Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-40-2013 (submitted: 01/24/2013, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
CCU Groundwater and mapping trip - Spring 2013
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Richard N. Peterson | ||
| Home Institution: | Coastal Carolina University | ||
| Award Information: | GCE-LTER sub-award for groundwater quantification, NSF, $75K | ||
| Mailing Address: | Center for Marine and Wetland Studies | Phone Number: | (843) 349-4057 |
| 1270 Atlantic Avenue, Room 111 | E-mail Address: | rpeters2@coastal.edu | |
| Conway, South Carolina 29526 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Richard F. Viso (Coastal Carolina University), Matthew Carter (Coastal Carolina University) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
Our goals for this field effort will be two-fold: (1) use geochemical (radon) time-series measurements at various locations in the Duplin River to assess groundwater inputs to the Duplin; and (2) continue to expand the bathymetric mapping effort in progress through Doboy Sound.
1. For the radon effort, we will establish time-series locations for radon and water level measurements from existing docks at Marsh Landing, Lumber Landing, and Moses Hammock. A submersible bilge pump will be suspended ~1m below the water surface and continuously pump river water to an air-water equilibrium spray chamber. Water will drain from this chamber back to the river. This spray chamber will be connected in a closed air-loop with a radon-in-air monitor that will measure radon levels in the air stream passing through the spray chamber. The bilge pump will be powered from car batteries that will be changed and charged twice daily. In addition, a water level logger will be deployed to the river bottom at each location attached to a heavy weight and connected to the dock by a rope. Finally, we will collect 6-L groundwater grab samples from existing piezometers at Moses Hammock. For this effort, we will use a self-contained peristaltic pump and tubing to collect the water into our gas tight radon analysis bottles.
2. The bathymetric mapping effort will be constrained to our 26' Privateer research vessel. A base station will be established at the benchmark at the Sapelo Post Office, and our shipboard instruments will communicate with that. The Privateer will drive along a pre-determined survey path in Doboy Sound and use multibeam swath echo sounding to measure the bathymetry in the Sound.
Where will the project be located?
Dock at Marsh Landing: 31°25'4.11"N 81°17'46.51"W Dock at Lumber Landing: 31°27'35.92"N 81°16'38.46"W Dock and piezometers at Moses Hammock: 31°28'44.14"N 81°16'23.11"W
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
GPS coordinates are listed in the project location field
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 03/10/2013 End Date: 03/16/2013
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
13 people for 5 days of fieldwork. A team of 9 will be devoted to the bathymetric mapping effort, and will stage from the UGA boat dock daily. The remaining 4 people will be accessing the radon stations and groundwater piezometers daily.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
1 plastic box will be deployed at each of the 3 docks for 5 days. The box will contain the radon measurement gear and batteries powering the bilge pumps. At each dock, a bilge pump will be suspended in the water ~1m deep, and a weight will be deployed to the bottom that houses a water level logger. All equipment will be completely removed at the conclusion of the 5 day field effort.
FOr the bathymetric mapping, a ~2m tall tripod will be setup on the benchmark in front of the Post Office during daylight hours and will be removed at the conclusion of the fieldwork.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
None. All equipment will be removed at the end of the work with no lingering effects.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
N/A
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-40-2013_Maps_CCU_Groundwater_and_mapping_Spring_2013.kml (KML file, 2.86 kb, submitted 01/24/2013)
