Hydrology and geochemical processes of a sub-arctic landfill, Fairbanks, Alaska; basic data

Abstract

In August 1982, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Fairbanks North Star Borough, undertook a study of the ground-water system in and near the Fairbanks Sanitary Landfill. Water quality and hydrologic data were collected at 22 observation wells and at 2 river sites. The water table beneath the landfill is less than 10 feet below land surface and fluctuates seasonally about 2 feet. The slope of the water table to the north indicates the general direction of groundwater flow from the Tanana River toward the Chena River. Several wells within the landfill show anomalously high concentrations (compared to background levels) of chloride, iron, and manganese, and relatively low values of pH and dissolved-oxygen concentrations. However, the values of these constituents and properties remain at background levels in wells north and west of the landfill.

Ground-water levels in an alluvial plain between the Tanana and Chena Rivers near Fairbanks, Alaska 1986-93

“…A report by Flynn (1985) contains water-level, well-log, and water-quality data for 22 wells near a landfill adjacent to the Tanana River south of Fairbanks. Water levels in selected wells and daily mean discharges for Chena, Little Chena, and Tanana Rivers have been published annually by the USGS .…”

Environmental overview and hydrogeologic conditions at Federal Aviation Administration facilities near Fairbanks, Alaska

“…Production wells drilled in the alluvial gravels commonly have high yield of hard calcium bicarbonate water (Flynn, 1985). Wells drilled in organic-rich channels will have lower yields of hard, calcium bicarbonate water, which may be enriched in iron and hydrogen sulfide.…”

Geohydrology and ground-water geochemistry at a sub-arctic landfill, Fairbanks, Alaska

“…Iron commonly exceeds by thirtyfold the 0.3 mg/L limit suggested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1977), and the concentration of manganese is commonly two to three times greater than the suggested limit of 0.05 mg/L. Concentrations of several chemical constituents in water samples from wells in the landfill are higher than background levels in other ground water from the general Fairbanks area (table 1; Flynn, 1985).…”

“…In the second phase of the study -which consisted of data collection and modeling the transport of conservative solutes -water-level data and water samples for chemical analysis were collected from all wells and from the Tanana and Chena Rivers. Data-collection procedures and well, water-level, and water-quality data are presented by Flynn (1985). A digital model was developed and used to simulate the flow and quality of ground water in the landfill area.…”

“…Additionally, the 1975 study included only two wells downgradient from the landfill. Most of the well, water-level, and water-quality data used in this report were reported by Flynn (1985).…”