EPA-R2-73-267
mil ' Environmental Protection Technology Series
J UIM t
An Investigation
of the Nitrate Problem
in Runnels County, Texas
Office of Research and Monitoring
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and
Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, have
been grouped into five series. These five broad
categories were established to facilitate further
development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping
was consciously planned to foster technology
transfer and a maximum interface in related
fields. The five series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY series. This series
describes research performed to develop and
demonstrate instrumentation, equipment and
methodology to repair or prevent environmental
degradation from point and non-point sources of
pollution. This work provides the new or improved
technology required for the control and treatment
of pollution sources to meet environmental quality
standards.
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EPA-R2-73-267
June 1973
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE NITRATE
PROBLEM IN RUNNELS COUNTY, TEXAS
By
David C. Jones
For
Texas Water Development Board
301 West Second
Austin, Texas 78701
Project 16060 HNI
Project Officer
Jack W. Keeley
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Prepared for
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND MONITORING
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
Price $1.25 domestic postpaid or $1 OFO Bookstore
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EPA Review Notice
This report has been reviewed by the EPA
and approved for publication. Approval
does not signify that the contents neces-
sarily reflect the views and policies of
the Environmental Protection Agency, nor
does mention of trade names or commercial
products constitute endorsement or recom-
mendation for use.
ii
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ABSTRACT
This report describes the methods, results, conclusions,
and recommendations of the investigation of the nitrate
contamination in Runnels County, Texas. It was found that
most water well contamination is due to naturally occurring
nitrate. However, all the very high nitrate contamination
problems (>1000 ppm) are principally due to nitrate from
barnyards. The nitrate sources were confirmed utilizing
the nitrogen isotope ratio technique. The nitrate contami-
nation was caused by a rising water table which intersected
and dissolved nitrate deposits from the soil. The rising
water table was caused by a combination of low porosity
aquifers, increased infiltration (decreased surface runoff)
due to terracing, and several consecutive years of above
normal rainfall. There appears to be no economical way to
remove the nitrate from either the water or the soil.
Recommendations for ways for the area residents to obtain
potable water and for a continued monitoring program are
included.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of Project Number
16060 HNI under the sponsorship of the Water Quality Of-
fice, Environmental Protection Agency.
iii
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CONTENTS
Section
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
Conclusions
Recommendations
Introduction
Experimental Methods
Results and Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Publications and Patents
Glossary
Appendices
Page
1
3
5
23
31
83
85
89
91
93
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FIGURES
1 Nitrate in Other Areas of Texas 7
2 Rainfall in Runnels County, 1910-1971 10
3 Mechanisms of Nitrate Formation 17
4 Reflection of Infrared Light from a Leaf 20
5 Reflection of Light from a Leaf as a Function
of Wavelength 21
6 Apparatus for Sample Preparation 28
7 Geology of Runnels County 38
8 Measured Section of Well 1001 40
9 Water Level Recorders 44
10 Tritium in Groundwater and Precipitation 48
11 Potentiometric Water Level Map 50
12 Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 40 53
13 Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 25 54
14 Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 4 55
15 Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 12 56
16 Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Barnyard 68
17 Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Cotton Field 69
18 Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Cotton Field 70
19 Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Corn Field 71
20 Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Maize Field 73
21 Isotope Ratio as a Function of Nitrate Concen-
tration 75
22 Water Well Location Map 95
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TABLES
fro. Page
1 Nitrogen Isotope Ratios for Various Species 14
2 U. S. Public Health Service Limits 32
3 Summary of Water Quality 33
4 Results of Special Water Analyses 34
5 Tritium Content.of Precipitation 45
6 Data for Tritium Age-Dated Wells 47
7 Nitrate Content-Soil in Runnels County 58
8 Soil Nitrate in Other Areas 59
9 Isotope Ratio Data for Pumped Wells 65
10 Isotope Ratio Data for 33 Wells 66
Vll
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SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS
1. Most groundwater contamination problems are due to
natural nitrate, i.e., nitrate whose occurrence cannot be
attributed to activities of man.
2. The most probable source of this natural nitrate is
degradation of vegetation.
3- The extensive oil exploration and production which have
occurred in Runnels County did not contribute significantly
to the nitrate problem.
4. The use of nitrogen fertilizers did not contribute
significantly to the nitrate problem.
5. The present high nitrate concentrations in the ground-
water were caused when a rising water table encountered and
leached out nitrate from the soil.
6. The large rise in the water table was caused by low
porosity of the aquifers, increased infiltration due to
terracing, and by several consecutive years of above
average precipitation.
7. Some nitrate contamination of the groundwater existed
even before the recent rise in the water table.
8. The highest soil nitrate concentrations and the worst
groundwater contamination occur in the vicinity of barnyards
and septic tanks where nitrate from cattle or human wastes
has been added to the natural nitrate.
9. In some cases, poor well construction has contributed
to contamination of the groundwater by nitrate.
10. Not all of the soil nitrate has been leached out by the
groundwater. Tremendous quantities still exist at depths
less than 20 feet.
11. Additional nitrate will be leached if the water table
rises again.
12. There is no reason to believe that the nitrogen which
is presently added to the Runnels County soil each year
exceeds that added in other areas.
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13. The fact that soil nitrate is much higher under barn-
yards and under fields and pastures in Runnels County than
in other areas indicates the environment is somehow condu-
cive to the conversion of all available nitrogen to nitrate
and conducive to the retention of that nitrate in the un-
saturated soil zone.
14. The low porosity of the aquifers in Runnels^County
contributes to the high nitrate concentrations in the
groundwater because little dilution can take place.
15. High soil nitrates probably exist in other areas in
central and west Texas.
16. No indication of soil nitrate could be obtained from
infrared photographs of trees and plants.
17. The nitrate problem in Runnels County is due to a
combination of unfortunate circumstances:
a. Large quantities of natural nitrate are present
in the soil.
b. The porosity of the aquifers is low.
c. Climatic conditions 20 years ago were such as
to encourage terracing.
d. Climatic conditions changed to provide sufficient
precipitation to drastically raise the water
table, resulting in dissolution of part of the
soil nitrate.
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SECTION II
RECOMMENDATIONS
The most important parameter to be monitored in Runnels
County is the water table. Much nitrate is still in the
soil above the water table, and it will be leached out if
the water table rises again. A rise in the water table
could occur due to another period of unusually high rain-
fall. The only ways to prevent such a rise are extensive
pumping of most of the wells in the county, or removal of
terraces to increase runoff of rainwater. To aid in moni-
toring the water table in Runnels County it is recommended
that another water level recorder be installed, preferably
in the area between Wingate and Winters.
The change in water quality with time should be monitored
in Runnels County to obtain information on how fast the
aquifers "cleanse" themselves. The following wells are
recommended for semiannual (summer and winter) or annual
(summer) sampling for a complete water analysis: Wells 865,
309, 301, 386, 728, 105, 1004, and the Rowena City Well.
If all of these wells cannot be checked, the first four are
the most desirable. The eight wells listed above cover the
spectrum of wells contaminated by natural nitrate, barnyard
nitrate, septic tank nitrate, and virtually no nitrate.
It is recommended that soil nitrate studies be continued.
This should include semiannual (winter and summer) deter-
mination of soil nitrate profiles at the sites of Hole 1
and Hole 12 and yearly isotope ratio determinations for
wells 301, 309, 386 and 365. This information would reveal
how soil nitrate moves with seasonal climatic changes and
with the passages of time and reveal how stable the isotope
ratio is with time. Information on the stability of the
isotope ratio with time could be important in interpreting
changes in nitrate contamination.
The nitrate problem in Runnels County should be a clear
warning for other areas in West Texas. The problem was
brought on by the presence of high nitrate levels in the
soil and by a rising water table. If this problem is to be
avoided in other areas, it is important to identify those
areas which have high soil nitrate. Once located, water
level recorders should be installed. Land management prac-
tices should be evaluated. If possible, nitrogen isotope
ratios should be run to help identify sources of nitrate.
If the water table starts rising into the danger zone, as
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many wells as possible should be extensively pumped and the
water diverted to creeks or rivers. If the water table
rise continues, a choice may be necessary between the soil
conservation provided by terracing and the impaired ground-
water quality also brought about by the terracing.
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SECTION III
INTRODUCTION
Goals of This Study
This report describes the results of an investigation of the
nitrate contamination of the groundwater in Runnels County,
Texas. This program was jointly funded by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Water
Development Board.
This investigation had several goals, which are as follows:
1. To determine the extent and severity of the nitrate
contamination of the groundwater
2. To collect data regarding the geology, hydrology,
soil and water chemistry, and land use practices
in the contaminated areas
3. To determine the source of the nitrate
4. To develop a photographic technique to detect
areas of nitrate contamination
5. To recommend remedies for the contamination
problem
6. To recommend an ongoing monitoring program for
the contaminated areas.
To achieve the goals, three types of studies were under-
taken :
1. A series of field studies consisting of collection
and analysis of water and soil samples, geologic
and hydrologic investigations, and collection of
data on land use practices
2. A laboratory study in which a technique was de-
vised to measure the nitrogen isotope ratio of
the nitrogen in the nitrate from soil and water
samples, the purpose being to determine the
source of the nitrate.
3. A study of the near infrared reflectance of
plants and trees grown in low and high nitrate
areas, the purpose being to locate areas of
nitrate contamination by aerial photography.
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Nitrate in Other Areas of Texas
Runnels County appears to represent the worst case of what
may be a widespread nitrate pollution problem in the ground-
water aquifers of Texas. In 1951, George and Hastings1 con-
ducted a survey of some 20,000 water wells in 101 Texas
counties. They arbitrarily assumed that any nitrate in
excess of 20 ppm represented an unnaturally high nitrate
concentration. On this basis they reported the percentage
of the wells tested in a given county which had a nitrate
level greater than 20 ppm. Their results are shown in
Figure 1. Those counties with heavy borders were surveyed,
and the number printed in the county represents the per-
centage of wells with a nitrate level greater than 20 ppm.
A black dot indicates a municipal water supply with a
nitrate level greater than 50 ppm. Runnels County, lo-
cated in the west central part of the state, is marked
by an X. Unfortunately, Runnels County was not included
in George and Hastings survey.
It can be seen that nitrate occurrence is widespread in
Texas, and that the counties bordering Runnels County have
a high percentage of nitrate-containing wells. It is note-
worthy that the highest single nitrate sample (-1950 ppm)
in the state came from Coleman County which adjoins Runnels
County to the east. Some 3,000 of the 20,000 wells tested
had greater than 20 ppm nitrate. George and Hastings noted
that abnormal nitrate was found in water from formations
of all geologic ages, in marine and non-marine formations,
in limestone, sandstone, sand, gravel, and volcanics , in
all climatic areas, in presence of and in absence of cul-
tivation and pollution, and in wells of all depths. The
authors could not suggest a reasonable source of the ob-
served nitrate.
Health Effects of Nitrate
The best known problem due to nitrate consumption is
methemoglobinemia, a cyanosis which is brought about by
reduction of nitrate (NOg) to nitrite (NOg) by bacteria
by
in the digestive tract, followed by absorption of the
nitrite into the bloodstream where the nitrite oxidizes
the ferrous ion (Fe"1"1") in hemoglobin to ferric ion (Fe+++)
thereby preventing the transport of oxygen by the hemoglo- '
bin. This results in a gradual suffocation (cyanosis).
It is noteworthy that infants are most susceptible since
the acidity of their stomach is considerably less than
that of adults, resulting in a more favorable environment
for the nitrate- reducing bacteria. The digestive system
6
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•
Counties having municipal supplies
containing more than 50 parts per
million of nitrate.
21
Percent of nitrate determinations
showing nitrates more than 20 parts
per million. (Counties with less than
"K0"' 50 determinations omitted.)
Figure 1. Nitrate in Other Areas of Texas
7
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of animals such as cattle (ruminants) also is conducive to
this bacterial action. Therefore, when a nitrate problem
occurs, it is first reflected in health problems of cattle
or human infants.
It should be noted that the whole problem of methemoglobi-
nemia is poorly understood. The nitrate or nitrite con-
centration at which methemoglobinemia becomes a problem
may vary widely, and is most likely influenced by some as
yet unidentified factor or factors. Because of the methemo-
globinemia problem, the U. S. Public Health Service has set
a recommended maximum limit of 45 ppm nitrate for potable
water. It was observed in this study, however, that in a
few cases both humans and animals were using water contain-
ing more than 1000 ppm nitrate with no apparent ill effects.
In other areas, methemoglobinemia has resulted from using
water with as little as 50 ppm nitrate. Clearly, more
work is needed in the whole area of methemoglobinemia.
One point deserves further clarification. The high sus-
ceptibility of animals and human infants to methemoglob-
inemia derives from the bacteria in their digestive systems
which can convert nitrate to nitrite. If the water which
is being consumed already contains nitrite, however, even
healthy adults will be susceptible. At least two mech-
anisms are available to provide nitrite in the drinking
water. First, if the contamination is from surface pollu-
tion (e.g., barnyards or septic tanks) nitrite can be
present due to incomplete oxidation of the nitrogenous
waste materials. Second, nitrate in the groundwater can
be reduced to nitrite by a chemical reaction with iron
pipe or zinc coated (galvanized) pipe. This reaction con-
sists of corrosion of the metal, with the nitrate acting
as a hydrogen depolarizer.
Another important point is that water contaminated with
nitrate cannot be purified by boiling. The nitrate con-
centration will instead be increased due to the loss of
water by evaporation.
There is increasing evidence that nitrate and especially
nitrite may be linked to cancer. It was shown by Lijinsky
and Epstein that nitrite can react, under the conditions of
temperature and acidity in the human stomach, with second-
ary amines (from cooked foods) to form nitrosamines, some
types of which are highly carcinogenic.2 Other studies
also indicate a relationship between nitrate and can-
cer3 »4»5. if such a relationship is proven, the Public
Health Service limit of 45 ppm for nitrate in drinking
8
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water will have to be reevaluated. In addition, it may be
even more important to set limits on nitrite in drinking
water.
Clearly not all the effects of nitrate are yet known. It
is claimed, however, that livestock may develop thyroid
problems, rickets, enteritis, arthritis, and generally poor
health from ingesting nitrates.6
Runnels County
Runnels County is located in west-central Texas and has an
area of 1059 square miles. The climate of Runnels County
is semi-arid, according to the Koeppen-Geiger classifica-
tion.7 The average rainfall is 22.6 inches. The average
temperatures in January and July are 45.2° and 83.9°,
respectively.
The economy of Runnels County is based on the production of
cattle, sheep, hogs, cotton, wheat, sorghum, and oil. In
1970 there were 30,000 cattle, 66,000 sheep, and 3,600 hogs,
on the farms and ranches. In addition, some 27,500 bales
of cotton, 513,000 bushels of wheat, and 1,672,800 bushels
of sorghum were harvested. Irrigated farming is minimal
due to the lack of suitable water. Oil production was
substantial during the 1950fs (over 100 million barrels
since 1927), but tapered off to only a few million barrels
in 1970. The eastern and western sides of the county are
mostly ranchland, whereas the central part of the country
is largely devoted to farming. Even on the farms, however,
some livestock raising is typical. The number of livestock
raised on farms has decreased in the last few years because
the farmers fear loss of the animals to nitrate poisoning.
Some open range ranching was being conducted in Runnels
County by the late 1840Ts. By 1880 the population was 980,
with ranching still the principal occupation. The central
portion of the county was settled by farmers in the late
1890's. By 1930 the population had increased to 21,800,
then slowly decreased to 12,100 by 1970. Except for the
towns of Ballinger (population 4,200) and Winters (popu-
lation 2,900), Runnels County residents normally rely on
groundwater for their water supply. Since the advent of
the nitrate problem, however, many residents have resorted
to hauling water from Ballinger and Winters.
Rainfall is erratic in Runnels County as shown by Figure
2, which gives the yearly rainfall from 1910 to 1971.
The early 1950's were a period of severe drought. The
Colorado River dried up, as did the stock tanks and most
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50
45
35
30
25
20
15
10
Figure 2. Rainfall in Runnels County, 1910-1971
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of the water wells. This period was marked by extensive
terracing of the farmland in an attempt to conserve all
available precipitation and to prevent erosion of the top-
soil.
Before this period an extensive network of creeks existed
in Runnels County. These creeks provided numerous swim-
ming and fishing holes year round. During the 1950's and
1960's, these creeks and their watersheds were leveled
and terraced for maximum water conservation. By the
late 1960's most of the creeks which originated in farm-
ing areas of the county had been eliminated because of
the terracing across stream channels.
It should be noted that water quality problems are not new
to Runnels County. Several investigations have been con-
ducted regarding the high salinity of the groundwater in
certain areas. Runnels County has been the site of con-
siderable oil activity, with numerous holes being drilled
for seismic exploration and oil production. Many of these
holes penetrated the Coleman Junction formation, which
contains highly saline water under a pressure sufficient
to force it to the surface. Poor casing or plugging of
some of these holes is at least partly responsible for
the high salinity of some aquifers. Investigations of
salinity problems were conducted by the Texas Board of
Water Engineers in 19599 , and the Texas Railroad Com-
mission in 1968.10 These investigations indicated the
salinity was partly due to contamination and partly natu-
rally occurring. No problems with high nitrate were
reported.
The summers of 1968 and 1969 were marked by numerous cattle
deaths in Runnels County. An investigation by the Texas
Water Quality Board confirmed that the cattle deaths were
due to nitrate poisoning.11 The cattle deaths in 1969
prompted the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a
more extensive investigation of the problem.12 In this
study, concentrated in the southwest part of the county,
20 of 23 wells were found to contain high nitrate levels.
During this same period, the County Agent for Runnels
County, Mr. C. T. Parker, advised all the farmers and
ranchers to bring in samples of their well water. Approxi-
mately 850 of these water samples from throughout the
country were analyzed for nitrate and total dissolved
solids by the Texas A&M Extension Lab in Lubbock. Ap-
proximately 85% of these exceeded the Public Health Service
limit of 45 ppm nitrate.
