Geology Commons^™

An Analysis Of Dissolved Organic Compounds And Their Contribution To Iron Complexation In The Shallow Leachate Plume Of The West Kl Landfill Kalamazoo, Michigan, Eric Fahle

Masters Theses

High concentrations of dissolved iron are present in downgradient groundwater samples adjacent to the western border of the West KL Landfill. Analysis by Rudder (1988) of groundwater samples indicates oversaturation of selected iron oxides, iron sulfides and siderite in monitoring wells TW-4 and M3.

Previous research suggests that pyrogallol, gallic acid, tannic acid and similar organic compounds may retard the oxidation of ferrous iron in the shallow leachate plume of the West KL landfill (Rudder, 1988). Present research utilizing solid phase extraction, reverse phase high performance chromatography, Fourier transform IR spectrophotometry, UV/Visible spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy indicate that pyrogallol, …

Sedimentological, Structural, And Organic Geochemical Controls On Natural Gas Occurrence In The Antrim Formation In Otsego County, Michigan, Timothy M. Dellapenna

Masters Theses

The prolific Antrim Formation natural gas reservoir in Otsego County, Michigan, has been examined using core descriptions, X-ray diffraction, petrographic, and geochemical analyses. New stratigraphy nomenclature is proposed for the Antrim and Ellsworth Shales. The Antrim Shale contains two distinctive lithofacies: (1) a fractured, non-bioturbated, silica-rich, organicrich black shale lithofacies; and (2) sparsely fractured, bioturbated, carbonaterich, organic-poor gray-green shale. Gas production comes from the Black shale facies.

Rock-Eval analysis demonstrates that the organic matter is a mixture of types I and II material. Low Tmax (435°C) and vitrinite reflectance (0.41-0.46%) values indicate a submature thermal maturation level. Del 13 carbon …

A Regional Study Of Ground-Water Quality In Barry County, Michigan, Margene K. Brewer

Masters Theses

A regional study of ground-water quality in Barry County, Michigan was conducted using a computerized database from the Science for Citizens Center at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The database, initiated by the Michigan Groundwater Survey, consists of residential well logs and chemical analyses of samples collected from residential wells by the Barry County Health Department. Qualitative and statistical analyses of the data indicate that the glacial drift aquifer is recharging the bedrock aquifer throughout most of the county. Groundwater quality appears to be controlled mainly by the open-system dissolution of carbonate minerals. The water chemistry is also influenced …

Effects Of Capillarity On Dnapl Thickness In Wells And In Adjacent Sands, Timothy V. Adams

Masters Theses

Physical model experiments were used to investigate the behavior of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in various geologic media.

The objectives of the laboratory investigations were to (a) compare DNAPL thickness in wells to thickness in adjacent sands, (b) observe and interpret dyed DNAPL migration in unsaturated and saturated sands, and (c) study DNAPLs' effects on clay layers.

Two cylindrical glass columns fitted with various well screens were filled with sand, clay layers, water, and dyed DNAPLs in four experiments. Columns were packed with fine or coarse sand and clay layers. Coarse hydrophobic sand was also used.

At equilibrium, DNAPL …

Sedimentology Of The Bedford-Berea Sequence (Early Mississippian), Williams Field, Michigan, David Alan Balthazor

Masters Theses

The Berea Sandstone has produced in excess of 1.6 million barrels of oil in the Williams field since discovery in 1980. Seven lithofacies are identified from conventional core in the Bedford-Berea sequence. These facies are interpreted as deltaic deposits comprising prodelta (Bedford Shale), delta front, destructive marine shale, abandoned distributary channel-fill, interdistributary bay-fill, transgressive marine sandstone, and marine shale (Sunbury Shale) facies. Passive channel-fill facies truncate reservoir sandstone bodies and compartmentalize the field NW-SE across the trend of the northwestplunging anticline.

