Investigating the impact of nitrate-nitrogen contamination on uranium concentrations in Wisconsin groundwater

Home / Research / Investigating the impact of nitrate-nitrogen contamination on uranium concentrations in Wisconsin groundwater
Project Number:

WR16R002

Funding Year:

2016

Contract Period:

7/1/2016 - 6/30/2017

Funding Source:

UWS

Investigator(s):

Abstract:

Background/Need: This project was designed to provide a rapid evaluation of uranium andother geochemical parameters in Wisconsin groundwater. This evaluation was intended to assist in formulating hypotheses about uranium chemistry in Wisconsin groundwater and identify if there is a need for more detailed work examining anthropogenic impacts to uranium in
groundwater. The study was focused in an area with existing monitoring wells for which a history of nitrate concentrations over time was available.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if groundwater uranium concentrations increase in response to anthropogenic changes to groundwater geochemistry. The project combined repeated sampling of groundwater from monitoring wells in areas with previously observed elevated and/or variable nitrate contamination and a vadose zone investigation exploring the distribution and mobility of uranium during groundwater geochemical evolution.

Project Reports: