Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “GROUND WATER”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17

Volatiles Loss from Water Bearing Regolith Simulant at Lunar Environments

Permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles contain water, ~5 wt% according to LCROSS. Interest in water for ISRU applications. Desire to 'ground truth' water using surface prospecting; e.g. Resource Prospector (RP) & RESOLVE. How to access subsurface water resources and accurately measure quantity; Excavation operations and exposure to lunar environment may affect the results A series a ground based dirty thermal vacuum tests are being conducted to better understand the subsurface sampling operations: Sample removal and transfer, Volatiles loss during sampling operations, Concept of operations, Instrumentation. This presentation covers: The capabilities of the VF-13 Thermal Vacuum Chamber (Tvac). The Resource Prospector TVAC hardware. The summary and results of 5 years of RP volatiles tests; 43 viable samples

In-situ Resource Utilization↗

Regolith Volatile Recovery at Simulated Lunar Environments

Lunar Polar Volatiles: Permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles contain water, 5 wt according to LCROSS. Interest in water for ISRU applications. Desire to ground truth water using surface prospecting e.g. Resource Prospector and RESOLVE. How to access subsurface water resources and accurately measure quantity. Excavation operations and exposure to lunar environment may affect the results. Volatile capture tests: A series a ground based dirty thermal vacuum tests are being conducted to better understand the subsurface sampling operations. Sample removal and transfer. Volatiles loss during sampling operations. Concept of operations, Instrumentation. This presentation is a progress report on volatiles capture results from these tests with lunar polar drill prototype hardware.

thermal vacuum tests↗

Intra-annual variations of regional total column ozone, aerosol optical depth, and water vapor from ground-based, satellite-based and model-based observations

The Microtops II ozonometer has been deployed to continuously measure the total column ozone (TCO), pre-cipitable water content (PWC) and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at Atigre village (16.74° N, 74.37° E, 604 m above sea level, masl) located on the southeastern slope of Indian western Ghats. The Microtops II ozonometer measurements during the period from September 2017 to June 2018 were analyzed along with the retrieved products of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA's Terra satellites and also the ERA-interim reanalysis model. We found that the TCO (or PWC) data from the OMI (or MODIS) and the ERA reanalysis model data products are in good agreement. The mea-surements showed strong seasonal variability such that TCO was lowest in the winter season but increased in the summer season, and both PWC and AOT were lowest in the post-monsoon season and increased in the summer season. In continuous ERA-interim reanalysis TCO observations, we found the three types of periodicities in the daily mean TCO as well as PWC (i) The weekly (7 days), (ii) quasi-biweekly (14 to 16 days), (iii) Madden Julian Oscillations (MJO) (30–60 days) oscillations. These oscillations depend on the periodic weather changes in the troposphere. We also observe that the average day to day variability in daily mean TCO observations in the observational period is about 1.4%, 1.1%, 2.62% in the Microtops II ozonometer, ERA-interim reanalysis, and OMI data respectively. We found the positive correlation between daily mean AOT and PWC in all seasons (except monsoon), which is maximum in the winter season, showing the hygroscopic nature of aerosols. The sources of water vapor and aerosol at our location are also studied using back-trajectory analysis.

Nade, Dada R.↗

Over-Water Aspects of Ground-Effect Vehicles

The large thrust augmentation obtainable with annular-jet configurations in ground proximity has led to the serious investigation of ground-effect machines. The basic theoretical work on these phenomena has been done by Chaplin and Boehler. Large thrust-augmentation factors, however, can be obtained only at very low heights, that is, of the order of a few percent of the diameter of the vehicle. To take advantage of this thrust augmentation therefore the vehicle must be either very large or must operate over very smooth terrain. Over-land uses of these vehicles then will probably be rather limited. The water, however, is inherently smooth and those irregularities that do exist, that is waves, are statistically known. It appears therefore that some practical application of ground-effect machines may be made in over-water application.

Kuhn, Richard E.↗

To develop a land use peak runoff classification system for highway engineering purposes

The author has identified the following significant results. Bands 6 and 7 are excellent for the detection of surficial water and swampy sites having the water table at or near the ground surface. Water bodies less than five acres in extent have been identified. Color composites should provide considerably more data for visual analysis than the black and white products currently available to this investigation.

Stoeckeler, E. G.↗

Microbial Surveillance of Potable Water Sources of the International Space Station

To mitigate risk to the crew, the microbial surveillance of the quality of potable water sources of the International Space Station (ISS) has been ongoing since before the arrival of the first permanent crew. These water sources have included stored ground-supplied water, water produced by the shuttle fuel cells during flight, and ISS humidity condensate that is reclaimed and processed. Monitoring was accomplished using a self-contained filter designed to allow bacterial growth and enumeration during flight. Upon return to earth, microbial isolates were identified using 16S ribosomal gene sequencing. While the predominant isolates were common Gramnegative bacteria including Ralstonia eutropha, Methylobacterium fujisawaense, and Spingomonas paucimobilis, opportunistic pathogens such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also isolated. Results of in-flight enumeration have indicated a fluctuation of bacterial counts above system design specifications. Additional in-flight monitoring capability for the specific detection of coliforms was added in 2004; no coliforms have been detected from any potable water source. Neither the bacterial concentrations nor the identification of the isolates recovered from these samples has suggested a threat to crew health.