11
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1967, 1968 and 1969 were years of above normal rainfall in
Runnels County. In almost all of the farming areas of the
county abnormally high water levels were observed in wells,
with some wells becoming free-flowing. Many seeps de-
veloped, most in areas where no seeps had ever before been
observed. The close timing between the rise in the water
table and the onset of the nitrate problem was apparent,
and led to two popular theories among the local residents.
The first was that unplugged oil wells were permitting
nitrate- laden water to be forced up from a deeper forma-
tion (e.g., Coleman Junction Formation), and the second was
that fertilizer-contaminated water from the irrigated farm-
ing areas of the high plains had somehow filtered down into
Runnels County. The possibility that the rising water had
encountered and leached out nitrate deposits was also sug-
gested.
Nitrogen Isotope Ratio Studies
Isotope Abundance
One of the goals of this study was to determine the source
of the nitrate by studying its nitrogen isotope ratio. The
nitrate anion (NO") contains one nitrogen atom and three
oxygen atoms. There are two naturally occurring, stable
(non-radioactive) isotopes of nitrogen, N14 and N1 5 . The
nucleus of a Ni4 atom contains seven protons and seven neu-
trons, while the nucleus of a N15 atom contains seven pro-
tons and eight neutrons. The nitrogen gas in air is composed
of 99.632% NI* and 0.368% N1 5 , i.e., 3680 of every million
nitrogen atoms in air are NIB . Junk and Svec analyzed air
samples from many localities and found no significant varia-
tion in the isotope composition of nitrogen. 2s In other
nitrogen-containing compounds the N1^ occurrence may be
different from that in air, however.
The NIS content of any particular nitrogen species is ex-
pressed in terms of the nitrogen isotope ratio (6), defined
as follows:
5 = N15 /KM (sample) - Ifis/KM (air)
N1 5 /N1 4 (air)
It can be seen that the nitrogen isotope ratio of air is
used as a reference. For species with a higher NIS content
than air the 6 value will be positive, while species with a
lower NIS content than air will have a negative 5 value.
Some isotope ratios which have been determined for various
12
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nitrogen containing species are shown in Table 1. An iso-
tope ratio mass spectrometer will permit determination of
6 values with an accuracy of ±0.5.
Mechanisms of Isotope Fractionation
It is worthwhile to consider why variations occur in the
isotope ratios of different species. Because of the extra
neutron in the N15 atom, it has a mass approximately 7%
greater than a N1 4 atom. This greater mass causes N15 to
behave in a slightly different manner from N1 4 . This dif-
ferent behavior may occur in several ways. Basically these
consist of physical fractionation, chemical equilibrium
fractionation, and chemical kinetic fractionation.
Physical fractionation can occur through diffusion, evapora-
tion, and sublimation. In diffusion the lighter isotope
(N14) should have a higher velocity. In evaporation and
sublimation the lighter isotope should have a higher vapor
pressure. Since ammonia is sometimes an intermediate in
the formation of nitrate, the evaporation of ammonia could
be an important isotope fractionation mechanism in Runnels
County.
Chemical equilibria fractionation (isotopic exchange
equilibria) is the concentration of an isotope in one spe-
cies of a chemical equilibria reaction. The values of the
equilibrium constants are dependent on the different energy
levels of the molecules involved. Urey34 calculated the
following isotopic equilibirum constants from partition
functions:
Calcu-
T°K lated q. Experimental
N14!^" +%(N2l5)-Nl5Hf +%N814 298.1 1.023 not determined
N14Ht +N1SH3 -N15Hi" +N14H3 298.1 1.035 1.034 ± .002
N14H^" +N150 ->N140 + Nl5Hj~ 298.1 1.038 not determined
%(Ng14)+Nl5H3 -^(N215)+N14H3 298.1 1.012 not determined
& = isotope equilibrium constant
Chemical equilibria fractionation could be important if
adsorption on soil particles occurs.
Chemical kinetic fractionation describes the tendency of
the two isotopes to react at different rates when under-
going the same reaction. If all the reactants are not
converted into products (because of side reactions or
13
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Table 1
Nitrogen Isotope Ratios for Various Species
Sample
Leaves, white clover
Leaves, dandelion
Leaves, cedar
Leaves, American elm
Oats
Egg, domestic chicken
Clam flesh
Lamb flesh
Milk
Peat
Peat
Lignite
Bituminous Coal
Cannel
Anthracite
Anthracite
Plaisted No. 1
Fletcher No. 10
Bitt No. 1
Natural Gas
Granite
Granite
Pitchblende
Chile nitratite
Sal ammoniac
Origin
Plant Protein
Local
Local
Local
Local
Unknown
Animal Protein
Local
Atlantic Ocean
Unknown
Local
Peat and Coal
Eire
Junius, N. Y.
Bowman, N. D.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Cannel City, Ky.
Gunnison, Colo.
Lehigh, Pa.
Oil and Gas Wells
Difference
in N1 E /N14
ratio from
standard
(parts per 1000)
-6.5
-2.8
1.3
1.9
6.2
5.8
7.3
5.0
5.1
1.9
•2.8
•1.2
•0.9
1.6
•1.2
•1.4
Marchand Formation,Okla. -3.5
Marchand Formation,Okla. -7.6
Hart Formation, Okla. -11.5
Washington County, Ark. -5.9
Rocks and Minerals
Chelmsford, Mass. -0.2
Milford, Mass. -0.9
Great Bear Lake, Canada -2.3
Inorganic Nitrogen
Tarapaca, Chile -2.6
Paracutin, Mexico 13.0
14
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incomplete reactions) the nitrogen isotope ratio will dif-
fer for the reactants and products. The particular isotope
ratio for the products will depend on (a) the initial iso-
tope ratio of the reactants, and (b) the particular reaction
which occurred. It should be noted that environmental
parameters can affect isotope fractionation. For example,
high temperatures (hundreds of degrees) tend to lessen the
tendency of the two isotopes to react at different rates,
thus less isotope fractionation would be expected at high
temperatures. This is because the slight differences in
energy levels (due to the slightly different masses of the
nitrogen atoms) become less important as the total energy
of the system is increased by the added heat (molecular
motion). Bacterially-aided reactions are another example
of environmental influence on isotope fractionation. Such
reactions often exhibit significant fractionation.
The purpose of the nitrogen isotope ratio study in Runnels
County was to take advantage of the dependence of the
nitrogen isotope ratio of a particular compound (specifi-
cally nitrate) on the type of reaction (or series of reac-
tions) which formed that compound. As an example, nitrate
formed during the manufacture of fertilizer should go
through a different series of reactions than nitrate formed
from animal wastes, and should therefore exhibit a dif-
ferent nitrogen isotope ratio.
Nitrogen Reservoirs
Nitrogen reservoirs are the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydro-
sphere and terrestrial biosphere. The atmosphere is the
major reservoir. Atmospheric nitrogen isotopic composition
appears uniform throughout.28 Ammonia and nitrate of ter-
restrial origin are present in minute concentrations.28
Hoering29 suggests from isotopic data that atmospheric
nitrate originates from oxidation of ammonia, not from
lightning. v
In the lithosphere, nitrogen in at least trace amounts is
found in nearly all rocks. The average in igneous rocks
is remarkably constant at 5 pptn.30 Nitrogen is cosmically
one of the more abundant elements, but in igneous rocks it
has been depleted (relative to cosmic abundances) by a
factor of approximately 7.5 x 10+7. The less nitrogen in
an igneous rock, the more enriched it is in N15 , possibly
because lighter nitrogen is lost (diffuses) more easily.Sl
White and Yagoda32 analyzed nitrogen occluded in radioactive
minerals (pitchblende and uraninite). They found very
large 6 values ranging from +457 to +605.
15
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The nitrogen content of some sedimentary rocks is as high
as 116 ppm. Miyake and Wada33 found ammonia and organic
nitrogen to be the major nitrogen compounds in marine
sediments.
The ocean is one category of the biosphere that participates
in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is introduced primarily by
the solution of atmospheric nitrogen in sea water. Benson
and Parker35 found an average 6N15 of +0.13 for sea water
in the North Atlantic Ocean. They attribute this positive
6 value to fractionation at the air water interface and
possible denitritication. All organic N had positive 6N15
values, with higher 6 values in the more complicated or-
ganisms. The 6N15 in phytoplankton and seaweed has an
average value of +7, whereas 6N15 for zooplankton and fish
is +10 and +15, respectively.
Nitrate Formation in Runnels County
It would appear that the nitrogen reservoir which supplied
the nitrogen for the nitrate in Runnels County must be the
atmosphere. Sedimentary rocks in the Permian formations
are another possibility; however, the fact that nitrogen
in such rocks typically occurs as ammonia and organic
nitrogen argues against this. These compounds must be oxi-
dized to obtain nitrate, and it does not seem reasonable
that these compounds would sit around for hundreds of mil-
lions of years and then suddenly (in geologic terms) be
oxidized to nitrate. If on the other hand, they were oxi-
dized to nitrate long ago, it seems improbable that such
near-surface nitrate deposits would have survived the humid
climates of the Pleistocene and early Holocene epochs.
Assuming the atmosphere to be the important reservoir,
several reaction paths for the production of nitrate can
be visualized. The most reasonable paths are shown in
Figure 3. These' include (a) nitrate due to fixation by
free-living bacteria, (b) nitrate from fertilizer, (c)
nitrate from decayed plants, (d) nitrate from legumes,
(e) nitrate from animal wastes, and (f) nitrate from human
wastes. Not all possible paths are shown, e.g., nitrate
formed by lightning or photochemical reactions in the
atmosphere. During the period since the area has been
farmed, introduction of nitrate due to legumes (nitrate D)
is unlikely. Previous to this time, however, leguminous
plants could have existed.
An examination of Figure 3 shows that the overall reaction
schemes can be very complex due to possible recycling of
the nitrate. This is only true at depths within the root
16
-------
Bacteria
Azobacter, Qostridium
Process
5 (air)
legumes plus rhizodium bacteria
NH,
Amino
Acids
I
A mi no
Acids
plant
growth
Commercial -> PLANTS
Fertilizer ^ ^ *tf
I
I
NH
plant x. \
decay \
\ V
\
\
\
' f
I
\
\
\
NO
\ oxidation
M.
NO.
O
— ^Animals ^Humans
I
Animal
Wastes
I
Human
Wastes
NHr
oxidation
O
oxidation
B
D
E
Figure 3. Mechanisms of Nitrate Formation
-------
zone of plants, however. Once the nitrate is flushed be-
yond the root zone it should be unavailable for further
recycling. It should be noted that many of the reactions
shown are caused or aided by bacteria. It can be seen in
Figure 3 that the ammonia and nitrate from human and animal
wastes are not assumed to participate in recycling. This
is because these wastes are concentrated at particular
sites (barnyards or septic tanks) where plants either do
not grow or are not numerous enough to consume significant
amounts of the nitrate.
A complete examination of the nitrogen isotope behavior for
all the reactions shown in Figure 3 was beyond the scope of
this work. The approach used was to obtain nitrate samples
from the soil at sites where the source of the nitrate could
be reasonably predicted. The isotope ratio was determined
for each of these "types" of nitrate, and compared to the
isotope ratio which was determined for nitrate samples ex-
tracted from the groundwater at various sites in the county.
In this way nitrate in the groundwater could be linked to a
specific source through the nitrogen isotope ratio.
Infrared Photography Studies
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility
of using infrared photography to detect near-surface nitrate
deposits in the soil. Awareness of such potential trouble
sites might in some cases permit prevention,of the kind of
problem which has occurred in Runnels County. For example,
extensive pumping of many wells in the county in 1967, 1968
and 1969 might have prevented the rise in the water table
and the subsequent leaching of the nitrate deposits. If
successful, aerial infrared photographic surveys would pro-
vide an inexpensive method for detecting high nitrate areas.
The basic approach was to look for differences in the near
infrared radiation reflected by normal plants and by plants
exposed to large quantities of nitrate.
Background
The sun emits radiation over a broad range of wavelengths.
The visible light given off by the sun cover the range of
wavelengths (and colors) from 0.4 microns (violet) to 0.7
microns (red). Adjoining the visible spectrum on the upper
end is the infrared region, which covers the range of wave-
lengths from 0.7 microns to 14 microns. That portion of
the infrared spectrum from 0.7 to 1.35 microns is known as
the "near infrared".
18
-------
It has been found that considerable information can be ob-
tained about the health of plants by studying the near
infrared radiation (from the sun) which is reflected by the
plant leaves. This study of reflected infrared radiation
should not be confused with infrared imagery, in which
infrared radiation emitted by the plant itself (wavelength
3 to 14 microns) is detected. Near infrared reflectance
studies are done in bright sunlight. Infrared imagery
studies are typically done at night. Both types of studies
can provide useful information for agricultural, geological,
and hydrological studies.
When radiation encounters some medium, one or more of three
processes will take place. First, the radiation may be re-
flected. Second, the radiation may be absorbed. Third,
the radiation may be transmitted on through the medium. If
the radiation is in the near infrared region, and the me-
dium is a plant leaf, all three processes take place to some
extent, but most of the radiation is either reflected or
transmitted. Transmitted radiation may subsequently be
reflected if it strikes another leaf. This situation is
shown in Figure 4. Note that reflected radiation actually
penetrates into the cell structure of the leaf before being
reflected. Because of this, the leaf structure and content
will influence the reflected radiation40. An evaluation of
the reflected radiation (which is recorded as a photograph
on infrared-sensitive film) can therefore provide informa-
tion about the plant which was photographed.
Figure 5 shows typical reflection (by a leaf) of light in
the visible and infrared regions as a function of wave-
length. It can be seen that most visible light is absorbed,
however, a reflection peak occurs at about 0.55 microns.
It is this reflection which gives plants their green ap-
pearance. It can also be seen that most infrared light is
reflected from a healthy plant. This difference in reflec-
tion of visible and infrared light was put to good use in
World War II for camouflage detection. The camouflage could
easily duplicate the absorption of visible light, but not
the reflectance of infrared light. Aerial infrared photo-
graphs could thus pinpoint camouflaged areas.
The reflectance spectrum in Figure 5 shows healthy plant
behavior. If a plant is diseased, the microscopic leaf
structure will be different, thus the reflectance of the
leaf will change. Extensive use has been made of this
characteristic to locate plant diseases by aerial photog-
raphy. The technique is very sensitive and frequently can
detect diseased plants before any sign of disease is ap-
parent to the eye. This permits early treatment and mini-
mizes crop losses.
19
-------
ABSORBED
REFLECTED
TRANSMITTED
SECONDARY REFLECTION
CROSS SECTION
OF PLANT LEAVES
Figure 4. Reflection of Infrared Light from a Leaf
20
-------
I
§
w
a
w
H
U
W
UV
INFRARED
Blue
Green
Red
0.4
0.7
Figure 5.
WAVELENGTH (MICRONS)
Reflection of Light from a Leaf as a Function of Wavelength
-------
It was the goal of this study to determine whether exposure
to high soil nitrate levels might cause a change in leaf
structure which could be detected by studying photographs
of infrared radiation reflected from the leaf.
It should be noted that no specific wavelength of infrared
radiation is studied, but rather a range of wavelengths.
This range depends on the type of film used in the camera
and the type of filter used.
Just how excessive nitrate might affect plant leaf structure
is not precisely known. The reflection of light from plant
leaves depends on the morphology of the cell walls, inter-
cellular air space, fluid within the cells, and the chloro-
plasts40. There is some indication that plants exposed to
excess nitrate will store nitrate in the leaves until it is
needed for conversion to plant protein41 . This might cause
a change in the reflected radiation. In addition, it has
been observed42'43 that high nitrates increase the chloro-
phyll content of leaf pigments. This also should change
the reflected radiation.
It can be seen that the depth of the nitrate is important
if plants are to be used as indicators of subsurface ni-
trate, i.e., the nitrate must not be below the root zone
of the plant. The most ideal indicator for an area such
as Runnels County would be the mesquite tree. The mesquite
has a deep tap root and is widely occurring. Even heavily
cultivated areas typically have a few mesquite trees along
fence lines and around barnyards. Cultivated crops might
be more sensitive to nitrate, however, their shallower root
systems would not indicate deep nitrate deposits.
22
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SECTION IV
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Data were collected in several types of studies. These
included geological and hydrological studies, collection of
information from local residents, studies of soil nitrate
and water chemistry, studies of the nitrogen isotope ratio
of the nitrate, and infrared photography studies of plants
in the contaminated areas.
Survey of the Problem
This involved visiting many of the farms and ranches in
Runnels County to collect water samples and obtain informa-
tion. The area residents were very cooperative during this
survey. In many cases the land had been passed down from
father to son, so fairly lengthy historical data were avail-
able .
The water samples were collected in one quart plastic bot-
tles, capped, and sent to the Texas Department of Health
for analysis. The analysis was for nitrate, chloride, sul-
fate, fluoride, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, silicate,
magnesium, pH, and total dissolved solids. A few special
analyses for nitrite, organic carbon (analyzed at a Depart-
ment of Interior Laboratory), and orthophosphate were also
performed. Whenever possible, the well being sampled was
pumped for 15 minutes to assure that a representative
sample of the groundwater was obtained. No preservation
was added.
The information which was collected was of two types, well
data and land use practices.
Well Data
a. Well location (on county map)
b. Well altitude (estimated from topographical maps)
c. Well depth
d. Depth to water
e. Age of well
f. Type of pump
g. Condition of casing
23
-------
h. Distance, direction, and surface gradient to possible
sources of contamination such as barnyards or septic
tanks
Land Use Practices
a. Previous fertilizer usage in the area
b. History of livestock raising and confinement in the
area
c. Terracing
d. Oil well exploration or production activities in the
area
Geological and Hydrological Studies
Groundwater age dating was accomplished by determining tri-
tium concentrations. Much of the groundwater exists in
carbonate aquifers which would greatly complicate carbon
dating. In addition, tritium age dating is a good technique
for young water, especially if the tritium concentration
in rainwater is known for the past several decades.
