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A three-dimensional stratigraphic model of the Mississippi River Delta, USA: implications for river deltaic hydrogeology

Modèle stratigraphique tridimensionnel du delta du Mississippi, États-Unis: implications pour l’hydrogéologie deltaïque du fleuve

Un modelo estratigráfico tridimensional del Delta del Río Mississippi, EEUU: implicancias en la hidrogeología del delta en el río

美国密西西比河三角洲的三维地层模型:对三角洲水文地质学的启示

Um modelo estratigráfico tridimensional do Delta do Rio Mississippi, EUA: implicações para a hidrogeologia fluvial deltaica

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Abstract

A three-dimensional stratigraphic model was constructed of the upper 50 m of the Mississippi River Delta, southeastern USA. The model is used to understand hydrogeological connections among the Mississippi River, adjacent interdistributary bays and groundwater systems, and to understand how stratigraphic settings affect potential anthropically induced subsidence and erosion in the region. This study uses 619 geotechnical borings throughout the area along with the multiple-indicator natural neighbor (MINN) interpolation method to construct the model. Based on available data, the study focused on the Mississippi River reach from Head of Passes (river mouth) to Jesuit Bend (108 km upstream), covering an area of approximately 1,800 km2 and ranging in elevation from 3 to −46 m. The model shows typical basal coarse-grained sand bodies overlain by 10-m-thick blanket clay, which is interbedded frequently with silty and sandy sediments and occasionally with peat and organic clay. Sands are most abundant between elevations −10 and −35 m. The Mississippi River main channel incises the underlying sands, thereby providing pathways for river–groundwater exchange. Increased hydrologic loads may propagate along the flow paths potentially giving rise to high pore-water pressure and a resultant increase in land subsidence and thus local erosion of natural and local flood-control levees. This method of analysis may apply to other deltaic regions similarly subject to anthropically accelerated subsidence and erosion.

Résumé

Un modèle stratigraphique tridimensionnel a été construit sur les 50 m supérieurs du delta du fleuve Mississippi, dans le sud-est des États-Unis. Ce modèle est utilisé pour comprendre les connexions hydrogéologiques entre le fleuve Mississippi, les baies inter-distributaires adjacentes et les eaux souterraines et pour comprendre comment le contexte stratigraphique affecte l’affaissement et l’érosion anthropiques potentiels dans la région. Cette étude utilise 619 forages géotechniques répartis sur la zone, associés à une méthode d’interpolation par voisins naturels à indicateurs multiples pour construire le modèle. En fonction des données disponibles, l’étude s’est concentrée sur le tronçon du fleuve Mississippi allant de Head of Passes (l’embouchure) à Jesuit Bend (108 km en amont), qui couvre une superficie d’environ 1,800 km2 et dont l’altitude varie de 3 à −46 m. Le modèle montre des zones basales typiques composées de sable grossier et recouvertes de bancs d’argile de 10 m d’épaisseur, comportant fréquemment des intercalations de limons et sables et occasionnellement de la tourbe et de l’argile organique. Les sables sont plus abondants entre −10 et −35 m d’altitude. Le chenal principal du fleuve Mississippi incise les sables sous-jacents, favorisant ainsi les échanges nappe−rivière. L’augmentation des charges hydrauliques peut se propager le long des axes de circulation et potentiellement générer une pression élevée de l’eau interstitielle entrainant une augmentation de l’affaissement des terres et par conséquent une érosion locale des digues naturelles ou de celles localement destinées au contrôle des crues. Cette méthode d’analyse peut s’appliquer à d’autres régions deltaïques également soumises à un affaissement et à une érosion anthropiques accélérés.

Resumen

Se elaboró un modelo estratigráfico tridimensional de los 50 m superiores del Delta del Río Mississippi, al sudeste de los Estados Unidos. El modelo se utiliza para comprender las conexiones hidrogeológicas entre el río Mississippi, las bahías adyacentes y los sistemas de aguas subterráneas, y para comprender cómo los escenarios estratigráficos afectan a la posible subsidencia y erosión inducidas por el hombre en la región. Este estudio utiliza 619 perforaciones geotécnicas en toda la zona junto con el método de interpolación de vecinos naturales con indicadores múltiples (MINN) para construir el modelo. Sobre la base de los datos disponibles, el estudio se centró en el tramo del río Mississippi que va desde Head of Passes (desembocadura del río) hasta Jesuit Bend (108 km río arriba), que abarca una superficie de aproximadamente 1,800 km2 y cuya elevación oscila entre 3 y −46 m. El modelo muestra típicos cuerpos de arena basal de grano grueso superpuestos por un manto de arcilla de 10 m de espesor, que se intercala frecuentemente con sedimentos limosos y arenosos y ocasionalmente con turba y arcilla orgánica. Las arenas son más abundantes entre las elevaciones de −10 m y −35 m. El canal principal del río Mississippi incide en las arenas subyacentes, proporcionando así vías para el intercambio de aguas subterráneas del río. El aumento de las cargas hidráulicas puede propagarse a lo largo de las trayectorias del flujo, lo que puede dar lugar a una elevada presión del agua de los poros y al consiguiente aumento de la subsidencia del terreno y, por lo tanto, a la erosión local de los albardones naturales y locales que controlan las crecidas. Este método de análisis puede aplicarse a otras regiones del deltaicas sometidas de manera similar a subsidencia y erosión de origen antrópico.

