Grantee Research Project Results
Evaluation Groundwater Chemistry in Gonzales County, Texas and Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas
EPA Grant Number: X832228Title: Evaluation Groundwater Chemistry in Gonzales County, Texas and Technical and Educational Assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas
Investigators: Sansom, Andrew , Longley, Glenn , Jennings, Marshall , Uliana, Matthew , Lu, Yongmei
Current Investigators: Abbott, Michael
Institution: Texas State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: June 1, 2005 through June 1, 2006 (Extended to February 29, 2008)
Project Amount: $145,400
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2004) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research
Objective:
The objective of this study is to provide background information on groundwater quality that can be used in the future to determine the impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), and other livestock operations, on water resources in the county. This proposal includes two joint efforts. The first is an evaluation of groundwater chemistry in Guadalupe County, located in the Guadalupe River Basin in southeast Texas. The second part of this proposal is a project to develop a system of instructional workshops and educational programs intended to provide direct assistance to Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) in Texas. The results of this project will be used to develop a long-term initiative at Texas State University for providing technical and educational assistance to GCDs which lack qualified technical personnel.
Approach:
- Compile historical groundwater chemistry data.
- Collect and analyze groundwater quality samples from wells , springs, and gaining streams in Guadalupe County, TX.
- Develop a geographic information systems (GIS) database.
- Conduct four training and assistance workshops designed to provide the GCDs with the tools necessary to successfully manage and regulate groundwater resources.
Expected Results:
With the completion of the groundwater chemistry examination, a GIS tool will be developed and an associated printed report describing the delineation of hydrochemical facies and the distribution of chemical parameters in Guadalupe County. The report will serve as a description of the baseline chemistry parameters in the county for future studies of the impacts of livestock operations and other anthropogenic sources of contamination. With the completion of the workshop project, a process to provide GCD employees with a technical background in basic hydrogeologic principles, skills in groundwater modeling and database development and maintenance, and an understanding of the groundwater availability models will be developed. The final products are the curricula and course materials that will be developed for each workshop.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
water, watershed, groundwater, surface water, water quality, concentrated animal feeding operation, CAFO, Texas (TX), hydrology, well, aquifer, MODFLOW, geographic information system, ArcView, EPA, USGS, groundwater conservation district, coliform bacteria, indicators, ecosystem monitoring, ecosystem response, ecosystem stress,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, State, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Risk Assessment, agricultural runoff, model-based analysis, concentrated animal feediing operations, groundwater availability model, groundwater monitoring, water supply, Texas (TX), GISProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.