Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Dye Tracing To Determine Flow Properties Of Hydrocarbon-Polluted Rabots Glaciär, Kebnekaise, Sweden, Caroline C. Clason, C. Coch, J. Jarsjö, Keith A. Brugger, P. Jansson, G. Rosqvist

Geology Publications

Over 11 000 L of kerosene was deposited on the surface of Rabots glaciär on the Kebnekaise Massif, northern Sweden, following the crash of a Royal Norwegian Air Force aircraft in March 2012. An environmental monitoring programme was subsequently commissioned, including a series of dye tracing experiments during the 2013 melt season, conducted to investigate the transport of pollutants through the glacier hydrological system. This experimental set-up provided a basis from which we could gain new insight into the internal hydrological system of Rabots glaciär. Results of dye tracing experiments reveal a degree of homogeneity in the topology of the …

Relative Soil Aeration In A Cultivated Prairie Pothole, Alan Olness, J. A. Staricka, J. A. Daniel, G. R. Benoit, J. L. Rinke

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Many small prairie potholes receive surface runoff from their catchments and serve as a focal point of ground water recharge. Soil aeration controls the solubility and form of many soil chemicals. Platinum electrodes are sensitive to oxygen and provide a very sensitive indicator of its presence. Electrodes were installed at the 15-, 30-, and 45-cm depth across two transects within a shallow, cultivated depression which serves as a recharge site for groundwater. Soils on the rim of the depression remained aerobic throughout two consecutive cropping years even at 45 cm. Soils within the depression became anaerobic briefly in the first …

Ground Water Quality And Management In Minnesota, Jeanette H. Leete

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Minnesota is known for its abundant surface water - lakes, rivers, and streams - and much emphasis is placed on managing these priceless resources, yet it is ground water that supplies drinking water to about 75 percent of the state's population, and ground water that agriculture depends on for 88 percent of irrigation water. While ground water quality can be and is impacted by activities at the land surface, the greatest proportion of Minnesota's ground water is still suitable for most uses.

Over 175 units and several levels of government are involved in water resource protection and planning. Choices are …

Geographic Information Systems, Data, And Water Resources, Dwight A. Brown, Philip J. Gersmehl

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-We evaluate three data handling methods for use in a GIS analysis of land-cover change impacts on runoff. A universe of 2560 point samples is analyzed to provide runoff calculations that would se1:7e _as a comparison base to evaluate different attribute logic systems. The attribute logics ~e evaluate are two va~1at1ons of tag and one of count. We chose a two by five mile area of Dakota County, Mmnesota as the test site, and prepared raster GIS maps of soil hydrologic groups and two plausible land covers. The count 1:1~thod for handling the generalization of data produced results that were …

Landscape Assessment Of Soil Erosion And Nonpoint Source Pollution, Ian D. Moore, John L. Nieber

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-The hydrologic processes occurring in the landscape are a manifestation of its topographic attributes. Spatially variable topographic-based attributes permit the distribution of hydrologic and nonpoint source pollution processes to be mapped within catchments. They can be derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) using a variety of Terrain Analysis Methods (TAMs). The relationships between topographic indices and the spatial distribution of the potential for surface runoff, groundwater recharge, soil erosion, and evapotranspiration are graphically illustrated.

Origin And Developmental History Of Minnesota Lakes, H. E. Wright Jr.

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Most lakes in Minnesota owe their origin directly or indirectly to glacial deposition or erosion 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. The lakes' shapes have since been modified by waves and currents near the shores and by the deposition of sediment off-shore-principally the sediment produced by growth of algae and other organisms. This sediment is a receptacle for pollen grains blown into the lake from the surrounding vegetation, and the stratigraphic succession of pollen grains records the postglacial vegetational and thus climatic history of the area. The sediment also preserves the fossils of microorganisms that reveal by their chemical composition the …

Nitrogen Management Related To Groundwater Quality In Minnesota, James L. Anderson, Gary L. Malzer, Gyles W. Randall, George W. Rehm

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Minnesota ranks fifth in overall fertilizer nitrogen (FN) use. Nitrogen is essential for crop production; however, there are concerns about this use relative to profitability and potential impacts on groundwater. There are many sources and sinks of nitrogen in ecosystems. The impact of agricultural management practices on groundwater requires that all sources and fates be considered before FN rates are determined. Research is underway to evaluate relationships between FN application for continuous com and movement of nitrate through soil profiles. Growers making N management decisions have to be able to evaluate the complex nature of N in the environment when …

The Water Quality And Management Of Lakes In The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Richard A. Osgood, Gary L. Oberts