Continuous recordings of groundwater levels were maintained
at two sites in the county by the Texas Water Development
Board. These recorders were installed in July 1970.
Four aquifer tests were performed to determine storage
coefficients and transmissivities. In these tests, one well
was pumped at a known rate, and the water level in a nearby
observation well was monitored as a function of time. Wells
in both gravel and limestone aquifers were tested.
As a result of the extensive oil exploration in Runnels
County, fairly complete geological data were available.
This was supplemented by on site investigations of near-
surface geology at selected sites in the county;
Soil Nitrate Studies
Eighty-four holes were drilled in Runnels County to investi-
gate the nitrate content of the sub-surface soils. Four-
inch diameter holes were drilled with an air-rotary drilling
rig to a depth of 20 feet unless the water table was en-
countered first. Soil samples (in the form of finely di-
vided particles) were collected every foot and stored in
plastic bags.
24
-------
The analytical procedure consisted of weighing out \ pound
of the soil sample and leaching it with 500 ml of de-
ionized^water (with mixing) for 15 minutes. The solution-
suspension was then tested for chloride and nitrate con-
centrations using Orion Research, Inc., specific-ion
electrodes, model numbers 94-17A and 92-07, and the single-
junction reference electrode, model number 90-01. These
electrodes, and their reliability, were described by Mana-
han15. Chloride ion was found to interfere with nitrate
at low nitrate concentrations. Consequently, all nitrate
values are corrected for chloride interference. The clay
and silt in suspension after mixing did not interfere with
the electrode readings. For convenience, the nitrate values
were converted to milligrams of nitrate per kilogram (mg/
kg) of soil sample. Twenty random samples were checked by
wet chemical analysis to determine the accuracy of the
nitrate electrode. Analyses were generally within ten per-
cent of the wet chemical analyses. Because of all the
steps taken to determine the nitrate concentrations in the
soils, a 20 percent error seems likely. Considering the
number of samples analyzed and the difficulty of obtaining
reproducible results in natural systems, plus the extremely
high concentrations of nitrate, these experimental errors
are acceptable.
There were basically four types of soils of interest — soil
under barnyards, soil near septic tank laterals, soil in
cultivated fields, and soil in pastures which had never
been under cultivation. In most cases, the results of the
groundwater analyses were used to select areas of interest
for soil studies. In many cases, several holes were
drilled in a particular area to try to determine the in-
fluence of a barnyard or septic tank on the subsurface
nitrate of that area.
Nitrogen Isotope Ratio Determination
Isotope analysis is most conveniently performed on nitrogen
gas (N2). This means that all nitrate samples must be re-
duced to nitrogen gas, and this conversion must be per-
formed without introducing any isotope fractionation during
the sample preparation. Once the nitrate is converted to
nitrogen gas, the gas must be purified to remove inter-
fering species (e.g., carbon monoxide) and to remove spe-
cies such as oxygen which might damage the filaments in
the mass spectrometer. The techniques which were developed
for sample collection and sample preparation were as fol-
lows .
25
-------
Collection of Soil and Water Samples
Wells were pumped at least ten minutes before collection of
water samples. (This step was found to be very important).
Water samples were stored in one quart plastic bottles at
room temperature. No effect was observed on the isotope
ratio for storage times up to two months. The groundwater
contained sufficient nitrate that concentration of the
initial water sample was not required.
Soil samples were collected with an air-rotary drilling rig
to a maximum depth of ten feet, a sample being_collected
every foot. Each sample was stored in a plastic bag. No
difference was observed in isotope ratio between a sample
which was kept frozen and one which was stored at room
temperature for several days. This probably was because
(a) the samples were well aerated during drilling thus pre-
venting denitrification, and (b) the relatively brief period
between collection and analysis did not permit significant
conversion of organic nitrogen to nitrate. Weighed samples
of soils were leached overnight in de-ionized water. The
leachate was separated by centrifuging.
Preparation of Nitrogen Gas
Since only the isotope ratio of the nitrate was of interest,
other oxidation states of nitrogen had to be removed. These
included NH^, organic nitrogen, and nitrite. (For ground-
water samples this step was probably unnecessary due to the
high nitrate concentration and low concentration of other
species.)
a. The approximate nitrate concentration was determined
using a specific ion electrode. An aliquot containing ap-
proximately 50 milligrams of nitrate was treated with 5 ml
of sulfamic acid to convert any nitrite in the solution to
nitrogen gas.
b. Following the technique of Bremmer and Keeney36 for
removing organic nitrogen and ammonia, the pH of the solu-
tion was raised to 10 by adding powdered magnesium oxide
(MgO). This solution was steam distilled until 50 ml of
distillate were collected. At this stage, interfering
forms of nitrogen had been removed.
c. The outlet of the water-jacketed condenser was next
immersed in a flask containing 50 ml of O.lN HC1. Five mg
of Devarda's alloy (50% passing 200 mesh screen, 100% pass-
ing 100 mesh screen) was added through a sidearm on the
flask which was immediately re-stoppered. This solution
26
-------
was stirred for two hours without heating. The nitrate in
the sample was reduced to ammonia during this stage.
d. The sample was next redistilled until 75 ml of distil-
late were collected in the 0.1 N HC1 solution. Tests run
on standards showed that 99+% of the nitrate in the origi-
nal sample was converted to ammonia at this stage. (The
distillation apparatus was later cleaned by distilling
reagent grade ethanol until 50 ml of distillate were col-
lected.)
e. The acidic ammonium solution was next titrated with 0.1
N NaOH to determine the amount of nitrate in the original
sample. As soon as the end point was reached (at pH 5.3),
the pH was immediately reduced to 2 by adding ION HC1 to
prevent any evaporation of ammonia.
f. The sample was next concentrated by heating on a hot
plate at 70-80°C until the volume was reduced to 5 to 10
ml. Standards revealed that no loss of ammonia occurred
during this step.
g. A special apparatus is required from this stage on to
prepare the sample. A diagram of this apparatus is shown
in Figure 6. This apparatus basically consists of a sample
reaction tube to react ammonia with hypobromite, a vacuum
source, a pump for circulating the gas (Toeppler Pump), two
furnaces, and a sample collection tube.
An aliquot of approximately 25 mg of IMH^Cl from step (f)
was placed in the large reaction tube. Approximately 5 ml
of sodium hypobromite solution (freshly prepared37 from
bromine and sodium hydroxide) was placed in the small side-
arm tube. A flask of liquid nitrogen was raised up from
beneath the two reaction tubes until both solutions were
surrounded, and thus frozen. Stopcocks B and A were then
opened, exposing the reaction tubes to the rest of the sys-
tem, which had been previously evacuated. Stopcock A was
closed, the liquid nitrogen removed, and the solutions al-
lowed to melt. Any nitrogen gas from the air which had
initially dissolved in these liquids tends to enter the
vapor phase above the solutions. The solutions were then
refrozen, stopcock A opened, then closed. This cycle was
repeated several times to assure complete removal of all
air from the samples.
After the solutions had warmed up, the small side tube was
rotated 180° , spilling the hypobromite solution into the
acidic ammonia solution. The ammonia was oxidized to nitro-
gen gas according to the following reaction:
27
-------
Sample
Reaction
Tubes
oo
Mercury
Diffusion
Pump
Heater
Cold
Trap
Z
Copper
2-Way
Solenoid Valve
Manometers
Toeppler
Pump
\
Vacuum
Pumps
Figure 6. Apparatus for Sample Preparation
-------
2NH3 + 3NaOBr = 3NaBr + 3H20 + N2
The nitrogen gas produced was allowed to pass through stop-
cocks A and B (stopcocks C and F closed) and into that part
of the system containing the furnaces and Toeppler pump.
Cold trap W removed water and other condensibles from the
gas. The nitrogen gas was then circulated for four hours
by the Toeppler pump through the loop formed by the fur-
naces, cold trap X, the Toeppler pump, and stopcocks G and
E. The purpose of this was to remove all oxygen and carbon
monoxide from the nitrogen gas. The oxygen was removed by
reaction with the copper in one furnace (T=800°C) while the
carbon monoxide was removed by reaction with the copper
oxide in the other furnace (T=400°C). The carbon dioxide
produced by the later reaction was removed at cold trap X.
When the gas had been sufficiently purified, three-way
stopcock G was turned so that the Toeppler pump forced the
gas through stopcocks G, I, and K, into the sample collec-
tion tube (stopcocks K and L closed). Stopcock J was then
closed and the sample collection tube removed. This tube
could be attached directly to an isotope ratio mass spec-
trometer to permit determination of the N15/^4 isotope
ratio in the nitrogen gas sample.
Discussion of Sample Preparation
Although quite complex, the above procedure must be strictly
adhered to if acceptable results are to be obtained. This
procedure was developed and checked with standard nitrate
samples. It is important that exactly the same techniques
be used from sample to sample. A standard sample (known
concentration and isotope ratio) should be run about every
fifth sample to insure that no changes have occurred in
the preparation or analysis procedures.
Infrared Photography Studies
Both ground and aerial photographs were taken. For reasons
discussed in the Introduction, the greatest emphasis was
on mesquite trees; however, cotton crops were also photo-
graphed. This photography was largely done in the month
of July. The cotton crops were approximately half grown.
A frame to hold four cameras was constructed. This permit-
ted simultaneous use of four film or filter combinations.
For ground studies this system worked well; however, it
proved to be too cumbersome for aerial photography from the
plane which was available (Piper Super Cub). Consequently,
aerial photographs were taken with single cameras.
29
-------
In the aerial photography the basic approach was to obtain
in a single picture trees or crops exposed to both low and
high nitrate areas. This would permit direct comparison
of the plants in these areas. Comparing two separate pic-
tures is much more difficult due to differences in sun
angle, distance, and exposure; however, this was necessary
for the ground shots. Obtaining an aerial photograph of
both low and high nitrate areas usually meant including a
barnyard in the picture. One problem was in finding a
really low nitrate area for comparison. Even though an
area a few hundred yards from a barnyard might be low com-
pared to the barnyard, it was still quite high as compared
to nitrate observed in other states.16'17'18 One regular
color photograph was always taken to aid in interpreting
the infrared color shots.
Two types of cameras were used, Canon FT-QL and Topcon
Super-D. The Topcon camera was used with high speed Ekta-
chrome (daylight) rated at A.S.A. 160. The film was de-
veloped with Kodak Process E-4 chemicals with no change
from the developing instructions. Aerial shots were taken
with a glass polarizing filter. A 135 mm lens was used
(f/2.8).
The Canon cameras were used with several types of filters,
lenses, and film developing procedures. One combination
consisted of a Wratten #12 gelatin filter with Ektachrome
infrared film. The #12 Wratten filters out everything be-
low 0.50 microns except for 1% transmittance between 0.30-
0.34 microns. The film was developed without any change
in the developing instructions. A 100 mm lens, f/3.5, was
used. All photographs were shot at 1/125 second between
f/8 - f/16.
Another combination was an Optics Technology, Inc. (O.T.I.)
glass filter and Ektachrome infrared film. This filter had
a("window" at 0.70 to 0.74 microns (37% transmittance) with
less than 1% transmittance below 0.66 and above 0.76 mi-
crons. The film was developed with Kodak E-4 process. The
time of the "first developer" was increased by a factor of
1.75. A 55 mm lens (f/1.2) with a 2X Teleconverter was
used. All photographs were taken between 1/15 second and
1/60 second at f/2.4.
A third combination was a Wratten 89B filter and Ektachrome
infrared film. The 89B filter excludes all radiation be-
low 0.68 microns. The film was developed with Kodak Pro-
cess E-4 with no change in developing instructions. A 100
mm, f/35, lens was used. All photographs were shot between
1/125 second between f/8 - f/16.
30
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SECTION V
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Water Analyses
A total of 233 wells were sampled in this study. The de-
tailed analysis of each sample is too lengthy to present
here so they are included in Appendix I. Each well was
assigned a well number, and a map at the front of Appendix
I gives the well location by number.
In general, the Runnels County groundwater is of poor qual-
ity. The U. S. Public Health Service recommended limits
for certain species in potable water are given in Table 2.
A comparison of the 233 water analyses in Appendix I with
these limits reveals that groundwater quality would be very
poor even if no nitrate were present, and only 27 of 233
analyses had less than the maximum limit for nitrate. Well
1034, when first checked, had a nitrate content of 3584 mg/
&. As far as is known this is the highest nitrate level
ever found in a well. After pumping this well for several
hours the nitrate level decreased to 2162 mg/£. On the
average, Runnels County groundwater considerably exceeds
the recommended limit for every species for which a limit
has been set. Table 3 gives the high, low, and average
concentrations for each species.
Some special analyses were performed in an effort to deter-
mine whether the water might be polluted by organic wastes
such as septic tanks or barnyards. These are listed in
Table 4. Most of these wells were chosen because of their
proximity (either near or far) to sources of pollution and
because of their nitrate content (either high or low).
Ammonia is uniformly low in these samples, as might be ex-
pected due to the strong adsorption of ammonia by soil
particles. Nitrite ranges from very low to high. The
presence of nitrite typically indicates incomplete oxida-
tion of nitrogen containing wastes, i.e., that the wastes
are a fairly recent addition. Organic carbon ranges from
low to high; however, the large spread obtained in the
analysis of the one duplicate sample leaves all these
values open to question. Phosphate is uniformly low, again
not surprising in view of the high calcium content and
relatively high pH of most of these waters (see Appendix
I).
Wells tapping limestone aquifers generally had higher
levels of nitrate and other contaminants than did wells in
31
-------
Table 2
U. S. Public Health Service Limits
Species
Nitrate (NC^)
Chloride (Cl~)
Fluoride (F~)
Sulfate (SOD
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Calcium (Ca"1"1")
Magnes ium (Mg )
Sodium (Na+)
Bicarbonate (HCOg)
Silicate (SiO")
U. S. Public Health Service
Recommended Limit (mg/jQ
45
250
0.7-1.2 (optimum)
250
500
No limit specified
No limit specified
No limit specified
No limit specified
No limit specified
32
-------
Table 3
Summary of Water Quality
Concentration (mg/A)
Species Low Average High
Nitrate 0.4 287 3584
Chloride 5 471 3100
Fluoride 0.4 2.3 4.8
Sulfate 11 335 1940
Total Dissolved Solids 339 1809 8150
Calcium 64 248 1390
Magnesium 9 91 432
Sodium 8 232 1270
Bicarbonate 31 277 600
Silicate 7 22 44
33
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Table 4
Results of Special Water Analyses
Well No. NH3
114 <1.0
177 <1.0
182 <1.0
210 <1.0
264 <1.0
277 <1.0
301
-------
alluvial deposits. This is very likely due to the lower
porosity of the limestone, resulting in less opportunity
for dilution of contaminants.
Survey of Land Use Practices and Well Data
The results of the survey are presented in Appendix II.
The location of the wells is given by the map at the front
of Appendix I.
Well Construction
Well construction is generally very poor. Most of the wells
are old and have very thin "stovepipe" casing which is
easily perforated by corrosion. Almost none of the casings
were cemented in to seal off pollution from surface sources
or shallow groundwater. Even the newer wells with plastic
casings are rarely cemented. In one case (well 365;,
perched groundwater with a nitrate concentration of 1000
mg/X, was draining into the well bore. Although inexpensive,
the stovepipe casing and lack of cement have undoubtedly
contributed to pollution of some wells.
Terracing
It seems almost certain that the extensive terracing of
farming areas resulted in the rise in the water table in
1968-1969. The possible causes of such a rise are fairly
limited, and include:
(1) increased percolation of precipitation
(2) infiltration from deeper groundwater
(3) decreased transpiration by plants (phreatophytes).
If the rise were from infiltration, it should have been a
slow steady rise over many years since the unplugged shot
hole and oil wells have existed for decades. In addition,
since the wells were dry in the 1950's the water should be
much more saline if it were due to infiltration. Finally,
the age of the groundwater (^20 years) as determined by
tritium dating is not consistent with the infiltration
theory. Some infiltration is very likely occurring, but
not enough to account for the widespread rise in the water
table.
Plants with very deep tap roots (phreatophytes) which reach
the water table can remove large quantities of water by
transpiration in dry climates such as Runnels County. The
35
-------
eradication of these plants would remove a loss mechanism
for the groundwater, and thus contribute to the accumula-
tion of groundwater. This is unlikely as a major contribu-
tor to the groundwater rise, however, since the only wide-
spread phreatophyte is the mesquite, and its eradication
has not been that systematic. In addition, some of the
most dramatic rises in the water table have occurred in
heavily farmed areas which have never had mesquite.
It can be seen from Figure 2 that there were several periods
of higher total rainfall than the 67-69 era when the major
r-Ne in the water table occurred, thus increased rainfall
a.u'ne does not seem sufficient to account for the water
ta'i/le rise. The disappearance of many of the creeks in the
county in the last twenty years indicates that the relative
amounts of percolation and run-off of rain have been sig-
nificantly altered. The increased percolation due to
terracing combined with a period of above-normal rainfall
could account for the rise in the water table.
Fertilizer
The land use survey revealed that very little fertilizer is
used in Runnels County. The great majority of the farming
is dry land farming, and rainfall is too erratic to permit
the optimum gain to be realized from fertilizer. In addi-
tion, as shown by the soil studies, the soil nitrogen in
most areas is already more than adequate.
Waste Disposal
Disposal of. animal and human wastes in Runnels County is
typical of other rural areas in the state. Only the towns
of Ballinger and Winters have sewage systems, thus other
areas use septic tanks. The digested liquid from the sep-
tic tanks seep into the surrounding soil from these
laterals. Part or all of the nitrogen from this liquid is
subsequently converted to nitrate. (If all the nitrogen
were converted to nitrate, one human could produce approxi-
mately 50 pounds of nitrate per year.) Being highly sol-
uble, this nitrate may dissolve in percolating rainwater
or in rising groundwater. Nitrate is not strongly ad-
sorbed by soil particles, and moves freely with the water
in which it dissolves. Organic matter from the septic
tank lateral is usually adsorbed more strongly by soil
particles. If the septic tank is located in a soil with
some clay content, and if the water table is fairly deep,
this "filtering" action by the soil may be quite effective
in preventing contamination of groundwater. In limestone,
however, where most water transport is through fractures,
36
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both nitrate and organic matter may reach the water table.
