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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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, )

6. 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

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

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

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

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

12. Subdivision Sites Results
EPA standard of 50.0 ppm for Sodium
EPA standard of ppm for Chloride
Subdivision Sites Results

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

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

15. Farm Site Results
EPA standard of 10.0 ppm for Nitrate

16. Farm Site Results EPA standard of 50.0 ppm for Sodium
EPA standard of ppm for Chloride
Farm Site Results

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

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

19. Major Highway Sites Results
EPA standard of 10.0 ppm for Nitrate

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

21. 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

22. Future Research
Study the Kishwaukee River as various places throughout the county for nutrients.
Create possible graduate school thesis.

23. 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.

24. References
Dupre, D.H., and Robertson, D.M., 2004, Water quality of Nippersink Creek and Wonder Lake, McHenry County, Illinois, : 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
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 , doi: /j 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 , doi: /gseegeosci
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, ; an update: U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, .
National Groundwater Association, 2010, Groundwater Facts: ( 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, : U. S. Geological Survey: Reston, VA, United States, .
US EPA, O.W., Drinking Water Contaminants – Standards and Regulations: ( 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

25. Questions?