Hydrogeologic Investigations at Graces Quarters, Carroll Island, Bush River, and Lauderick Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

WRD PROJECT #: MD089
PROJECT CHIEF: Tenbus, Frederick J.
BEGIN DATE: 01-October-1986
END DATE: 30-September 2001

Customers currently supporting the project:

U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground

Problem

Each of the study areas has environmental problems associated with past practices at Aberdeen Proving Ground, which was formerly a center for the development and testing of chemical warfare agents and is currently an active Army base. Carroll Island and Graces Quarters were open-air test sites for chemical agents from the late 1940's through 1971. The Bush River area contains a chemical agent storage yard, and the Lauderick Creek area includes a former Nike missile battery. Each of the sites is the subject of one or more Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) investigations.

Objectives

1. Identify the location and dimensions of disposal and test sites.
2. Define the hydrogeologic system.
3. Verify whether contaminants were or are being released from disposal and test sites.
4. Model the hydrogeologic system.
5. Evaluate the hydrogeologic effects of various remediation scenarios.
6. Provide technical advice and limited data collection in support of other environmental investigations at the sites.

Approach

1. Compile and interpret existing data.
2. Collect and interpret hydrogeologic data through well installation, water-level measurements, and hydrologic testing.
3. Collect environmental samples and interpret data.
4. Construct a ground-water-flow model of Graces Quarters.
5. Use the model to evaluate pump-and-treat scenarios.
6. Review reports, participate in meetings, and collect water-level data to support other investigations.
7. Develop solute-transport models for Graces Quarters.

Related Publications

• Tenbus, F.J., and Phillips, S.W., 1990, Study approach for the hydrogeologic assessment of Carroll Island and Graces Quarters, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-181, 110 p.
• Ham, L.K., Sears, L.N., Phillips, S.W., and Tenbus, F.J., 1991, Hydrogeologic data for Carroll Island, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 89-388, 105 p.
• Ham, L.K., Tenbus, F.J., Sears, L.N., and Phillips, S.W., 1991, Hydrogeologic data for Graces Quarters, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-71, 68 p.
• Tenbus, F.J., and Blomquist, J.D., 1995, Hydrogeology and water quality in the Graces Quarters area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4175, 115 p.
• Tenbus, F.J., and Fleck, W.B., 1996, Ground-water flow and the potential effects of remediation at Graces Quarters, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4044, 31 p.
• Tenbus, F.J., and Phillips, S.W., 1996, Hydrogeology and chemical quality of water and soil at Carroll Island, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4169, 156 p.
• Senus, M.P., and Tenbus, F.J., 2000, Long-term ground-water monitoring program and performance - evaluation plan for the extraction system at the former Nike missile battery site, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 00-208, 21p.