WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS OF THE SPRINGFIELD PLATEAU AQUIFER IN POLK COUNTY MISSOURI

The Springfield Plateau groundwater province is an aquifer that runs through southwestern Missouri and parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. It overlies the Ozark confining unit and is mainly recharged by precipitation. This karst aquifer is unconfined, which makes it vulnerable to waste contaminants from animals or other surface activities. Little research has been reported on this aquifer since it is not used for drinking supply or irrigation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ground water quality through analysis of the nitrates and selected major ions in samples collected from springs and streams in Polk county Missouri. I will be collecting about 40 samples and will analyze for pH, alkalinity, turbidity, sulfate, chloride and nitrate. The results will show the extent of contamination of groundwater (springs) and their impact to receiving streams. Also, since I will be collecting samples at intervals of 1-2 months, I will determine seasonal changes in water quality.