EAST TENNESSEE GEOLOGICAL
SOCIETY
and
TENNESSEE SECTION of the
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS
ETGS/AIPG April Meeting
April Presentation
March Meeting Summary
Membership Recruitment
Name the Newsletter
Field Trip on the Virginia Creeper Trail
Membership Dues Are Due
Upcoming Geology Seminars
Contact Information
Monday, April 3, 2000
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Sagebrush Steakhouse and Saloon
390 South Illinois Avenue
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The Investigation of Potential Microbiologically Induced
Corrosion (MIC)
of Stainless Steel Monitoring Well Components
at the Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
By
Steven B. Jones
Y-12 Plant Groundwater Protection Program
Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality Organization
Lockheed Martin Energy
Systems, Inc.
sqj@y12.doe.gov
Abstract
Monitoring wells are constructed from a variety of materials
from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) to various grades of steel.
Stainless steel is favored due to its durability and resistance
to corrosion. At the Y-12 Plant, a majority of the wells are
constructed from stainless steel, and elevated levels of nickel
and chromium concentrations not associated with known contaminant
source areas have been observed in a number of them. These trace
metals comprise approximately 30% of the alloy to make stainless
steel. Corrosion of the casing and screen and subsequent
dissolution of nickel and chromium is suspected. However, the
water quality data from wells exhibiting an increase in nickel
and chromium do not tend to support the possibility of chemical
corrosion. However, the water quality data and borehole camera
surveys performed at several wells, potentially agree with
corrosion from a microbiological source.
Microbiological Induced Corrosion (MIC) is a recognized source of
stainless steel failure in the nuclear industry. With the right
environmental conditions, it is possible for bacteria to thrive
in a monitoring well, attached to the well casing and screen.
Through biochemical processes, these organisms are able to
corrode stainless steel causing the dissolution of the component
metals. At the U.S. Department of Energy Y-12 Plant, an
investigation into the viability of this process as a source for
nickel and chromium in monitoring wells is underway.
by J. Brad Stephenson
The March meeting was held in conjunction with a
"brown-bag" seminar at IT Corporation in Knoxville.
ETGS member Tom Zondlo presented Applications of Thermal
Infrared Surveys at Redstone Arsenal. (An abstract is
available in the March
Newsletter.) In his case study, Tom discussed the application
and limitations of a thermal infrared survey as the first step in
a large-scale karst hydrogeologic investigation. He summarized
the objectives, methodology and preliminary results of the
survey, which has already resulted in the identification of
nearly 900 springs and seeps within the 40,000-acre study area.
ETGS thanks Tom for an excellent presentation.
Additional appreciation goes to ETGS member Mark Joop, as well as
Bill Hedberg and Scott Logan for their roles arranging this joint
meeting. The meeting was well attended by geologists from IT and
elsewhere. Eight IT geologists have joined ETGS as a direct
result of the March meeting, bringing the total number to twelve
(so far). Thanks to everyone at IT Corporation for your support;
and welcome, new members!
In addition to giving a brief description of the society for the
benefit of our guests, we also discussed the upcoming bicycle
field trip on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Tony Tingle is
spearheading the effort to identify a trip leader, as well as
lodging, camping, and bike-shuttle options. Tentatively, the trip
will be held on May 20 or June 3. Please see Tony's
article later in this issue for additional information.
Meeting attendees were reminded to submit suggestions for the
"Name-the-Newsletter" contest. It was noted that only
seven submissions had been received-all from the same member.
(Since that time, one additional nomination has been received
from a second person.) A call for membership renewal was also
made, including a brief discussion about the forthcoming
Membership Directory. (Please see Seaira's
article later in this issue for details.)
by Jim Morgan & J. Brad Stephenson
ETGS is the primary organization serving the geological
community of East Tennessee. Its members ARE the organization.
Each member is a valuable resource with the potential to share a
unique set of experiences and talents with the rest of the group.
With each new member, ETGS increases its ability to keep local
geologists informed about technical and professional trends in
the geosciences, as well as opportunities for social interaction
and networking. Unfortunately, many practicing geologists in East
Tennessee are not members of the society and may not even be
aware of its existence.
It has been suggested that we might increase awareness of ETGS
among our colleagues by contacting Professional Geologists (PGs)
registered with the State of Tennessee. Originally, it was
thought that e-mail would be a cost-effective way to reach them.
Although the State does not maintain e-mail addresses in its
records, the names and addresses of Tennessee PGs may be
downloaded from the Department of Commerce and Insurance web site
(http://www.state.tn.us/cgi-bin/commerce/roster2.pl).
The online database includes nearly 3000 PGs, but only 800 of
them live in Tennessee. Of these, 442 live in East Tennessee,
loosely defined as the Cumberland Plateau eastward. Removing 70
who are already on the ETGS mailing list leaves 372 potential new
members in the region.
For a total investment under $100, a computer-generated postcard
can be sent to each of these 372 Professional Geologists for
about $0.25 each (postage and paper). The cards could include a
brief description of the society; list our web-site address; and
invite the recipient to our next meeting. From a financial
perspective, we would recover this investment if only 7 people
(1.9%) join the organization for one year. More significantly,
ETGS would benefit from the expertise and perspective of each
added member.
