Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-62-2015 (submitted: 04/01/2015, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Duplin River Groundwater Assessment
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | Richard N. Peterson | ||
| Home Institution: | Coastal Carolina University | ||
| Award Information: | CCU Subcontract through GCE-LTER | ||
| 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) | ||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
Our goal during this research effort will be two-fold: 1) use geochemical time-series measurements at 3 locations in the Duplin river to evaluate groundwater inputs to the Duplin River, and 2) electrical resistivity measurements. Piezometer and resistivity cable transects will be laid out in several locations for about 24hrs each.
Geochemical time series: Three radon-222 monitoring stations will be placed along the Duplin River during the field excursion from existing docks at Marsh Landing, Lumber Landing and Moses Hammock. A submersible bilge pump will be deployed about 1m below the surface. Pumps will be powered by an on-site 12v car battery stored in a plastic box on the dock and changed twice a day. Water will be pumped continuously into an air-water exchanger through a short section of garden hose. The air-water exchanger is equipped with spray nozzles to equilibrate dissolved gasses form the water. Water will overflow from the air-water exchanger and return to the river. A closed air loop will connect the air-water exchanger to a commercial radon-in-air monitor (Durridge Co., Inc) and desiccant column, both will be housed in the on-site plastic box. A Solinst CTD probe will be anchored in the river at each site secured with rope for recovery.
In addition to the time-series set-ups, we will collect 6-L groundwater grab samples from existing piezometers located at Moses Hammock. We will coordinate sampling activities with other groups using those wells to make sure our sampling does not interfere with their monitoring efforts. Groundwater samples at the remaining two sites will be through temporary piezometers ( ½" PVC pipe with a 3" slotted section at the bottom of ½" PVC) in a perpendicular transect from the upland marsh to river bank. This effort will use a self-contained peristaltic pump and tubing to collect water into our gas tight radon analysis bottles.
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. Multiple transect measurements will be taken during the research trip to encapsulate the full tidal dynamics.
Where will the project be located?
Dock and surrounding marsh at Marsh Landing: 31°25'4.11"N 81°17'46.51"W Dock and surrounding marsh at Lumber Landing: 31°27'35.92"N 81°16'38.46"W Dock and surrounding marsh at Moses Hammock: 31°28'44.14"N 81°16'23.11"W Proposed upland experiment site along the Duplin: 31°27'40.01"N 81°16'21.68"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: 06/29/2015 End Date: 07/15/2015
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
4 people, accessing the site several times daily during the fieldwork.
Keywords that describe your project
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
One plastic box at each site containing radon measuring gear and power supply for bilge pumps. A weight will be deployed to the bottom that houses each water level logger. All of the field equipment will be removed at the end of the 2 week field effort. Shallow PVC piezometers, 100m electrode array and control box will be deployed in short 24hr periods.
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
No.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
None.
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-62-2015_Maps_Peterson_Duplin_River_Groundwater_Assessment_Sites.kml (KML file, 3.94 kb, submitted 04/06/2015)