Bruce, Rebekah J.↗

Fate of Water Pumped from Underground and Contributions to Sea Level Rise

The contributions from terrestrial water sources to sea-level rise, other than ice caps and glaciers, are highly uncertain and heavily debated1-5. Recent assessments indicate that groundwater depletion (GWD) may become the most important positive terrestrial contribution6-10 over the next 50 years, probably equal in magnitude to the current contributions from glaciers and ice caps6. However, the existing estimates assume that nearly 100% of groundwater extracted eventually ends up in the oceans. Owing to limited knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms governing the ultimate fate of pumped groundwater, the relative fraction of global GWD that contributes to sea-level rise remains unknown. Here, using a coupled climate-hydrological model11,12 simulation, we show that only 80% of GWDends up in the ocean. An increase in runo to the ocean accounts for roughly two-thirds, whereas the remainder results from the enhanced net flux of precipitation minus evaporation over the ocean, due to increased atmospheric vapour transport from the land to the ocean. The contribution of GWD to global sea-level rise amounted to 0.02 (+/- 0.004)mm yr(sup-1) in 1900 and increased to 0.27 (+/- 0.04)mm yr(sup-1) in 2000. This indicates that existing studies have substantially overestimated the contribution of GWD to global sea-level rise by a cumulative amount of at least 10 mm during the twentieth century and early twenty-first century. With other terrestrial water contributions included, we estimate the net terrestrial water contribution during the period 1993-2010 to be +0.12 +/-0.04)mm yr(sup-1), suggesting that the net terrestrialwater contribution reported in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report report is probably overestimated by a factor of three.

water↗

Total metals & anion concentration data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; May 2020-September 2020

This data package includes processed and undiluted measurements for metal and anion concentrations from pore water (groundwater) samples from the Slate River floodplain of Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? Samples were collected between May and September of 2020. These measurements were all recorded at the Arizona Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) at the University of Arizona located in Tucson, AZ. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizon (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the river floodplain. All water samples were shaded from sun exposure during extraction from the subsurface and preserved at 4C until measured at ALEC.Analysis by ICP-MS:Measurements for total metals were made on the Agilent 7700x ICP-MS (for total metals) – Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA.The analytical QA/QC protocol was adapted from US EPA Method 200.8 for analysis by ICP-MS. Calibration standards were prepared from multi-element stock solution (Sigma-Aldrich Multielement standard solution for ICP, St. Louis, MO) using matrix matched to sample solutions (either 2% HCl or HNO3 from AriStar Plus,grade acids from VWR Scientific). Calibration curves include at least 7 points with correlation coefficients > 0.995. The QC protocol includes a continuing calibration blank (CCB), a continuing calibration verification (CCV) solution and at least one quality control sample (QCS) to be analyzed just after calibration and again after every 12 samples and at the completion of the run. The QCS solutions are from an independent source, such as NIST SRM 1643e - Trace Elements in Water, or QCS solutions from High Purity Standards (Charleston, SC). Acceptable QC responses must be between 90 and 110% of the certified value. An internal standard (Rh) is added via on-line addition into the sample line using a mixing tee.Analysis by Ion Chromatography (Anions):The protocol follows Method 4110 in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater.The instrument used is the Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-6000 using AS+AG22 column set for anion analysis with isocratic method using sodium carbonate eluent. Detection is by chemical suppression of eluent conductivity. Quality control solutions and mixed analyte standards purchased from Inorganic Ventures, Christiansburg, VA.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Subsurface Flow Across Polygonal Tundra Measured by Bromide Tracer, Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, 2015-2016

A bromide tracer study with the primary focus on hydrology in the active layer of polygonal tundra in the Barrow Environmental Observatory in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska from July 2015 to September 2016. Sampling devices placed at various depths in the polygon centers, rims, and troughs were used to monitor tracer concentrations during thaw seasons. The tracer was continually monitored simultaneously on a low- and high-centered polygon throughout thaw seasons. Included is one data file of the bromide tracer concentrations. Also included are measurements taken throughout the experiment - one data file each of frost table depth and precipitation; and twelve water table elevation data files. Water level data, meteorological data, and thaw depth measurements were taken throughout the experiment. Our approach permits a comparison of hydrological behaviors in low- and high-centered polygons over the same time period and meteorological conditions.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a 10-year research effort (2012-2022) to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity in-situ data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; March 2021-October 2021

