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Ecology Publications & Forms |
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Ecology Publications & Forms |
| Title | Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Nitrate Characterization 2018 |
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Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Nitrate Characterization 2018 (Number of pages: 72) (Publication Size: 5641KB)
Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Nitrate Characterization 2018: Appendices (67 pages) (2MB)
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| Author(s) | Ecology | ||||
| Description | Ecology sampled 166 wells in the Sumas-Blaine aquifer in northwestern Whatcom County in March – April 2018 for nitrate-N, ammonium-N, chloride, and field parameters. The purpose of the study was to compare nitrate and chloride concentrations with those from an aquifer-wide nitrate assessment conducted in 1997. To accomplish the study goals, we attempted to return to wells sampled in 1997. We were only able to resample 106 of the 248 wells sampled in 1997. Sixty new wells were selected and added for sampling in 2018, following the same well selection criteria as in 1997. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in nitrate-N and chloride concentrations across the whole group of wells sampled in 2018 and 1997. The median nitrate-N concentration in 105 paired wells — wells sampled in both 2018 and 1997 — was 3.65 mg/L in 2018, 0.42 mg/L lower than in 1997. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Eighty-four paired wells were identified as shallow wells (less than 40 feet deep) and had similarly lower nitrate-N concentrations in 2018 than in 1997. The difference was also not statistically significant. In 2018, 21% of paired wells exceeded the drinking water standard of 10 mg/L for nitrate-N, whereas in 1997, 25% exceeded it. Chloride was significantly lower in the 106 paired wells in 2018 compared to 1997. Ecology sampled a subset (23) of the 248 wells sampled in 1997 for nitrate every spring from 1997 to 2018 to determine long-term trends in the aquifer. Of these wells, 35% showed statistically significant downward trends for nitrate-N, and 39% showed statistically significant downward trends for chloride. No trend was found in the other wells except one well with an increasing nitrate trend. Since nitrate is the most prevalent groundwater contaminant, and there are many potential sources, our continued work in the Sumas-Blaine aquifer will help us understand the complex nature of elevated nitrate concentrations. |
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| Contact | EAP Publications Coordinator at 564-669-3028 or EAPpubs@ecy.wa.gov | ||||
| Keywords | Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer, groundwater quality standards, Sumas-Blaine, nitrate, groundwater trends | ||||
| WEB PAGE | Sumas-Blaine surficial aquifer long-term ambient groundwater monitoring | ||||
| WATERSHED | Water Resource Inventory Area 01 Nooksack | ||||
| DATA | Environmental Information Management (EIM) #edai0001 |
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| RELATED PUBLICATIONS | Title:
Quality Assurance Project Plan: Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Nitrate Characterization, 2018 Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Long-Term Groundwater Quality Monitoring, 2009-2016 Addendum to Quality Assurance Project Plan: Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer Long-Term Ambient Groundwater Monitoring. Quality Assurance Project Plan: Sumas-Blaine Aquifer Nitrate Contamination Summary Quality Assurance Project Plan: Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer Long-Term Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Nitrate Trends in the Central Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer Northcentral Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer Nitrate Characterization Project - June 1999 Sumas-Blaine Surficial Aquifer Nitrate Characterization Nooksack Watershed Surficial Aquifer Characterization Washington State Agricultural Chemicals Pilot Study, Final Report |
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