Nutrient Variations of Six Surface Water Bodies in McHenry County, IL By: Jacob Piske

Research Topic, Goals & Importance Analyze six rural and suburban ponds in McHenry County, IL Understand the pollution sources of potassium, phosphorus, nitrate, chlorine, and sodium. Mississippi River Basin nutrient pollution and gulf hypoxia http://www.gulfhypoxia.net/Overview/

Contamination Sources Potassium, Phosphorous &Nitrates Sodium & Chloride Fertilizers Soil organic matter Septic and animal waste Deicers (road salt) Septic and animal waste Water conditioning salt

Geography & Geology Northeastern Illinois Rapid Growth of urbanization over the last 25 years Majority of county remains heavily agricultural, with roughly 60% of the surface area is used for agricultural purposes. Shallow sand and gravel aquifers of glacial origin. Relies heavily on groundwater for drinking water supply Highly permeable and rapid recharge but subject to surface-borne contamination (Hwang, 2015)

Methods Part 1 June 1 to July 28, 2016 November 3 and 10, 2016 Color change test using Hach Test Kits Nitrate and Chlorine Powder Reagent dissolved into 5mL of water Total Chlorine Color Disc Test Kit, Model CN-66T Nitrate Test Kit, Model NI-11

Methods Part 2 X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) Tests Potassium, Phosphorus, Sodium Ran three tests for each element 56 samples from June and July

Subdivision Sites Site 1 - Marengo Site 3 – Lake in the hills Farther from road, but steeper slope Close to road with small slope

Subdivision Sites Results EPA standard of 0.05 ppm for Phosphorous No EPA limit for Potassium Subdivision Sites Results

Subdivision Sites Results EPA standard of 10.0 ppm for Nitrate Subdivision Sites Results

Subdivision Sites Results EPA standard of 50.0 ppm for Sodium EPA standard of 250.0 ppm for Chloride Subdivision Sites Results

Farm Sites Site 2 - Union Site 6 – Marengo Livestock and corn/soybean fields  Corn/soybean fields Riparian Buffer

Farm Site Results EPA standard of 0.05 ppm for Phosphorous No EPA limit for Potassium Farm Site Results

Farm Site Results EPA standard of 10.0 ppm for Nitrate

Farm Site Results EPA standard of 50.0 ppm for Sodium EPA standard of 250.0 ppm for Chloride Farm Site Results

Major Highway Sites Site 4 – Crystal Lake Site 5 - Woodstock Route 14, four lane highway Route 47, two lane highway

Major Highway Sites Results EPA standard of 0.05 ppm for Phosphorous No EPA limit for Potassium Major Highway Sites Results

Major Highway Sites Results EPA standard of 10.0 ppm for Nitrate

Major Highway Sites Results EPA standard of 50.0 ppm for Sodium EPA standard of 250.0 ppm for Chloride Major Highway Sites Results

Conclusion Farm site 2 had much higher concentrations than farm site 6 Buffer zone reduces surface water contamination Agriculture is an important part to our nations economy, but having clean water is just as important Nutrients at the subdivision and major highway sites had natural occurring concentrations High sodium at the subdivision results from household wastewater

Future Research Study the Kishwaukee River as various places throughout the county for nutrients. Create possible graduate school thesis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishwaukee_River#/media/File:Kish6.JPG

Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dr. Strasser, Dr. Wolf, Dr. Strunk, Susan Wolf, and Sallie Heine for all their help and support throughout my entire project.

References Dupre, D.H., and Robertson, D.M., 2004, Water quality of Nippersink Creek and Wonder Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, 1994-2001: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, . Hwang, H., Panno, S.V., and Hackley, K.C., 2015, Sources and Changes in Groundwater Quality with Increasing Urbanization, Northeastern Illinois: Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, v. 21, p. 75-90. Keefer, D.A., Thomason, J.F., Larson, T., Ismail, A., and Lau, J.A., 2011, Three-dimensional geologic mapping and hydrogeologic investigations to support groundwater management in McHenry County, Illinois: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 43, p. 559. Kelly, W.R., 2008, Long-Term Trends in Chloride Concentrations in Shallow Aquifers near Chicago: Ground Water, v. 46, p. 772-781, doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008.00466.x. Kelly, W.R., Panno, S.V., and Hackley, K.C., 2012a, Impacts of road salt runoff on water quality of the Chicago, Illinois, region: Environmental & Engineering Geoscience, v. 18, p. 65-81, doi: 10.2113/gseegeosci.18.1.65. Kelly, W.R., Panno, S.V., and Hackley, K.C., 2012b, The Sources, Distribution, and Trends of Chloride in the Waters of Illinois: Prairie Research Institute - Illinois State Water Survey UIUC, v. Bulletin B-74, . Murphy, J.C., Hirsch, R.M., and Sprague, L.A., 2013, Nitrate in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, 1980-2010; an update: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, . National Groundwater Association, 2010, Groundwater Facts: (http://www.ngwa.org/fundamentals/use/pages/groundwater-facts.aspx05/05 2016). Nicholas, J.R., and Krohelski, J.T., 1984, Water in sand and gravel deposits in McHenry County, Illinois: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA], United States, . Reilly, T.E., Dennehy, K.F., Alley, W.M., and Cunningham, W.L., 2008, Ground-water availability in the United States: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, . Terrio, P.J., 2006, Concentrations, fluxes, and yields of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment in the Illinois River basin, 1996-2000: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, . US EPA, O.W., Drinking Water Contaminants – Standards and Regulations: (https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulationsMar 15, 2017). Woller, D.M., and Sanderson, E.W., 1976, Public Groundwater Supplies in McHenry County: The State of Illinois, Department of Registration and Education - Illinois State Water Survey, v. BULLETIN 60-19, p. 1-52.

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