Unfortunately, conditions for effective filtering are not
favorable in much of Runnels County.
Barnyards are similar to septic tanks with respect to ground-
water pollution except that higher nitrates can be expected
since a cow may produce 600 pounds of nitrate per year.
Again, limestone formations provide the greatest opportunity
'for shallow groundwater contamination. In general, the
closer a well is to a septic tank or barnyard the greater
the opportunity for contamination. Each particular situa-
tion depends on the local hydrogeology, well depth, and
well construction, however.
t
Geological and Hydrological Studies
The Colorado River flows west to east through Runnels County
and is the major drainage channel. The main tributaries
of the river are Oak, Valley, Elm, and Mustang Creeks to
the north and Red Bank and Pony Creeks to the south. These
creeks and the Colorado River are actively eroding the Per-
mian bedrock. Pleistocene and Recent fluvial and aeolian
deposits parallel the Colorado River, with a maximum lateral
extent of two miles and a probable maximum thickness of 40
feet. Lithology of the fluvial deposits varies from pre-
dominantly clay and silt to sand and gravel. The aeolian
deposits are composed of fine-grained quartz sand.
The entire county is underlain by rocks of Permian Age
(Figure 7). The rocks strike northeast and dip to the
northwest at approximately 40 feet per mile. During Per-
mian time this area was part of the eastern shelf of the
Permian Basin. The sedimentary sequence is one of increas-
ing clastic deposition with massive limestones in the lower
part of the section grading upward to sandstones and con-
glomerates in the uppermost section.
The Permian sediments belong to the Wichita-Albany and Clear
Fork Groups. According to Beede and Waite1 3, formations of
the Wichita-Albany Group that crop out are the Bead Mountain
Formation, 55 feet of marls and limestone; the Grape Creek
Formation, 130 feet of marly limestones and resistant lime-
stones; the Talpa Formation, 400 feet of shales, marls, and
limestone; the Clyde Formation, 530 feet of shales, marly
limestones, and resistant limestones; and the Leuders Forma-
tion, consisting of approximately 190 feet of marly lime-
stones and shales. The formations of the Clear Fork Group
that crop out in the area are the Arroyo Formation, 260
feet of shales, marls, limestones, and basal lenses of
gypsum; the Vale Formation, 150 feet of shale with a few
37
-------
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF RUNNELS COUNTY
SuneAu v ECONOMIC CtOLOGv AND TECHNOLOGY. JAUooEN. DIRECTOR. O.W-BtEOE. GEOLOGIST. V.V.WAITE. AWI
BOUNDARIES OF GRAPECRtcn,TALfvv>.NO PAINT ROCH,FORMATIONS MOOI'ICO FROM OWKE. MOSTOFOTHER
AuSTtn \3\9
LEGEND
CRETACEOUS
Figure 7. Geology of Runnels County
38
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sandstone and limestone beds; and the Choza Formation, con-
sisting of 870 feet of red shales with a few limestone and
sandstone beds. An outcropping of the San Angelo Formation
(175 feet of red sand and silt-stone grading downward into
a basal quartz pebble conglomerate) of the Pease River
Group occurs in the extreme northwest corner of the county.
Moro and Table Mountains are mesas in the northeastern cor-
ner of the county. These cretaceous outliers are remnants
of the Edwards Plateau and lie unconformably on the Permian
rocks.
Large quantities of Tertiary alluvian cover a large part of
the Permian shales and marls of the central region. The
alluvium was derived from rocks of the Edwards Plateau and
the underlying Permian rocks. The Pleistocene terrace of
the Colorado River abuts against this older alluvium along
the length of the Colorado River. Valley and Elm Creeks
have cut through the alluvium to impermeable Permian shales,
causing comparttnentalization of groundwater within the
alluvium.
The occurrence of groundwater in Runnels County is generally
erratic and in most cases of limited quantity. The depth
to potable water varies from a few feet to more than 100
feet. Groundwater occurs in Permian limestones and dolo-
mites, basal Cretaceous sandstones, Tertiary alluvium, and
Quaternary alluvium. The alluvium supplies the greatest
quantities of water. Water quality in general is very
poor.
The Permian rocks are, at best, poor aquifers. Aside from
yielding only small quantities of water, the water quality
is generally poor, with high concentrations of nitrate,
chloride, sulfate, and calcium.
Groundwater occurs in solution cavities of the gently-dip-
ping limestones. Cavities form by the differential solu-
tion of dense limestone units creating a honeycombed rock,
and by solution along joints and bedding surfaces between
limestone and marl. Dissolution begins on the bedding
surfaces and then dissolves the overlying limestone rather
than the underlying marl. Water is commonly encountered
beneath hard limestone beds. The situation is illustrated
in Figure 8, a measured section from a three foot diameter
well.
Initially, neither the dense limestone nor clay-rich marls
could have been porous and permeable enough to transport
much water. However, after jointing of the limestones,
39
-------
LEGEND
DENSE LIMESTONE
HONEYCOMB LIMESTONE
MARL
CAVERN
SURFACE ,1749'
^CASING
1718'
OJ
1700'
Figure 8. Measured Section of Well 1001
40
-------
meteoric water was free to flow downward through the joints
to the impermeable marl layers where, after long periods
of time, groundwater dissolved enough calcium carbonate
from the marl and limestone to make the bedding plane a
major conduit for groundwater transport. Inasmuch as the
joints and bedding plane represent only a few percent of
the total volume of the aquifer, little water can remain
in storage. Thus, only small amounts of water are avail-
able to wells.
Groundwater flow is confined to the natural cavities and
artificial cavities that are the results of unplugged
seismic shot holes, abandoned oil wells, and poorly-cased
water wells. These numerous unplugged holes have inter-
connected the individual confined aquifers.
The most important sources of recharge are leakage from
deep aquifers and precipitation. Unplugged, abandoned oil
wells penetrate the Coleman Junction Formation (Permian)
at depths of approximately 800 to 2,600 feet. The salty
artesian water from the Coleman Junction has sufficient
head to flow at the surface and to cause leakage into the
shallow aquifers. A few cases of salt contamination of the
shallow limestone aquifers have been documented.
Otherwise, the recharge area of these dipping limestone
aquifers is limited to where the limestones crop out or are
covered by a partially saturated alluvium cover. When rain-
water enters the limestone, it flows down-dip where it re-
mains under artesian pressure until tapped by a well. In
some places erosion has cut into the limestones, creating
seeps or artesian springs. This type of aquifer system is
predominant in the southern and eastern part of Runnels
County. Residents of this area have long been in the habit
of catching rainwater, hauling water, or damming a spring
in order to obtain household and drinking water.
Before the extensive terracing, groundwater was discharged
by evaporation, drainage into streams, and pumping from
wells. Today, however, the major means of discharge are
pumping and evaporation. Seeps or bogs are formed where
the potentiometric surface intersects the land surface.
These seeps occur in depressions, on some hill slopes,
and along old stream channels. The seeps undergo a transi-
tion; a seep starts fresh, but after a few years becomes
extremely salty because of Jie continual evaporation of the
mineralized groundwater. These areas lose their agricultu-
ral productivity because the soil is either too salty or
too wet.
41
-------
In Runnels County potential evaporation is far greater than
effective rainfall (that part of the rainfall not lost by
runoff). According to Kane14, the average annual net lake
surface evaporation from 1940 to 1965 is approximately 60
inches for the Runnels County region. The evaporation of t
water from plants (transpiration) may be even more import-
ant than surface evaporation but is difficult to estimate
due to unknown factors such as plant size, plant coverage,
and environmental factors such as wind. It would appear
that in some years there is little or no water reaching the
water table.
At the base of the outliers in northeastern Runnels County
are two sandstones known locally as the "Trinity sands".
These basal Cretaceous sandstones supply water of excellent
quality. Recharge of this aquifer occurs mainly along
northern and western outcrops of the sandstone layers, which
are generally covered by talus and alluvial gravels. The
sands are sealed by impermeable clays and shales and dip
slightly to the southeast causing the water to be under
artesian pressure. Although adequate for local needs, this
aquifer is not significant on a regional basis because of
its limited areal extent.
The most important aquifers in Runnels County, in terms of
quantity of available water, are the Tertiary and Quater-
nary alluvial deposits that cover much of the north central
part of the county. In general, the alluvium is a mixture
of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, with a preponderance of
silt and clay. Porosity of the alluvium is estimated to
vary from 15 percent to 30 percent compared to an estimated
porosity of one to five percent for the limes tone-marl sys-
tem. Thickness of the alluvium varies from zero to approxi-
mately 100 feet. The Tertiary alluvium covers a far greater
area than the Quaternary deposits and underlies most of the
productive farmland in the northern part of the county. In
spite of the much larger amounts of water available from
the alluvial deposits, the water generally exceeds the
Public Health Service limits for chloride, nitrate, and
total dissolved solids.
The Quaternary Colorado River terrace sediments provide
some groundwater to the total water resources of the
southern part of the county but are of minor importance
because they are thin (maximum 40 feet) and of limited
lateral extent (less than 1 mile). The saturated zone at
the base of the terraces is generally less than 10 feet
thick. Water wells located on the terraces commonly pene-
trate the terrace deposits and tap underlying limestone
aquifers.
42
-------
Water Level Recorders
The Texas Water Development Board has maintained two water
level recorders in Runnels County since July of 1970 (state
well numbers WP 43-15-601 and WP 42-17-701). WP 43-15-601
is located in the west central part of the county (approxi-
mately I mile due west of Well No. 23) in Tertiary gravels.
WP 42-17-701 is located in the south central part of the
county in Permian limestone of the Leuders Formation and
has Runnels County Well No. 1006.
The water level behavior for both of these wells during the
last two years is given in Figure 9. The monthly rainfall
during this same period is presented as a bar graph. The
extreme limits of the water level during any given month
are given by the boundaries of the curve.
It can be seen that small rains during any given month or
series of months have very little effect on the water table,
probably because of subsequent loss by evaporation. Two
consecutive months of heavy rainfall occurred during August
and September of 1971, however, and produced a drastic rise
in the water table. In WP 42-17-701, the water table did
not reach a maximum until November, whereas WP 43-15-601
reached a maximum in September and had decreased appreci-
ably by November. This reflects the difference in depth
of the water table in the limestone versus the gravel aqui-
fers . The difference in the change of the water over this
time period reflects the difference in the porosity of
these aquifers. In the limestone the water level rose
eight feet while the water level in the gravel rose four
feet. (The exact rainfall and porosity at each site is
not known.) Recharge of these aquifers appears quite
rapid.
Groundwater Age Dating
The fact that many of the wells in the county went dry
during the drought of the 1950's, yet had a very high water
level in the late 1960's, would indicate that the water is
quite young, assuming the recharge was due to precipitation.
The only other possibility is that recharge was due to up-
ward movement of very old water through unplugged oil wells
and seismic shot holes. This last situation was considered
unlikely since these oil wells and shot holes have existed
for many years, while the water table only rose during the
1960's. Several age-dating tests were run to determine the
approximate age of the groundwater. Tritium age dating was
chosen since this is a good technique for fairly young
water and since much of the groundwater occurs in carbonate
aquifers which would complicate carbon dating.
43
-------
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASON
1970 1971 1972
29
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASON
1970 1971 1972
9.00
8.00
7.00
ul
W
is.oo
M
, •)
< '
si3-00
2,00
1.00
0.00
1
1
JI
. 1
Jl. 1
1
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASON
1970 1971 1972
Figure 9. Water Level Recorders
44
-------
Tritium has a radioactive decay half-life of twelve years,
thus the natural tritium content of very old water should
be low. A considerable amount of artificial tritium has
been added to the atmosphere by thermonuclear explosions
since 1952, with a subsequent increase in the tritium con-
tent of precipitation. , Tritium concentrations greater than
4 tritium units (T.U.) indicate that some recent (<20 yrs.)
water has been added to the system. (1 T.U. equals one
tritium atom, H3, per 101 8 hydrogen atoms.)
It is possible to give a fairly specific age to a ground-
water sample if the hydrological conditions are well known,
the tritium concentration of the rainwater for the area in
question is known for many years, and equations for tritium
decay and dispersion in the groundwater are developed.
Fortunately, data were available on the tritium content of
precipitation in the Runnels County area for the last
twenty years. This information was kindly provided by Dr.
T. A. Wyerman of the U. S. Geologic Survey, and is shown
in Table 5.
Table 5
Tritium Content of Precipitation
Year T.U.
1952 8
1954 100
1955 16
1956 45
1957 40
1958 160
1959 170
1960 50
1961 70
1962 470
1963 1300
1964 600
1965 270
1966 180
1967 HO
1968 90
Two models are available for"calculating the tritium concen-
tration now in the groundwater (output tritium concentra-
tion) from the tritium content of precipitation (input
tritium concentration). The first model is a simple plug
flow equation with a radioactive decay coefficient.
45
-------
.693t
12.5
C = C0 e
where
C = input tritium concentration
C = output
t = transit time of the water in the ground
This model assumes no mixing of groundwater of different
ages.
The second model, which more likely represents conditions in
Runnels County, is a binomial dispersive flow equation with
a radioactive decay coefficient.
t .693T
fo - I fi e ^^ &T (°-5°)n
o
where
fQ(t) = output function
f^t-T) = input function
T = transit time
i—J = binomial coefficient which corresponds
x to the transit time T
n = function of binomial dispersion
Four water samples were collected for tritium age dating as
shown in Table 6. The first three wells are in the southern
part of the county. They are well cased and pump from lime-
stone aquifers. These wells are among the deepest wells in
that part of the county. The fourth well is in the northern
part of the county and taps an alluvial formation.
Estimates of the age of the groundwater from these wells are
obtained from Figure 10 which gives curves for the tritium
input from precipitation, the tritium output assuming mixing
(dispersive flow), and the tritium output neglecting mixing
(plug flow). The probable ages of the water samples are
shown by the bars in Figure 10 and are as follows:
46
-------
Table 6
Data for Tritium Age-Dated Wells
Well
No.
Owner
1003 E. R. Holubec
552 P. Pieper
City of Miles (Municipal)
445 F. Carter
Depth
70
75
130
30
820
94
40
120
T.U.
57 ± 12
241 ± 11
371 ± 13
18 ± 9
47
-------
10,000
oo
H
M
H
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
YEAR
Figure 10. Tritium in Groundwater and Precipitation
-------
Well No. Probable Age
1003 11-14 years old
552 8-10 years old
City of Miles 8-10 years old
445 16-19 years old
Water Table Map
The information on well altitudes and depths to the water
table has been used to determine a water surface map as
shown in Figure 11. Since innumerable water wells, °il>
wells, and seismic holes have penetrated both the alluvium
and limestone aquifers, interconnecting the water table and
artesian systems, this map is actually a potentiometric sur-
face map (i.e., a map showing both the water table eleva-
tions and artesian elevations at one atmosphere pressure).
The regional potentiometric surface follows the topography
of the land, whereas the local hydraulic gradient may be
controlled by pumping wells in the area.
It can be seen that all water drains toward the Colorado
River except in the extreme southern edge of the county
where it drains toward the Concho River.
Aquifer Tests
Four pumping tests were run to determine storage coefficients
and transmissivities. The storate coefficient indicates the
amount of water in storage that is released from a unit_vol-
ume of aquifer per unit decline of head. The transmissivity
is the rate of flow of water through a vertical section of an
aquifer, whose height is the thickness of the aquiferrand
whose width is one foot, when the hydraulic gradient is
1 0 The wells which were tested were Well Nos. 67 and
309 in the north part of the county and Well Nos. 552 and
727 in the south part of the county. Well No. 67 was in a
calichified gravel, while the other wells tap limestone
aquifers. The results of the aquifer test are shown below.
49
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TAYLOR COUNTY
WX BAUINGHR -»
TOM GREEN COUNTY
SCALE
MILES
Figure 11.
COHCHO COUNTY
EXPLANATION
• CONTROL WELL
_,_ LINES OF EQUAL ELEVATION OF WATER TABLE,
CONTOUR INTERVAL 50 FEET
^ DIRECTION OF FLOW
Potentiometric Water Level Map
50
-------
Depth
Well Well to N03 Coefficient Transmissivity
No. Depth Water (mg/jQ of Storage (gal/day/ft)
727 70 — 1260 6 x 10"5 15,000
552 70 28 94 4 x 10"4 6,500
309 60 33 294 5 x 10"6 670
67 67 8 288 1 x 10"3 80,000
Soil Nitrate Studies
The simultaneous nature of the rise in the water table and
the onset of the nitrate problem in Runnels County strongly
suggested that nitrate in the soil had been leached from
zones previously above the water table. Eighty-four holes
were drilled in Runnels County to investigate the nitrate
content of the sub-surface soils. The data are presented in
terms of "profiles" of nitrate concentration with depth.
The lithology of the soil formation at the hole site is also
shown as a function of depth, and was determined by an exami-
nation of the collected soil samples. Because of the large
number of these profiles, only a few of the most interesting
will be presented here. The rest are contained in Appendix
III and Appendix IV. A brief discussion of each_profile is
given. The profiles in Appendix III show both nitrate and
chloride profiles except where chloride concentration is
less than 18 mg/kg. The profiles in Appendix IV show nitrate
only. An index to the lithology is given in the first of
each Appendix. The location of most holes is given with
respect to a water well whose location is given by the map
at the first of Appendix I. To aid in interpreting the
effect of a nitrate profile on the groundwater, the nitrate
concentration and depth to the water table are given for the
well used as a reference. (When the lithology is not com-
pleted to 20 feet, this indicates water was encountered at
the depth where the lithology stops.) The difference in the
water table as measured in the well (as reported in Appendix
II) and in the hole may be due to the well being under ar-
tesian pressure, or the fact that the holes were generally
drilled months after the well was inventoried.
