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University of Memphis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theses/Dissertations

2018

Hydrology

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Evaluating Modern Recharge To The Memphis Aquifer At The Lichterman Well Field, Memphis, Tennessee, Michael Ryan Smith Nov 2018

Evaluating Modern Recharge To The Memphis Aquifer At The Lichterman Well Field, Memphis, Tennessee, Michael Ryan Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Lichterman well field is a municipal water plant in Shelby County, Tenneessee, vulnerable to vertical seepage of modern groundwater (<60 yrs) into the underlying semiconfined Memphis aquifer. In order to identify probable pathways and sources of modern water, 11 production wells and 1 shallow monitoring well sampled for major solute chemistry,3H,3He, SF6and noble gases. Hydrostratigraphic cross sections reveal potential pathways of modern water leakage to the Memphis aquifer adjacent to the well field. Geochemical inverse modeling estimates up to 14% modern water from sampled production wells. Lumped parameter modeling best fit a piston flow model for regional recharge and dispersion model for local recharge through suspected hydrologic windows estimating fractions of modern water from 14 to 29.5%. Unconfined conditions in the Memphis aquifer and limited saturation of the overlying shallow aquifer may limit vertical leakage of modern water into the Memphis aquifer.


Recharge Of The Memphis Aquifer In An Incised Urban Watershed, William A. Simco Jul 2018

Recharge Of The Memphis Aquifer In An Incised Urban Watershed, William A. Simco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Memphis aquifer is the principal source for groundwater in western Tennessee. Recharge processes to the aquifer are poorly understood, but previous studies show that recharge to the aquifer occurs more efficiently in stream gullies with sand bottoms than in upland terraces within rural areas of the recharge belt: the same is expected in urban areas. Water balance measurements in the Sandy Creek watershed in Jackson, Tennessee, provide information regarding infiltration and potential recharge to the Memphis Aquifer that may be typical of urban stream valleys where Coastal Plain aquifers are exposed. Monthly water balance estimates in the watershed indicate …