Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Joseph Donovan
Abstract
A hydrologic and hydrochemical investigation of aquifer characteristics beneath Peters Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia is presented. Hydrologic zones were classified into three groups based on surface geology. Springs and seeps were located within the Second Creek and Indian Creek watersheds and their waters analyzed for chemistry to interpret the similarities and differences between springs. The three geological classes were Silurian/Devonian clastic rocks on the east slopes of Peters Mountain (Group 1), the Martinsburg Formation near the top of Peters Mountain (Group 2), and Ordovician carbonate aquifers on the west slopes of Peters Mountain (Group 3). Groundwater chemistry differed between the clastic and carbonate groups. Group 1 springs had chemical signatures similar to regional precipitation. Groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher concentrations of dissolved solids. There also were differences in the hydrochemistry between Groups 2 and 3 which both had a carbonate signature but varying magnesium concentrations attributed to the presence of dolomite. The spatial variations in geochemistry are interpreted to reflect the influence lithology has on the aqueous chemistry all of which, in turn, are a function of structure and stratigraphy.
Recommended Citation
Richards, Brian G., "Aqueous geochemistry of springs along Peters Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia." (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10943.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10943