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| Albemarle-Pamlico NAWQA |
| ALBE | NAWQA | DATA | PUBLICATIONS | CONTACTS |
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| Albemarle-Pamlico NAWQA |
| ALBE | NAWQA | DATA | PUBLICATIONS | CONTACTS |
Albemarle-Pamlico Study (ALBE), National Water-Quality Study (NAWQA)
Ground-water quality was investigated in the Albemarle-Pamlico Basin through statistically based land-use and study-unit surveys and flow-path study. All three components emphasized the study of shallow aquifer systems. These studies were designed to characterize the effects of corn and soybean agriculture and urban activities on shallow ground-water quality. Synoptic studies also were conducted to address particular questions about ground-water quality over large areas.
Water samples were analyzed for physical properties, major ions, nutrients, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (list of constituents). Radiochemicals, such as radium and uranium isotopes and radon, were included in the study-unit survey.
Land-use surveys were conducted to characterize ground-water quality associated with particular land uses. Corn and soybean agriculture and urban land-use studies were conducted.
Agricultural
land use (installed well)
Agricultural
land use (domestic supply well)
Urban land-use study, Virginia Beach
Existing wells in the Coastal Plain were randomly selected to represent general shallow ground-water quality in the inner and outer Coastal Plain. Data from these wells were used to evaluate water-quality data from the agricultural land-use wells in the same area to determine possible effects associated with corn and soybean agriculture. Wells that were selected were equipped with submersible pumps, were well constructed, and had complete location information available. Many of the wells were existing USGS or State observation wells used for long-term water-level monitoring. All wells were located in areas of recharge. Several were shallow supply wells equipped with submersible pumps. Seven deep public-supply wells also sampled in the vicinity of known pumping cones of depression to evaluate possible pumping-induced contamination.
Study-Unit
wells, inner Coastal Plain
Study-Unit wells,
outer Coastal Plain
Study-Unit deep
municipal wells, inner Coastal Plain
Study-Unit deep
municipal wells, outer Coastal Plain
Study-Unit well,
Great Dismal Swamp (reference)
Flow-path studies are intended to answer questions about processes controlling ground-water contamination. Several wells along a flow path were installed and sampled for various chemicals. Records of pesticide and fertilizer applications were obtained to relate water quality with land-use practices. Other factors, such as geology and soil and aquifer chemistry, were considered to distinguish human from nonhuman factors affecting ground-water and surface-water quality.
Flow-path well, Pete Mitchell (<50 feet)
Flow-path instream well, Pete Mitchell (<50 feet)
Flow-path domestic well, Pete Mitchell (<50 feet)
Flow-path domestic well, Pete Mitchell (>50 feet)
Flow-path temporary well, Pete Mitchell (<50 feet)
Flow-path municipal well, Pete Mitchell (>50 feet)
Flow-path State monitoring well, Pete Mitchell (<50 feet)
Flow-path State monitoring well, Lizzie (<50 feet)
Three special synoptic studies were designed to investigate the relation between ground-water quality and surface-water quality. These studies included the collection of ground water from the streambed, bed-sediment samples, and surface-water samples.
Ground-water synoptic, February and March 1994Photographs of study activities: Cycle I (1991-2001) ground-water sampling
Video of study activities: Cycle I (1991-2000)
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