The two reservoir facies in the Williams field are the delta front and transgressive marine sandstones. The sandstone framework …

The Effects Of Urbanization On A Portion Of The Portage Creek Watershed: A Case Study On Surface Water And Groundwater Quality, Susan E. Rezek

Masters Theses

The surface water and groundwater quality in the study area of the Portage Creek watershed was analyzed to determine the possible effects of urbanization. Dry weather and wet weather surface water and groundwater samples were collected from June 1986 to November 1986 at selected stations in the watershed.

Water samples were analyzed for 26 inorganic and organic parameters. Most concentrations were below analytic method detection limits. The analytical data indicate that sodium and chloride are the principal contaminants resulting from urbanization. The probable source of the contamination is deicing salt applied to the City of Portage, Michigan streets.

Overall, the …

Diagenesis In The St. Peter Sandstone, Michigan Basin, Carl E. Lundgren

Masters Theses

The petrographic evolution of authigenic minerals in the St. Peter formation consists of: early marine cement, syndepositional dolomite, quartz overgrowth cement, pervasive dolomite replacement of precursor carbonate, dissolution of framework grains and carbonate cements, and late formation of authigenic chlorite and illite.

Variations in the diagenetic sequence were templated by variations in primary mineralogy related to depositional facies. Early intergranular carbonate cement, common in shelf facies, precluded early quartz cementation. Subsequent dissolution of dolomite and detrital grains may be temporally and chemically related to the precipitation of authigenic clay in dissolution pores. In peritidal facies, pervasive quartz cementation was locally …

Geology Newsletter- 1990, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol.1, No. 15

• Institute for Water Sciences
• Ground-Water Education in Michigan
• Core Research Lab
• Awards and Scholarships
• Geology/ Earth Science Club
• Faculty News
• News from the Service Staff
• 1990 Speakers Program
• Geology Development and Scholarship Donations
• Alumni/ Friends/ Former Faculty Notes
• Donations

Reservoir Geology Of The Dundee Limestone, West Branch Field, Michigan, Brendan Ciaran Curran

Masters Theses

West Branch field is a low-relief, NW-SE-trending anticline near the center o f the Michigan basin. Since 1934, the Dundee Limestone (Middle Devonian) has produced over 12 million barrels of oil from this field. From core studies, six depositional facies types were recognized in the Dundee. These are dominated by bioclastic carbonate sand facies deposited in normal-marine shelf settings. Although burial cements have occluded some porosity, carbonate sand facies have retained significant primary interparticle porosity and are the most important reservoir rocks. Micritic facies with restricted faunal assemblages are present at the top of the Dundee. The top 10 to …

Spatial And Temporal Variations Of Synthetic Organic Compounds In The Contaminant Plume Emanating From The Kl Landfill, Lynn Diane Broede

Masters Theses

Thirty-one synthetic organic compounds have been detected in samples collected from the KL Landfill contaminant plume from March, 1980 to March, 1986. Two groups of organic compounds have been delineated based on their occurrence, concentrations, and persistence throughout the 7-year monitoring period.

Changes in plume geometry and concentration have been studied relative to time, and concentration variations have been related to selected inorganic plume parameters, distance from the landfill, and precipitation. The spatial and temporal distribution of the organic compounds are attributed to biodegradation, three biotransformation sequences, physical properties of the organics and other factors. Three abbreviated anaerobic biotransformation sequences …

Cambrian-Early Ordovician Sequence Stratigraphy And Mount Simon Sandstone Petrology-Michigan Basin, Jeffrey T. Cottingham

Masters Theses

Michigan subsurface correlation is complicated in the Cambrian-Early Ordovician section due to limited availability of rock data. Core and cuttings examination demonstrate that similar stratigraphic sequences exist between the Michigan Basin and surrounding regions. Lithofacies in Wisconsin outcrop are similar to their basinal counterparts, and are correlated on the basis of sediment types, sedimentary structures, and the sequence stratigraphic concept.