This data package includes a time-series of field measurements from March to October 2021 in groundwater and surface water from the Slate River floodplain in Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? The data package includes 5 data files, one for each measured variable: specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity. All measurements were recorded in the field immediately after water sampling. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizons (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the floodplain. In addition to the data files, there is a terminology file explaining the terms used, a file level metadata file, and a sensor file with metadata about the sensors used.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

In-situ electrochemical and water quality data; Slate River and East River floodplains, Crested Butte, CO; May 2022-September 2022

This data package includes a time-series of field measurements from May to September 2022 in groundwater and surface water from the Slate River and East River floodplains in Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? The data package includes 5 data files, one for each measured variable: specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and alkalinity. All measurements were recorded in the field immediately after water sampling. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizons (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the floodplain. In addition to the data files, there is a terminology file explaining the terms used, a file level metadata file, and a sensor file with metadata about the sensors used.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, alkalinity and sulfide in-situ data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; May 2020-October 2020

This data package includes a time-series of field measurements from May to October 2020 in groundwater and surface water from the Slate River floodplain in Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? The data packade includes 6 data files, one for each measured variable: specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, alkalinity and sulfide. All measurements were recorded in the field immediately after water sampling. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizons (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the floodplain. In addition to the data files, there is a terminology file explaining the terms used, a file level metadata file, and a sensor file with metadata about the sensors used.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Porewater and Surface Water Chemistry of Wetland, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huron, OH, 2022-07-06 to 2023-12-15

This dataset contains the chemistry data of surface water and porewater samples collected from a wetland, referred to as The Cove, at Old Woman Creek Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron, OH. Surface and pore water samples were taken to analyze what nutrient and/or metal constituents were present at different depths in the wetland at different times and to compare to redox potential values. Porewater was collected by constructed sippers and deployed into the underlying soil of the wetland, and they were samples approximately every 2 weeks (when groundwater was present) in 2023. Surface water was collected approximately 1 inch below the surface of the water column (if available) via a syringe. Unfiltered and 0.45 micron filtered samples were collected. Samples were analyzed for various chemistry and is reported in the SWChem (surface water chemistry) and PWChem (porewater chemistry) .csv datafiles. Collection information about the samples can be found within the PWChem_SWChem_SampleMetdata.csv file. All files associated with this dataset are listed in the PWChem_SWChem_FLMD.csv file.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

PreSens Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Data, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Huron, OH, 2022-07-06 to 2023-12-15

This dataset contains collected dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature measurements of the air, surface water, and underlying soil of a wetland at Old Woman Creek Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron, OH. Dissolved oxygen and temperature measurements were made in the first few centimeters of wetland sediment to assess how oxygen profiles changed over time with hydrological events. Measurements taken outside of the sediment were taken as comparison. Measurements were taken by hand with a PreSens Fibox 4 transmitter, paired with an oxygen dipping probe and temperature sensor, at each field outing. Measurements were taken approximately every 2 weeks around 10 AM EST. The PreSens_DO_Temp_Datafile.csv contains the recorded measurements, and the PreSens_InstallationMethods.csv describes the deployment of the sensor.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Data for Myers-Pigg et al. (2026), "Short-term coastal forest responses to a hurricane-scale freshwater and saltwater flooding experiment"

Coastal upland forests are exposed to intensifying precipitation regimes and sea level rise, increasing tree mortality and transforming these coastal forests into wetland ecosystems. Despite these well-known risks, the differing degrees to which hydrological, biogeochemical, and biological components of upland forests respond to novel salinity exposure is relatively unknown. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Manipulation to Probe the Effects of Storm Treatments (TEMPEST) experiment decouples two distinct disturbances associated with hydrological extremes: (1) flooding from heavy precipitation and (2) exposure to saline conditions from storm surge. This dataset includes data reported in Myers-Pigg et al. (2025), which analyzed data from the first TEMPEST flooding treatment in 2022. This includes: - Colored dissolved organic matter in porewaters - Soil temperature and oxygen - Groundwater temperature and chemistry - Dissolved organic carbon concentrations in porewaters - Soil-to-atmosphere CH4 and CO2 fluxes - Soil temperature, water content, and electrical conductivity - Root-influenced CH4 and CO2 flux - Tree sap flow velocity - The R analytical code and documentation about the computational environmental in which it was run (the "sessionInfo.txt" file) All data files are plain-text comma separated value (CSV) and no special software is required to read them.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Data for Machado-Silva et al. (2024), "Short-Term Groundwater Level Fluctuations Drive Subsurface Redox Variability"

