Project Title: Lake Septic Discharge
Project Number: GC11NQ00E790000 - 8607E79 - MN 268
Project Start Date: July 1, 2010
Project End Date: June 30, 2013
Project Personnel: Richard Kiesling, Emily Resseger, Sarah Elliot, Mimi Wallace, Mike Menheer
Cooperators: LCCMR, MPCA, St Cloud State University
Objectives:
Quantify occurrence of estrogenic or pharmaceutical compounds in 30 Minnesota lakes that receive groundwater inputs from septic systems. Assess the hydrology and ecology of the watershed contributing to water or sediment concentrations of estrogenic and pharmaceutical compounds in the surveyed lakes. Assess biological exposure and response to known estrogenic and pharmaceutical compound contamination in lakes.
Progress during FY10:
Data was collected from six lakes. Lakes were monitored for nutrient concentrations as well as for physical and chemical field parameters in surface water and groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected for deuterium and oxygen-18 isotopes to characterize groundwater inflows to the lake. Isotope sampling included lake surface water, spring inflows if present, and mini-piezometer groundwater samples.
Plans for FY11:
Identify ten candidate lakes using existing data and knowledge of groundwater and septic contributions, complete land use and septic density estimates for candidate lakes and set up analytical lab.
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