The Mount Simon Sandstone in Michigan correlates with that observed in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Isopach data throughout the Midwest indicate a single depocenter in Northeastern Illinois. Sedimentary structures and lithology indicate a subtidal environment that may be a progradational …

A Hydrogeological And Hydrogeochemical Investigation Of Groundwater At A Landfill For Sludge From The Kalamazoo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Richard Howard Christensen

Masters Theses

Major cations and anions were analyzed to determine groundwater chemistry at a site used for the disposal of municipal sludge in the late 1960s and contaminated Portage Creek sedimem dredged in the late 1970s. The disposal site consists of five unlined basins constructed over 50 to 100 feet of stratified sand and gravel outwash underlain by silt and clay. Groundwater in the outwash is unconfined and flows from east to west. A groundwater divide in the center of the site produces local divergent flow to the northwest and southwest. Measurements of chemical constituents indicate that three factors influence groundwater chemistry …

Hydrogeology And Hydrogeochemistry Of The Tekonsha Moraine And Adjacent Interlobate Deposits In Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Victor V. Melbardis

Masters Theses

Hydrogeochemical analyses and hydrogeologic interpretations provide the basis for an understanding of local ground-water flow, in a 12 square mile study area, transected by the Tekonsha Moraine and bound by glaciofluvial deposits. Glacial tills separate an upper and lower aquifer system throughout most of the area.

Degraded and tritiated ground water is present in the lower aquifer system. A negative correlation (-0.62) between tritium concentrations and depth is statistically significant (.04). In this local system, hydrochemical trends are characterized by decreases in sulfate percentages and increases in bicarbonate in the direction of ground-water flow. Statistical evaluation of the hydrochemical data …

Simulation Of Bromide Transport In A Layered Aquifer Using Two-Dimensional And Three-Dimensional Computer Models, Kathleen Michelle Hewitt

Masters Theses

Simulation of a two-well tracer test at a site near Mobile, Alabama was performed and compared with the experimental breakthrough curve. The models used to simulate the test results were the three-dimensional USGS code HST3D and the two-dimensional USGS code MOC. The results of the three-dimensional model were also compared with the results of the two-dimensional model.

The three-dimensional model HST3D predicted the measured breakthrough curve accurately with the exception of early arrival times of the tracer in the withdrawal well. The two-dimensional model MOC did not accurately predict the bromide concentration in the withdrawal well during the two-well test. …

Geology Newsletter- 1989, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol.1, No. 14

• Dear Alumni and Friends
• Geology Development and Scholarship Donations
• Faculty Briefs
• News from the Support Staff
• Geology Earth Science Club
• Awards & Scholarships
• 1989 Speakers Program

The Relation Of Radium-226 And 228 To The Groundwater Geochemistry Of Carbon, Sulfur, And Chlorine Near Michigan's Saginaw Bay, Ray Milejczak

Masters Theses

The Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) sampled 149 residential wells producing from glacial drift and Saginaw Formation aquifers in Bay, Midland, Saginaw, and Tuscola counties in 1987. These wells were analyzed for ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and general chemistry. Of the 149 samples, 50 exceeded the USEPA MCL of 5 pCi/L or greater for combined ²²⁶Ra + ²²⁸Ra activities. A geochemical model (WATEQF, Plummer et al., 1976) was used to determine activity coefficients, activities, ionic strength, and mineral saturation. The radium isotopes were statistically analyzed with respect to the chemical data from MDPH and the geochemical model …

Wetland Study Of Southeastern Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Kevin M. Walsh

Masters Theses

Under the Clean Water Act, Congress passed legislation to maintain and restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the water of the United States. The objective of this study is to determine if the wooded area located in Upjohn Company's Property in southeastern Portage Township, Portage, Michigan falls under the classification of a wetland.