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-We have detected a slow degradation in the water quality of Twin Cities Metropolitan Area lakes du~ to phospho_rus enrichment. While the water quality of the lakes does not appear to limit most uses, nmsances do exist. We have further discovered that commonly-used watershed treatments such as wetland diversions and ponding, are ineffective ~t reversing or completely mitigating the degradati~n following land development. Th_erefore, we are su~gestmg that lake managers reduce the external loading of phosphorus to the greatest ~oss_1ble extent; then, 1f further water quality improvements are necessary, that measures which treat eutroph1cat1on-related symptoms be considered for the long-term …

Lake Mixing Dynamics And Water Quality Models, Heinz G. Stefan

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-To forecast water quality changes or to evaluate the potential success of restoration measures in lakes, it is necessary to formulate "models" which relate lake water quality to the inflows and outflows of materials and energy. Concepts of dynamic deterministic (cause-effect) models and examples are presented. The relationship between internal thermo-hydraulic processes and water quality is stressed. Stratification mixing, and nutrient kinetics are included in these models.

Viruses And Drug Resistant Bacteria In Groundwater Of Southeastern Minnesota, Sagar M. Goyal, Daniel Amundson, Robert A. Robinson, Charles P. Gerba

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Karst topography of soils in southeastern Minnesota is responsible for the formation of sinkholes, subsurface cracks, and underground rivers which may enhance the transportation of surface contaminants into groundwater. The present study was conducted to determine the presence of human pathogenic viruses, coliforms, fecal coliforms and coliphages in private rural wells of this area. The occurrence of drug resistance in bacteria isolated from groundwater also was studied. Coliform bacteria were detected at least once from 22 of the 26 sites sampled over 34 months. Water from 10 sites yielded drug-resistant indicator bacteria; 25 of 38 (65.8 percent) total coliforms and …

Susceptibility Of Northern Minnesota Lakes To Acid Deposition Impacts, Clifford J. Twaroski, J. David Thornton, Rick L. Strassman, Patrick L. Brezonik

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-lake chemistry surveys indicate a large number of lakes with acid neutralizing capability (ANC) below 200 μeq/L occur in northeast Minnesota where shallow soils over bedrock and exposed rock outcrops predominate, and in moraine areas having rolling to steep topography in north-central and east-central Minnesota. In the Boundary Waters area, lake chemistry is strongly associated with bedrock geology. lakes with ANC <100 μeq/L are associated with granite, basalt, and gabbro formations, while lakes with ANC of 100- 200 μeq/L are associated with slate and greenstone formations. In the rest of the state where soils are deep, landform, soil type, and lake hydrology determine lake chemistry. Most low ANC lakes are found in terminal moraine areas. These lakes are generally small ( <40 ha in area), have limited groundwater inflow, and typically classed as precipitation-dominated seepage lakes. Higher ANC lakes (>400 μeq/L) are often associated with agricultural and residential land uses. Relationships found between ANC and bedrock geology, and between ANC and landform and soils, provided the basis for mapping the distribution of low ANC surface waters in Minnesota. …

Residence Times Of Minnesota Groundwaters, Scott C. Alexander, E. Calvin Alexander Jr.

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Tritium, 14C, and nitrate analyses for eighty groundwater samples from selected Minnesota aquifers indicate a range of residence times from a few days or weeks to tens of thousands of years. The presence of significant nitrate contamination in groundwater is confined to recent or mixed groundwaters. Isotopic studies can yield information that will be useful in the design of effective groundwater protection plans in Minnesota.

The Regional Nature Of Lake Water Quality Across Minnesota: An Analysis For Improving Resource Management, Steven A. Heiskary, C. Bruce Wilson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-The diversity and number of lakes in Minnesota may be better understood by the use of regional characterizations of lake and watershed information. Recent efforts have utilized the ecoregion approach to define seven regions across Minnesota, four of which contain 98 percent of our lake resources. Typical land use patterns vary regionally as do lake water quality patterns. Understanding these patterns will assist lake managers to develop realistic goals and minimize false expectations. Regional assessments facilitate the definition of reasonable goals, expressed in terms of: average summer nutrient concentrations, probability of nuisance conditions ( e.g., estimates of algal bloom frequency), …

County-Based Priority Assessment Methodology For Phasing Of Wellhead Protection Programs, H. O. Pfannkuch, M. E. Campion, D. C. Mccaa, J. M. Palenberg

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Setting priorities to schedule and implement wellhead protection programs for municipal and community drinking water supplies is presented in the framework of a general risk assessment approach. This includes a hazard identification procedure representing the likelihood of contaminants being released to the surface environment, a hydrogeologic vulnerability assessment representing the risk of contaminants entering the groundwater supply, and an impact assessment, strongly linked to the population at risk. A methodology was developed to aggregate information on a county basis for Minnesota. The resulting composite risk index map shows a number of counties in the central part of the state roughly …

