Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-53-2013 (submitted: 10/24/2013, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
CCU groundwater and resistivity study - Winter 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 goal during this research effort will include: 1.) Collect shallow marsh sediment cores with the use of a vibracore sampling system 2.) Electrical resistivity measurements.
Vibracore sampling: A shore normal transect of cores will be taken at 3 sites to characterize the shallow marsh sediment. The sediment cores will be taken back to Coastal Carolina for further analyses that include grain-size analysis, radon sediment equilibration, and bench-top sediment salinity resistivity calibration.
Geophysical measurements: subsurface resistivity time-series measurements will be conducted by laying a resistivity cable (100m) along a transect form the upland through the marsh and into the river. The cable will remain on the ground surface for about 24hrs measuring the subsurface resistivity.
In addition to the resistivity measurements, we will collect 6-L groundwater grab samples from existing piezometers located at Moses Hammock. This effort will use a self-contained peristaltic pump and tubing to collet water into our gas tight radon analysis bottles.
Where will the project be located?
Ferry landing sediment cores: 31°25'5.18"N 81°17'43.15"W 31°25'3.78"N 81°17'39.10"W 31°25'1.51"N 81°17'36.44"W Lumber landing sediment cores: 31°27'29.12"N 81°16'41.75"W 31°27'29.04"N 81°16'41.08"W Moses Hammock sediment cores: 31°28'39.53"N 81°16'21.13"W 31°28'39.70"N 81°16'20.83"W Electrical Resistivity Transect in line with the Moses Hammock sediment core GPS.
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: 12/03/2013 End Date: 12/06/2013
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
5 people every day, for the length of the project (4 days).
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
A 100 meter electrode array and control box will be deployed in a short 24 hour period. After the survey is conducted the electrode array will be removed. The vibracore system consists of an 8ft. aluminum tripod, a small portable generator, a vibracore head, and 7 (2.5 meter) aluminum core pipes. This deployment will be broken down daily.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
NO
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
Minimal marsh disturbance will occur at the sediment core locations (Tripod feet will temporally flatten vegetation). Sediment core holes will be filled in with surrounding materials to prevent exposed holes.
All field equipment (wells, piezometers, resistivity cable) will be removed from the field after the 4 day field survey.
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
No, there are no long-term habitat impacts from this field collection, and the collection method does not require field sampling beyond the current deployment in December.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
There will be no long term impacts after the sampling efforts.
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GCE-53-2013_Permit_11.4.13_LOP._Collect_Core_Samples_Sapelo (12/03/2013-12/06/2013)
Study Area Map:
Files attached to this application
GCE-53-2013_Maps_Duplin_River_Field_Survey_December_2013.kmz (Compressed KML file, 1.11 kb, submitted 10/24/2013)