This objective has been pursued through an examination of the hydrology of the area, the soil characteristics of the area, and the vegetation types and characteristics of the area. These parameters have been utilized following the guidelines outlined in the "Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation …

Geology Newsletter- 1988, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol. 1, No. 13

• Dear Alumni and Friends
• Core Research Studies
• Institute for Water Studies
• W. David Kuenzi Scholarship Fund
• Geology Development and Scholarship Fund Donations
• Faculty Briefs
• News from the Support Staff
• Geology/Earth Science Club
• Awards & Scholarships
• 1988 Speakers Program
• Alumni Lines

An Investigation Of A Soil Gas Sampling Technique And Its Applicability For Detecting Gaseous Pce And Tca Over An Unconfined Granular Aquifer, Timothy J. Mayotte

Masters Theses

A soil gas sampling and analytical technique was investigated to evaluate its ability and versatility for detecting chlorinated hydrocarbons in unconfined aquifers. The technique was used successfully to delineate plumes of perchloroethene (PCE), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) contamination present in the vadose zone, and at the water table of an unconfined sand and gravel aquifer. Soil gas samples were obtained by concentrating PCE and TCA vapors diffusing from these sources onto a sorbent material. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. The data from the analysis of these samples were used to provide an initial estimate of the source areas, and …

Fission-Track Geochronology And Geothermometry Of Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Epizonal Plutons, In And Adjacent To The Lombard Thrust Fault, Southwestern Montana, Jean Talanda

Masters Theses

Thrusting occurred in the central portion of the central Montana salient where the timing of movements is somewhat obscured by the multiple deformations from Archean time to the present. The relationship of this thrusting to the associated plutons has not been established in every case. Fission-track geochronology was employed in dating several plutons associated with the Lombard thrust fault, consequently, defining a time range in which movement along the thrust occured.

Seven plutons with known structural relationships to the Lombard thrust have ages which suggest that movement along the fault occurred 73.2 +/- 6.7 Ma. Fission-track length distributions suggest that …

A Trace Element Geochemical Analysis Of The Lake Ellen Kimberlite, Crystal Falls, Michigan, U.S.A., Michelle Ellen Fults

Masters Theses

The Lake Ellen kimberlite located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan represents a possible bedrock source for the diamonds found in the glacial deposits around the Great Lakes. The purpose of this research was to undertake a geochemical analysis in order to better understand the evolution of the kimberlite body and to elucidate on the garnet xenolith paragenesis.

Both instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM) were utilized in this research. The INAA revealed that with respect to other types of upper mantle rocks, the Lake Ellen kimberlite is enriched in both the light rare earth …

Deposition, Diagenesis, And Porosity Development Of The Middle Devonian, Lucas Formation In The West Branch Oil Field, Ogemaw County, Michigan, Scott Gregory Park

Masters Theses

The Lucas Formation in the West Branch Oil Field contains over 1000 feet of carbonates and evaporites deposited in restricted marine environments. Deposition ranged from a tidal flat environment (Richfield Member) to subaqueous basin central type deposition (Iutzi and Horner Members).

Early diagenesis of the Lucas Formation carbonates included dolomitization and related porosity development in certain depositional facies where physiochemical conditions were favorable. Significant porosity and permeability reduction occurred during burial resulting from anhydrite, celestite, and halite cementation. Calcite pseudopar and microspar (a neomorphic product) also reduced porosity.

Hydrocarbon production from the Lucas Formation in the West Branch Field is …

Geology Newsletter- 1987, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol.1, No. 12

• Dear Alumni and Friends
• Groundwater Research Center
• Core Research Laboratory
• W. David Kuenzi Scholarship Fund
• Geology Development and Scholarship Fund
• Faculty Briefs
• 1987 Speakers Program
• Geology/Earth Science Club
• Awards & Scholarships
• Graduate Students
• Alumni Lines

Possible Role Of Petroliferous Materials In Sulfide Precipitation At The Frank R. Millikan Mine, Southeast Missouri, Clark Alan Niewendorp

