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At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Migrated hydrocarbons in exposure of Maastrichtian nonmarine strata near Saddle Mountain, lower Cook Inlet, Alaska

Magoon and others (1980) described an 83-meter- (272-foot-) thick succession of Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone, and coal exposed on the south side of an unnamed drainage, approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) east of Saddle Mountain in lower Cook Inlet (figs. 1 and 2). The initial significance of this exposure was that it was the first reported occurrence of nonmarine rocks of this age in outcrop in lower Cook Inlet, which helped constrain the Late Cretaceous paleogeography of the area and provided important information on the composition of latest Mesozoic sandstones in the basin. The Saddle Mountain section is thought to be an outcrop analog for Upper Cretaceous nonmarine strata penetrated in the OCS Y-0097 #1 (Raven) well, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the south–southeast in Federal waters (fig. 1). Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) drilled the Raven well in 1980 and encountered oil-stained rocks and moveable liquid hydrocarbons between the depths of 1,760 and 3,700 feet. Completion reports on file with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM; formerly Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, and prior to 2010, U.S. Minerals Management Service) either show flow rates of zero or do not mention flow rates. A fluid analysis report on file with BOEM suggests that a wireline tool sampled some oil beneath a 2,010-foot diesel cushion during the fl ow test of the 3,145–3,175 foot interval, but the recorded fl ow rate was still zero (Kirk Sherwood, written commun., January 9, 2012). Further delineation and evaluation of the apparent accumulation was never performed and the well was plugged and abandoned. As part of a 5-year comprehensive evaluation of the geology and petroleum systems of the Cook Inlet forearc basin, the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys obtained a research permit from the National Park Service to access the relatively poorly understood ‘Saddle Mountain exposure’ that is located in the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. This work was done in cooperation with the Alaska Division of Oil & Gas and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research geologists. This report expands on Magoon and others’ (1980) description of the exposure, presents new data on sandstone composition and reservoir quality, presents new geochemical data on petroleum extracted from the outcropping sandstone, and describes oil-bearing correlative strata penetrated by the Raven well. Although the exposure is more than a kilometer (0.6 mile) east of Saddle Mountain (fig. 2), in this report we variously refer to it as the Saddle Mountain succession, Saddle Mountain section, or the rocks at Saddle Mountain underlain by Upper Jurassic strata of the Naknek Formation.

Alaska↗

A strategy for a stream-gaging network in Maryland

Water is a keystone resource. In abundance, it supplies cities, industries, and agriculture. To maintain healthy natural and human ecosystems, water must not only be present in adequate quantity, but it must be of suitable quality for its intended use. Water quality depends on the amount, or load, of contaminants, both natural and anthropogenic, that it contains. Accurate assessment of these contaminants requires that the amount of water flowing in a stream or river be known. To quantify streamflow in a given stream or river and the variation of that flow through time, it must be measured by use of stream gages. Monitoring water flow is fundamental to managing and protecting water resources, and requires a collaborative effort by all interested parties, including Federal, State, and local government agencies.

Maryl↗

Hydrogeology, digital solute-transport simulation, and geochemistry of the Lower Cretaceous aquifer system near Baltimore, Maryland

