Source: CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ASSOCIATION OF SUFFOLK COUNTY submitted to NRP
EDGE OF FIELD PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIERS TO IMPROVE LONG ISLAND WATER QUALITY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1026866
Grant No.
2021-70410-35683
Cumulative Award Amt.
$228,018.00
Proposal No.
2021-04998
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2021
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2022
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[EGP]- Equipment Grants Program
Recipient Organization
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ASSOCIATION OF SUFFOLK COUNTY
423 GRIFFING AVE STE 100
RIVERHEAD,NY 119013071
Performing Department
Agriculture
Non Technical Summary
Suffolk County, New York, located on the East End of Long Island, is home to over 550 agricultural and horticultural producers. Less than 50 miles east of NYC, it's one of the leading counties in the State in total value of agricultural products sold. However, the intensity of agricultural production and the regions sandy soils that are susceptible to leaching, make the ground and surface waters of Long Island vulnerable to contamination. Producers must adopt best management practices that minimize potential agricultural inputs to waters to ensure the sustainability of Suffolk's agriculture industry. Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are sub-surface barriers that provide passive remediation of groundwater. They have been successfully used in freshwater ecosystems and to treat agricultural drainage in other environments, but their applicability for use at edge of farm fields in coastal settings is unknown. The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County agriculture and marine programs will be using a Geoprobe hydraulic drilling unit to assist the Long Island region advance the use of PRBs in agricultural settings. An on-going project in Sagaponack Pond, Southampton, will be the first site the Geoprobe will be used, but several more projects are planned in future years. This Geoprobe unit is capable of drilling deep into the soil profile to install groundwater testing and monitoring wells to measure runoff from farms into coastal waterbodies as well as assist with the construction of a novel type of PRB that utilizes an array of columns filled with different carbon-based medias that capture nutrients and other contaminants. One of the medias of interest, which requires more research in PRBs, is called biochar. We plan to incorporate biochar in the remediation at Sagaponack Pond to serve as a pilot project for greater use of the material in a wide-range of applications across Long Island in the future. We anticipate a future biochar industry on Long Island as it is an opportunity for agricultural organic wastes, residential landscaping debris, and other woody debris to be produced locally and sold as a soil amendment and possible PRB additive. Overall, the Geoprobe will allow us to expand our on-going applied research activities on PRBs in a timely and cost-effective manner to the agriculture and marine communities.
Animal Health Component
65%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
65%
Developmental
25%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
11202102050100%
Knowledge Area
112 - Watershed Protection and Management;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources;

Field Of Science
2050 - Hydrology;
Goals / Objectives
The major goal of this project is to acquire a Geoprobe that will help the Long Island region, and other regions in NYS, advance permeable reactive barrier (PRB) applications in agricultural settings. The Geoprobe will enable significant applied research to be performed in this region that is simply not possible without this device. Further, it would allow for CCE to install PRBs using augering and injection techniques, and to install testing and monitoring wells in various agricultural settings that have previously been installed on a limited basis because of limited access to this necessary piece of equipment. The Geoprobe will be used immediately for an on-going project in Sagaponack pond, Southampton, and used in several other future projects. The ability to install monitoring wells in a timely and cost-effective manner will also provide useful feed back to the agricultural community related to new initiatives and best management practices currently being developed.Project Objectives:1) Use the Geoprobe to assist with site characterization and collection of hydrogeological information prior to PRB installation at a given project site.2) Use the Geoprobe to design and install novel PRBs as an array of columns to treat groundwater contaminated by agricultural runoff.3) Use the Geoprobe to evaluate the effectiveness of edge of field PRB systems to remove nitrogen and other contaminates of interest.4) Extend results of research to farmers, agriculture community, researchers, regulatory agencies, and other non-profits.
Project Methods
Projects in which the Geoprobe will be utilized will undergo an initial site characterization where groundwater parameters including temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) will be monitored. Water samples will also be collected and analyzed for the nitrogen series (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, TKN) and select samples will be analyzed for phosphorous. Additional sampling may include dissolved organic carbon, metal analysis, and hydrogen sulfide. Groundwater seepage equipment will then be deployed for several days at a time to determine groundwater discharge rates and facilitate sample collection. The Geoprobe will then be initially used to install groundwater wells for monitoring groundwater nitrogen concentrations and to collect soil borings at multiple locations to determine the soil characteristics such as grain size, porosity, permeability at multiple depths. Tests will be performed to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the site-specific soils. A survey of well elevations will be performed to determine the hydraulic gradient and groundwater flow direction. The Geoprobe unit enables both deep drilling for traditional well installation, as mentioned above, and is a fully functional PRB installation rig, for injection and auger methods. The unit is hydraulically driven with a GH63 hammer that can drive well casings through the soil stratigraphy that is typically observed on Long Island. The Geoprobe 7822DT is also compatible with the GP300 injection system assembly that can be used to deliver remediation fluids into soils with a pump using an injection approach. The Geoprobe 7822DT also has the capabilities to add two speed augerheads that can be used to drill large diameter bore holes with the 8.25 i.d. augers to install wood chip media (or other carbon-based material) for PRBs on farms. A given projects success will be evaluated by how much nitrogen is removed by the PRB installed and does not enter a waterbody, as well as the performance efficiency of various medias that are utilized in the research projects. The evaluation process requires a network of monitoring wells to be installed both upgradient and downgradient of the PRB system installed with the Geoprobe unit. The installation of these permanent monitoring wells at various depths both in and around the PRB will allow for adequate collection of data to address the spatial and temporal characteristics associated with a PRB. The monitoring well design and adequate sampling will provide data that will allow for a statistically valid evaluation of a PRBs performance. The evaluation reports generated from these PRB research projects will be used to develop guidance documents for farmers, elected officials, environmental groups, and other organizations.

Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience served by this project is the Sagaponack community which includes residential property owners and farmers. Additionally, our work serves elected officials from various towns within Suffolk County including the Town of Southampton, East Hampton, Riverhead, and Brookhaven. Changes/Problems:No major changes to or problems have occurred related to this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Site characterization for PRBs has created an opportunity for hands-on training of 6 individuals on the CCE team. In March 2022 a representative from Geoprobe visited the team at a Sagaponack Pond farm field and provided training on the use and maintenance of the equipment. Additionally, our CCE employee and driller with over 30 years of experience has provided training to 4 individuals who are learning methods for well installation and soil boring collection. Lastly, several field tests have been performed using hollow stem augers to install PRB media at various depths below grade. The tests were successful, and we plan to continue to improve the installation approach by installing a pilot PRB at the residential site in Spring 2023. As a result of our work and community outreach, we have received commitments from private donors to help fund the project for the next 5 years which will provide leverage when we apply for additional funds available through the Town Community Preservation Fund. Over the next 3 - 5 years, we anticipate up to 3,000 feet of PRB being installed along the Sagaponack shoreline. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A Sagaponack Pond Community Update event was held on 5/27/22 at the home of one of the project collaborators where site characterization for a Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) is underway. The Peconic Land Trust is an organization which has funded our research previously and has strong ties in the region to the farming community and to residents who live along Sagaponack Pond. They organized the event and reached out to their listserv. Approximately 20 people attended including Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming. The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) groundwater team gave both oral and poster presentations at the event and the Geoprobe equipment was also on display. Furthermore, several groundwater wells were recently installed on the property using the Geoprobe, so event attendees were able to see the equipment and its intended use. Part of the rationale for having the event at the property was to show community members that the Geoprobe could be used to perform PRB site characterization with minimal disturbance to the lawn. As a result of this event, we provided education and outreach to the community and secured additional collaborators who will allow us to perform PRB site characterization on their property. On 10/27/22 a public Zoom webinar was held to provide an update on the status of the project. Approximately 30 community members attended the call including elected officials such as the Town of Southampton Trustee Ann Welker. This was another opportunity where we provided education and outreach to stakeholders and the public. The Zoom recording can be found at: https://youtu.be/QgJY5hvN-os What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project goals were to enhance CCE's applied research on site characterization for PRBs, to install PRBs at the edge of farm fields using a novel column approach, and to enhance CCE's outreach on the applied research projects happening related to agricultural stewardship and groundwater remediation. The work conducted at Sagaponack Pond has occurred on three sites, 1) at a parcel of preserved agricultural land which was previously farmed but has been uncultivated for several years, 2) an agricultural site which is actively farmed, and 3) a residential site which is also partially used for agricultural purposes. In 2022 we installed over 30 wells across the three sites. The Geoprobe has increased the efficiency of our research activities by reducing the time and money spent on transporting and renting the equipment. Collectively these benefits have also enhanced CCE's agricultural stewardship efforts. Thus, the project has facilitated collaborations with and outreach to the Sagaponack farming community and has provided educational opportunities for the general population. More specifically, this project has provided an opportunity for farmers to highlight their fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) to protect surface and groundwater. Through conversations with farmers in Sagaponack we have learned that they are under significant economic pressure to use the least amount of fertilizer and use it efficiently to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts. Our communication with residents and farmers also underscored the lack of interaction between these groups, thus events which facilitate communication between the two groups is valuable. A common theme both farmers and their residential neighbors have is an intense appreciation for the beauty of Sagaponack Pond and the native wildlife, as well as the desire to improve water quality so that it returns to more pristine conditions. We hope to facilitate more interactions centered around the appreciation for Sagaponack Pond and educate the community on how our work can improve water quality and preserve the shared natural resource. Through groundwater well installation and PRB site characterization activities, our data have shed some light on the source of groundwater nutrients. Highest groundwater nitrate values were observed at 20 to 35 ft below grade. The presence of high nitrate values at a relatively deep horizon in the aquifer indicates that groundwater nitrogen present at the shoreline originates from further inland within the subwatershed rather than from the farm field which is adjacent to the shoreline. Looking at a map of the subwatershed and inland land use, we see that the subwatershed is primarily residential properties which lack proper septic treatment systems. Thus, we can infer that the majority of nitrogen present in groundwater at the shoreline is derived from residential septic systems. Fertilizers as well as atmospheric deposition are secondary sources. We are pleased that the highest groundwater nitrate values are at depths where it is very feasible to treat the water with a PRB, as our Geoprobe is capable of augering columns to 35 ft. In addition to providing insight into the source of nutrients, our data has helped ground-truth modeled projections from the Suffolk County subwatershed wastewater plan. To date, site characterization for PRB installation has occurred along ~1,200 ft of farm field which forms the Sagaponack Pond shoreline. An additional 600 ft of farm field site characterization is planned for Winter 2023.

