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Ground-water quality of the Upper Floridan Aquifer near an abandoned manufactured gas plant in Albany, Georgia

Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4038
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934038

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Abstract

Manufactured gas plants produced gas for heating and lighting in the United States from as early as 1816 into the 1960's. By-products including, but not limited to, oil residues and tar, were generated during the gas-manufacturing process. Organic compounds (hydrocarbons) were detected in water in the upper water-bearing zone of the Upper Floridan aquifer near an abandoned manufactured gas plant (MGP) in Albany, Georgia, during an earlier investigation in 1990. Chemical analyses of ground-water samples collected from five existing monitoring wells in 1991 verify the presence of hydrocarbons and metals in the upper water-beating zone of the Upper Floridan aquifer. One well was drilled into the lower water-beating zone of the Upper Floridan aquifer in 1991 for water-quality sampling and water-level monitoring. Analyses of ground water sampled from this well did not show evidence of benzene, toluene, xylene, napthalene, acenaphthlene, or other related compounds detected in the upper water-bearing zone in the study area. Low concentrations of tetrachloroethane, trichloromethane, and l,2-cisdichloroethene were detected in a water sample from the deeper well; however, these compounds were not detected in the upper water-bearing zone in the study area. Inorganic constituent concentrations also were substantially lower in the deeper well. Overall, ground water sampled from the lower water-bearing zone had lower specific conductance and alkalinity; and lower concentrations of dissolved solids, iron, and manganese compared to ground water sampled from the upper water-bearing zone. Water levels for the upper and lower water-bearing zones were similar throughout the study period.

Suggested Citation

Chapman, M.J., 1993, Ground-water quality of the Upper Floridan Aquifer near an abandoned manufactured gas plant in Albany, Georgia: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4038, iv, 19 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934038.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water quality of the Upper Floridan Aquifer near an abandoned manufactured gas plant in Albany, Georgia
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 93-4038
DOI 10.3133/wri934038
Year Published 1993
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey ; Books and Open-File Reports Section [distributor],
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description iv, 19 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Country United States
State Georgia
City Albany
Other Geospatial Upper Floridan Aquifer
Additional publication details