The extraction of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources often produces highly saline waste waters, which can be released to the river corridor environment during spills and pipe leakage. In North Dakota, USA more than 8,000 spills were recorded from 2008-2015, and more than half of those spills were related to pipelines. Data collected for this study were related to UOG wastewater leakage from a pipeline into a creek in the Williston Basin, North Dakota discovered on the January 6th, 2015. Although the spill was followed by extensive remediation efforts, we conducted geophysical surveys in June 2017 to assess the potential for waste water retention along the Blacktail Creek corridor as part of a larger evaluation of the post-spill period. This public data release is divided into (2) child items, one that contains and describes frequency domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) data, and another that contains electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data. Both geophysical methods are highly sensitive to shallow saline groundwater.

The electrical conductivity of the earth is used to help infer lithological and pore fluid properties. Various geophysical methods can provide estimates of the distribution of below ground electrical conductivity, with each method having certain limitations. This data release presents raw and processed results from land-based and water-based frequency domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) data collected from August 23, 2017 to August 28, 2017. The raw data consist of .csv files from the Geophex GEM-2 unit. Data were primarily collected by walking with the instrument at approximately 1 m off the ground in horizontal coplanar (ski flat) mode. A survey along a section of the Little Wind River in a kayak (with about 0.3 m of elevation above the water surface) was also collected.

The electrical conductivity of the earth is used to help infer lithological and pore fluid properties. Various geophysical methods can provide estimates of the distribution of below ground electrical conductivity, with each method having certain limitations. This data release presents raw and processed results from land-based and water-based frequency domain electromagnetic induction imaging (EMI) data collected from March 31 to April 2, 2015. Data were primarily collected by walking throughout the wetland and riparian zones with the GEM-2 instrument (Geophex, Ltd.) at approximately 1 m off the ground in horizontal coplanar (ski flat) mode. A survey along a section of the Colorado River in a kayak was also collected (with approximate 0.3 m of elevation above the water surface).

Hand-carried frequency domain electromagnetic imaging (EMI) data were collected along the Sanuit River to indicate changes in streambed water quality and/or near surface sediments. These data are to be used in conjunction with fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (FO-DTS) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) data. The combined dataset represents point in time mapping of preferential groundwater discharge points (FO-DTS), and the bed structure that controls where these points are located (GPR, EMI).

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods provide information about the bulk electrical conductivity of the subsurface. EM data has been widely used to investigate aquifers and geologic structures. In the following study, the United States Geological Survey conducted a boat-towed, waterborne transient electromagnetic (FloaTEM) survey to examine conductivity within the subsurface of the Delaware River channel. These conductive zones determine the location of the groundwater freshwater/saltwater interface within the Delaware River, downstream from Wilmington, DE. The FloaTEM system transmits a primary electrical current through a transmitter loop (Tx) wire. This creates a static primary magnetic field. Then, the current in the TX loop is subsequently turned off, resulting in secondary electrical currents being induced in the earth. These induced electrical currents decay with time, and this rate of decay in the secondary electrical field is a function of the bulk conductivity of the subsurface material. As the secondary electrical field decays, a secondary magnetic field is induced and measured at a receiver (Rx) loop towed behind the Tx loop. The Rx loop measures the decay of the secondary magnetic field as a function of time (dB/dt). Measured dB/dt decay curves can be inverted to recover the depth-dependent resistivity structure of the earth. FloaTEM surveys were conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/26/2020 and 8/27/2020. Data on 2/26/2020 were collected around the Augustine Wildlife Area boat ramp, and data on 8/27/2020 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp.