An average value for the number of pounds of nitrate per
acre-foot was determined for each profile. For holes in
fields and pastures these numbers are probably representative
51
-------
of the quantity of nitrate actually present beneath an acre
of ground in that vicinity. However, for holes near septic
tank laterals and in small barnyards these numbers may be
inaccurate due to the probability of high localized concen-
trations at the site of the hole. No chloride profiles are
given with the nitrate profiles in Appendix IV. Hole loca-
tions are given with the profiles. Again, an index to the
lithology is given at the first of Appendix IV.
Fourteen holes were drilled in or immediately adjacent to
barnyards. Only two of these holes exhibited less than
11,000 Ibs. of nitrate per acre for a depth of 15 feet (holes
83 and 84). Three holes (40, 41, 43) drilled in different
parts of an old barnyard yielded 40, 59.5 and 70 thousand
pounds per acre for a 15 foot depth. Nitrate beneath barn-
yards seems to always be accompanied by high chloride con-
centrations. Figure 12 shows the nitrate and chloride
profiles for hole 40. It can be seen that a good correlation
exists between nitrate and chloride, as is expected when con-
tamination is due to animal wastes. Note also the shallow
water table. A rising water table at this site would surely
dissolve considerable quantities of nitrate. The big decrease
in soil nitrate between 13 and 15 feet might occur because
the water table has previously risen into this zone and dis-
solved part of the nitrate.
Three holes were drilled next to septic tank laterals (holes
24, 25, and 44). All three exhibited nitrate peaks at shal-
low depths and good correlation between nitrate and chloride.
Figure 13 shows the profile for hole 25. Again, note the
shallow water table (12 feet).
Thirty-three holes were drilled in pastureland. In most
cases this land has been used for grazing livestock. The
highest value observed (hole 45 with 14,300 #/acre/l5 feet)
was reportedly near a watering hole for cattle drives dur-
ing the early 1900's. The lowest value observed in this
study was for hole 60, with 600 #/acre/l5 feet. However,
two other holes in the same pasture (54 and 55) had 4,300
and 4,400 #/acre/15 feet. Figure 14 shows .the profile for
hole 4, which is located in a mesquite pasture. This profile
shows high nitrate below 15 feet, with no associated chloride.
Twenty-six holes were drilled in cultivated fields. The low-
est value found was for hole 62 with 1350 #/acre/20 feet.
The two highest values were 17,300 #/acre/15 feet for hole
46, located in a cotton field near an old watering hole,
and 14,200 #/acre/15 feet for hole 12, also located in a
cotton field. The profile for hole 12 is shown in Figure
15. Note again the absence of chloride. There is no history
of any cattle, fertilizer, or human habitation near this site.
52
-------
LITHOLOGY
ui
u>
5 -
10
15 -
20
^^
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 40. Located 100 feet north of well 551 (294 ppm nitrate, 56 feet
to water) in a barnyard. Nitrate and chloride are very high. 2667 #/
acre-foot.
Figure 12. Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 40
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
0)
*•
*•*»
z
ui
0
1O
Ui
15
2O
' . i
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
60O
7OO
Hole 25. Located 2 feet east of a septic tank lateral, 10 feet south of
hole 24, and 50 feet northeast of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to
water). High nitrate and chloride. 1067 ft/acre-foot.
Figure 13. Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 25
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
Ol
Ln
15
2O
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
7OO
Hole 4. Located in a mesquite pasture % mile west of well 419 (240 ppm
nitrate) (see map following Hole 5). The high nitrate concentration below
14 feet is possible due to deposition from groundwater flowing laterally
in a permeable limestone. The chloride is very low. 327 #/acre-foot.
Figure 14. Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 4
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
HI
a
Ul
2O
W£tf
«\*?Hf!
>>«4>fe'
-s®$
•Z-'Ai'oy-!
15 -
too
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 12. Located on a turn row in a cotton field \ mile south of well
234 (387 ppm nitrate, 12 feet to water). There is no history of live-
stock, fertilizer, or human habitation at this site. Chloride is very
low and nitrate is very high. 947 #/acre-foot.
Figure 15. Nitrate and Chloride Profiles for Hole 12
-------
The nitrate content of the soils at the various sites is
summarized in Table 7.
It is worthwhile to examine the results of other studies on
soil nitrates. Table 8 gives some soil nitrate values which
were calculated from data from three other studies. It can
be seen that the nitrate levels in Runnels County are much
higher than for these other studies, in most cases by an
order of magnitude. The type of soil for the Illinois data
is not reported.
-\
There is some question about how much significance can be at-
tached to the depth at which a particular "peak" occurs in a
nitrate profile. It seems likely that much of the nitrate is
held in solution in films of moisture on soil particles, and
these films may migrate upward or downward depending on cli-
matic conditions.19
The eighty-four holes which were drilled revealed that most
of the soils in Runnels County contain large amounts of ni-
trate. The highest nitrate soils were beneath barnyards, e.g.,
holes 13, 21, 22, 32, 40, 41, 43, 47, 57. In some cases the
nitrate was high for almost the entire depth of the hole (40,
41, 43) while in other cases distinctive peaks existed at
some depth (holes 13, 21, 47, 57). The only barnyard which
exhibited a uniformly low nitrate content was hole 84. No
reason for this is apparent. Barnyard soils always exhibited
a high chloride content which correlated well with the ni-
trate. The relative amounts of chloride and nitrate were by
no means constant, but peaks for each usually existed at the
same depths. Possibly, the actual amount of chloride present
is strongly dependent on the chloride content of the water
supply for the cattle. The actual amount of nitrate present
probably depends on many factors. A series of chemical reac-
tions are required to convert the organic nitrogen in cattle
wastes to nitrate. Many of these reactions are induced by
bacteria, the type of which might vary from one soil to an-
other. In addition, one of the intermediate compounds is
ammonia (NH3) which has a high vapor pressure and could
easily be lost into the atmosphere, especially if the soil
is dry. If conditions become anaerobic — e.g., after the
soil became saturated by rainfall — denitrifying bacteria
could convert nitrate or nitrite to nitrogen gas. Thus the
fraction of the nitrogen in animal wastes which actually
gets converted to nitrate could be highly variable. Chloride
ion is relatively inert, however, and shoult not undergo any
redox reactions or any "loss" mechanisms.
As discussed earlier, it is not clear whether the depth at
which a nitrate peak occurs is any indication of the age of
that nitrate. Some barnyards and farmsites which had been
57
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Table 7
Pounds Nitrate Per Acre-Foot
Ui
00
Hole
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Nitrate
2080
247
510
326
247
180
426
287
167
173
113
944
1380
240
760
735
360
1100
248
240
1740
Hole
22
23
^24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Nitrate
2000
1060
2130
1070
400
213
253
160
293
454
1540
1340
354
387
260
247
548
447
2670
3970
1330
Hole
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
Nitrate
5270
313
953
1150
1150
345
275
125
240
178
130
215
220
263
945
160
50
40
172
67
92
Hole
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
Nitrate
62
85
110
200
88
286
65
212
245
112
73
70
66
100
82
75
65
70
110
155
87
-------
Table 8
Soil Nitrate in Other Areas
Investigator
Location
Stewart .et al. , 1968
(Colorado")""
Smith, 1969
(Missouri)
Harmeson et al., 1970
(Illinois)
alfalfa
native grass
cultivated dry
land
irrigated land
corrals
cultivated field
cultivated field
feedlot A
feedlot B
feedlot C
feedlot D
poultry yard
soil A
soil B
Pounds Nitrate
Per Acre-Foot
4
4
13
25
72
13
14
145
200
21
66
59
82
125
59
-------
deserted for many years exhibited high nitrate at shallow
depths (holes 33, 38, 45, 46).
Nitrate profiles near septic tank laterals typically ex-
hibited a peak at shallow depths (holes 24, 25, 44).
Chloride correlated well with the nitrate present.
Some surprisingly high nitrate levels were found under pas-
tures and cultivated fields. The most remarkable thing
about the soil studies was the finding of relatively high
nitrate concentrations without associated chloride (holes 2,
4, 5, 7, 12, 34, 35). The lack of chloride indicates the
source of this nitrate is not animal or human wastes. It is
difficult to see how chloride could have been removed if it
were originally present with this nitrate. Chloride com-
pounds are typically very soluble, so precipitation seems
unlikely. It also is unlikely that the nitrate could be
retained in the soil by adsorption while the chloride was
flushed down (lateral movement is unlikely in the unsaturated
zone) into the groundwater. Nitrate is notable for its re-
sistance to adsorption. As noted earlier, chloride is very
stable, so it is unlikely that it could be removed by some
chemical reaction (e.g., conversion to chlorine gas). In
addition, chloride is observed with nitrate in other areas
such as barnyards, thus there does not seem to be a tendency
for chloride to be so strongly adsorbed by soil particles
that it is not detected in solution. The most reasonable
explanation is that no chloride was deposited with this
nitrate. In general, nitrate is slightly higher under cul-
tivated fields than under pastures (where cattle normally
graze). This also makes animal wastes suspect as the source
of the nitrate. In addition, the highest chloride-free
nitrate profile (hole 12) occurs where there is no history
of any livestock.
As compared to the results of studies in other states, ni-
trate under fields, pastures, and barnyards is very high in
Runnels County. It is somewhat difficult to make meaningful
comparisons of total nitrate under barnyards without knowing
the time the barnyards were used, the rainfall, and the
average number of cattle that were contained. Most of the
Runnels County barnyards are quite small and are on farms
where a limited number of cattle are raised. The barnyards
are actually occupied only intermittently by the cattle and
do not serve as true feedlots. Given these conditions, it
is surprising that the nitrate should be higher under the
barnyards in Runnels County than under feedlots in Colorado.
The fact that nitrate is much higher under both fields and
barnyards is significant and indicates that the soil environ-
ment in Runnels County somehow causes a maximum amount of
60
-------
whatever nitrogen reaches the soil to be converted to
nitrate. As noted earlier, reduced forms of nitrogen must
go through a series of reactions to be converted to ni-
trate. These can be shown schematically as follows:
Organic Nitrogen
bacteria
Urea
bacteria
Ammonia
Vaporization
to
Atmosphere
bacteria
Nitrite
Nitrate
bacteria
anaerobic
bacteria
plus carbon
source
Nitrogen Gas
To Soil
and
Groundwater
61
-------
It can be seen that organic nitrogen (from plants or animals)
may end up as ammonia in the atmosphere, as nitrogen gas in
the atmosphere, or as nitrate in soil or water. It would
appear that conditions in Runnels County must minimize loss
as ammonia and as nitrogen gas. Possibly, conditions under
feedlots become anaerobic permitting loss of most nitrogen as
nitrogen gas, whereas intermittently used barnyards do not
become anaerobic; thus, soil nitrate under barnyards is very
high. Such a mechanism does not account for the high nitrate
observed under fields and pastures, however.
Unlike the case for barnyards, nitrate under fields and pas-
tures can be directly compared to other ateas. The high
nitrate in Runnels County also indicates that formation^of
nitrate must be encouraged by environmental conditions in
Runnels County. The number of sources of this nitrate is
fairly limited and includes:
(1) degradation of plant protein (organic nitrogen)
(2) fixation by leguminous plants (symbiotic bacteria)
(3) fertilizer
(4) fixation by free-living bacteria
(5) formation from animal wastes (cattle or buffalo)
(6) formation from organic-rich shales
(7) accumulation from nitrogen in rainfall.
The degradation of plant proteins should go through the same
series of reactions outlined earlier with the same potential
loss mechanisms for ammonia and nitrogen gas. Every fall
plants die, and the plant protein may be converted to ni-
trate. If this nitrate remains in the root zone it may be
taken up in the spring by new plants and reconverted to
plant protein. However, some of the nitrate may be washed
down below the root zone by winter rains. The gradual ac-
cumulation of this nitrate over many years might account
for the soil nitrate observed in Runnels County. Just how
much chloride should be associated with such nitrate is not
known.
The only leguminous plant of any consequence in the study
area is the mesquite tree. Although abundant in some areas,
many of the fields and pastures where appreciable nitrate
levels occur have never had mesquite as far as is known,
and definitely not for the last hundred years. Because of
this legumes are considered an unlikely source of the nitrate
62
-------
Fertilizer is used very rarely in cultivated areas in
Runnels County, and not at all in the pastures, and is
thus not a possible source of the large quantities of ni-
trate which have been observed.
There are certain forms of free-living (non-symbiotic) bac-
teria which can convert nitrogen gas into other nitrogen
compounds. A study of the microbiology of Runnels County
soils was beyond the scope of this work, but such bacteria
are a possible source of the nitrate. The fact that nitrate
levels under barnyards are unusually high in comparison to
other areas argues against this, however, unless these bac-
teria could somehow thrive beneath a barnyard. The most
consistent explanation for the fact that nitrates are high
both under barnyards and in fields and pastures is that the
environment somehow encourages conversion of all available
nitrogen to nitrate.
The nitrate observed beneath what are presently cultivated
fields could conceivably be the result of animal wastes
(either cattle or buffalo) which were deposited before the
land was converted to farming. However, there are altogether
too many holes which have relatively high nitrate levels but
very low chloride levels to support this theory. As dis-
cussed earlier, it is difficult to visualize any mechanism
by which the chloride could have disappeared yet left the
nitrate behind. This is therefore considered an improbable
source.
Some deposits of shale have a relatively high content of
organic matter, which in turn may contain appreciable amounts
of nitrogen. The oxidation of this organic nitrogen could
yield nitrate. This is considered to be an unlikely mech-
anism since nitrate occurs in many areas where no shale
exists at shallow depths.
Rainfall contains some nitrogen, principally in the form of
ammonia and nitrate. Lightning is typically cited as a
source of nitrogen fixation, but some workers believe the
contribution by lightning is minimal.20>21 >22>23 As dis-
cussed earlier, some ammonia probably escapes into the air
from decomposition of plant and animal protein. Wind-blown
soil could contain nitrate.2* Both ammonia and nitrate are
very soluble, and will be removed from the air by rainfall.
According to Junge25, average nitrage and ammonia concen-
trations for a period of a year in West Texas were approxi-
mately 1 ppm nitrate and 0.1 ppm ammonia. Assuming all the
ammonia is converted to nitrate this could add almost two
pounds of nitrate per acre to the soil in a year of average
rainfall (22.6 inches). Since this is only a tiny fraction
63
-------
of the actual nitrate observed, this is considered an un-
likely source of the nitrate.
The situation as developed by the subsurface soil studies
can be summarized as follows. Nitrate in Runnels County is
quite high in comparison to other areas. There is no ap-
parent reason to believe that the total nitrogen introduced
into the soil every year in Runnels County is greater than
in other areas. In fact, for areas which are heavily fer-
tilized, it would seem that the nitrogen added in Runnels
County would be small in comparison. Therefore, the high
nitrate in Runnels County can only be explained if the
environment is such that a greater fraction of the avail-
able nitrogen is converted to nitrate and that nitrate is
not subsequently flushed down into the groundwater. The
most reasonable way for this to happen is if (a) ammonia is
adsorbed unusually strong and not lost by evaporation, (b)
loss of nitrogen by denitrification under anaerobic condi-
tions is rare, (c) climatic conditions are such that net
percolation from surface to water table is very small, ex-
cept at selected areas such as behind terraces or through
fractures in limestone. (It is interesting to compare hole
72, which is midway between terraces with hole 73, which is
behind a terrace. Though both holes are in the same field,
hole 72 has 4,900 pounds of nitrate per acre while hole 73
has only 2,250 pounds per acre. Increased percolation at
hole 73 with subsequent leaching of nitrate could account
for the difference.)
One point is noteworthy regarding the soil studies. Few
areas have been studied as thoroughly as Runnels County, and
this study in all likelihood came about because of the rise
in the water table which caused leaching of the nitrate.
There is a very good chance that the conditions in Runnels
County which led to the accumulation of the nitrate in the
soil are not unique.
Nitrogen Isotope Ratio Studies
Denitrification in Well Bore
Pumping the well before collection of the sample was found to
be important for getting a nitrogen isotope ratio which
accurately represented the groundwater, especially if the
well construction invites surface contamination. Table 9
shows data for three such wells which had not been pumped
for a long (unspecified) time.
64
-------
Table 9
Isotope Ratio Data for Pumped Wells
Well Condition Nitrate (me/4) &
141 Not pumped 141 _ 3.1
141 Pumped 211 +7.5
388 Not pumped 63 - 6.0
388 Pumped 978 +10.3
1004 Not pumped 186 - 1.8
1004 Pumped 250 +10.4
All three of these wells increased in nitrate content after
pumping, indicating that denitrification has been occurring
in the well bore. Denitrification requires a source of car-
bon so contamination by organic materials from a surface
source is indicated. The direction of the change in the
6 value is somewhat surprising since the remaining nitrate
(after denitrificatidn) appears to be enriched in N1 4 , thus
indicating that N1 5 is favored in the denitrification reac-
tion.
As discussed earlier, the basic approach was to compare the
isotope ratio of nitrate from groundwater to the isotope
ratio of nitrate taken from the soil at sites where the
source of the nitrate could reasonably be predicted.
Nitrogen Isotope Ratios for Groundwater
Table 10 lists the isotope ratio in terms of the 6 value for
the nitrate from 33 water wells. A positive 6 value indi-
cates the nitrate is enriched in N15. The nitrate concen-
tration for the period 1969 to 1972 is also shown.
One important observation regarding this data is that very
high nitrate concentrations always have high*6 values.
Note also that on the average, nitrate concentrations have
shown an encouraging drop during the last several years.
Such a decrease could be due to dilution by freshly infil-
trated (but relatively uncontaminated) water or could be
due to mixing of highly contaminated water from the top of
the water table (where the leaching occurred) with less
contaminated water at the bottom of the aquifer.
65
-------
Table 10
Isotope Ratio Data for 33 Wells
Water
Well
No.