摘要

本研究建立了美国东南部密西西比河三角洲上游上部50米的三维地层模型。该模型用于了解密西西比河、相邻的分流湾和地下水系统之间的水文地质联系,并探知地层环境如何影响该地区潜在的人为引起的沉降和侵蚀。利用研究区619个工程钻孔,用多指标自然邻域(MINN)插值方法来构建模型。根据现有的资料,研究关注从Head of Passes(河口)到Jesuit Bend (上游108公里)的密西西比河河段,覆盖面积约1,800 km2,海拔从3 m到−46 m不等。该模型显示典型的基底粗粒砂体上覆10 m厚的层状粘土,层间常夹有粉质和砂质沉积物,偶有泥炭和有机粘土。砂层主要在海拔−10 m和−35 m之间。密西西比河主河道切割底层的砂层,从而为河流−地下水交换提供了通道。增加的水文负荷可能沿水流路径传播并增加孔隙水压力,从而导致地面沉降增加,进而造成自然和当地防洪堤坝的局部侵蚀。这种分析方法可能适用于其他同样受到人为加速沉降和侵蚀的三角洲地区。

Resumo

Um modelo estratigráfico tridimensional foi construído nos 50 m superiores do Delta do Rio Mississippi, sudeste dos EUA. O modelo é usado para entender as conexões hidrogeológicas entre o Rio Mississippi, as baías interdistributárias adjacentes e os sistemas de água subterrânea, e para entender como as configurações estratigráficas afetam a subsidência e a erosão potenciais induzidas antropicamente na região. Este estudo utiliza 619 furos geotécnicos em toda a área, juntamente com o método de interpolação de vizinho natural de múltiplos indicadores (VNMI) para construir o modelo. Com base nos dados disponíveis, o estudo concentrou-se no alcance do Rio Mississippi, desde a Cabeça dos Passes (foz do rio) até a Curva dos Jesuítas (108 km a montante), cobrindo uma área de aproximadamente 1,800 km2 e variando em altitude de 3 a −46 m. O modelo mostra corpos típicos de areia de grão grosseiro basal revestidos por argila de 10 m de espessura, que é frequentemente intercalada com sedimentos siltosos e arenosos e, ocasionalmente, com turfa e argila orgânica. As areias são mais abundantes entre as elevações −10 me −35 m. O canal principal do Rio Mississippi perfura as areias subjacentes, fornecendo caminhos para as trocas entre rios e águas subterrâneas. Cargas hidrológicas aumentadas podem se propagar ao longo dos caminhos de fluxo, potencialmente causando alta pressão da água dos poros e um aumento resultante na subsidência de terreno e, portanto, erosão local dos diques naturais e locais de controle de enchentes. Este método de análise pode se aplicar a outras regiões deltaicas, sujeitas de maneira semelhante a subsidência e erosão antropicamente aceleradas.

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Funding

This study was supported in part by the US Geological Survey (Grant no. G16AP00056) through the Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute and by the Department of the Treasury under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) (Award no. RCEGR260003-01-00) through The Water Institute of the Gulf. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior and the Department of the Treasury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    An Li

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, 3255 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Frank T.-C. Tsai

  3. The Water Institute of the Gulf, 1110 River Road, Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802, USA

    Brendan T. Yuill

  4. Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA

    Chenliang Wu

Authors
  1. An Li
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  2. Frank T.-C. Tsai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank T.-C. Tsai.

Appendix: nomenclature

Appendix: nomenclature

Abbreviation and symbol

Description

CH

High-plasticity clay

CL

Low-plasticity clay

CL-ML

Low-plasticity clay and silt

DEM

digital elevation model

DEMNO

Digital elevation models of New Orleans

DEMSL

Digital elevation models of Southern Louisiana

CPRA

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana

GC

Clayey gravel

GM

Silty gravel

GP

Poorly-graded gravel

GW

Well-graded gravel

LL

Liquid limit

MH

High-plasticity silt

MINN

Multiple-indicator natural neighbor

ML

Low-plasticity silt

MRD

Mississippi River Delta

MRDP

Mississippi River Deltaic Plain

NAVD 88

North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NGVD 29

National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

NN

Natural neighbor interpolation

OH

High-plasticity organics

OL

Low-plasticity organics

PI

Plasticity index

PT

Peat

RK

River kilometer

SC

Clayey sand

SGD

Submarine groundwater discharge

SGR

Submarine groundwater recharge

SM

Silty sand

SP

Poorly graded gravel

SP-SM

Poorly graded sand with silt

SW

Well-graded sand

USACE

United States Army Corps of Engineers

USCS

Unified Soil Classification System

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Li, A., Tsai, F.TC., Yuill, B.T. et al. A three-dimensional stratigraphic model of the Mississippi River Delta, USA: implications for river deltaic hydrogeology. Hydrogeol J 28, 2341–2358 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02198-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02198-8

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