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods provide information about the bulk electrical conductivity of the subsurface. EM data has been widely used to investigate aquifers and geologic structures. In the following study, the United States Geological Survey conducted a boat-towed, waterborne transient electromagnetic (FloaTEM) survey to examine conductivity within the subsurface of the Delaware River channel. These conductive zones determine the location of the groundwater freshwater/saltwater interface within the Delaware River, downstream from Wilmington, DE. The FloaTEM system transmits a primary electrical current through a transmitter loop (Tx) wire. This creates a static primary magnetic field. Then, the current in the TX loop is subsequently turned off, resulting in secondary electrical currents being induced in the earth. These induced electrical currents decay with time, and this rate of decay in the secondary electrical field is a function of the bulk conductivity of the subsurface material. As the secondary electrical field decays, a secondary magnetic field is induced and measured at a receiver (Rx) loop towed behind the Tx loop. The Rx loop measures the decay of the secondary magnetic field as a function of time (dB/dt). Measured dB/dt decay curves can be inverted to recover the depth-dependent resistivity structure of the earth. FloaTEM surveys were conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/26/2020 and 8/27/2020. Data on 2/26/2020 were collected around the Augustine Wildlife Area boat ramp, and data on 8/27/2020 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp.

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods provide information about the bulk electrical conductivity of the subsurface. EM data has been widely used to investigate aquifers and geologic structures. In the following study, the United States Geological Survey conducted a boat-towed, waterborne transient electromagnetic (FloaTEM) survey to examine conductivity within the subsurface of the main Delaware River channel and the Leipsic River. The Leipsic River flows through an estuary into the Delaware Bay. Subsurface conductive zones, when viewed in the context of the regional conceptual model and other data, can help determine the likely groundwater location of the freshwater/saltwater interface within the Delaware River, as well as key hydrogeological layers such as the Lower Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer within the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer System, and their connectivity with the riverbed. Permeable aquifers could provide a hydraulic connection between surface water and inland groundwater. Therefore, changes to river water salinity could have an accelerated impact on water pumped from wells inland that are connected via these permeable aquifers. The FloaTEM system transmits a primary electrical current through a transmitter loop (Tx) wire. This creates a static primary magnetic field. Then, the current in the TX loop is subsequently turned off, resulting in secondary electrical currents being induced in the earth. These induced electrical currents decay with time, and this rate of decay in the secondary electrical field is a function of the bulk conductivity of the subsurface material. As the secondary electrical field decays, a secondary magnetic field is induced and measured at a receiver (Rx) loop towed behind the Tx loop. The Rx loop measures the decay of the secondary magnetic field as a function of time (dB/dt). Measured dB/dt decay curves can be inverted to recover the depth-dependent resistivity structure of the earth. FloaTEM surveys were conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/26/2020 and 8/27/2020. Data from 8/26/2020 were collected around the Augustine Wildlife Area boat ramp, and data on 8/27/2020 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp. FloaTEM surveys were again conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/25/2021 and 8/26/2021. Data from 8/25/2021 were collected upstream of the 2020 surveys around the Pennsville public boat ramp, while data on 8/26/2021 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp and covered a similar area as the 2020 data. Data collected in 2021 also included a section of the Delaware River further upstream near Philadelphia PA, collected on 8/24/2021 and made use of the Fort Mifflin boat ramp. A final back and forth profile in the Leipsic River within the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (estuary) was gathered on 8/27/21, and used the Port Mahon Boat Launch as the starting/ending point. Surface water specific conductance data were also collected during portions of the surveys.

Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods provide information about the bulk electrical conductivity of the subsurface. EM data has been widely used to investigate aquifers and geologic structures. In the following study, the United States Geological Survey conducted a boat-towed, waterborne transient electromagnetic (FloaTEM) survey to examine conductivity within the subsurface of the main Delaware River channel and the Leipsic River. The Leipsic River flows through an estuary into the Delaware Bay. Subsurface conductive zones, when viewed in the context of the regional conceptual model and other data, can help determine the likely groundwater location of the freshwater/saltwater interface within the Delaware River, as well as key hydrogeological layers such as the Lower Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer within the Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer System, and their connectivity with the riverbed. Permeable aquifers could provide a hydraulic connection between surface water and inland groundwater. Therefore, changes to river water salinity could have an accelerated impact on water pumped from wells inland that are connected via these permeable aquifers. The FloaTEM system transmits a primary electrical current through a transmitter loop (Tx) wire. This creates a static primary magnetic field. Then, the current in the TX loop is subsequently turned off, resulting in secondary electrical currents being induced in the earth. These induced electrical currents decay with time, and this rate of decay in the secondary electrical field is a function of the bulk conductivity of the subsurface material. As the secondary electrical field decays, a secondary magnetic field is induced and measured at a receiver (Rx) loop towed behind the Tx loop. The Rx loop measures the decay of the secondary magnetic field as a function of time (dB/dt). Measured dB/dt decay curves can be inverted to recover the depth-dependent resistivity structure of the earth. FloaTEM surveys were conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/26/2020 and 8/27/2020. Data from 8/26/2020 were collected around the Augustine Wildlife Area boat ramp, and data on 8/27/2020 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp. FloaTEM surveys were again conducted downstream from Wilmington, DE on 8/25/2021 and 8/26/2021. Data from 8/25/2021 were collected upstream of the 2020 surveys around the Pennsville public boat ramp, while data on 8/26/2021 were collected near the Collins Landing boat ramp and covered a similar area as the 2020 data. Data collected in 2021 also included a section of the Delaware River further upstream near Philadelphia PA, collected on 8/24/2021 and made use of the Fort Mifflin boat ramp. A final back and forth profile in the Leipsic River within the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (estuary) was gathered on 8/27/21, and used the Port Mahon Boat Launch as the starting/ending point. Surface water specific conductance data were also collected during portions of the surveys.

When water is pumped slowly from saturated sediment-water inteface sediments, the more highly connected, mobile porosity domain is prefferentially sampled, compared to less-mobile pore spaces. Changes in fluid electrical conductivity (EC) during controlled downward ionic tracer injections into interface sediments can be assumed to represent mobile porosity dynamics, which are therefore distinguished from less-mobile porosity dynamics that is measured using bulk EC geoelectrical methods. Fluid EC samples were drawn at flow rates similar to tracer injection rates to prevent inducing preferential flow. The data were collected using a stainless steel tube with slits cut into the bottom (USGS MINIPOINT style) connected to an EC meter via c-flex or neoprene tubing, and drawn up through the system via a peristaltic pump. The data were compiled into an excel spreadsheet and time corrected to compare to bulk EC data that were collected simultaneously and contained in another section of this data release. Controlled, downward flow experiments were conducted in Dual-domain porosity apparatus (DDPA). Downward flow rates ranged from 1.2 to 1.4 m/d in DDPA1 and at 1 m/d, 3 m/d, 5 m/d, 0.9 m/d as described in the publication: Briggs, M.A., Day-Lewis, F.D., Dehkordy, F.M.P., Hampton, T., Zarnetske, J.P., Singha, K., Harvey, J.W. and Lane, J.W., 2018, Direct observations of hydrologic exchange occurring with less-mobile porosity and the development of anoxic microzones in sandy lakebed sediments, Water Resources Research, DOI:10.1029/2018WR022823.

The bulk electrical conductivity of the subsurface was indirectly measured with electromagnetic imaging (EMI) by using induced secondary electromagnetic signals generated by subsurface electrical conductors in response to transmitted electromagnetic energy (Zohdy and others, 1974). Electromagnetic induction data were collected using a DUALEM-421 (DualEM, Inc.) mounted on an inflatable stand-up paddle board about 15 centimeters above the water surface. The DUALEM-421 uses 3 transmitter-receiver coil spacings (4-, 2-, and 1-meters) and 2 orientations (vertical dipole, and horizontal dipole). Larger coil spacings interrogate a larger/deeper sampling volume than smaller coil separations. REFERENCE: U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 2, Chapter D1, Zhody, A. A. R., Eaton , G. P., and Mabey, D. R. https://doi.org/10.3133/twri02D1