Progress 03/01/03 to 02/28/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Over the duration of the project (2003-2008), groundwater samples were collected as part of several ongoing projects from numerous locations across Nebraska including the; Sand Hills (three different locations), Ogallala Aquifer, Dakota Aquifer, Platte River Aquifer, eastern Saline wetlands, rainwater basin wetlands, Republican River, and University Lake in the panhandle. Collected water samples were analyzed for stable isotope of oygen and hydrogen and in some instances were dated using tritium or carbon dating techniques. The isotope data from these studies was compiled to create a growing groundwater isotope database. This database was used to create a map showing locations of sites where groundwater isotope data were available. This database/map was made known to various federal (USGS) and state (NDEQ, DNR, NG&PC) agencies. As a follow-up to this study, a newly proposed project will continue to add to the database and will update the paper map and spreadsheet database into a interactive GIS/Web Based map with accompanying metadata for each site. PARTICIPANTS: Faculty - J. Ayers, D. Gosselin, J. Swinehart, T. Awada, S. Frape, and S. Fritz Students - C. Wiese, R. Wilson, J. Gilbert, J. Schellpeper, T. Kurtz, K. Eggemeyer, and R. Stotler. Numerous Graduate Students were trained during this project. The project data was collected as part of BS and MS thesis research. TARGET AUDIENCES: Students State Agencies - Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Nebraska Natural Resource Districts, Nebraska Geological Survey/Conservation and Survey Division Federal Agencies - US EPA, US Geological Survey, US Corps of Engineers, US Department of Fish and Wildlife Researchers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The results of this project will be, and have been used by numerous state and some federal agencies, USGS for example, for groundwater management decisions and has been utilized by other researchers as a baseline for their ongoing research projects.
Publications
- Stotler, R., Harvey, F.E., and D.C. Gosselin, 2009, Chemical and Isotopic Evidence for a Black Hills Origin for Groundwater in the Dakota Aquifer of Northeastern Nebraska, Ground Water,(accepted, in revision).
- Eggemeyer, K.D., T. Awada, F.E. Harvey, D.A. Wedin, X.H. Zhou, and C.W. Zanner, 2008, Seasonal Changes in Depth of Water Uptake for Encroaching Trees Juniperus virginiana and Pinus ponderosa and Two Dominant C4 Grasses in a Semi-Arid Grassland, Tree Physiology, (in press).
- Harvey, F.E., J.F. Ayers, and D.C. Gosselin, 2007, Ground Water Dependence of Endangered Ecosystems: Nebraskas Saline Wetlands, Ground Water, 45(6), p. 736-752.
- Harvey, F.E., J.B. Swinehart and T.M. Kurtz, 2007, Ground Water Sustenance of Nebraskas Unique Sand Hills Peatland Fen Ecosystems, Ground Water, 45(2), p. 218-234.
- Harvey, F.E., 2005, Stable Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotope Composition of Precipitation in Northeastern Colorado, Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 41(2), p. 447-459.
- Gosselin, D.C., F.E. Harvey, C. Frost, R. Stotler, and P.A. Macfarlane, 2004, Strontium Isotope Geochemistry in the Central Part of the Great Plains (Dakota) Aquifer, U.S.A., Applied Geochemistry , 19(3), p. 359-377.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
During the past year, additional groundwater samples were collected from several locations within the saline wetlands of eastern Nebraska. Isotope data from these studies has been added to the growing database. With these additional samples, a more comprehensive map of groundwater recharge age, water source and residence time is taking shape. Additional groundwater samples for dating and isotope analysis will be collected over the next year as part of recently funded research projects to be conducted in the rainwater basin wetland region. Results from these studies will also be added to the statewide database.
Impacts
This project will have an important impact on groundwater management decisions across the state. The saline wetland isotope data will be used to assist managers develope a comprehensive habitat conservation plan to protect the recently federally listed endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.
Publications
- Harvey, F.E., J.F. Ayers, and D.C. Gosselin, 2007, Ground Water Dependence of Endangered Ecosystems: Nebraskas Saline Wetlands, Ground Water, 45(6), p. 736-752.
