Geology topics

Dolores Mulderink

Publications and source records attributed to Dolores Mulderink.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1986

Preliminary delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee: Cumberland Plateau aquifer system

The Cumberland Plateau aquifer system consists of Pennsylvanian sandstones, conglomerates, shales, and coals which underlie the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Major water-bearing zones occur within the sandstones and conglomerates in interconnected fractures. The water-bearing formations are separated by shale and siltstone that retard the vertical circulation of ground water. The Pennington Formation serves as the base of this aquifer system and is an effective confining unit. The Cumberland Plateau aquifer system is an important water source for the Cumberland Plateau. Wells and springs from the aquifer system supply most of the rural domestic and public drinking-water supplies. Water from wells drilled into the Cumberland Plateau aquifer system is generally of good to excellent quality. Of the 32 water-quality analyses on file from this aquifer, only 2 had dissolved-solids concentrations greater than 500 milligrams per liter, and about three-fourths had less than 200 milligrams per liter dissolved solids. However, no samples from depths greater than 300 feet below land surface have been recorded. Ground water from locations where the sandstones are buried deeply, such as the Wartburg basin, may contain dissolved-solids concentrations greater than 1,000 milligrams per liter.

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USGS1986

Preliminary delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee: Basal sandstone west of the Valley and Ridge Province

The basal sandstone is a poorly sorted, well indurated sandstone, which lies below the Conasauga Group and above the Precambrian crystalline rocks. It is an unknown resource defined by limited data, with only 14 data points (wells) for the entire State of Tennessee. The basal sandstone is thought to occur throughout most of the State west of the Valley and Ridge province at depths of generally more than 5,500 feet below land surface. The basal sandstone probably does not receive significant vertical recharge because the sandstone is overlain by such a thick sequence of flat-lying, low-porosity lower Paleozoic carbonates and shales. Data from two sites indicate that the rocks of the basal sandstone have relatively low porosity and permeability. The concentrations of dissolved solids in water from the basal sandstone range from less than 40,000 milligrams per liter to more than 200,000 milligrams per liter. The basal sandstone is not being used as a source of drinking water because of its great depth, the presence of shallower sources of drinking water, and possible concentrations of more than 10,000 milligrams per liter dissolved solids throughout its area of occurrence.

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USGS1986

Preliminary delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee– Tertiary aquifer system

The Tertiary aquifer system in Tennessee is composed of sands and clays of Quaternary and Tertiary age. The aquifer system occurs in west Tennessee from the Mississippi River east to the outcrop of the Porters Creek Clay. Groundwater in the Tertiary aquifer system is recharged at outcrops and through overlying permeable deposits. The underlying Porters Creek Clay acts as the lower confining layer. The Tertiary aquifer system is the single most prolific source of groundwater in Tennessee. The water quality is excellent with generally less than 500 mg/L dissolved solids.

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USGS1986

Preliminary delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee– The Cretaceous aquifer system of west-Tennessee

The Cretaceous aquifer system in western Tennessee is composed of sand, gravel, and clay. The aquifer system is under confined conditions except in the outcrop area. Ground water is recharged by precipitation on the outcrop area and through some overlying permeable deposits. The hydraulic gradient in the confined aquifers is about 1 foot per mile generally toward the west. The Cretaceous aquifer system unconformably overlies the consolidated Paleozoic formations and is overlain and confined by the Porters Creek Clay. The Cretaceous aquifer system is used as a source of water supply primarily in the outcrop area. West of the outcrop of this aquifer system, ground water can be obtained at shallower depths and with better water quality. The water of the Cretaceous aquifers generally have very good quality in the outcrop area. The dissolved solids increase down gradient to more than 1,000 milligrams per liter in parts of Shelby County. High iron concentrations are present in some areas.

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USGS1986

Preliminary evaluation of the basal sandstone in Tennessee for receiving injected wastes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is authorized, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, to administer the Underground Injection Control program. This program allows for the regulation of deep-well disposal of wastes and establishes criteria to protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination. The basal sandstone in Tennessee occurs west of the Valley and Ridge province at depths of 5,000 to 9,000 feet below land surface. The basal sandstone consists of about 30 to 750 feet of Cambrian sandstone overlying the crystalline basement complex. The basal sandstone is overlain and confined by shale and carbonate rocks of the Middle and Upper Cambrian Conasauga Group. Hydrologic data for the basal sandstone, available from only three sites (four wells) in Tennessee, indicate that the basal sandstone generally has low porosity and permeability with a few zones having enough permeability to accept injected fluids. Limited water-quality data indicate the basal sandstone contains water with dissolved-solids concentrations exceeding 10,000 milligrams per liter. Since the dissolved-solids conce ntrations exceed 10,000 milligrams per liter, the basal sandstone is not classified as an underground source of drinking water according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

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