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Geology

Information Circular--KGS

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Groundwater

Articles 1 - 14 of 14

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Assessment Of Groundwater Quality In An Abandoned Feedlot, Henderson County, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck, James S. Dinger, John Grove, Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw Jan 2010

Assessment Of Groundwater Quality In An Abandoned Feedlot, Henderson County, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck, James S. Dinger, John Grove, Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw

Information Circular--KGS

A three-phase project investigated the influence of past and present agricultural practices on groundwater resources in the Western Kentucky Coal Field. Phase II concentrated on past practices, specifically those associated with an abandoned dairy feedlot and an old homestead. Results of phase II analyses are presented in this report.


Sources And Occurrences Of Nonpoint-Source Chemicals In Groundwater, Jackson Purchase Region, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck Jan 2010

Sources And Occurrences Of Nonpoint-Source Chemicals In Groundwater, Jackson Purchase Region, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck

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Groundwater from the Jackson Purchase Region was sampled to investigate possible contamination by nonpoint-source chemicals. Conclusions drawn from the resulting data and methodology can be found in “Sources and Occurrences of Nonpoint-Source Chemicals in Groundwater, Jackson Purchase Region, Kentucky,” Kentucky Geological Survey Report of Investigations 22 (series 12), by R.S. Fisher and E.G. Beck.


Assessment Of Groundwater Quality In A Remediated Abandoned Feedlot, Henderson County, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck, James S. Dinger, John Grove, Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw Jan 2010

Assessment Of Groundwater Quality In A Remediated Abandoned Feedlot, Henderson County, Kentucky: Data Report, E. Glynn Beck, James S. Dinger, John Grove, Eugenia Pena-Yewtukhiw

Information Circular--KGS

A three-phase project investigated the influence of past and present agricultural practices on groundwater resources in the Western Kentucky Coal Field. Phase III concentrated on an abandoned dairy feedlot that had been remediated. Results of phase III analyses are presented in this report.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Iron, R. Stephen Fisher, Bart Davidson Jan 2007

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Iron, R. Stephen Fisher, Bart Davidson

Information Circular--KGS

Iron is one of the most abundant elements in rocks and soils, and one of the most common problems in groundwater supplies. Rainwater seeping through soils and bedrock dissolves iron and carries it to wells and springs. In deep groundwater systems that lack oxygen, iron occurs as dissolved ferrous ion and the water is clear. Under oxidizing conditions such as in shallow groundwater systems or where the water is exposed to air at a tap or faucet, however, iron converts to a ferric form when it combines with oxygen to form reddish-brown rust particles. In addition to natural sources, elevated …


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Manganese, R. Stephen Fisher, Bart Davidson Jan 2007

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Manganese, R. Stephen Fisher, Bart Davidson

Information Circular--KGS

Manganese is a common constituent of Kentucky rocks and soils and, along with iron is one of the most widespread causes of problems in groundwater supplies. Rainwater seeping through soils and bedrock dissolves manganese and carries it in the groundwater system to wells and springs. In deep, slow-moving systems that lack oxygen, manganese remains in solution. Under oxidizing conditions, however, such as in shallow groundwater systems or where the water is exposed to air, manganese combines with oxygen to form black particles that can clog plumbing fixtures and stain containers and clothing.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: 2,4-D, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2007

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: 2,4-D, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

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2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, commonly known as 2,4-D, is an herbicide used for selective control of broadleaf and grassy weeds in crops such as corn and wheat, along roadways and rights-of-way, and on pasture and rangeland. 2,4-D is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and the third most widely used in North America after metolachlor and atrazine. 2,4-D is a synthetic, organic, white to yellow, odorless, crystalline powder that dissolves readily in water. It is widely used today primarily because of its low cost.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Atrazine, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2007

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Atrazine, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