This dataset contains the analytical data reported in Machado-Silva et al. (2024) as part of the COMPASS-FME project, which seeks to advance a scalable, predictive understanding of the fundamental biogeochemical processes, ecological structure, and ecosystem dynamics that distinguish coastal terrestrial-aquatic interfaces from the purely terrestrial or aquatic systems to which they are coupled. The dataset consists of water quality parameters as well as redox potential, water content, and electrical conductivity. These data were collected in 2022 in Crane Creek (CRC), Portage River (PTR), and Old Woman Creek (OWC). Each of these sites included uplands (UP), transitions (TR), wetland-transition edge (WTE), and wetland (W) zones. The sites represent replicates of the Lake Erie terrestrial-aquatic interface under fluctuating water levels and are located in well-preserved areas with natural or restored marsh and forest cover.This dataset consists of a single data file (Machado_Silva_et_al_2024_EST_data.csv) that is in comma-separated value (CSV) format. No special software is required to read it.This dataset uses the ESS-DIVE Hydrologic Monitoring Reporting Format 1.0.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Total metals, sulfur and organic carbon data; Slate River floodplain, Crested Butte, CO; March 2021-October 2021

This data package includes processed and undiluted measurements for metal, sulfur and organic carbon concentrations from pore water (groundwater) samples from the Slate River floodplain of Crested Butte, CO, a focus field site for the SLAC Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry SFA. The data was generated as part of the work targeting the overarching research question for the SLAC SFA: How do ubiquitous subsurface interfaces mediate molecular-scale biogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in floodplains and watersheds? Samples were collected between March and October of 2021. These measurements were all recorded at the Environmental Measurements Facility (EM-1) at Stanford University in Stanford, CA. Groundwater samples were extracted from a network of installed rhizon (Rhizosphere Research Products, part no. 19.60.21F, 0.6 micrometer mesh size) and piezometer wells within the river floodplain. All water samples were shaded from sun exposure during extraction from the subsurface and preserved at 2C until measured at EM-1.Analysis by ICP-MS:Measurements for total metals were performed on an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES; iCAP 6300, Thermo Scientific, Cambridge, U.K.). Calibration standards were prepared from the mulit element stock solution (Sigma-Aldrich Multielement standard for ICP, St. Louis, MO) using matrix matched to sample solutions (2% HNO3). Calibration curves included 5 points with correlation coefficients of >0.99. The QC protocol includes a continuing calibration blank and quality control samples that are analyzed just after calibration and again every 20 samples and at the completion of the run. Acceptable QC responses must be between 90-110% of the certified value. Analysis by Total Organic Carbon:Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were quantified on a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer (TOC-L, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) running the NPOC method. Standard curves were developed using an Organic Carbon Standard from RICCA Chemical Company (Arlington,TX). A series of 4 to 6 standards were automatically diluted by the instrument in a concentration range that spans that of the samples. A blank sample was run just after the calibration curve and at the end of the run. A QC sample was run every 25 samples. Acceptable QC responses must be between 90-110% of the certified value.All files are in csv format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Advances in High Energy Solid-State Pulsed 2-Micron Lidar Development for Ground and Airborne Wind, Water Vapor and CO2 Measurements

NASA Langley Research Center has a long history of developing 2-micron lasers. From fundamental spectroscopy research, theoretical prediction of new materials, laser demonstration and engineering of lidar systems, it has been a very successful program spanning around two decades. Successful development of 2-micron lasers has led to development of a state-of-the-art compact lidar transceiver for a pulsed coherent Doppler lidar system for wind measurement with an unprecedented laser pulse energy of 250 millijoules in a rugged package. This high pulse energy is produced by a Ho:Tm:LuLiF laser with an optical amplifier. While the lidar is meant for use as an airborne instrument, ground-based tests were carried out to characterize performance of the lidar. Atmospheric measurements will be presented, showing the lidar's capability for wind measurement in the atmospheric boundary layer and free troposphere. Lidar wind measurements are compared to a balloon sonde, showing good agreement between the two sensors. Similar architecture has been used to develop a high energy, Ho:Tm:YLF double-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument based on direct detection technique that provides atmospheric column CO2 measurements. This instrument has been successfully used to measure atmospheric CO2 column density initially from a ground mobile lidar trailer, and then it was integrated on B-200 plane and 20 hours of flight measurement were made from an altitude ranging 1500 meters to 8000 meters. These measurements were compared to in-situ measurements and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) airborne flask measurement to derive the dry mixing ratio of the column CO2 by reflecting the signal by various reflecting surfaces such as land, vegetation, ocean surface, snow and sand. The lidar measurements when compared showed a very agreement with in-situ and airborne flask measurement. NASA Langley Research Center is currently developing a triple-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument for simultaneous measurement of water vapor and carbon-dioxide column density measurement from an air-borne platform. This presentation will give an overview of the 2 decades of 2-micron coherent and direction detection of laser/lidar development at NASA Langley Research Center and will present the ground and airborne wind and column CO2 measurement intercomparison with in-situ, balloon and flask measurements.

Singh, Upendra N.↗