15
16
18
67
105
211
165
201
233
234
301
309
366
369
386
388
419
421
506
551
551a
552
728
865
865
865
867
868
1002
1003
1034
1004
Town
of
Rowena
(N03)mg/4
Owner
Steinback (windmill)
Steinback (pressure)
A. Ha If man (windmill)
C. Robinson
Connelley
R. Hohensee
Nitsche
H. Book
W. Beimer (windmill)
W. Beimer (pressure)
R. T. Odell (spring)
L. Harter
Kvapil (windmill)
W. Ransbarger (windmill)
E. 0. Eggemeyer (house)
E. 0. Eggemeyer (barn-
yard)
Busenlehner (house)
Busenlehner (mesquite)
B. Wilde
Pieper (house)
Pieper (seep)
Pieper (irrigation)
Teplicek (irrigation)
0. Half man (house)
0. Halfman (house)
0. Halfman (house)
0. Halfman (barn)
0. Halfman (irrigation)
R. Schwertner
E. Holubec
F. Bachous
W. Lange
t
Carl Wilde
6N15
+ 3.25
+ 2.0
+ 6.4
+ 7.52
+ 7.36
+ 7.5
- 1.08
+ 2.17
+ 7.0
+ 3.3
+ 6.32
+ 4.5
+ 2.5
+ 7.0
+ 5.8
+10.3
+ 5.3
+ 8.6
+ 5.2
+ 6.64
+ 8.3
+ 1.17
+ 2.7
+14.1
+13
+13.2
+10.4
+13.13
+ 4.96
+ 6.28
+12.0
+10.4
+ 6.8
1972
200
243
288
154
21
211
78
96
416
290
175
390
32
257
366
978
186
105
174
184
470
94
61
1360
1260
579
21
223
255
1238
250
75
1971
340
250
791
238
>.4
220
326
220
572
378
240
294
56
326
315
1428
240
299
294
130
1360
1898
280
2162
1969
280
220
540
330
56
320
490
130
600
390
245
233
62
380
310
250
300
200
920
2240
66
-------
Nitrogen Isotope Ratios for Soil
Several holes were drilled and soil samples collected every
foot. Isotope analysis of nitrate from these samples was
done to determine if a variation in isotope ratio as a func-
tion of depth occurred. The data for each hole are presented
on one graph as profiles of nitrate concentration with depth
and profiles of 6 value with depth.
The profile in Figure 16 shows the nitrate in soil beneath
a barnyard. The nitrate concentrations are high and the 6
values are high. There appears to be a dependence of 6
value on nitrate concentration, but not on depth. Ground-
water contaminated by nitrate from this site would exhibit
a high 6 value.
The profile in Figure 17 is located on a turn row of a cot-
ton field. Nitrate is high, but the 6 value is consistently
low. According to what appears to be reliable historical
data, no fertilizer has been used here and no cattle have
grazed here. Earlier soil studies showed the chloride to
be very low at this site (see hole 12 in Appendix III) .
Groundwater contaminated by nitrate from this site would
exhibit a low 6 value.
The profile in Figure 18 is also from a cotton field. The
nitrate is fairly low and the 6 value is low. No particular
dependence of 6 value on depth is apparent. Groundwater
contaminated by nitrate from this site would have a low 6
value.
The profile in Figure 19 is from a cultivated field where
cattle have grazed after harvesting of the corn or sorghum
normally grown there. The nitrate content is quite low,
and in contrast to the other holes, there is a decided
decrease in 6 value with depth below 3 feet. Note that the
nitrate concentration is relatively constant with depth.
The most logical explanation for this is a "chromatographic"
type separation due to selective adsorption of the heavier
isotope. Alternatively, the deeper nitrate could represent
nitrate formed before the area was settled, and the shallower
nitrate could reflect the influence of cropping and grazing
after the land was put into cultivation. The nitrate con-
tent is so low that only a few cows might exert considerable
influence on the isotope ratio of the nitrate. As discussed
earlier, the relationship between the depth of the nitrate
and the "age" of the nitrate is not clear. A rising water
table at this site would leach out nitrate with a fairly
low 6 value.
67
-------
CO
0
1
2
_. 3
4
i
5
4
6
i
7 •
i
8
<
9 .
4
10
0
4>
Q.
U
I
100
200
I I I I
300 400 500 600
NITRATE (MG/KG)
7(
800
I I I I I I I I I I I
0 -1-4 +8 +12 +16 +20
6N
15
Figure 16. Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Barnyard
-------
0 -i
1 -
2 -
~ 3 -
1 •
^4 -
£5 -
ui .
o
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -
10
100 200
300 40O 500 600
II III II I I I I I I
700 800 0 +4 +8 +12 +16 +20
NITRATE (MG/KG) 6N15
Figure 17. Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Cotton Field
-------
0
1
2
3
0)
£4 -
X
C«
ui
O
6
<
7
i
8 -
«
9 -
i
10-
100 200 3OO 400 500 600 700 800
1 I I t I II I I I I
0 +4 -1-8 +12 416 420
15
NITRATE (MG/KG)
Figure 18. Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Cotton Field
-------
0 -
1 -
2 -
**
£4 -
Ul
o
6 -
7 •
8 -
9 -
t
10
100
200
300
500
400
NITRATE (MG KG)
600
700
800
T I I III I I I I I
0 +4 +8 4-12 -1-16 -4-20
* u 15
Figure 19. Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Cornfield
-------
The profile in Figure 20 consists of only two data points
because of sample preparation problems. The site was a
maize field. The nitrate content is very low, but one of
the two 6 values obtained was fairly high. Possibly, cat-
tle grazing on the stubble of the crop were able to con-
tribute significantly to the small amount of nitrate which
does occur. A rising water table at this site would initi-
ally encounter nitrate with a fairly low 6 value.
Miscellaneous Samples
Fourteen barnyard soil samples were obtained. The 6 values
were as follows: +4.8, +12.4, +12.9, +13.3, +13.5, +13.6,
+13.9, +14.0, +14.3, +14.6, +15.1, +15.9, +16.5, +21.9. No
reason is apparent for the +4.8 sample. Possibly an anaero-
bic condition had developed and denitrification was occurr-
ing.
Five samples were obtained near septic tank laterals. These
exhibited the following 6 values: +10.2, +12.4, +10.3,
+13.0, +17.8. There is some question about the 17.8 value
since it was later discovered that this particular lateral
crossed the site of an old hen house. It is interesting
that Commoner38 found the following 6 values for nitrate
in sewage: +11.5, +10.3, +14.5.
No fertilizer samples were run since this data is available
from the literature. Kohl39, et al., found the 6 value for
fertilizers to range from 0 to +4. It would be expected
that ammonia formed by the Haber process would exhibit an
isotope ratio similar to that of air because of the high
temperatures involved. Subsequent reaction of this ammonia
to form other types of nitrogen fertilizers could induce
fractionation, however, if the reaction was done at low
temperature and was not 100% complete.
Nitrate samples from pastures were not checked since cattle
invariably grazed- these areas, thus there was no way to get
a nitrate sample which could be reasonably certain to
represent only the background nitrate from sources other
than cattle. The only nitrate sample which is believed to
faithfully represent this background nitrate from a pasture
is from a spring in a pasture (see well 301 in Table 10).
(Since cattle typically gather around wells in pastures and
the wells are poorly cased, and flow only occasionally,
localized contamination is possible.) This spring had a
6 value of +6.3, which agrees, well with the 6 value for
background nitrate under fields where cattle had not grazed.
(See Figures 17 and 18.)
72
-------
0 -
1 -
2 -
^^ «s —
+*
» •
0>
-4 -
£5 -
ui _
O
6 H
7 -
8 -
9 -
10
i i i iI i^ t I iriiiiiiiii
10O 200 3OO 4OO 500 600 700 80O 0 +4 +8 +12+16 +20
NITRATE (MG/KG) «N15
Figure 20. Isotope Ratio Profile with Depth for Maize Field
-------
Discussion of Isotope Ratio Studies
It is interesting to plot the 6 values for the water wells
as a function of nitrate concentration as shown in Figure 21.
With only a few exceptions, there seems to be a general
trend of increasing 6 value with increasing nitrate concen-
tration. (Analysis of standards of different concentration
showed that this trend was not a result of the sample pre-
paration.) Such a tendency indicates that the nitrate is
coming from at least two different sources, since if there -
were only one source, all the nitrate should have approxi-
mately the same 6 value. The biggest exception is an
irrigation well (No. 868). Although this well had only 21
ppm (6 = +13) in 1972, it had 920 ppm in 1969. Possibly,
extensive pumping of this well has altered the water table
locally so that it no longer intersects bedded nitrates, *
and almost all the contaminated water has been removed by
pumping. The very high 1969 nitrate level and the 1972 6
value would indicate animal wastes as the source of contami-
nation.
In general, the results of the isotope study can be stated
as follows. Nitrate from animal wastes will exhibit a fi
value in the range of +12 to +17. Nitrate from human wastes
will exhibit a 6 value in the range of +10 to +14. Nitrate
from soils where livestock have not grazed and fertilizer
has not been used ranges from +2 to +7. As reported earlier,
fertilizer ranges from 0 to +4.
Although there is some overlapping of these various 6 value
ranges from various sources, this is considered to be a very
fortunate "spread" of 6 values. Human and animal wastes are
neatly segregated from soil nitrate, and this permits the
very important distinction between contamination from lo-
calized sources such as barnyards or septic tanks and con-
tamination from background sources such as soil nitrate.
It is not nearly so important that a clearcut distinction
cannot be drawn between contamination by human wastes versus
contamination by animal wastes, since either one indicates
poor well construction and/or a well too close to localized
sources of nitrate.
It is noteworthy that the results of the isotope study
reinforce one of the conclusions of the soil study, namely
that nitrate with no associated chloride does not come from
animal wastes.
One point is worth re-examining. As discussed previously,
the source of the "background" nitrate in the soil is not
74
-------
Ul
IO
14
13
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
I
0
_i
•
*
•*<
a
i
•
*
*
•
»
> •
*
•
•
•
.
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1972 NO^ (hundreds of mg/1.)
Figure 21. Isotope Ratio as a Function of Nitrate Concentration
-------
clear. The most reasonable explanation is that this nitrate
is a decay product of vegetation and has slowly accumulated
beneath the root zone of plants over a period of many years
(perhaps hundreds). Such a situation would require a rather
unique set of climatic and geologic conditions. A less
likely explanation for this nitrate is that it was_an oxida-
tion product of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria. An-
other unlikely explanation is that it is the oxidation
product of nitrogen contained in sedimentary rocks. In any
case, this nitrate appears to be naturally occurring, i.e.,
not due to the activities of man. The 6 value indicates it
also is not due to animals.
In light of the soil nitrate isotope studies it is worthwhile
to re-examine the results of the groundwater isotope studies
(see Table 10). Those wells with very high 6 values (865,
868) would appear to derive the great majority of their ni-
trate from animal or human wastes. Those wells with high 6
values (867, 1004, 1034, 388, 421, 551a) would appear to
derive most of their nitrate from human or animal wastes but
with some contribution from natural nitrate. Another group
of wells have a 6 value which is on the high end of the soil
nitrate range but could represent a small contribution by
human or animal wastes (67, 105, 144, 233, 369, 551, Rowena
Municipal Supply). Still another group appears to be con-
taminated only by natural nitrate (15, 16, 18, 201, 234,
301, 309, 366, 386, 419, 506, 728, 1002, 1003). Two wells,
552 and 165, had 6 values slightly lower than any observed
during the study of soil nitrates. No explanation for these
can be given at this time.
To summarize the results of the isotope studies, it appears
that most of the nitrate contamination is due to natural
nitrate. However, the extremely high nitrate wells all ap-
peared to derive most of their contamination from animal or
human wastes. (It was at these high nitrate wells that the
great majority of cattle deaths occurred.)
It should be noted that only Runnels County soils were stu-
died. It is not yet clear whether these results will have
widespread applicability. It seems likely that they should
at least apply to other areas of West Texas of similar cli-
mate, particularly on the Permian outcrop. The excellent
agreement between the 6 values obtained for nitrate from
septic tanks in this study and Commoner's findings for ni-
trate from sewage are encouraging in this regard.
76
-------
Infrared Photography Studies
No difference could be detected in the reflected infrared
radiation from plants grown in low and high nitrate areas.
Approximately 500 photographs were taken in Runnels County,
but in no case could a clear cut difference be detected be-
tween plants in low and high nitrate areas. Both cotton
plants and mesquite trees were included in the study.
There are several possible explanations for the lack of dif-
ference in infrared reflectance between plants grown in low
and high nitrate areas. As mentioned earlier even the low
nitrate areas in Runnels County contain a great deal of
nitrate. Perhaps the plant becomes saturated with nitrate
even in these zones and does not accumulate any additional
nitrate even when exposed to much greater concentrations. In
this case infrared photographs would not show a difference
since plants in both areas would represent high nitrate cases.
Another possibility is that some difference actually exists
between plants in low and high nitrate areas, but the camera-
film-filter combinations used were not sensitive enough to
detect it.
Still another possibility is that the plant types chosen for
photography are not strongly sensitive to nitrate concentra-
tion in the soil. The mesquite trees and cotton were chosen
because they are widely occurring and in the case of the mes-
quite has a very deep root system. Some other type of plant
might provide a better index to nitrate however.
Methods for Obtaining Potable Water
Location of Uncontaminated Water
The fact that much of the soil nitrate is naturally_occurring
makes the location of uncontaminated water by drilling a new
well an uncertain proposition. Prediction of high soil ni-
trate at sites such as barnyards and septic tanks is rela-
tively easy; however, the prediction of the site at which
natural nitrate occurs is not. No area was found to be free
of soil nitrate; thus, relocation of a well might lead to a
reduction in nitrate but not an elimination of nitrate (and
possibly an increase). In general, it was found that the
area of a farm complex (house, barn, etc.) had considerably
more soil nitrate than more remote areas. It could therefore
be expected that drilling a new well at some distance from
the farm complex would yield some improvement in water qual-
ity. In general, this is probably the case. In each case,
however, it should be remembered that groundwater can move
77
-------
from one area to another, and this movement can be accele-
rated by the artificial gradient imposed by a pumping well.
A new well should therefore be located up the natural gradi-
ent from the farm complex. (The groundwater gradient will
usually follow the surface gradient, however, in limestone
aquifers this may not be true.) Also, the well should not
be pumped extensively in order to avoid large artificial
gradients. In addition, the previous history of the land
must be considered. Many sites of old farm complexes exist
from the days when there was a different farm on every
quarter section. The soil studies showed that very high soil
nitrate may still exist at these sites. It would be undesir-
able to locate a new well near one of these sites. Proper
completion of a new well (good casing which is cemented to
exclude very shallow groundwater) could help assure better
quality water.
To summarize, drilling a new well is an uncertain venture.
Some improvement in water quality will likely be obtained,
however, it is unlikely that the water will meet the Public
Health Service limit of 45 ppm nitrate. One other point is
noteworthy. Water from a new well might start out good but
later turn bad due to encroachment of contaminated water.
Water samples should be submitted for analysis on a regular
basis.
Removal of Localized Contamination by Pumping
The major nitrate problem occurred when the rising water
table dissolved soil nitrate. The water table has since
receded in most areas, carrying the dissolved nitrate with
it. If the major source of contamination is localized (e.g.,
a barnyard) it may be possible to pump out this contaminated
water. The quality of the water will then be determined by
the natural nitrate contained in the water which moves in
laterally from surrounding areas due to the artificial gradi-
ent established by the pumping. This approach pre-supposes
there is something to do with the contaminated water which
is pumped out. One approach would be to divert it to some
natural drainage channel such as a creek. However, depending
on the water quality, this might violate some pollution
statutes. Another approach might be to spray it on sur-
rounding fields (irrigation). In theory the nitrate would
eventually find its way back into the groundwater. In fact,
the nitrate added to the soil would probably be small com-
pared to the amount already in the soil above the water
table. If this approach were adopted, the water should be
spread over a large area. One reason for this is that the
highly saline groundwater will deposit salt in the soil due
to evaporation and this salt could hurt crop yields if too
78
-------
much accumulated. Another reason is that too much water
applied in one spot might saturate the soil, resulting in
rapid percolation of the nitrate-bearing water back into the
groundwater.
It is not possible to predict how much pumping would be
required. This would depend on the porosity and thickness
of the aquifer and the extent of the contamination. Pumping
costs could be considerable.
In general, this approach has the same limitation as drilling
a new well, namely, the final water quality will be dictated
by the amount of natural nitrate which was leached by the
rising water table in the surrounding area. This whole ap-
proach of pumping out the contaminated water depends on
keeping the water table low in the future. There will still
be much nitrate in the soil above the water table, and there
is no-economically feasible way to remove this nitrate. Any
big rises in the water table must therefore be avoided.
Purification of Contaminated Water
Three points are noteworthy regarding purification of the
groundwater. First, only enough water for actual consumption
by human and animals is required. Well water can be used for
other purposes. Secondly, most purification processes not
only yield purified water but also yield in some sort of
waste stream the contaminants which were removed from the
purified water. Some provision for disposal of these wastes
will be required. Third, it should be noted that nitrate-
containing water cannot be purified by boiling. The concen-
tration of nitrate will instead be increased due to loss of
some of the water by evaporation.
Many processes have been developed for the removal of dis-
solved species from water. The most successful of these are
the fo1lowing:
(1) Distillation
(2) Ion Exchange
(3) Reverse Osmosis
(4) Electrodialysis
(5) Crystallization (Selective Freezing) Processes
For large water treating installations, each of these tech-
niques has shown feasibility. Small units are available
79
-------
for some of these processes. In some cases, e.g., ion ex-
change, the cost of water purification is strongly dependent
on the total quantity of dissolved ions in the water. None
of these processes will selectively remove nitrate. Most
of the processes will produce water which has had virtually
all of the dissolved species removed. This water could be
mixed with untreated water to yield a mixture with^an ac-
ceptable concentration of dissolved species, thus increasing
the amount of potable water available for a given cost of
treated water. The economics of each of these processes
will depend on the particular conditions, namely, the quan-
tity of water required and the concentration of contaminants
in the groundwater. It is unlikely that small (household-
size) units for any of these processes will prove to be
economically feasible in the great majority of cases.
