Hydrogeologic Investigation of Subsurface Stratigraphy using Ground Penetrating Radar in Southwestern Shelby County, Tennessee

Identifier

6636

Author

Md Rizwanul Hasan

Date

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Earth Sciences

Concentration

Geology

Committee Chair

Daniel Larsen

Committee Member

Brian Waldron

Committee Member

Scott Schoefernacker

Abstract

This study used ground penetrating radar (GPR) with 160 MHz and 50 MHz antennae to image up to 30 m of the subsurface in the southwestern Shelby to investigate the upper Claiborne confining unit (UCCU) underlying the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial (MRVA) aquifer. Interpretations with limited ground-truthing from nearby well logs show that the GPR frequencies used could penetrate deep enough but lost resolution due to signal attenuation in saturated, fine sediments. Interpreted data shows shallow subsurface stratigraphy and deformation in the area. Faults and fractures are evident in radargrams from Horn Lake cut-off (HLC) and Ensley Bottoms Pump Station (EBPS). Fractures in unconsolidated sediments likely to increase vertical hydraulic conductivity locally. A concave upward reflection at EBPS immediately west of the bluff line is interpreted as N-S trending fault dipping toward the west may present a pathway for vertical water migration from the MRVA to the Memphis aquifer.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Recommended Citation

Hasan, Md Rizwanul, "Hydrogeologic Investigation of Subsurface Stratigraphy using Ground Penetrating Radar in Southwestern Shelby County, Tennessee" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2127.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/2127