- Harvey, F.E., J.B. Swinehart and T.M. Kurtz, 2007, Ground Water Sustenance of Nebraskas Unique Sand Hills Peatland Fen Ecosystems, Ground Water, 45(2), p. 218-234.
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Progress 12/01/05 to 11/30/06
Outputs
Groundwater samples from the Dakota Aquifer in eastern Nebraska, the shallow sand dune aquifer beneath the Sandhills of central Nebraska, alluvial and Ogallala Aquifers in the region surrounding the Republican River in southern Nebraska, and from several shallow, alluvial systems along the Platte River have been collected and analyzed for stable isotopes, and dated using tritium and carbon-14 methods. Waters from the Dakota Aquifer beneath the saline wetlands near Lincoln, were sampled for chlorine-36 age dating. With these samples, a more complete picture of groundwater recharge age, water source and residence time is starting to take shape. Additional groundwater samples have been collected by the PI, and through cooperative relationships with the USGS, DEQ, DNR and many local NRDs. As funding for additional isotope analysis is acquired, these samples will processed and the resulting isotope compositions and age dates added to the statewide database.
Impacts
This project will have an important impact on groundwater management decisions across the state.
Publications
- Harvey, F.E., J.B. Swinehart and T.M. Kurtz, 2005,Ground Water Sustenance of Unique Ecosystems: Nebraskas's Sand Hills Peatland Fens, Ground Water, (in review). Harvey, F.E., J.F. Ayers, and D.C. Gosselin, 2005, Ground Water Dependence of Endangered Ecosystems: Nebraska's Saline Wetlands, Ground Water, (in review).
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
During the past year, additional groundwater samples were collected from several locations within the Sand Hills of central Nebraska. Also, groundwater and surface water samples have been collected at three wetland sites in eastern Nebraska. Isotope data from these studies has been added to the growing database. With these additional samples, a more comprehensive map of groundwater recharge age, water source and residence time is taking shape. Additional groundwater samples for dating and isotope analysis will be collected over the next year as part of two recently funded research projects to be conducted in the rainwater basin and eastern saline wetlands. Results from these studies will also be added to the statewide database.
Impacts
This project will have an important impact on groundwater management decisions across the state.
Publications
- Harvey, F.E., J.F. Ayers, and D.C. Gosselin, 2007, Ground Water Dependence of Endangered Ecosystems: Nebraskas Saline Wetlands, Ground Water (accepted, in revision).
- Harvey, F.E., J.B. Swinehart and T.M. Kurtz, 2006, Ground Water Sustenance of Nebraskas Unique Sand Hills Peatland Fen Ecosystems, Ground Water (in press).
- Eggemeyer, K.D., F.E. Harvey, T. Awada, D.A. Wedin, C.W. Zanner and X.H. Zhou, 2006, Isotopic Evidence of Soil Water Partitioning by Trees and Grasses in a Semi-arid Grassland of the Nebraska Sandhills (USA), Ecology, (submitted).
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Groundwater samples from the Dakota Aquifer in eastern Nebraska, the Ogallala Aquifer beneath the Sandhills of central Nebraska and in the region surrounding the Republican River in southern Nebraska, and from several shallow, alluvial systems along the Platte River have been collected and analyzed for stable isotopes, and dated using tritium and carbon-14 methods. With these samples, a more complete picture of groundwater recharge age, water source and residence time is beginning to take shape. Hundreds of additional water samples from groundwater, as well as lakes and streams across Nebraska have been collected by the PI, and through cooperative relationships with the USGS, DEQ, DNR and many local NRDs. As funding for additional isotope analysis is acquired, these samples will processed and the resulting isotope compositions and age dates added to the statewide database.
Impacts
This project will have an important impact on groundwater management decisions across the state.
Publications
- No formal publications have as yet resulted from this effort. However, several journal articles are in preparation for submission in 2005 and 2006.
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