Persistent Urban Influence on Surface Water Quality via Impacted Groundwater.
Rachel S Gabor1,2, Steven J Hall3, David P Eiriksson1
1Global Change and Sustainability Center, University of Utah , 115 South 1460 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|July 22, 2017
Summary
Urbanization significantly impacts stream water quality by contaminating groundwater baseflow. This study reveals urban aquifer contributions to stream chemistry, highlighting the need for subsurface exchange in water quality models.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Urban growth strains water resources and degrades downstream water quality.
- Understanding urbanization's effects on hydrologic systems is critical for water management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify mechanisms of urban impact on stream water quality.
- To investigate the role of groundwater-surface water exchange in urban catchments.
Main Methods:
- Synoptic surveys across seasonal baseflow conditions.
- Analysis of surface water and groundwater chemistry.
- Hydrometric and hydrochemical observations to estimate water sources.
Main Results:
- Stream chemistry changes were observed several kilometers into the urban area.
- Elevated chloride and nitrate concentrations indicated urban pollution.
- Groundwater springs confirmed contaminated baseflow contribution to stream chemistry.
- Estimated 18% of aquifer water originated from the urban area.
- Urban aquifer acted as a biogeochemical reactor for carbon and nitrogen.
Conclusions:
- Surface water-groundwater exchange significantly influences urban stream water quality.
- Anthropogenic impacts on water quality extend to subsurface interactions.
- Hydrologic models must incorporate subsurface exchange for accurate urban water quality assessment.
- Mitigation strategies for urban water quality need to consider spatial and temporal scales of subsurface interactions.
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