared very real. The landowners not only wanted to halt construction of new brine disposal wells, but also wanted all 33 existing disposal wells abandoned and plugged. Tempers flared and intermittent litigation continued for over two years.A more complete hydrogeologic analysis led to the following observations: (a) the potentiometric surface in the Glorieta is 100 to 400 feet below the water table in the Ogallala in areas where brine disposal is taking place; and (b) the transmissivities of the Glorieta and disposal rates are such that even pressure gradients around disposal wells are below the water level in the Ogallala. These hydrologic facts led to the conclusion that, even with a perfectly open conduit connecting the two formations, migration of disposal brine from the Glorieta into the fresh‐water Ogallala would be impossible in the critical area because of pressure relationships.Techniques using “pressure bombs” and test injection data are presented by which transmissivity values in the Glorieta were estimated. Disposal well design and completion methods used by the oil companies were found to be inefficient and contributed to operational problems. Specific regulations were adopted regarding disposal wells to further assure that pollution of the Ogallala would not occur.As a result of all parties understanding the hydro‐geologic factors, the oil companies are continuing to use the Glorieta as a disposal zone and the fearful landowners are assured that no real pollution hazard exists. This outcome assures full use of all natural resources–which is true conservationism. Ground‐water technicians not only have a responsibility to use and protect ground‐water resources, but also to assure that unnecessary cost burdens are not placed on other industries in the name of pol

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03095.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTBeginning in February of 1974 and continuing to and through the start‐up of the first generating unit at the Jim Bridger Power Plant on August 8, 1974, the authors were drilling monitoring holes, collecting water samples and evaluating water quality and ground‐water levels at the project. During the course of this evaluation, considerable data was developed. Some unique and unusual problems were encountered and some of the results are interesting.As of this writing, there are over 25 water quality stations being monitored. Most of these stations are monitoring wells drilled into Tertiary or Cretaceous sedimentary rocks although some monitoring wells are drilled into recent stream alluvium. Also, there are surface‐water monitoring sites on two major streams, the freshwater surge pond and the evaporation ponds that receive the blow‐down water from the power plants' cooling towers.These waters were analyzed for at least 21 minerals and/or ions as well as pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature and such exotics as phenols, hydrazine and ammonia.The indigenous water quality of the area is poor with total dissolved solids ranging to 15,000 mg/l and pH values from 7.3 to 12.3. pH values were found to vary as much as four points between two monitoring stations fifteen feet apart. This water quality is expected to be improved by the importation of relatively high‐quality water from the Green River via a 41‐mile pipeline.Graphs have been prepared showing some of the concentrations of the more important minerals and their relationship to human, cattle, sheep, crop and boiler tolerances. A water suitability chart also shows how the water quality in the various geologic units as well as the surface water relates to various limitations of water use.Seven of the nine toxic substances cited by the Public Health Service standards were analyzed. Of these, silver, arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and cyanide were not present in objectionable quantities. Lead, however, was excessive during some months at all well sites and two surface sites on a stream that parallels an interstate highway for more than 6 miles.The water quality was found to have a definite relationship to the geology. Similarly, the geologic conditions are expected to be the governing factor in the rate and direction of flow of subsurface water. This factor will be of major significance when the blow‐down water in design concentrations of 30,500 mg/l TDS is discharged into the evaporation pond during the projected thirty‐five‐year li

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03096.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTIncreasing concern over ground‐water pollution from hydrocarbons is being expressed by governments and industries in western Canada. The Manitoba government has recently held public hearings on the subject and is now working with the petroleum industry to develop new legislation concerning the handling of refined petroleum products. The petroleum industry has developed a series of “oil spill manuals” which describe procedures for controlling leaks and spills of petroleum products. Emphasis is now being placed on education and prevention, and hydro‐geologists are involved in developing training manuals an

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03097.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03098.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0017-467X    

DOI:10.1111/j.1745-6584.1976.tb03100.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1976

数据来源: WILEY