Continuous Nitrate Monitoring in Groundwater and Potential Contribution to Surface-Water Nitrogen Loads in Mason County, Illinois

Fact Sheet 2019-3064
Prepared in cooperation with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
By:  and 

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Abstract

Illinois has some of the most productive farmland in the country. The use of fertilizers to improve crop production has increased, which has resulted in an increase in the concentration of nitrogen in many streams and aquifers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, is continuously monitoring (one reading every 15 minutes) the concentration of nitrate plus nitrite, as nitrogen, in a groundwater well and assessing the potential contribution to surface-water nitrogen loads. Continuous monitoring of the nitrate concentration allows for the collection of a larger dataset in comparison to periodic or event-based sampling. This fact sheet describes the data collection methods, describes the overall experimental design, and displays data collected for the study. The analysis of continuous data improves understanding of the fate and transport of nitrate.

Suggested Citation

Gruhn, L.R., and Nalley, G.M., 2020, Continuous nitrate monitoring in groundwater and potential contribution to surface-water nitrogen loads in Mason County, Illinois: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2019–3064, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20193064.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Background
  • Continuous Monitoring of Well (U.S. Geological Survey Station 401913089534501)
  • Ancillary Data
  • Nitrate Concentrations in Groundwater and Surface Water
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Continuous nitrate monitoring in groundwater and potential contribution to surface-water nitrogen loads in Mason County, Illinois
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2019-3064
DOI 10.3133/fs20193064
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: 4 p.; Dataset
Country United States
State Illinois
County Mason County
Online Only (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details