Southeastern Section–55th Annual Meeting (23–24 March 2006)

Paper No. 6
Presentation Time: 3:40 PM

USING NOVEL TRACERS FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GWUDI IN KARST SYSTEMS


GENTRY, Randall W., Civil & Environmental Engineering, The University of Tennessee, 62 Perkins Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, MCKAY, Larry D., Earth & Planetary Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, LAYTON, Alice, Center for Environmental Biotechnology, UT Knoxville, 676 Dabeny-Beuhler Hall, 1416 Circle Dr, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37931 and MCCARTHY, John, Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Tennessee, 306 Earth and Planetary Sciences Bldg, Knoxville, TN 37996, rgentry@utk.edu

The primary concern for groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) of surface water systems is the inherent risk associated with Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Published research indicates that Cryptosporidium and Giardia can survive for months in some aquatic environments, are resistant to chlorination, and may cause infection in small numbers. Karst aquifers are generally expected to be the more susceptible to this type of contamination than granular aquifers, because of the rapid flow velocities and lower potential for filtration in these systems. However, even in karst aquifers, flow rates and recharge characteristics can vary greatly, so not all wells or springs in these settings may be considered as GWUDI. The purpose of this research is to develop and test alternative methods for assessing GWUDI in karst aquifers using advanced microbial (PCR-based molecular) and isotopic (Be-7) techniques. This presentation will summarize the current data and status of the project.