Texas A&M Department of Geology & Geophysics
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M.T. Halbouty Building,
Room 311
Geology & Geophysics, TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3115

tkneeshaw@geo.tamu.edu

Phone: 979-862-2469
Fax: 979-845-6162
Tara A. Kneeshaw
-Graduate Student, M.S., expected August 2005
-2001, B.A., Geology, B.A., Biology, Albion College, Albion, MI

 



RESEARCH

bullet Environmental Biogeochemistry: In-situ reaction rate studies
bullet Background:  The role of biogeochemical cycling in contaminated groundwater systems has long been established as an important process in natural attenuation and maintaining aquifer health and sustainability, however, the rate at which this cycling occurs has not been well established.  Previous studies have shown that the role of recharge events and/or the addition of alternate electron acceptors have a significant control on the redox dynamics of systems (Vroblesky and Chapelle 1994; Mcguire et al., 2002).  However, few studies have concentrated on quantifying shifts in redox zones at small-scale mixing interfaces in reduced systems and understanding how these zones respond to recharge events and the addition of more microbially efficient alternate electron acceptors.  It is generally thought that there is increased microbial activity at mixing interfaces though few studies have tried to evaluate the kinetic controls on terminal electron accepting processes or quantify in-situ microbial reduction rates occurring in these zones largely because of their small, transient nature. 
bullet Research Goals: (1) Design a way to more accurately interpret microbial reduction rates in-situ at experimentally induced mixing interfaces by modifying existing techniques, (2) evaluate the role of SO42- reduction at an interface between wetland-sediment pore water and aquifer water, and (3) determine the presence and abundance of the existing microbial population.
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STUDY SITE
bullet Norman Landfill, Norman Oklahoma: The Norman Landfill research site in Norman , OK is a closed municipal landfill located near the Canadian River . The landfill was unlined and received unrestricted waste from 1922 until 1985 when it was closed and covered with an earthen cap (Adrian et al., 1990). A leachate plume developed that extends downgradient from the landfill (Christenson and Cozzarelli, 1999). Overlying the leachate plume is a wetland system and slough where many different studies have been conducted.  For nearly 10 years the USGS and other research groups have been investigating the processes, both biogeochemical and hydrological, that control contaminant transport and remediation at the Norman Landfill research site.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF STUDY SITE   

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"MINI" PUSH-PULL WELL DESIGN

bullet Goal: Simulate the mixing interface between wetland-sediment porewater and groundwater from the underlying anaerobic aquifer
bullet

Push- 

-Native aquifer water from beneath the wetland sediments (Well SI-102) was amended with a conservative         tracer (Br-), and in some cases electron donor (acetate).

-Injected into push-pull well (PP Well 102).

-Average injection rate: 500 ml/min.

bullet

Pull- 

-Slow extraction of "pushed" water from push-pull well (PP Well 102).

-Water sampled for geochemical analyses throughout extraction.

-Average extraction rate: 60 ml/min.

 
 

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF PUSH-PULL TESTS 

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2004 GSA ABSTRACT

Kinetic Controls on Sulfate Reduction at an Experimentally Induced Mixing Interface in a Contaminated Wetland, Norman Landfill

 

Kneeshaw, Tara A1 (tkneeshaw@geo.tamu.edu), McGuire, Jennifer T1 (mcguire@geo.tamu.edu), Cazull, Susan Baez1, Smith, Erik W1, and Cozzarelli, Isabelle M2 

(1) Geology & Geophysics Department, Texas A&M Univ, 3115 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3115

 (2) U.S. Geol Survey, 431 National Ctr, Reston, VA 20192-0001

     In situ push-pull tests were used to evaluate the rates of sulfate reduction at an interface between wetland-sediment porewater and groundwater from underlying anaerobic aquifer sediments at the Norman Landfill research site, Norman, OK. Recent studies have indicated that small-scale mixing interfaces are zones of increased microbial activity and geochemical cycling. Unfortunately, the role of these interfaces on the kinetics of biogeochemical cycling including sulfate reduction are poorly studied due to the small transient nature of mixing interfaces. This study was designed to evaluate kinetic controls on sulfate reduction through experimentally inducing small-scale mixing interfaces.  This was accomplished using “mini” push-pull tests designed to simulate the exposure of a reduced zone, limited with respect to electron acceptor, to anaerobic groundwater containing abundant sulfate (~100 mg/L), thus simulating the aquifer-wetland interface.   A uniform, porous sand lens within the wetland sediments was targeted using small-diameter (2.54 cm, O.D.) “drive-point” wells with a discrete, internally packed 4.5 cm well screen.  Mini push-pull tests were then performed by using the wells to inject 10L of aquifer water into the targeted zone.  Sulfate-rich water used for the “push” phase of the tests was pumped from the anaerobic aquifer at the site and amended with 100 mg/L bromide (as NaBr) which served as a conservative tracer to track dilution from mixing, advection, and dispersion.  The role of electron donor on sulfate reduction rates was also evaluated using push-pull tests by augmenting groundwater with additional electron donor (e.g. acetate).  Mini push-pull tests appear to be an effective tool to quantitatively examine biogeochemical cycling in interface zones.

 

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REFERENCES

1.  Adrian N., Mangoakar A., Phanapadipong P., and Wainaina S. (1990) Design of a ground water monitoring well system, Norman municipal landfill.  Unpublished student report to Dr. Sabatini.

University of Oklahoma.

2.  Christenson S. and Cozzarelli I. M. (1999) Geochemical and microbiological processes in ground water and surface water affected by municipal landfill leachate. U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Charleston, SC March 8-12, 1999-Vol.3, Subsurface Contamination, 499-500

3.  McGuire J. T., Long D. T., Klug M. J., Haack S. K., and Hyndman D. W. (2002) Evaluating the behavior of oxygen, nitrate, and sulfate during recharge and quantifying reduction rates in a contaminated aquifer. Environmental Science and Technology 36(12), 2693-2700.

4.  Vroblesky D. A. and Chappelle F. H. (1994) Temporal and spatial changes of terminal electron-accepting processes in a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer and the significance for contaminant biodegradation. Water Resources Research 30(No. 5), 1561-1570.

 

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February 03, 2005 01:14 PM