This study was made to develop information on the hydrogeology and ground-water geochemistry of the Patuxent and Patapsco aquifers (Lower Cretaceous) near Baltimore, Maryland. This information is needed to evaluate the availability and chemical quality of water from these aquifers. The Patuxent aquifer unconformably overlies Lower Paleozoic and Precambrian basement rocks and consists primarily of medium- to coarse-grained quartz sand. Discontinuous lenses of gravel and silty clay are commonly interbedded with the sand-sized material. The Patuxent aquifer in this area attains a thickness of 250 feet and transmissivities range from 2,000 to 8,000 feet squared per day. The Patuxent is the most productive source of ground water in the Baltimore area. In 1982, approximately 11 million gallons of water per day was produced from this unit. Several cones of depression, ranging from 30 to 50 feet below sea level, have developed in response to this pumping stress. The Arundel Formation conformably overlies the Patuxent aquifer. The Arundel is composed predominantly of clay and ranges from 0 to 150 feet thick. The Arundel exhibits very low vertical hydraulic conductivities that are on the order of 10 -9 to 10 -11 feet per second. This unit acts as the upper confining bed of the Patuxent aquifer in much of the project area. The Patapsco aquifer unconformably overlies the Arundel Formation and is a medium- to fine-grained quartz sand. The Patapsco functions as a water-table aquifer in much of the project area. Although the Patapsco has been heavily pumped in the past, pumpage from that aquifer in Baltimore was negligible in 1982. Brackish-water contamination of the Patuxent and Patapsco aquifers has been a major water-quality problem since the early 1900's. The Patuxent aquifer presently (1982) contains a circular plume of brackish-water contamination about 5 miles in diameter. This plume is centered on the Harbor district and has enlarged measurably since 1945. The Patapsco aquifer has a smaller zone of brackish-water contamination that has decreased in size since 1945. Borehole data demonstrate that the Arundel Formation has been breached by Pleistocene river channels near the Harbor district. These erosional channels provide a conduit for brackish water to intrude into the Patuxent aquifer. A two-dimensional areal solute-transport model of the Patuxent aquifer was constructed. This model was designed to estimate the future movement of the brackish-water plume based on alternative scenarios of aquifer use. Model simulations suggest that the plume will remain relatively immobile if 1982 pumping patterns continue into the foreseeable future. However, increased pumpage in the Marley Neck peninsula could draw the plume to the southeast and increase contamination of the Fairfield area. The water quality of the Patuxent aquifer is extremely variable. Because of this variability, it is useful to divide the aquifer into three water-quality zones: Zone 1 -- This zone corresponds to the plume of brackish-water contamination. Zone 2 -- This zone exhibits evidence of urbanization-related contamination such as measurable concentrations of organic chemicals and elevated concentrations of trace elements and total organic carbon. Zone 3 -- Water composition in this zone is controlled exclusively by naturally occurring chemical processes. These processes are dominated by reactions involving dissolved iron. Near the outcrop area, oxidation of pyrite and lignite consumes dissolved oxygen and produces ledges of iron hydroxide-cemented sandstones and conglomerates. The predominant dissolved iron species in oxic water is Fe(OH) 2 + . Downgradient, the water becomes anoxic and sulfate reduction becomes an important process. The predominant dissolved iron species in anoxic water is Fe 2+ .

Maryland↗

The Yellow Dog peridotite and a possible buried igneous complex of lower Keweenawan age in the northern peninsula of Michigan

Partly serpentinized peridotite of early Keweenawan age crops out in two places along a 20-kilometer-long zone of positive aeromagnetic anomalies in northern Marquette County, Michigan. Most of the area is mantled by Pleistocene drift with few bedrock exposures. Petrographic and electron microprobe studies show that the peridotite was originally a plagioclase lherzolite containing 40 to 50 percent olivine (Fo8 0 ) and approximately 10 to 15 percent each of enstatite (En 78 Wo 04 Fs 18 ) and diopsidic augite (En 47 Wo 42 Fs 11 ). The plagioclase varies from 5 to 10 percent, and according to Morris (1977) is labradorite with a composition of An 57-65 . Major oxide minerals (4 to 6 percent) are ilmenite and magnetite. Sulfides comprise 1 to 2 percent of the peridotite and are chiefly pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite. Ground magnetic, gravity, and very low frequency electro-magnetic (VLF-EM) surveys have refined the location and magnitude of anomalies previously known only from aeromagnetic studies. These surveys together with soil geochemical studies suggest that peridotite, and possibly other mafic rocks forming a differentiated igneous complex, may occur throughout a belt 20 kilometers long (east-west) and 1 to 2 kilometers wide (north-south). Differentiated igneous complexes in many parts of the world are hosts for copper, nickel, chromium, or precious-metal deposits. The peridotite in the area of this study is anomalously rich in copper and sulfur compared to world-wide averages for peridotite. Positive electro-magnetic anomalies found near the peridotite outcrops may be caused by sulfide-rich zones in the igneous rocks and should be explored further for copper-nickel mineralization.

