Urban Impacts on Ground Water Quality and Flow Characteristics in Schmeeckle Reserve
File(s)
Date
1988-08Author
Szewczykowski, Paul Mark
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Schmeeckle Reserve is a 190 acre natural area located
in the Central Sands Region of Wisconsin. The area is predominantly
wetland with sandy loam soil and a depth to
ground water of five feet or less. The Reserve is bordered
to the north and west by expanding commercial and urban development.
Runoff from this development and from major
roadways is diverted into the Reserve which functions as a
catchment basin. In addition, ground water recharge occurring
on these areas flows under the Reserve.
This study was initiated to evaluate the impacts of
urban storm water runoff on the ground water quality in the
Reserve. Single-depth and nested wells were used to map
local ground water flow and to sample for contamination.
Land surface contours were mapped to determine storm water
runoff drainage patterns.
The study concentrated on chloride and sodium concentrations
related to road salt, benzene, toluene, and xylene
concentrations related to gasoline and oil, and lead, zinc,
and copper concentrations related to motor vehicles and
gasoline. Nitrogen, phosphorus and basic water chemistry
parameters were also analyzed to document any water chemistry
changes. Sampling began in the fall of 1985 and continued
through July of 1987.
Mean chloride concentrations ranged from 1 mg/1 at a
control well to 2054 mg/1 at a well nearest to storm water
drainage. Corresponding mean sodium concentrations were 2
mg/1 and 655 mg/1 respectively. Of the volatile petroleum
components, only benzene was detected at concentrations
above 1.0 ug/1 within the Reserve and then only at one
well. The mean benzene concentration at the well was 6.7
ug/1 and does not appear to be attributable to runoff.
This contamination may be attributable to an underground
petroleum storage tank or to improper disposal of petroleum
products. Mean dissolved and total concentrations of lead,
zinc, and copper in ground water did not suggest contamination
was occurring.
A secondary objective was to evaluate atmospheric contributions
of metals to the Reserve. Lead accumulations in
moss ranged from 16.86 mg/kg at a control site outside the
Reserve to 140.90 mg/kg within the Reserve. Zinc ranged
from 57.58 mg/kg at the control to 747.72 mg/kg within the
Reserve. These data suggest that atmospheric contributions
of lead and zinc to the Reserve are significant.