Detecting groundwater contamination of a river in Georgia, USA using baseflow sampling

12Citations
Citations of this article
18Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Algal blooms and fish kills were reported on a river in coastal Georgia (USA) downstream of a poultry-processing plant, prompting officials to conclude the problems resulted from overland flow associated with over-application of wastewater at the plant's land application system (LAS). An investigation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that contaminated groundwater was also playing a significant role. Weekly samples were collected over a 12-month period along an 18 km reach of the river and key tributaries. Results showed elevated nitrogen concentrations in tributaries draining the plant and a tenfold increase in nitrate in the river between the tributary inputs. Because ammonia concentrations were low in this reach, it was concluded that nitrate was entering via groundwater discharge. Data from detailed river sampling and direct groundwater samples from springs and boreholes were used to isolate the entry point of the contaminant plume. Analysis showed two separate plumes, one associated with the plant's unlined wastewater lagoon and another with its LAS spray fields. The continuous discharge of contaminated groundwater during summer low-flow conditions was found to have a more profound impact on river-water quality than periodic inputs by overland flow and tributary runoff. © Springer-Verlag 2008.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Reichard, J. S., & Brown, C. M. (2009). Detecting groundwater contamination of a river in Georgia, USA using baseflow sampling. Hydrogeology Journal, 17(3), 735–747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0382-2

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free