Michigan↗

Lake trout rehabilitation in Lake Ontario, 2019

Each year we report on the progress toward rehabilitation of the Lake Ontario lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) population, including the results of stocking, annual assessment surveys, creel surveys, and evidence of natural reproduction observed from all standard surveys performed by USGS and NYSDEC. The catch per unit effort of adult lake trout in gill nets increased each year from 2008-2014, recovering from historic lows recorded during 2005-2007. Adult abundances declined each year from 2015 to 2017; and in 2017 were about 35% below the 2014 peak and 17% below the 1999-2004 mean. Adult abundance increased in 2018 by 51% over the 2017 value and increased and addition 16% in 2019. The 2019 rate of wounding by sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) on lake trout caught in gill nets (0.53 A1 wounds (fresh wound) per 100 lake trout) was below target (2 wounds per 100 lake trout). Estimates from the NYSDEC fishing boat survey indicated angler catch rate of lake trout was low in 2019 and among the lowest recorded for the time series. Condition values for an adult lake trout, indexed in September from the predicted weight for a 700mm lake trout from annual length-weight regressions and Fulton’s K for age-6 males, were among the highest levels observed for the 1983-2019 time series. Predicted weight for a 400mm lake trout from July 2019 bottom trawl catches was near the long-term average while age-2 K was among the lowest for the time series. Reproductive potential for the adult stock indexed from the CPUE of mature females ≥ 4000g was again above the target in 2019 continuing a trend observed in nine of the last ten years. The 2019 catch of young native lake trout marked the 25th observation in the last 26 years, however the low numbers of native adults observed during that time period continues to indicate substantial restoration impediments still exist.

Lake Ontario↗

Lake trout spawning studies: Updates, new survey, and comparison to standard September gillnet survey

In Lake Ontario, lake trout restoration efforts have not established a self-sustaining population. Herein we describe efforts to evaluate standard and new surveys, and to estimate dispersal from stocking locations, to better understand impediments to natural reproduction. In 2019, lake trout egg deposition was sampled at two locations, Stony Island Reef, and Ford Shoals. No eggs were collected at either site. Egg deposition rates at Stony Island Reef, expressed in eggs/net/day, were lower in 2019 (0) and 2017 (0.0004) than in 1987 and 1989 (1.27 and 0.27, respectively). Spawning lake trout were indexed using standard gillnets set at six locations along the southern shore. Sites were fished overnight with two nets, except Youngstown where only one net was set. When comparing the standard September gillnet survey to the spawning survey, the spawning survey caught more and older fish, but had a similar representation of strains. Both gillnet surveys revealed that, during the early to late fall, most lake trout (>72%) are caught as adults near where they were stocked as juveniles. This spawning survey demonstrated that lake trout in spawning condition are aggregating near possible spawning habitat, but the presence of adults alone cannot identify the specific spawning habitat. Egg deposition results suggest lake trout may be depositing eggs in different habitats then they have in the past. Alternatively, our egg collection methods may not be effective when egg abundance is low. Lake Ontario lake trout restoration would benefit from survey approaches that identify specific spawning habitat.

