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Water quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5054
Prepared in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175054

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, developed a network of wells to monitor groundwater quality in the surficial aquifer of the Delaware Coastal Plain. Well-drained soils, a flat landscape, and accessible water in the Delaware Coastal Plain make for a productive agricultural setting. As such, agriculture is one of the largest industries in the State of Delaware. This setting enables the transport of chemicals from agriculture and other land uses to shallow groundwater. Efforts to mitigate nutrient transport to groundwater by the implementation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) have been ongoing for several decades. To measure the effectiveness of BMPs on a regional scale, a network of 48 wells was designed to measure shallow groundwater quality (particularly nitrate) over time near agricultural land in the Delaware Coastal Plain. Water characteristics, major ions, nutrients, and dissolved gases were measured in groundwater samples collected from network wells during fall 2014. Wells were organized into three groups based on their geochemical similarity and these groups were used to describe nitrate and chloride concentrations and factors that affect the variability among the groups. The results from this study are intended to establish waterquality conditions in 2014 to enable comparison of future conditions and evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural BMPs on a regional scale.

Suggested Citation

Fleming, B.J., Mensch, L.L., Denver, J.M., Cruz, R.M., and Nardi, M.R., 2017, Water quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5054, 28 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175054.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • Methods of Study
  • Factors Affecting Variability 
  • Water Quality in the Surficial Aquifer 
  • Summary and Conclusions 
  • References Cited 
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5054
DOI 10.3133/sir20175054
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Maryland Water Science Center
Description viii, 28 p.
Country United States
State Delaware
Other Geospatial Delaware Coastal Plain
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details