Masters Theses

The Millikan Mine's ore body contains ubiquitous amounts of petroliferous materials occurring as blebs, coal-like pods and veinlets, and seeps coating mine stope walls. Emplacement of hydrocarbons into the ore occurred before the final episode of mineralization ceased, based on growth of dendritic galena in some coal-like bitumen and other paragenetic relationships. Growth of dendritic galena in a hydrocarbon substance suggests that hydrocarbons provided sulfur for galena mineralization by either abiogenetic reduction of sulfate or thermochemical evolution of organic sulfur. Texturally, it also suggests that the presence of hydrocarbons may have been responsible for some zones of rapid precipitate mineralization. …

A Thermodynamic Study Of The Zeolite Stilbite, David Adams Howell

Masters Theses

Stilbite is a calcium-rich zeolite found in low-grade metamorphic and hydrothermally altered environments. In this study, measurements of the enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K, heat capacity from 5 to 350 K, and enthalpy increments horn 350 to 500 K were performed on a specimen of stilbite characterized by electron microprobe analysis. The actual formula of the stilbite is: Ca_1.019Na_0.136K_0.006Al_2.180Si_6.820O₁₆ . 7.33H₂O. Evaluation of the thermodynamic properties for stilbite at T = 298.15 K produced the following values: Δ_rH^Om(T)= -11034.6+6.6 kJ . mol …

Nitrate Pollution Of Ground Water In Glacial Sediments Underlying A Fertigated Site In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Michael Wireman

Masters Theses

In the central part of Schoolcraft Township high yield corn crops are successfully grown on soils developed on permeable outwash deposits. The high yields are made possible with the utilization of modern irrigation techniques and regular application of nitrogen fertilizer.

Excess nitrogen which moves past the root zone is easily converted to nitrate and leached to the shallow ground water. Water quality data from 103 ground-water samples in the vicinity of a 160-acre corn field in Section 11 clearly indicate that nitrate concentrations in the ground water beneath the field and beneath the area immediately downgradient from the field are …

The Effect Of Well Efficiency On In-Situ Permeability Test Results, Scott T. Dennis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine what effect well efficiency has upon the results of in-situ permeability tests.

Several in-situ permeability tests were performed on wells during various stages of their development. The well efficiency was determined each time an in-situ test was performed. An accurate value of permeability was determined by performing local aquifer pumping tests. The accuracy of the results of the in-situ tests with respect to the aquifer pump test results were then compared to the efficiency of the well at the time of the test.

Test results showed that a linear relationship exists between …

Structural Geology And Geothermal Investigation Of The White Sulphur Springs Area, Montana, William G. Gierke

Masters Theses

Sevier thrusting in the White Sulphur Springs area was associated with left-lateral movement along the Lewis and Clark line . During Middle Miocene time, the Lewis and Clark line exhibited right-lateral movement, forming extensional features that either truncated Sevier structures or followed preexisting Sevier zones of weakness.

The Smith River Valley is a pull-apart basin that is filled with Tertiary volcanic ash and clay-rich sediments that are thermally nonconductive relative to surrounding rocks.

Hydrothermal activity in the area is associated with a structurally controlled circulation system accompanied by a high thermal gradient. Thermal discharge is constrained along the north-trending White …

Geology Newsletter- 1986, Department Of Geology

Geological and Environmental Sciences News

Vol. 1, No. 11

• Dear Alumni and Friends
• Core Research Library
• Advisory Council
• Geology Development Fund
• Faculty Briefs
• Awards and Scholarships
• Alumni Lines

A Hydrogeologic Investigation Of The Balkema Wetland, Daniel V. Fronczek

Masters Theses

The Balkema wetland, located In southwestern Kalamazoo County, Michigan, represents complex biological and hydrologic Interaction between surface water and a two-aquifer hydrologic system. Situated on the southeastern flank of the Kalamazoo moraine, the glacial geology of the area plays a key role in the understanding of the hydrogeologic function of the wetland. A two-aquifer system, an upper unconfined, and a lower confined, Interact In the vicin ity of the wetland where the c la y /till aqulclude dividing the two systems 1s absent. Various parameters, both hydrologic and geochemical, were measured In the study area, Including specific conductance values of …