Evaluating Groundwater-Surface Water Exchange With A New Point Measurement Device

Estimating exchange at the groundwater-surface water interface (GWSWI) could be crucial to designing effective remediation measures. The StreamBed Point Velocity Probe (SBPVP), a new point measurement device, measures in situ groundwater velocities at the GWSWI without reliance on estimations of hydraulic conductivity, porosity, or gradient information. The SBPVP has been applied to natural and engineered interfaces at contaminated sites, a stream and vertical flow bioreactor, respectively. Velocity data ( 18 cm/day to 2600 cm/day in the stream, and 54 cm/day to 161 cm/day in the bioreactor) were used to determine water and solute fluxes (as well as potential contaminant attenuation rates) at these sites. Analysis of the spatial distribution of velocity values in a streambed illustrated the extremely heterogeneous nature of that environment, while the engineered system was found to be relatively homogeneous by comparison. Combining SBPVP velocity data with geochemical data supports the calculation of mass discharges and mass removal rates. The wide range of exchange rate variability (within and between these sites) suggests that detailed characterization of the GWSWI interface is useful information for remediation in both cases.