Lake Ontario↗

Seventh progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and streamflow in the Tecolote tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This report is the seventh in a a continuing series of progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements made at selected springs and streams in the Tecolote Tunnel are area of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The mountains. The measurement program was begun on its present scale in the latter part of 1948 by the Geological Survey at the request of the Santa Barbara County Water Agency and is being continued under a cooperative agreement whereby each agency pays half the cost of the investigation. The purpose of the program is to obtain sufficient factual data to determine what effect, if any, the inflow of ground water into Tecolote Tunnel will have on the flow of springs and streams in the vicinity of the tunnel. The area involved in the study, shown by plate 1, was made large enough to include a number of springs and steams believe to be outside the zone of influence of the tunnel. Tecolote Tunnel, completed late in 1955, was built by the Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of conveying water stored in Cachuma Reservoir to the city of Santa Barbara and adjacent coastal communities. The alinement of the tunnel is roughly north and south through the center of the arbitrarily chosen study area which extends from the Painted Cave area on the east to Refugio Pass on the west and from the Santa Ynez River on the North to the Pacific Ocean on the south. The purpose of this report is to make available the factual data obtained from July 1954 to June 1956, together with a brief presentation of precipitation, springflow, and tunnel outflow for the entire period of investigation.

California↗

U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports through 1954

This report supersedes TEI-400, "U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements and related reports through 1953." Part I is a numerical list of U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Investigations and Memorandum reports. This part lists not only reports (followed by a date) that have been transmitted to the U.S> Atomic Energy Commission, but also reports in preparation (followed by an asterisk) for which tentative titles were available on December 31, 1954. If a report, or portion of a report, has been published, the fact is indicated by the abbreviation of the medium of publication. (See also Part II.) Part II is a reference guide to Trace Elements and related reports that are available to the public (this part supersedes Part I of Bulletin 1019-B). These reports are grouped according to the type of publication or release. If a report, or portion of the report, has been published in more than one form, appropriate cross-references are given to indicate the other forms of publication. Abstracts published in Nuclear Science Abstracts are not included in Part II; however, if the abstract of a Trace Elements report has been published in NSA, the fact is indicated in Part I. Publications in process on December 31, 1954, are designated by an asterisk. Part III is a finding list of states, areas, and subjects and supersedes Part II of Bulletin 1019-B. It is based on information derived mostly from the titles of reports and, where titles are of general nature, from a cursory review of the reports. This list is not a complete index of the information given in Trace Elements and related reports, but is designed to find subjects of major interest, Because of the numerous entries for Colorado and Utah, information has been listed by counties and, where possible, by subject under these states. Other states have county listings only if a county is included in the title of a report; otherwise, area may be listed separately under the state. Major subjects are listed separately in the index and also, where appropriate under states. Analytical methods and subjects related to analytical research are listed under Analytical Methods and Research, but not separately throughout the index. Most mineralogic studies are included under the heading Mineralogy, but are not necessarily listed according to location. Part IV is an author index. The words “with” and “and” are used to indicate seniority of authorship. For example, a listing of Smith and Brown indicated that Smith is the senior author. A listing of Smith with Brown indicates that Brown is the senior author. In both parts III and IV all Trace Elements reports are listed, as well as other related reports that have not been issued as Trace Elements reports. The following abbreviations have been used: TEI, Trace Elements Investigations report; TEM, Trace Elements Memorandum report; OF, open file; TIS, Technical Information Service release; C, Circular; B, Bulletin; P, Professional Paper; MC, Maps and Charts; J, Journal; and NSA, Nuclear Science Abstracts.

Trace Elements Investigations↗

Fourth progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and streamflow in the Tecolote Tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This is a continuation of annual progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements made in the Santa Ynez Mountains between Refugio Canyon on the west to San Marcos Pass and the Painted Cave area on the east. This portion of Santa Barbara County has been designated as the "Tecolote Tunnel Area" because a tunnel by that name, now being built by the Bureau of Reclamation, passes through it. The purpose of this tunnel is to divert flood runoff from the Santa Ynez River, stored in Cachuma Reservoir, to the city of Santa Barbara and adjacent areas. During the construction of this tunnel, the seepage from the south portal has averaged 6.4 second-feet for the year ending April 30, 1952, the average being 8.7 second-feet for the last 6 months of that period. Both of these values exceed the average total discharge prior to April 30, 1951, for more than 120 springs measured in the Tecolote Tunnel Area. As, it was not known what effect the seepage from this tunnel might have on the flow of springs and streams in the immediate vicinity, the Santa Barbara County Water Agency requested the U. S. Geological Survey to institute an observational program. This program was started in 1948—about 2 years before work was started on the tunnel. The area covered by the observational program was made sufficiently large to include all the springs that could possibly be affected, as well as certain border springs believed to be outside the zone of influence. The purpose of this, the fourth progress report, is to make available factual data obtained during the year ending April 30, 1952. This program is operated under a cooperative agreement between the U. S. Geological Survey and the Santa Barbara County Water Agency whereby each pays half the cost of the investigation.

