During Winter 2010 the Geochemistry of Natural waters class conducted one project. The abstract, paper and poster of this project is given below.

CHARACTERIZATION OF GROUNDWATER FROM RICE COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Lila Battis, Laura Bazzetta, James Bethune, Sophie Hines, Lauren Howell, Sam Kanner, Ray McGaughey, Alissa Morson, Jake Reznick Nate Ryan, and Allison Vitkus

Bereket Haileab, Advisor

March 2010

ABSTRACT

A report on the quality of well water was compiled for Rice County, Minnesota, using data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Minnesota Nitrate Volunteer Monitoring Network (VNMN), and data collected by the authors of this study. The Minnesota County Well Index (CWI) was used to find wells with a variety of depths, geologic units, and distances to nearest feedlots. A variety of well uses was sought, but wells in Rice County are primarily domestic, and this is reflected in our dataset. After linking the datasets together, the most comprehensive data set was on nitrate. There was also data on other ions such as, iron, sodium, calcium, potassium, arsenic, and lead. Field data was also collected by the authors of this study and the DNR for pH, conductivity, salinity, and temperature. Generally, the eastern part of the county has a higher elevation, more farmland, higher nitrate levels, and lower pH levels. Throughout the county all reliable measurements of nitrate and trace metals were below the maximum contaminant level.

To view the paper click here

To view poster click here