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FIELD TESTS OF DIFFUSION SAMPLERS FOR INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS IN WELLS AND AT A GROUND-WATER DISCHARGE ZONE

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report 02-4031 (Published 2003)

By Don A. Vroblesky, Matthew D. Petkewich, and Ted R. Campbell

Prepared in cooperation with the AIR FORCE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE and the SOUTHERN DIVISION NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND

This report is available online in pdf format (6 MB): USGS WRIR 02-4031

ABSTRACT

Field tests were performed on two types of diffusion samplers to collect representative samples of inorganic constituents from ground water in wells and at an arsenic-contaminated ground-water-discharge zone beneath a stream. Nylon-screen samplers and dialysis samplers were tested for the collection of arsenic, calcium, chloride, iron, manganese, sulfate, and dissolved oxygen. The investigations were conducted at the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant (NIROP), Fridley, Minnesota, and at the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (NAS Fort Worth JRB), Texas.

Data indicate that, in general, nylon-screen and dialysis diffusion samplers are capable of obtaining concentrations of inorganic solutes in ground water that correspond to concentrations obtained by low-flow sampling. Diffusion samplers offer a potentially time-saving approach to well sampling. Particular care must be taken, however, when sampling for iron and other metals, because of the potential for iron precipitation by oxygenation and when dealing with chemically stratified sampling intervals. Simple nylon-screen jar samplers buried beneath creekbed sediment appear to be effective tools for locating discharge zones of arsenic-contaminated ground water.

CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Diffusion-Sampler Construction and Deployment

Diffusion-Sampler Equilibration Times and Accuracy

Water-Sample Collection and Diffusion-Sampler Recovery

Results and Discussion

Field Tests of Diffusion Samplers for Inorganic Constituents in Wells

Field Test of Diffusion Samplers for Inorganic Constituents at a Ground-Water-Discharge Zone

Summary

References

REPORT AVAILABILITY

This report is available online in pdf format (6 MB): USGS WRIR 02-4031
To view the PDF document, you need the Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer. (A free copy of the Acrobat® Reader may be downloaded from Adobe Systems Incorporated.)

For more information, contact the South Carolina Publications Unit.

USGS South Carolina Publications South Carolina Water Science Center

 USGS South Carolina Publications • South Carolina Water Science Center