Source Identification of Sodium and Chloride Contamination in Natural Waters: Preliminary Results

Panno, S.V.; Hackley, Keith C.; Hwang, H.H.; Greenberg, S.; Krapac, I.G.; Landsberger, S.; O'Kelly, D.J.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/55186 Copy

Description

Title

Source Identification of Sodium and Chloride Contamination in Natural Waters: Preliminary Results

Author(s)

• Panno, S.V.
• Hackley, Keith C.
• Hwang, H.H.
• Greenberg, S.
• Krapac, I.G.
• Landsberger, S.
• O'Kelly, D.J.

Issue Date

2002

Keyword(s)

groundwater

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

Sodium-chloride (Na+- Cl-) contamination in groundwater and surface water in rural and urban areas of Illinois and the U.S. is widespread. The input of Na+ and Cl- from road salt in the northern U.S., seawater intrusion along coastal areas, animal and human waste in rural areas, leaking landfills and natural saline seeps in other areas has created progressively worsening problems with water quality in some municipal and private wells. In addition, elevated concentrations of Na+ and Cl- have adversely affected the biodiversity of wetland areas and waterways. These problems are especially acute in areas of the U.S. that are experiencing rapid growth. Water samples collected (primarily in Illinois) from streams, springs and wells containing elevated Na+ and Cl-, and from likely sources of Na+ and Cl- contamination were analyzed for a variety of parameters. The data from these analyses were examined graphically and scrutinized for trends and clustering in order to characterize likely sources of contamination of affected waters. The halides, Br-, Cl- and I-, in conjunction with cations and other anions, total N, dissolved organic carbon, stable isotopes (including *D, *18O, *13C, *15N and *18O of the NO3 - ion), tritium and their ratios were found to be effective in connecting most of the contaminant sources with their affected waters. The use of mixing curves proved to be an effective means of identifying sources of Na+ and Cl- when applied to specific study areas. Thus, the methods applied in this investigation may make it possible to identify the sources of Na+ and Cl contamination in natural waters.

Publisher

Illinois Groundwater Consortium

Series/Report Name or Number

Proceedings, 12th Annual Illinois Groundwater Consortium Symposium

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55186

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the author and the Illinois Groundwater Consortium Symposium, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois State Water Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended for research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested

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