An alternative approach to many small purification units
would be to have a large central water treating system which
distributed water to the various farms. Again, however, the
capital investment in the treatment plant and distribution
system would likely render this approach economically infeas-
ible. It would likely be more economical to pipe in water
which did not need treating (either surface water or ground-
water) and put this into the distribution system.
One technique has been developed for the selective removal
of nitrate from water. This technique makes use of the fact
that certain bacteria will convert nitrate to nitrogen gas
if no oxygen is present (anaerobic conditions) and if an
energy source (usually organic carbon) is available. In
practice, methyl alcohol is added to the water at a level
such as to first remove all oxygen and then remove all
nitrate. Since the nitrate is converted to a gas, no waste
stream occurs. Large units of this type have been demon-
strated. It is unlikely that small units would be economi-
cally feasible, however, due to the careful monitoring
required for oxygen and nitrate and the accurate metering
required for the methyl alcohol. Also, the high salinity
of the groundwater in Runnels County might provide an un-
favorable climate for the nitrate-reducing bacteria.
Another selective removal process might make use of aquatic
plants to remove nitrate. In this case, groundwater could
be pumped to a surface pond where plants grow. Nitrate is,
of course, an excellent plant food; thus, rapid plant growth
could occur. As a long term solution, however, periodic
harvesting (and disposal) of these plants would be required
since old plants would start returning nitrate to the water
when they died. Such underwater harvesting probably would
not be economically feasible on a small scale. Again, the
80
-------
high salinity of the ground-water could be detrimental to
plant growth. Evaporation could greatly increase the salinity
during hot, dry periods. In addition, the efficiency of
this removal process might vary seasonally.
Cisterns
Collection of rainwater which drains off the roof of a build-
ing has long been a common practice in some areas of the
country. Rainwater is relatively pure; however, contamina-
tion may be flushed off the roof and into the cistern. The
best approach would be to divert the initial flow of rain-
water away from the cistern and collect water after the roof
had been washed off. In dry periods all available water
might be needed, however. Proper screening of the system
would be required to prevent birds, insects, and trash from
getting into the cistern.
Several cisterns might be required to furnish water for both
household needs and farm animals. Possibly the cisterns
could be supplemented by hauling water during dry periods.
Again, it should be noted that uncontaminated water is only
needed for consumption by humans and animals. Well water
could be used for bathing, dishwashing, washing clothes,
etc.
Surface Water
Rainwater runoff could be trapped to provide a water supply
in some areas of the county. This requires damming some
natural drainage channel and is already common practice
through the county to provide "stock tanks". On land which
is very flat or heavily terraced runoff may be negligible,
however.
As mentioned earlier, rainwater typically contains only 1
ppm nitrate. During runoff, some additional nitrate would
likely be picked up from the topsoil, but the final concen-
tration should still be much less than the groundwater con-
tains. Small chlorination units (which use a commercial
bleaching agent) are available which automatically meter the
proper quantity of chlorine into the water when the pump is
on. This chlorine should remove bacteria, and a filter
could remove suspended solids, thus providing a water supply
of good quality. This approach is common for houses near
large lakes.
It should be noted that such a pond acts as a recharge zone
for the groundwater and, if the soil is porous, the water
may quickly disappear due to percolation (and evaporation).
81
-------
Percolated Surface Water
Alternatively, one might take advatnage of the natural "fil-
tering" action of the soil when water percolates through it.
In this approach, a well would be drilled adjacent to a
stock tank. If the stock tank is old, the soil nitrate be-
low that tank has most likely been removed due to dissolu-
tion in percolating water. A well adjacent to that tank
which is pumped on a very limited basis (only enough to
provide water for consumption) might provide water of good
quality. It should be noted that fine-grained soils are
best at removing bacteria and organic materials. Limestone
formations have a very limited ability in this regard.
82
-------
SECTION VI
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This investigation was sponsored by the Texas Water Develop-
ment Board and the Environmental Protection Agency. The
work was performed by Radian Corporation, Austin, Texas.
The Project Officer for the Environmental Protection Agency
was Jack W. Keeley. The Project Officer for the Texas
Water Development Board was Fred Osborne, and the Project
Director for Radian Corporation was David C. Jones.
Many people were instrumental in the completion of this
investigation. Thanks go the residents of Runnels County
who were always helpful and cooperative. Special thanks go
to Mr. C. T. Parker, the Runnels County Agent, who contri-
buted much of his own time to this investigation. Special
thanks are also due Mr. Werner Lange of Rowena whose help
and suggestions in the drilling program were invaluable.
Mr. Charles Kreitler and Mr. Dick Heil, graduate students
in the Department of Geology at the University of Texas at
Austin, conducted the field investigations. The nitrogen
isotope ratio work was largely conducted by Mr. Charles
Kreitler. The untiring efforts and special attention to
detail of these gentlemen are greatly appreciated. Thanks
also go to Mr. Richard Ellison for his diligent efforts in
the infrared photography work. Radian Corporation had four
consultants for this program. Special thanks go to Dr. L.
J. Turk of the Department of Geology of the University of
Texas at Austin. Much credit for the successful completion
of the isotope ratio studies goes to Dr. Lynton Land (De-
partment of Geology) and Dr. Patrick Parker (Department of
Chemistry) of the University of Texas at Austin. Thanks go
to Dr. Morris Bloodworth of Texas A&M University for helpful
discussions on movement of nitrate in the soil. And finally,
much credit goes to the Texas Water Development Board staff
for many helpful discussions and for the operation of the
water level recorders.
83
-------
SECTION VII
REFERENCES
1. George, W. 0. and W. W. Hasting, "Nitrate in the Ground
Water of Texas," Am. Geophys. Union, .32(3), 450 (1951).
2. Lijinsky, W. and S. Epstein, "Nitrosamines as Environ-
mental Carcinogens," Nature, 225, 21 (1970).
3. Gelperin, A., The Health Effects of Nitrate .in Water,
Proc. 12th Sanitary Engineering Conference, Univ. of
Illinois, 51-52 (1970).
4. Asahina, S., et al., "Acute Synergistic Toxicity and
Hepatic Neurosis Following Oral Administration of
Sodium Nitrite and Secondary Amines to Mice," Cancer
Research, 31, 1201 (1971).
5. Alam, B. , et al., "Synthesis of Nitrosopiperidine from
Nitrate and Piperidine in the Gastro-Intestinal Tract
of the Rat," Nature 232, 199 (1971).
6. Case, A. A. , The Health Effects £f Nitrate .in Water, Proc.
12th Sanitary Engineering Conference, Univ. of Illinois,
55-60 (1970).
7. Van Riper, J. E., Man's Physical World, McGraw-Hill Book
Company, New York (1962).
8. Poe, C., Runnels Is_ My. County, The Naylor Co., San
Antonio (1970).
9. Shamburger, Jr., V. M. , "Reconaissance of Water Well Pol-
lution and the Occurrence of Shallow Groundwater, Runnels
County, Texas," Texas Board of Water Engineers (1959).
10. Texas Railroad Commission Study of Groundwater Salinity
in Runnels County (1968).
11. Texas Water Quality Board Report on Runnels County Cattle
Deaths, March 31, 1969.
12. Beffort, J. D. , "Nitrate Contamination Study near Ballin-
ger, Runnels County, Texas," Report Cl-6913, Sept. 25,
1969.
13. Beede, J. W. and V. V. Waite, Geology of Runnels County,
University of Texas Bulletin No. 1816 (1918).
85
-------
14. Arbingast, S. A., et al., Atlas of Texas, Bureau of Busi-
ness Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 16
(1967).
15. Manahan, S. E., "Ion Selective Electrodes for Nitrate
Analysis," Proc. 3rd Annual Conf. on Trace Substances
in Environmental Health, Univ. of Missouri, 353 (1969).
16. Stewart, B. A., et al., "Agricultures Effect on Nitrate
Pollution of Ground Water, Journal of Soil and Water
Conservation, 23> 13 (1968).
17. Harmeson, R. H., et al., "The Nitrate Situation in
Illinois," Journal of the American Water Works Associa-
tion, 303 (1970).
18. Smith, G. E., "Nitrate Pollution of Water Supplies,"
Trace Substances in Environmental Health-Ill, Proceedings,
Univ. of Missouri, 273 (1969).
19. Bloodworth, M. E., Texas A&M University, personal com-
munication (1972).
20. Gambell, A. W. and D. W. Fisher, "Occurrence of Nitrate
and Sulfate in Rainfall," Journal of Geophysical Re-
search, 19(20), 4203 (1964).
21. Junge, C. E., "The Distribution of Ammonia and Rainwater
over the United States," American Geophysical Union
Transactions, .39(2), 241 (1958).
22. Heoring, T. C., "Isotopic Composition of the Ammonia and
the Nitrate Ion in Rain," Geochim. et. Cosmochim. Acta.,
JL2, 97 (1957).
23. Commoner, B., "Threats to the Integrity of the Nitrogen
Cycle: Nitrogen Compounds in the Soil, Water, Atmo-
sphere, and Precipitation," Global Effects of Environ-
mental Pollution, Holland, D. Riedal, 70-95*^1970) .
24. Junge, C. E. and J. R. Manson, "Stratospheric Aerosol
Studies," Journal of Geophysical Research, 66(7), 2163
(1961). ~
25. Junge, C. E., "The Distribution of Ammonia and Rainwater
over the United States," American Geophysical Union
Transactions, 39(2), 245 (1958).
86
-------
26. Junk, H. and G. Svec, "The Absolute Abundance of the
Nitrogen Isotopes in the Atmosphere and Compressed Gas
from Various Sources," Geochemica and Cosmochemica
Acta., 14, 234 (1958).
27. Hoering, T. , "Variations of Nitrogen 15 Abundances in
Naturally Occurring Substances," Science 122, 1233
(1955).
28. Junge, C. E. , "The Distribution of Ammonia and Rainwater
over the United States," American Geophysical Union
Transactions, .39(2), 244 (1958).
29. - Heoring, T. C., "Isotopic Composition of the Ammonia and
the Nitrate Ion in Rain," Geochim. et. Cosmochim. Acta.,
12, 100 (1957).
30. Feth, J., "Nitrogen Compounds in Natural Water, A Re-
view," Water Resources Research, 2_, 41 (1966).
31. Mayne, K. I., "Natural Variations in the Nitrogen Isotope
Abundance Ratio in Igneous Rocks," Geochemica et. Cos-
mochemica Acta., 12, 185 (1957).
32. White W. and H. Yagoda, "Abundance of Nitrogen-15 in the
Nitrogen Occluded in Radioactive Minerals," Science, 111,
307 (1950).
33. Miyake, Y. and E. Wada, "The Abundance Ratio of Nitrogen-
15/Nitrogen-14 in Marine Environments," Records of
Oceanographic Work of Japan, _9> 38 (1967).
34. Urey, H., "The Thermodynamic Properties of Isotopic Sub-
stances," Journal of the Chemical Society, 562 (1947).
35. Benson, B. and P. Parker, "Nitrogen/Argon and Nitrogen
Isotope Ratios in Aerobic Sea Water," Deep Sea Research,
2, 237 (1960) .
36. Bremmer, J. M. and D. R. Keeney, Anal. Chim. Acta, 32,
485 (1965).
37. Bremmer, J. M. , "Isotope Ratio Analysis of Nitrogen-15
Tracer Investigation," Methods of Soil Analysis, Part
2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties, American
Society of Agronomy, Wisconsin, 1256 (1965).
38. Commoner, B. , "Progress Report on Nitrogen Cycle,"
Center for Biology of Natural Systems, Washington
University, St. Louis, Mo. (1970).
87
-------
39. Kohl, D., et al., "Fertilizer Nitrogen: Contribution
to Nitrate in Surface Water in a Corn Belt Watershed,"
Science, 174, 1331 (1971).
40. Pestrong, R., "Multiband Photos for a Tidal Marsh,"
Photogrammetric Engineering, 453 (May 1969).
41. Nichols, M., "Nitrate in the Environment," J. American
Water Works Assoc., Vol. 57, 1319 (1965).
42. Gausman, H. , et al., "Reflectance of Single Leaves and
Field Plots of Cycocel-Treated Cotton in Relation to
Leaf Structure," Remote Sensing of Environment 1, 103
(1969-1970).
43. Gausman, H., et al., "Color Photos, Cotton Leaves and
Soil Salinity," Photogrammetric Engineering, 36, 454
(1970). ""
88
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SECTION VIII
PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS
R. J. Heil, Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater in Northern
Runnels County, Texas. Master's Thesis, The University of
Texas at Austin, May 1972.
C. W. Kreitler, Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater in
Southern Runnels County, Texas. Master's Thesis, The
University of Texas at Austin, May 1972.
89
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SECTION IX
GLOSSARY
ml - milliliters
ppm - parts per million
mg/j& - milligrams per liter
- gallons
T.U. - tritium unit
Kg - kilogram
mg - milligram
J; - pounds
_6 - nitrogen isotope ratio
a. - isotope equilibrium constant
91
-------
SECTION X
APPENDICES
Page No.
I. Results of Water Sample Analyses 94
Figure I: Water Well Location Map 95
II. Results of Water Well Inventory 106
III. Profiles for Soil Nitrate and Soil Chloride . . 129
IV. Profiles for Soil Nitrate 176
93
-------
APPENDIX I
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
94
-------
Figure 22. Water Well Location Map
95
-------
All Analyses In Milligrams per Liter
Well
N'o.
1
5
8
15
16
17
18
23
27
33
37
45
59
62
64
65
67
75
76
81
83
84
85
98
Owner
Erail Kloesil
L. F. Loika
C. Schaefer
0. Steinback
0. Steinback
Alvin Halfman
Alvin Halfman
Roy Schaefer
L. Luedtke
Mrs. J. Kresta
Leon Gibson
A. Book
Mrs . Otto Halfman
H. Tierce
Bruce Howell
F. Gallas
Cone Robinson
N. Romfield
N. Romfield
J. C. Busher
C. H. Patton
C. H. Patton
C. H. Patton
L. Hoelscher
NOg
204
242
357
340
250
410
791
357
90
220
171
20
420
128
347
184
288
220
150
130
120
230
110
240
1969
60
300
370
280
220
280
540
270
85
185
200
16
340
160
250
135
330
260 '
140
105
90
225
115
280
IDS
3,630
1,590
2,150
2,080
2,030
1,730
2,390
1,600
1,140
2,110
1,580
1,070
1,870
1,450
3,260
1,370
1,280
1,840
1,100
960
1,090
1,860
1,160
1,750
1969
IDS
2,400
1,470
1,908
3,000
1,650
1,680
1,800
1,050
1,020
1,800
1,800
1,140
1,680
1,320
3,300
1,560
1,200
1,320
1,680
900
450
1,560
1,020
1,560
SiOa
16
22
19
22
23
24
27
27
23
29
21
16
19
20
35
20
I.S.
29
20
21
30
34
25
27
Ca4"1-
660
265
216
211
274
232
417
186
131
307
208
121
210
112
450
173
154
269
88
178
107
252
131
168
Mg"
175
33
118
109
155
89
89
43
72
45
62
86
91
173
199
120
26
30
43
37
59
97
80
83
Na+
223
230
328
339
185
197
192
287
164
354
245
150
270
123
410
121
247
317
225
94
182
246
158
291
HCOl
234
296
276
257
220
343
326
260
250
290
221
316
282
265
284
326
323
244
151
238
351
251
322
298
so'
1,810
210
472
387
274
216
202
125
145
422
199
113
256
407
222
203
174
367
211
89
168
268
141
286
Cl~
420
443
497
630
670
388
510
445
387
590
560
405
458
352
1,450
386
233
484
284
293
248
610
352
486
F"
3.5
.8
4.5
2.6
1.9
1.7
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.9
1.3
2.2
2.2
0.9
1.7
1.7
I.S.
1.9
1.9
0.4
2.5
2.0
—
4.1
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
vO
Well
Xo.
100
101
105
112
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
121
125
126
141
143
147
148
157
158
162
164
165
Owner
Gene Bowles
I . W. Rogers
W. V. Connelley
R. Bruchmiller
R. Bruchmiller
R. Bruchmiller
R. Bruchmiller
R. Bruchmiller
R. Bruchmiller
V. Glass
G. Schaefer
G. Schaefer
Steve Stubblefield
A. Wendland
G. Klaus
R. Hohensee
Walter Adami
Miss Agnes Hoelscher
C. Hoelscher
L. Frenzel
H. Halfman
J . Eggemeyer
P. Luedtke
Alvin Nitsche
NO:
224
110
<.4
280
3,584
419
8.5
29
312
110
250
344
242
36
310
220
180
210
155
540
405
3
80
326
1969
NOa
170
90
56
48
120
320
145
420
210
32
370
320
170
185
290
260
340
26
95
490
IDS
1,910
1,360
760
3,510
8,100
1,170
870
2,660
1,940
1,210
2,170
2,210
1,620
500
1,110
940
1,620
2,040
1,190
3,611
2,140
1,780
1,190
2,600
1969 ++ ^ 4.
TDS SiOa Ca Mg Na
2,280
1,020
960
1,920
1,680
1,800
1,200
1,860
1,200
510
1,080
900
1,560
1,800
1,260
1,800
1,560
1,080
1,140
2,400
24
23
27
22
24
17
22
19
24
25
26
29
29
24
33
22
22
21
22
23
22
20
25
22
211
202
102
740
1,390
211
179
690
336
155
333
276
207
72
131
163
161
232
168
443
266
211
161
189
-IbMAWB^H^OW
146
64
60
78
226
18
26
27
27
64
86
87
49
42
38
36
98
134
90
194
111
103
71
175
232
188
81
233
590
129
94
129
265
175
297
328
271
50
163
97
265
273
97
493
302
213
158
472
HCO,
390
277
362
281
244
201
383
294
250
254
174
337
268
325
217
294
304
237
365
329
338
266
270
383
285
160
164
1,630
1,300
113
186
1,340
237
178
253
493
230
30
147
103
213
358
252
680
245
980
126
401
Cl"
590
474
145
383
840
163
160
279
610
373
840
481
463
87
177
156
530
, 700
225
1,070
620
120
432
820
F~
0.9
0.6
0.8
1.3
2.5
1.4
0.8
1.8
1.6
1.8
2.1
2.1
1.4
1.2
2.5
0.8
1.1
0.9
1.1
2.4
1.7
1.9
1.3
4.6
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
Well
"o.
