A Geostatistically Based Ground Water Monitoring Study of Nonpoint Source No3--N Concentrations |
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| Authors: | Rick A Carlson James L Osiensky |
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| Institution: | Rick Carlson;is the environmental hydrogeologistfor the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (2270 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, ID 83712; 332–8599;). He has a B.S. in geology from Southern Oregon State University and an M.S. in geology from Boise Sate University. Research work for his master's thesis focused on assessment of agricultural best-management practices to reduce nitrate contamination of ground water. From 1996 to 1999, he conducted research work related to hydrogeologic characterization of Lower Boise Basin aquifers in southwest Idaho and work associated with calibration and validation of the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer Flow Model. James L. Osiensky;is a professor of hydrogeology in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Idaho (College of Mines and Earth Resources, Moscow, ID 83844). His research interests include evaluation of point and nonpoint source ground water contamination, ground water resource evaluation, and hydrogeophysical applications in saturated and unsaturated media. He has a B.A. in geology/chemistry from Bridgewater State College, and an M.S. in hydrology and a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Idaho. |
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| Abstract: | Geostatistical interpretations of ground water monitoring data are presented to define the spatial distributions of NO3--N in the ground water at two demonstration test sites in the Idaho Snake River Plain. Sequential Gaussian simulation was used to delineate monthly ground water NO3--N changes during and after implementation of a prescribed crop rotation at test site 1. Trend surface analyses were used to illustrate monthly ground water NO3--N changes during and after a prescribed irrigation practice was implemented at test site 2. These evaluations suggest that geostatistically based ground water monitoring can be effective in the delineation of changes in ground water quality in shallow, unconfined aquifers in agricultural areas such as those in southern Idaho. Geostatistical methods showed spatial and temporal changes in ground water NO3--N inferred to be a result of the agricultural practices implemented. |
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