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Abstract
Dennis, S., D. Duseja, P.
Vendrell and A. Wade. 2008. Monitoring water wells in middle Tennessee with down
well camera technology. JEMREST 5:00-00
Groundwater
can be vulnerable to contamination especially in karst terrain and in
unconfined sand aquifers. These geological characteristics are prevalent in
Middle and West Tennessee. The geology of
Middle Tennesse is limestone rocks that tend to weather into terrains
referred to as karst. Karst is characterized by sinkholes and disappearing
streams and caves that could serve as conduits to contaminants because of
their rapid groundwater flow especially in recharge conditions such as storm
events. The protection of groundwater and surface water from contamination
continues to pose a major challenge, because, it impacts source water
quality. Recent advances in down-well cameras using fiber optics to provide
digital video images are now being used to gain a better understanding of
water wells. One of the goals of this study was to capture film footage of
wells in Middle Tennessee counties by this technology. The study data shows
no evidence of leaks through the casing or casing joints in the wells
monitored. However, visual evidence of extensive
fractures and dissolution channels within the sedimentary rock aquifer was
noted during the video inspections of the open bore-hole. Due to the extensive fracturing observed in
the wells, it would be rational to assume that the potential for seeping
contaminants exists. Abundance of particulate matter was also evident on the
video, which could be an indication of a biologically active ground water, or
of other chemotropic matter dissolved from soil minerals, or both. Live fish were observed swimming in one of
the wells monitored and a live spider in another well. Both wells contained live
animals that demonstrate a hydrologic connection between surface and
groundwater. Thus, it can be deduced that both wells could test positive for
a variety of bacteria and chemicals, and as such, may not be safe for
drinking water purposes without treatment.
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