Publications


    Progress 08/01/21 to 07/31/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience served by this project is the Sagaponack community which includes residential property owners and farmers. Additionally, our work serves elected officials from various towns within Suffolk County including the Town of Southampton, East Hampton, Riverhead, and Brookhaven. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Site characterization for PRBs has created an opportunity for hands-on training of 6 individuals on the CCE team. In March 2022 a representative from Geoprobe visited the team at a Sagaponack Pond farm field and provided training on the use and maintenance of the equipment. Additionally, our CCE employee and driller with over 30 years of experience has provided training to 4 individuals who are learning methods for well installation and soil boring collection. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project has provided an opportunity for farmers to highlight their fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) to protect surface and groundwater. Through conversations with farmers in Sagaponack we have learned that they are under significant economic pressure to use the least amount of fertilizer and use it efficiently to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts. Our communication with residents and farmers also underscored the lack of interaction between these groups, thus events which facilitate communication between the two groups is valuable. Our conversations further revealed a point of contention regarding fertilizer use and its impact on groundwater and surface water nutrient pollution. For example, residential community members do not seem aware of the BMPs and reduced fertilizer use practices implemented by farmers, thus residents often believe farmers are the culprit for fertilizer derived nutrient impacts to water quality. On the other hand, farmers have noticed that commercial lawn care companies hired by homeowners tend to apply more fertilizer than needed, so farmers see their residential neighbors as contributors to the excessive fertilizer derived nutrients entering Sagaponack Pond. However, a common theme both farmers and their residential neighbors have is an intense appreciation for the beauty of Sagaponack Pond and the native wildlife, as well as the desire to improve water quality so that it returns to more pristine conditions. We hope to facilitate more interactions centered around the appreciation for Sapaponack Pond and educate the community on how our work can improve water quality and preserve the shared natural resource. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To date, site characterization for PRB installation has occurred along ~700 ft of farm field which forms the Sagaponack Pond shoreline. Within the next month, site characterization will occur on an additional 500 ft of farm field shoreline. Several field tests have also been performed using hollow stem augers to install PRB media at various depths below grade. The tests were successful, but we plan to continue to improve the installation approach. Over the next 3 years, we anticipate being able to install up to 3000 feet of PRB columns that are augered into the ground using the Geoprobe. Our results were communicated at the Sagaponack Pond Community Update event in May 2022, as well as at several smaller meetings where both residents and elected officials were in attendance.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Our team is making significant progress towards the project goals. First, the Geoprobe has greatly enhanced CCE's applied research on site characterization for PRBs and novel PRB installation methods. Owning the Geoprobe has increased the efficiency of our research activities by reducing the time and money spent on transporting and renting the equipment. Collectively these benefits have also enhanced CCE's agricultural stewardship efforts. Most of the work has occurred at the edge of farm fields, thus the project has facilitated collaborations with and outreach to the Sagaponack farming community and has provided educational opportunities for the general population. Through groundwater well installation and PRB site characterization activities, our data have shed some light on the source of groundwater nutrients. Highest groundwater nitrate values were observed at 20 to 35 ft below grade. The presence of high nitrate values at a relatively deep horizon in the aquifer indicates that groundwater nitrogen present at the shoreline originates from further inland within the subwatershed rather than from the farm field which is adjacent to the shoreline. Looking at a map of the subwatershed and inland land use, we see that the subwatershed is primarily residential properties which lack proper septic treatment systems. Thus, we can infer that the majority of nitrogen present in groundwater at the shoreline is derived from residential septic systems. Fertilizers as well as atmospheric deposition are secondary sources. We are pleased that the highest groundwater nitrate values are at depths where it is very feasible to treat the water with a PRB; as our Geoprobe is capable of augering PRB columns to 35 ft. In addition to providing insight into the source of nutrients, our data has helped ground-truth modeled projections from the Suffolk County subwatershed wastewater plan.

    Publications