Analysis of Nutrients, Selected Inorganic Constituents, and Trace Elements in Water from Illinois Community-Supply Wells, 1984–91

Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4152
Contribution from the National Water-Quality Assessment Program
By:

Links

Abstract

The lower Illinois River Basin (LIRB) study unit is part of the National Water-Quality Assessment program that includes studies of most major aquifer systems in the United States. Retrospective water-quality data from community-supply wells in the LIRB and in the rest of Illinois are grouped by aquifer and depth interval. Concentrations of selected chemical constituents in water samples from community-supply wells within the LIRB vary with aquifer and depth of well. Ranked data for 16 selected trace elements and nutrients are compared by aquifer, depth interval, and between the LIRB and the rest of Illinois using nonparametric statistical analyses. For all wells, median concentrations of nitrate and nitrite (as Nitrogen) are highest in water samples from the Quaternary aquifer at well depths less than 100 ft; ammonia concentrations (as Nitrogen), however, are highest in samples from well depths greater than 200 ft. Chloride and sulfate concentrations are higher in samples from the older bedrock aquifers. Arsenic, lead, sulfate, and zinc concentrations are appreciably different between samples from the LIRB and samples from the rest of Illinois for ground water from the Quaternary aquifer. Arsenic concentration is highest in the deep Quaternary aquifer. Chromium, cyanide, lead, and mercury are not frequently detected in water samples from community-supply wells in Illinois.

Suggested Citation

Warner, K.L., 2000, Analysis of nutrients, selected inorganic constituents, and trace elements in water from Illinois community-supply wells, 1984–91: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99–4152, 47 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri994152.

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • Abstract
  • Glossary
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Analysis of nutrients, selected inorganic constituents, and trace elements in water from Illinois community-supply wells, 1984–91
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 99-4152
DOI 10.3133/wri994152
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Illinois Water Science Center
Description v, 47 p.
Country United States
State Illinois
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details