CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

ORGANIZERS

  • Harvey Thorleifson, Chair
    Minnesota Geological Survey
  • Carrie Jennings, Vice Chair
    Minnesota Geological Survey
  • David Bush, Technical Program Chair
    University of West Georgia
  • Jim Miller, Field Trip Chair
    University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Curtis M. Hudak, Sponsorship Chair
    Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC

 

Paper No. 19
Presentation Time: 1:30 PM

MULTIPLE STORM EVENT IMPACTS ON EPIKARST STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KENTUCKY


VANDERHOFF, Sean, Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, Western Kentucky University, Department of Geography and Geology, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #31066, Bowling Green, KY 42101, POLK, Jason, Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, Dept. of Geography and Geology, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd, EST 428, Bowling Green, KY 42101, GROVES, Chris, Western Kentucky University, Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, MILLER, Benjamin V., Geography & Geology, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101 and BOLSTER, Carl H., USDA-ARS, 230 Bennett Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42104, sean.vanderhoff618@topper.wku.edu

The groundwater in agricultural karst areas is susceptible to contamination from organic soil amendments and pesticides. During major storm events of winter and spring 2011, dye traces were initiated using sulphorhodamine-B, fluorescein and eosine in a known groundwater recharge area where manure was applied to the ground. Water samples and geochemical data were collected every four hours before, during, and between the storm events from a waterfall in the cave flowing from the known recharge area to track the transport and residence time of the epikarst water and organic soil amendments during variable flow conditions. Two dataloggers at the same waterfall were set up to collect 10-minute data, which included pH, specific conductivity, temperature, and discharge. Total rainfall amount and other surface meteorological data were collected from a rain station located above the cave. Cave water samples were collected for the analysis of anions, cations, bacterial count, and the presence of dye. The dye traces show variability in the characteristics of epikarstic response and flowpaths. The changes in geochemistry indicate simultaneous storage and transport of meteoric water through epikarst pathways into the cave, with rapid transport of bacteria occurring through the conduits that bypass storage. The results indicate that significant precipitation events affect the storage properties and rapidly impact the various pathways and timing of contaminant transport through the epikarst zone, eventually allowing these contaminants to be transported unfiltered in to the groundwater supply.
Meeting Home page GSA Home Page