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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet 1999-01

Analysis of nitrate in ground water in Jackson County, Indiana

Funding Source:	Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Indiana Geological Survey
Period of Contract:	1 Sep 1999 to 30 Jun 2002
Status:	completed — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Ed Hartke and Noel Krothe (Department of Geological Sciences)

Issue

Ground-water quality in the major aquifer system that occupies the floodplain of the East Fork White River, northwest of Seymour in Jackson County, has been seriously degraded by anthropogenic nitrate. Many of the drinking water wells produce water having nitrate concentrations that exceed the USEPA Drinking Water Standard limits of 10mg/l N.

Objective

The purpose of the study was to identify the source or sources of the nitrate.

Approach

The sources of the nitrate were investigated by analyzing the ground-water flow system and chemistry in the shallow unconsolidated aquifer. Results indicate that nitrate is derived from inorganic fertilizers applied to farm fields and from organic waste from animal feeding operations. Results also indicate that nitrate reduction is occurring at depth.

Products

A report on the project is available on the IGS Web site: .

Benefits

The investigation has led to a new project to develop best management practices that may gradually reduce nitrates in the aquifer.

Locations Affected:

Jackson

Indiana House Districts Affected:

65

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

44

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated January 25, 2007

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