HR: 1340h
AN: H53A-1220    [Abstracts]
TI: Hydrology and Water Quality of Restored Riparian Buffers in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont Physiographic Regions, N.C., USA.
AU: * Allan, C J
EM: cjallan@uncc.edu
AF: Dept. of Geography and Earth Sciences, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 United States
AU: Thomasson, M J
EM: mjthomas@email.uncc.edu
AF: Dept. of Geography and Earth Sciences, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 United States
AU: Wu, J
EM: jwu@uncc.edu
AF: Dept. of Civil Engineering, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223 United States
AB: Non Point Source (NPS) pollution is a major contributor to water quality degradation in most of the major river basins in North Carolina and elsewhere. The use of riparian, vegetated buffers has been identified as a Best Management Practice (BMP) to reduce NPS sediment and nutrient inputs to surface waters. However, water quality improvements are strongly related to riparian hydrologic characteristics such as water table depth and flow path configuration. Hydrologic conditions are in turn influenced by the geologic characteristics of the aquifer system. In this study we examined the effectiveness of restored vegetated riparian buffers in controlling nutrient and sediment export from livestock farming operations in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions of the state. Both aquifer systems were unconfined but exhibit different water table fluctuations and flow path configurations. Piezometer nests with groundwater wells were installed at various locations and depths along two transects at each site. Water table position was measured continuously and hydraulic gradients and water quality samples were collected every 14-36 days since installation. Water samples were analyzed for NH4-N, NO3-N, Cl, TP and TKN. Here we present a detailed spatial and temporal analysis of solute transport through both aquifer systems.
DE: 1806 Chemistry of fresh water
DE: 1831 Groundwater quality
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting