GROUNDWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE PINEY POINT AQUIFER

Sediments are the main sink for heavy metals in aquatic systems. Trace element concentrations in groundwater typically reflect the solid phases of the aquifer, but can vary depending on redox potential and the presence of organic matter, as well as anthropogenic activities. The present study will focus on the Piney Point aquifer, which accounts for roughly 5 percent of the groundwater supply in the Virginia Coastal Plain. The objective of this study is to assess the vulnerability of the Piney Point aquifer to trace element contamination released from its sediments. This will be conducted by preforming batch leaching experiments on the bulk sediments and observing the trace elements that are released into leachate solutions at high and low pH, as well as at ambient water conditions. As a study of this kind has not been performed in the Virginia Coastal Plain, this will provide a baseline of trace element concentrations for the Piney Point aquifer, as well as potential concentrations released in the event of pH change in the aquifer.