Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2013
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Gregory Hoke
Honors Reader
Dr. Peng Gao
Capstone Major
Earth Sciences
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Earth Sciences
Abstract
The acquisition of quality baseline groundwater quality in the Southern Tier of New York State has been of concern due to the contention surrounding groundwater quality in areas where hydraulic fracturing for natural gas production has been developed. Little information on groundwater quality is publicly available for the Southern Tier, where natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing is feasible. This Capstone study, as a part of Project SWIFT at Syracuse University, seeks to determine the concentrations of several ionic compounds and elements in the groundwater of the New York counties which are most apt for hydraulic fracturing. Sample sites were determined by adherence to several criteria based on well construction as well as regularly spaced sample distribution throughout the study area. Streams were also sampled, selected according to drainage area. Results showed that groundwater contained higher concentrations of the majority of the compounds analyzed. Only a small number of samples yielded concentrations greater than the Maximum Contaminant Level set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This data will be used to help develop geochemical fingerprinting tool to detect the presence of hydraulic fracturing fluids and associated formation waters in shallow groundwater wells, as goaled by Project SWIFT.
Recommended Citation
Teale, Natalie, "A characterization of baseline groundwater quality in the New York Southern Tier for Project SWIFT" (2013). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 73.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/73
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