Factors Affecting Water-Supply Potential Of The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Aquifer System, Michael E. Schoenberg

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-The Twin Cities aquifer system in Minnesota contains five aquife~s and fou: confining units that together consist of fourteen geologic units. Unconsolidated sand and gravel aqmfers overlie bedrock sandstone and carbonate aquifers. Between 1880 and 1980, groundwater wi_thdrawals have c_aused long-term wate~ level declines of as much as 90 feet in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer and 240 feet m the deeper Mount S~monHinckley aquifer-the two major sources of groundwater supplies in the ar~a .. The estimated max1mu1:1 continuous withdrawal rate from the aquifer system is about 650 Mgal/d (million gallons per day). This compares with an average daily groundwater …

A Hydrologic Model For Minnesota Peatlands, Kenneth N. Brooks, Dawn R. Kreft

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-The Peatland Hydrologic Impact Model (PHIM) is a continuous simulation computer model developed over a twelve-year period to aid hydrologists in understanding the hydrologic functions of peatlands and upland-peatland watersheds. An initial conceptual model defined the research needed to create the working m?del. The re~e_arch has become an iterative process of model design, field work, model refinement, ~ode! test1?g, an~ add1t1?nal field work. The model is as physically-based as possible while relying on data mput that 1s readily available to the natural resources community. It simulates streamflow response of peatlands, upland-peatland systems, mined peatlands, and a combination of these watershed …

Hydropower Research And Development In Minnesota, Roger E. A. Arndt, John S. Gulliver

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-Although hydropower development in Minnesota accounts for a relatively small percentage of its total electricity production (2-3% ), it has a very favorable impact on Minnesota's economy. Every dollar saved on fuel purchases outside of Minnesota is the equivalent, considering the average economic turnover of money in Minnesota, to spending three dollars within the State. In addition, an estimated 320 million dollars of possible new construction of economical hydropower installations would also represent a significant boost to the local economy since hydropower is a technology that can be developed with Minnesota-based engineering firms and construction contractors. This paper summarizes the …

The Comprehensive County Water Planning Process In South Central Minnesota, Henry W. Quade, Robert A. Barrett

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABS~CT-Development of co_unt)_' comprehensi~e water plans is underway in a majority of Minnesota counties as a result of recent leg1slat1on. The planning process requires the fashioning of new relationships and r~les for local and st~te _government, agen':Y personnel, and interdisciplinary technical teams. Early water planning efforts reve~I. s1gmfi~ant problerI:s with the adequacy and applicability of existing water resources da~. Assessment of e1t1Zen attitudes regarding water resource issues was found necessary to link support with policy and develop public education activities. Analysis of water resources data combined with citizen and stat~ agency attitudes has enabled counties in south central Minnesota to …

The Legislative Commission On Minnesota Resources Involvement In Water Resource Programs, John Velin, George Orning

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT :--The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) has funded over $32 million worth of projects m three water-related areas since 1963. The authors describe the process the Commission uses to allocate money and summarize the general nature and accomplishments of many of the water projects.

Interbasin Water Transfers: An Economic Panacea Or A Political Ploy?, K. William Easter, Nir Becker

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-New concern about the open access nature of the Great Lakes was sparked by the 1982 Sporhase Supreme Court Decision which limited states' power to prevent interbasin water transfers and was intensified by the 1988 drought in the Midwest. In response to the court decision, the Great Lakes Charter was adopted which established a set of management rules for new interbasin water transfers and other consumptive water uses. However, not all Great Lakes states have implemented the Charter provisions and, even if they did, it is not clear that the Charter objectives could be reached. The big losers from a …

The Character Of Minnesota Well Waters, With Special Emphasis On The St. Cloud Region And Stearns County, Matthew A. Kiess

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Classification Of Lake Waters Upon The Basis Of Hardness, John B. Moyle

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Limnological Notes On Lake Superior, Samuel Eddy

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Geological Conditions Responsible For The Deficiency Of Underground Water In Certain Areas In Minnesota, Geo. A. Thiel

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Water, W. J. Mayo

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

In the hope of stimulating interest in the problem of water, I wish to devote a few minutes to some of the physical properties of water.

Hennepin At The Falls Of St. Anthony, N. H. Winchell

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

The Geology Of The Artesian Basin In South Dakota, D. S. Mccaslin

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

The Water Supply Of Minneapolis, James A. Dodge, C. L. Herrick, C. W. Hall

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

The Water Of The Mississippi River, James A. Dodge

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Filtered Water, James A. Dodge

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.