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Atrazine is an organic herbicide used for selective control of broadleaf and grassy weeds in crops such as corn, soybeans, sorghum, sugarcane, macadamia nuts, pineapples, pine trees, grasslands, and roses. Atrazine does not harm the crops, which can absorb and metabolize the herbicide, thereby removing the toxins. It controls targeted plants by inhibiting photosynthesis (Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality, 2003). Atrazine is a white, odorless, crystalline powder that dissolves readily in water and does not occur naturally. It is widely used because of its low cost and ability to reduce crop losses from weed interference.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Barium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2006

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Barium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

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Barium is a silver-white alkaline earth metal that is not found free in nature because it is highly reactive with sulfate and carbonate. Barium compounds can be naturally occurring or man-made. The most common natural occurrence of barium is in the mineral barite (barium sulfate), which has many uses in industry, such as a filler in the making of rubber, plastic and resin, white pigment, drilling lubricants used in the oil and gas industry, paint, bricks and glass (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2004). Barium sulfate is very slightly soluble in water and absorbs X-rays, making it an …


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Mercury, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2005

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Mercury, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

Information Circular--KGS

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that occurs in trace amounts in water, soils, and rocks. Elemental mercury is a liquid that occurs in some ore deposits; it may also be concentrated around hot springs. Currently, about 50 percent of mercury use is for electrical products such as dry-cell batteries, fluorescent lights, switches, and other control equipment. Mercury is also used in the electrolytic preparation of chlorine gas and caustic soda, and in paint manufacture and pesticide production (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002). In the past, significant amounts of mercury were used in thermometers and pressure gauges.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Selenium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2005

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Selenium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

Information Circular--KGS

Selenium is a naturally occurring element found in most rocks and soils (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2003). In its solid form, selenium is black, gray, or red and is odorless (New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 2002). Most selenium is obtained from byproducts of the copper refining industry. Selenium compounds are often used in electronic components, photocopiers, metal alloys, rubber, paint pigments, glass-making (ruby red glass), and photographic emulsions (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003). Selenium exhibits both photovoltaic and photoconductive properties. As more light shines on selenium, its electrical conductivity increases, making it extremely useful …


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Cadmium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2005

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Cadmium, Bart Davidson, R. Stephen Fisher

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Cadmium is a metallic element that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, especially in zinc-, lead-, and copper-bearing ores (Forstner and Whittmann, 1981). Pure cadmium is a soft silver-white metal, but is rarely found naturally in its pure form. It is commonly combined with other elements, such as oxygen (cadmium oxide) and sulfur (cadmium sulfate).


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Arsenic, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2002

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Arsenic, R. Stephen Fisher

Information Circular--KGS

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in low concentrations in rocks, soils, water, plants, and animals (Nriagu, 1994 a, b). In Kentucky, arsenic is commonly found in iron sulfide minerals associated with coal deposits and black shales. Arsenic is released when iron sulfides oxidize during weathering. Once released, it is readily sorbed onto iron oxides and iron oxyhydroxides, which limits arsenic concentrations in the near-surface environment.


Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Ph, R. Stephen Fisher Jan 2002

Groundwater Quality In Kentucky: Ph, R. Stephen Fisher

Information Circular--KGS

The parameter pH (the negative base-10 logarithm of hydrogen ion activity, measured in moles per liter) indicates whether a substance will behave as an acid or base. It is one of the most important parameters that describe groundwater quality, because pH largely controls the amount and chemical form of many organic and inorganic solutes in groundwater.


Ground-Water Quality In Kentucky: Fluoride, Philip G. Conrad, Daniel I. Carey, James S. Webb, James S. Dinger, R. Stephen Fisher, Matthew J. Mccourt Jan 1999

Ground-Water Quality In Kentucky: Fluoride, Philip G. Conrad, Daniel I. Carey, James S. Webb, James S. Dinger, R. Stephen Fisher, Matthew J. Mccourt

Information Circular--KGS

Fluoride (F-) is an ion of the element fluorine, and is a natural component in most water resources. According to Hem (1989), fluoride concentrations in fresh water are generally less than 1 mg/L (milligrams per liter), and the concentration of fluoride in the world's oceans is about 1.3 mg/L. The source of most fluoride in natural fresh-water resources is various rocks and minerals in bedrock and sediments.