California↗

Sixth progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and streamflow in the Tecolote Tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This report is the sixth in a continuing series of progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements obtained at more than 120 selected sites in the "Tecolote Tunnel Area" of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The area derives its name from the tunnel now being completed by the Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of diverting the flood waters of the Santa Ynez River stored in Cachuma Reservoir into urban and agricultural areas in and near the city of Santa barbara. The observational area for purposes of this investigation extends from Refugio Pass on the west to San Marcos Pass and the Painted Cave area on the east. The tunnel alignment is rouhly north and south through the center of this area.

California↗

Eighth progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and streamflow in the Tecolote Tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This report is the eighth in a continuing series of progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements made at selected springs and streams in the Tecolote Tunnel area of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The measurement program was begun on its present scale in the latter part of 1948 by the U. S. Geological Survey at the request of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation and has been continued under a cooperative agreement with the Santa Barbara County Water Agency since July 1, 1949, under which each agency pays half the cost of the investigation. The purpose of the program is to obtain factual data to assist in determining what effect, if any, the inflow of ground water into Tecolote Tunnel will have on surface-water resources in the vicinity of the tunnel. The area involved in the program, shown on plate 1, was made large enough to include a number of springs and streams believed to be outside the zone of influence of the tunnel. Tecolote Tunnel, completed in March 1956, was built by the Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of conveying water from Cachuma Reservoir to the city of Santa Barbara and adjacent coastal communities. The alinement of the tunnel is essentially north and south through the center of a region that extends from the Painted Cave area on the east to Refugio Pass on the west and from the Santa Ynez River on the north to the Pacific Ocean on the south. Storage, in Cachuma Reservoir began November 16, 1952. Roads within the area covered by Cachuma Reservoir have been relocated since plate 1 was prepared. The purpose of this progress report is to make available the factual data obtained from July 1956 to June 1958.

California↗

Second progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and stream flow in the Tecolote Tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This report represents the second of a series of progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements made at more than 100 locations in the Santa Ynez Mountains from the Refugio Canyon on the west to the San Marcos Pass and Painted Cave area on the east. The flow in all the developed springs and headwater streams within this area, here designated as the Tecolote Tunnel Area of the purpose of this report, is generally measured monthly. The primary purpose of this second progress report is to make available to the public all factual data regarding the flow at these locations obtained since the preparation of the first progress report, issued in May 1949. Near the mid-point of this area the Bureau of Reclamation and the Santa Barbara County Water Agency proposed a tunnel, known as Tecolote Tunnel, for the purpose of diverting a portion of the runoff of the Santa Ynez River drainage area into water-deficient Santa Barbara and the coastal areas to the east and west, Because the water users of the mountain springs in the Tecolote Tunnel Area are somewhat apprehensive as to the influence this tunnel may have on their present water supply, the Santa Barbara Water Agency has requested the Geological Survey to obtain records of flow in their springs at frequent and regular intervals. During the current fiscal year these observations have been made as a result of a cooperative agreement between the Geological Survey and the Santa Barbara County Water Agency whereby each paid half the cost of the investigation. During the previous fiscal year all the costs to the Geological Survey in obtaining these observations were completely reimbursed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

California↗

Hydrated salt minerals on Europa's surface from the Galileo near-infrared mapping spectrometer (NIMS) investigation

We reported evidence of heavily hydrated salt minerals present over large areas of Europa's surface from analysis of reflectance spectra returned by the Galileo mission near infrared mapping spectrometer (NIMS) [ McCord et al. , 1997a, b, 1998a, b]. Here we elaborate on this earlier evidence, present spatial distributions of these minerals, examine alternate water-ice interpretations, expand on our hydrated-salts interpretation, consider salt mineral stability on Europa, and discuss the implications. Extensive well-defined areas on Europa show distinct, asymmetric water-related absorption bands in the 1 to 2.5-μm region. Radiative transfer modeling of water ice involving different particle sizes and layers at Europa temperatures does not reproduce the distinctive Europa water bands. However, ice near its melting temperature, such as in terrestrial environments, does have some characteristics of the Europa spectrum. Alternatively, some classes of heavily hydrated minerals do exhibit such water bands. Among plausible materials, heavily hydrated salt minerals, such as magnesium and sodium sulfates, sodium carbonate and their mixtures, are preferred. All Europa spectral features are present in some salt minerals and a very good match to the Europa spectrum can be achieved by mixing several salt spectra. However, no single or mix of salt mineral spectra from the limited library available has so far been found to perfectly match the Europa spectrum in every detail. The material is concentrated at the lineaments and in chaotic terrain, which are technically disrupted areas on the trailing side. Since the spectrum of the material on Europa is nearly the same everywhere so-far studied, the salt or salt-mixture composition may be nearly uniform. This suggests similar sources and processes over at least a near-hemispheric scale. This would suggest that an extensive subsurface ocean containing dissolved salts is the source, and several possible mechanisms for deposit emplacement are considered. The hydrogen bonds associated with hydration of these salts are similar or greater in strength and energy to those in pure water ice. Thus, once on the surface, the salt minerals should be as stable to disruption as water ice at the Europa temperatures, and mechanisms are suggested to enhance the stability of both materials. Spectra obtained of MgSO 4 ·6H 2 O at 77 K show only small differences from room temperature spectra. The main difference is the appearance of the individual absorptions composing the broad, composite water features and associated with the several different H 2 O sites in the salt hydrate molecule. This suggests that the Europa absorption bands are also composites. Thus higher spectral resolution may reveal these diagnostic features in Europa's spectrum. The specific salts present and their relative abundances would be indicators of the chemistry and conditions of an ocean environment, and areas of fresh, heavy concentration of these minerals should make ideal lander mission sampling sites.

Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets↗

Fifth progress report on the cooperative investigation of springs and streamflow in the Tecolote Tunnel area of Santa Barbara County, California

This report is the fifth in a continuing series of annual progress reports giving the results of discharge measurements made at more than 120 selected sites in the "Tecolote Tunnel Area" of the Santa Ynez Mountains. This area derives its name from the tunnel now being built by the Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of diverting the flood waters of the Santa Ynez River as stored in Cachuma Reservoir to the city of Santa Barbara and adjacent coastal communities. The tunnel alignment is roughly north and south through the center of this area, which extends from Refugio Pass on the west to San Marcos Pass and the Painted Cave area on the east. The program of measuring the developed springs and headwater streams in the Tecolote Tunnel area was started on its present scale in the latter part of 1948 at the request of the Santa Barbara County Water Agency. The primary purpose of the program is to obtain sufficient factual data to determine what effect, if any, the construction and use of the Tecolote Tunnel will have on the outflow of the springs in the area. The area covered by this study was made large enough to include all springs that could possibly be affected by the tunnel, as well as springs believed to be outside the zone of influence. The program is being carried on by the Geological Survey under a cooperative agreement with the Santa Barbara County Water Agency whereby each pays one half the cost. Prior to January 1953 the flow at each of the more than 120 locations was generally measured monthly. Since then, the number of sites at which monthly measurements are made has been reduced to about 40, with measurements made every other month or quarterly at the remaining locations. The purpose of this report is to make available the factual data obtained from May 1, 1952 to June 30, 1953.

California↗