This proposed recruitment effort will be discussed during the
April meeting. If you have any suggestions or questions, please
share them at the meeting or by contacting Membership Director,
Jim Morgan (jmorgan@gmgw.com),
or Brad Stephenson (jbrad@ispchannel.com).
Finally, please help with this effort by inviting your friends
and coworkers to our meetings and field trips. Visitors are
always welcome!
by J. Brad Stephenson & Tony Tingle
This is your final chance to suggest the winning name for the
ETGS/AIPG Newsletter and receive a free, one-year
ETGS membership! The winning name will be selected
by a vote at the April meeting. Submit as many titles as you
like, but do it by Friday March 31, 2000.
E-mail your nominations to Brad Stephenson (jbrad@ispchannel.com). You
will be notified if any of your suggestions have been submitted
previously.
Good luck!
by Tony Tingle
Considerable interest has been expressed in a geology-oriented
bicycle trip on the Virginia Creeper Trail. However, I am still
looking for a person that would be willing to lead the proposed
field trip. Can you suggest someone versed in the stratigraphy of
that area? I have checked with a couple of folks that I know and
have had no success.
The proposed trip is a stratigraphic tour along the Virginia
Creeper Trail. It would be an almost-all-downhill ride as long or
as short as we would like to make it. A shuttle service would be
used to transport the group to a high point (near Whitetop
Station), and we would ride downhill toward Damascus. The
Virginia Creeper starts in Abingdon and ends just east of
Whitetop Station for a total length of 33.4 miles. It began as a
Native American footpath and became part of the Virginia-Carolina
Railroad system in 1907. Now it serves as a multi-use recreation
trail.
Tentative dates for the trip were discussed at the March meeting.
The weekends of May 20-21 and June 3-4 are currently the top
choices, but the trip-leader search and other considerations may
require that we schedule the trip for next autumn. Any
suggestions for a trip leader (and/or alternative trip locations)
should be directed to Tony Tingle at geofolks@worldnet.att.net.
For more information on the Virginia Creeper Trail, check out the
following web sites.
http://www.cccyclery.com/vacrep.htm
http://www.his.com/~jmenzies/urbanatb/rtrails/creeper/creeper.htm
by Seaira Stephenson
As we prepare for an exciting field trip, we want to make sure
you remain on our mailing list and are included in the 2000
Membership Directory, which will be distributed to all members
later this spring. The directory will include the name, business
address, business phone/fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of each
ETGS member. It will be a useful resource for networking with
your colleagues.
If you are not sure about your membership status, check the list
at the April meeting or get in touch with me by April 10
at sstephenson@scisale.com or 865-483-9332. Members from last
year who have not renewed should have received an e-mail from me
on March 17. If you believe our records are in error, be sure to
let us know. (Remember that dues are now applied on a
calendar-year basis.)
Don't be left out! If you have not already done so, please renew
your membership now. Dues remain a bargain at just $15 per
individual, $20 per couple, and $5 per student. Encourage a
colleague to join as well. Be sure to complete the Membership
Information form available online at http://www.discoveret.org/etgs/member.htm.
(Forms are also be available at each meeting.) Bring the
completed form to the next meeting with your dues, or mail them
to
ETGS
PO Box 6193
Oak Ridge TN 37831-6193
Whether you join or renew at the meeting or by mail, please
complete a membership form to help us keep the society's records
updated. This information will be used for the directory, so we
want it to be as complete and accurate as possible. In
particular, please make sure we have at least one current e-mail
address.
We look forward to your continued participation in ETGS!
by Dr. Don Byerly
| March 30 | Frank Chapelle (Klepser Lecture II) Hydrogeology |
| April 6 | Student presentations |
| April 13 | Colin Sumrall (Haines-Morris Scholar) |
| April 20 | Student presentations |
| April 27 | Department Awards Day |
EAST TENNESSEE
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (ETGS)
Post Office Box 6193
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6193
http://www.discoveret.org/etgs
President, J. Brad Stephenson, P.E. LaMoreaux
& Associates, 865-483-7483, jbrad@ispchannel.com
Vice President, Brian S. Murray, SAIC,
865-481-4748, brian.s.murray@cpmx.saic.com
Secretary/Treasurer, Seaira Stephenson,
Scientific Sales, 865-483-9332, sstephenson@scisale.com
Newsletter Editor, Tony Tingle, The IT Group,
865-690-3211, geofolks@worldnet.att.net
Webmaster, Carla Sparks, Tenera Energy,
865-482-0453 (118), csparks@teneraenergy.com
Membership Director, Jim Morgan, ARCADIS
Geraghty & Miller, 865-481-3000, jmorgan@gmgw.com
Field-Trip Coordinator, Tony Tingle, The IT
Group, 865-690-3211, geofolks@worldnet.att.net
Educational Extension, J.J. Hollars, SAIC,
865-481-4741, james.b.hollars@cpmx.saic.com
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF
PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS (AIPG)
http://www.aipg.org
President, Chris Maner, Tenn Dept of
Environment and Conservation (TDEC), cmaner@mail.state.tn.us
Secretary/Treasurer, Ken Haislip
Page updated May 20, 2018 |