173
177
182
186
191
192
200
201 '
202
204
205
210
213
219
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
239
251
Owner
Ralph Russell
A. Schwertner
Charles Moonen
E. E. Brown
Norton School
Leland Milliard
A. Eggemeyer
H. Book
H. Book
W. Niehaus
W. Niehaus
V. Wallace
Inez Daniels
Juanita Mclntyre
Lena Spill
W. Lange, Jr.
W. Lange, Jr.
W. Lange, Jr.
Mrs. J. Simicek
W. Lange
W. Beimer
W. Beimer
Tom Poe
P. J. Block
NO;
243
34
809
27
185
90
65
221
90
378
284
95
110
209
80
290
357
520
160
456
572
387
187
410
1969
NO;
200
36
480
22
230
55
85
130
12
350
105
70
310
80
380
240
450
170
410
600
390
230
500
TDS
1,030
750
3,950
1,130
1,340
930
1,150
4,320
1,3"20
2,300
2,380
1,350
1,310
1,080
860
1,530
1,330
1,880
1,570
1,560
1,980
850
930
1969
TDS
840
660
2,280
960
1.260
960
900
1,200
264
2,400
1,080
1,080
1,080
960
1,260
1,260
1,020
1,440
1,500
1,380
1,680
1,020
960
SiOs
20
34
16
22
27
20
24
15
24
16
19
38
25
20
22
18
20
20
24
21
35
36
21
23
Ca++
140
89
615
129
193
143
171
620
175
252
193
143
179
174
114
174
187
176
207
182
142
197
117
127
Mg^
25
42
287
95
45
35
71
231
67
134
159
92
49
59
73
36
30
29
76
89
57
65
25
20
Na+
153
113
162
140
202
129
137
444
195
348
399
178
224
105
84
284
202
162
326
198
286
34~3
127
109
HCOj
232
423
276
390
296
265
290
244
264
234
287
487
483
229
357
298
287
232
256
368
279
277
260
85
S04
162
139
1,510
205
156
145
120
1,940
205
458
331
390
157
84
99
279
184
139
432
101
241
299
91
124
Cl"
173
87
413
319
387
237
415
730
429
690
750
178
337
315
213
298
202
115
520
335
279
333
147
69
F"
0.7
1.9
2.1
1.6
0.8
1.2
1.5
4.0
1.7
2.8
4.8
1.2
0.8
1.0
0.8
2.5
2.3
2.8
3.0
1.6
3.1
3.0
1.8
3.3
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
VO
Well
Xo.
255
258
264
273
277
279
283
284
285
286
288
292
301
303
309
313
314
316
319
321
324
330
338
Ov/n er
John Grohman
V. E. Colburn
C. L. Rogers
W. A. Namkin
Truett Smith
A. W. Hoelscher
M. E. Ma this
M. E. Mathis
G. G. Wiley
A. Schraer
Dan Woodruff
Charles Grohman
R. T. O'Dell
Mrs. Oscar Priem
Leila Harter
P. Halfman
P. Halfman
Gladys Davis
C. A. Gram
George Pruser, Jr.
F. J. Gulley
Severn O'Dell
J. B. Denson
NOj
150
420
28
294
452
351
110
33
252
100
208
180
240
336
294
777
179
420
50
170
260
11
384
1969
130
330
76
48
390
440
110
45
220
155
200
15
245
320
390
660
440
104
200
210
13
250
IDS
1,980
2,250
510
2,470
1,650
2,410
1,060
850
l',400
1,490
1,350
1,430
950
1,320
1,420
3,710
2,180
2,740
1,110
1,110
2,570
2,630
1,280
1969
IDS
2,340
2,160
720
1,680
1,440
2,400
1,080
960
1,200
1,320
1,320
1,080
960
1,320
1,560
2,880
2,700
1,200
900
1,920
1,800
960
SiO,
29
24
18
19
25
20
24
23
21
23
24
14
23
23
28
25
24
25
39
20
16
16
22
Ca"""
307
264
72
389
263
268
202
145
139
163
128
155
120
102
213
500
251
274
110
69
443
415
226
Mg++
71
134
34
115
51
135
45
35
68
78
101
119
24
45
72
162
98
138
50
88
127
170
60
Na+
289
294
63
283
190
355
141
107
239
235
192
169
153
255
158
486
386
465
211
182
21J
150
97
HCOa
226
216
285
281
257
323
237
232
259
265
311
395
299
303
287
227
259
267
467
375
226
92
289
so;
231
233
43
471
152
328
103
82
203
287
145
231
103
216
129
373
314
443
216
197
880
1,760
52
Cl"
790
770
110
760
388
790
420
306
350
395
396
368
138
195
387
1,270
800
840
198
192
520
60
296
F"
1.1
1.9
1.3
1.8
0.8
2.8
0.7
0.8
1.7
1.9
5.9
1.0
1.3
1.6
1.1
3.3
3.0
3.7
2.1
3.4
1.0
1.3
0.7
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
Well
Xo.
344
348
354
359
361
362
365
366
367
368
369
370
374
375
,_, 377
O 379
0 385
386
387
388
393
394
407
408
Owner
Mrs . Roy Roper
Robert Conner
B. Phelps
R. B. Smith
Hal ley Schwartz
C. Henning
E. Kvapil
E. Kvapil
E. Kvapil
B. Ransbarger
B. Ransbarger
Wilma Davis
Omer Hill
Omer Hill
Robert Conner
D. Redman
B. Willberg
E. 0. Eggemeyer
G. C. McGuffin
E. 0. Eggemeyer
D. Ocker
C. Ocker
Barney Puckett
Barney Puckett
NO;
190
192
110
3.5
100
560
64
56
95
150
326
140
210
390
215
225
130
315
290
1,428
168
216
210
230
1969
NOJ
190
340
88
3
76
700
70
62
58
115
380
140
185
390
250
205
215
310
60
1,230
170
190
260
IDS
1,220
1,360
1,030
560
790
2,220
610
560
1,130
1,800
1,440
1,220
1,410
2,040
1,280
960
2,040
3,180
1,160
8,150
1,310
2,120
1,610
1,640
1969
IDS
1,140
1,680
1,140
600
600
2,400
660
600
960
1,440
1,080
1,320
1,500
2,280
1,680
900
1,920
2,880
660
1,680
1,680
1,680
SiO,
25
26
22
15
23
24
21
21
28
44
26
24
19
17
26
23
24
18
17
25
20
23
25
20
Ca++
179
183
167
99
114
330
73
60
156
159
288
157
209
393
178
83
280
307
271
830
180
233
249
198
Mg44
43
67
57
23
56
107
37
33
72
27
15
50
78
105
60
27
36
196
22
432
62
109
86
116
Na4
174
177
118
79
76
237
86
89
139
413
165
192
155
140
165
191
345
483
73
1,270
173
350
186
208
HCO^
251
265
272
431
329
282
244
254
288
339
179
288
270
287
282
259
267
339
266
270
268
249
238
293
S0~
151
172
117
84
100
189
78
72
139
397
71
183
172
123
168
165
328
720
96
1,540
274
351
146
127
Cl"
329
387
314
45
156
630
129
106
360
436
463
327
429
730
327
115
590
970
256
2,490
296
710
590
600
F"
0.7
1.3
0.6
1.5
1.4
2.5
1.1
1.1
1.0
2.4
0.4
0.8
1.1
0.3
1.4
3.2
1.9
2.3
0.4
2.9
- 0.7
0.9
0.6
1.2
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
Well
Kp5
409
413
414
415
416
418
419
425
430
434
444
445
447
448
456
457
463
464
469
471
473
475
480
484
Owner
J. R. Woodfin
W. F. Phelps
W. F. Phelps
L. R. Pelzrl
Frank Laird
J. Busenlehner
J. Busenlehner
J. L. Shelton
Paul Michael is
E. Moonen
Carl Gottschalk
Frank Carter
H. Schaefer
Mrs. Herman Spill
Joe Mueller
Joe Mueller
A. J. Glass
V. Schwertner
Harvey Gulley
T. Alverdo
A. Fuchs
Clarence Hallmark
Ralph Russell
J . Haechten
NO;
221
132
23
1.5
22
190
240
160
42
12
384
120
260
68
140
210
120
326
288
80
336
O.4
220
336
1969
NO;
290
130
30
4
25
230
250
190
56
35
580
120
240
110
165
260
225
300
155
50
860
1
205
350
IDS
1,940
2,930
4,960
1,630
1,330
1,140
880
1,080
530
3,600
1,360
1,330
2,240
2,200
980
1,070
1,410
1,590
1,460
3,460
2,040
670
870
1,620
1969
IDS
2,280
3,480
6,000
1,200
1,920
1,080
780
1,020
600
2,700
1,440
1,260
2,040
2,400
960
900
1,680
1,320
2,400
2,700
2,470
600
720
1,680
Si08
21
20
7
16
12
20
21
17
22
36
23
24
20
18
23
16
24
28
23
18
24
10
30
22
Ca^
360
320
610
182
216
207
177
119
101
229
234
170
330
101
86
113
159
173
165
530
354
126
94
236
Mg^
64
159
483
118
77
24
20
35
24
240
64
73
140
207
24
55
94
67
45
220
93
30
35
67
Na+
214
520
500
245
130
138
87
199
50
660
115
190
240
411
211
164
205
254
262
286
30_4
66
142
193
HCOl
245
299
173
243
240
232
226
312
293
600
438
306
223
520
306
299
333
172
282
273
196
251
244
210
so:
241
256
286
239
423
131
86
180
59
1,340
116
163
312
319
220
180
184
248
259
1,670
920
196
79
249
Cl"
700
1,370
2.960
690
332
265
189
211
83
780
207
436
820
810
126
185
465
405
278
520
344
113
143
410
F"
0.5
1.1
0,4
2. 5
0.8
0.3
0.7
2.0
0.6
3.1
0.6
0.9
1.9
4.4
1.3
1.8
1.7
2.8
4.7
2.3
3.3
0.7
2.9
2.5
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
A - j. 1
493
494
495
496
503
506
508
512
513
516
517
523
540
546
551
552
553
558
566
567
569
578
591
Owner
Mrs. C. H. Midgley
W. J. Kahlig
W. J. Kahlig
A. Holubec
Travis Barrett
R. Wilde-
Gene Virden
R . Lange
W. Urbanek
W. Urbanek
W. Urbanek
Willis Davis
C. W. Wessels
Bobby Rogers
P. Pieper
P. Pieper *Epm
Harvey Gulley
Alfred Wessels
Duncan Hens ley
Duncan Hens ley
Henry Fowler
C. Matschek
L. R. Hancock
NO;
200
809
1,365
130
149
221
496
270
130
110
94
304
155
6
294
290
459
200
130
315
10
530
1969
NO;
300
810
145
165
190
520
660
112
120
462
214
12
300
290
410
230
200
205
18
490
IDS
2,260
6,120
4,970
1,780
1,410
1,370
1,510
1,780
1,660
1,480
1,920
910
1,530
1,240
3,000
3,280
1,210
870
810
2,990
7,000
1,690
1969
TDS
2,280
3,600
1,860
1,200
1,260
1,560
3,000
1,320
1,440
1,080
1,440
1,080
2,160
960
1,080
900
1,080
1,800
4,320
1,320
SiOa
24
19
19
27
l.S.
18
25
24
22
24
17
26
25
21
19
*
14
22
22
25
20
18
29
Ca^
234
650
670
261
194
226
173
177
221
197
218
144
222
184
433
32.3
570
183
119
116
386
1,010
261
Mg^
148
309
226
80
52
41
48
86
72
88
81
28
42
104
188
9.5
182
31
51
40
263
322
82
Na+
317
970
580
234
231
179
227
305
255
190
336
100
269
81
258
15.1
213
142
94
100
207
1,020
143
HCO^
439
287
259
257
217
288
244
303
240
271
32
246
356
365
279
3.4
272
265
251
279
540
300
232
S04
680
1,060
690
404
239
198
131
287
254
249
401
75
45
530
1,190
7.2
1,370
92
65
70
1,080
1,390
184
cr
439
2,070
1,290
520
442
343
285
475
580
487
750
107
600
136
481
15.4
510
154
198
187
447
3,100
341
F"
2.1
3.3
2.5
2.3
l.S.
0.9
2.3
1.9
2.7
2.6
2.3
1.2
0.7
1.1
2.3
2.1
0.5
1.3
1.8
1.2
1.0
1.2
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
Well
592
597
599
600
607
608
614
616
626
627
630
638
653
670 v
S 6n
5 672
686
689
705
706
708
711
722
727
Owner
Jack Pritchard
Virgil Fuller
Miles Co-op Gin
A. Book
Wendell Lee
Fred Tidmore
Walter Gerhart
Walter Gerhart
F. Pohler
W. Wehlman
R. Multer
Carl ton Robinson
Earl Dorsett
P. Frenzel
P. Frenzel
G. Ruppert
James Patton
James Patton
Ras Gideon
Ras Gideon
Mrs. C. R. Morrison
J. King
Marvin Patterson
J. Teplicek
NO;
85
2
180
190
430
504
160
180
210
-.4
270
231
365
270
180
1,302
120
120
78
180
299
378
351
1,620
1969
NOJ
680
4
175
185
430
510
125
80
175
10
220
330
410
200
170
330
245
120
80
80
510
310
290
TDS
780
349
1,230
990
1,090
1,700
1,360
1,130
1,690
2,610
2,010
1,110
1,100
1,490
1,150
1,800
890
860
1,030
1,390
1,780
2,570
1,040
5,400
1969
TDS
1,440
330
1,140
1,020
900
1,560
1,560
1,500
1,440
1,680
1,260
900
840
1,020
900
900
510
660
720
960
1,200
1,800
660
20
SiOa
24
13
21
27
I.S.
21
15
25
17
20
20
I.S.
26
23
27
18
25
22
24
24
21
19
35
850
Ca*
128
103
133
126
115
142
122
113
183
413
215
216
157
1,96
179
590
111
119
82
138
244
275
127
325
„ ++
Mg
28
17
68
48
46
66
109
76
154
198
125
30
32
85
64
156
33
35
107
116
91
149
52
333
Na+
107
8
202
132
155
301
182
150
176
123
291
118
148
196
131
348
145
121
131
169
235
375
118
354
HCO;
275
381
311
312
207
331
351
333
282
310
267
178
267
354
312
338
222
261
411
454
284
232
255
1,080
S04
60
11
111
91
125
245
243
288
260
1,470
312
71
102
103
60
550
99
106
136
154
170
452
91
980
ci-
213
8
355
221
116
255
351
132
550
230
640
350
141
440
356
680
248
207
268
384
580
800
141
2.9
F"
0.6
0.4
3.2
1.0
I.S.
0.6
1.0
1.1
1.8
2.2
0.8
1.0
1.3
1.0
0.8
2.4
0.8
0.6
2.4
1.5
0.9
3.5
3.8
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
W-ll
Xo.
727
728
729
746
747
773
775
784
786
805
806
864
865
8.65
866
867
868
869
870
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
Owner
J. Teplicek
J. Teplicek
Albert Spill
Carl Lewis
E. Urban
M. R. Williams
Mrs. A. T. Williams
A. Lange
E. F. Albro
V. D. Cooper
V. D. Cooper
W. H. Dierscke
0. Halfroan
0. Halfman
0. Halfman
0. Halfman
0 . Ha 1 f man
0. Halfman
A. C. Wend land
Sroithwick
J. Hohensee
R. Schwertner
E. Holobec
Werner Lange
NOj
1,260
130
130
100
170
243
296
300
324
12
<0.4
210
1,660
1,250
200
1,898
920
290
110
120
190
280
820
360
1969
NO;
68
290
132
215
255
170
300
105
25
240
310
IDS
4,870
2,640
1,320
980
820
1,230
1,310
2,380
1,150
1,240
2,000
1,490
4,780
3,880
2,010
5,350
4,100
1,500
640
910
2,150
2,190
2,950
3,790
1969
TDS
780
1,440
900
1~260
1,212
2,010
1,080
1,140
2,040
1,400
1,260
780
SiOj,
24
24
21
I .S.
21
28
17
21
24
13
16
21
21
22
27
22
20
24
24
27
12
17
29
18
C.++
740
385
265
130
98
167
152
336
154
156
229
181
770
610
165
780
700
190
98
118
300
245
476
600
Mg++
308
190
48
41
55
26
34
178
73
69
159
114
108
104
80
238
95
48
47
57
93
73
81
202
Na+
348
193
114
164
100
190
230
223
109
190
286
161
540
470
413
490
530
250
52
118
272
389
357
359
HCOs
339
253
171
312
337
287
237
227
310
390
530
268
242
238
389
282
166
253
320
334
283
220
229
245
S0t
1,030
1,160
160
150
70
211
209
326
102
200
266
150
472
387
416
570
396
241
57
83
920
520
330
1,250
Cl"
990
428
496
234
137
226
249
880
209
408
780
520
1,090
920
510
1,210
1,350
379
89
217
351
560
740
880
F"
3.5
2.7
0.4
0.8
1.4
0.8
0.7
0.8
0.6
1.3
2.1
0.9
2.2
2.5
2.6
2.5
2.5
1.3
1.1
2.4
2.2
3.4
2.7
2.1
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
All Analyses in Milligrams per Liter
U\-o!
1008
1009
1010
1032
1034
1U34
1111
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
o
Ui H20
1121
1125
Owner
J . Hohensee
Arthur Halfman
Cmereck
J. Pfluger
Mrs. F. Backhous
Mrs . F. Backhous
Jack Bishop
Dewitt Bryan
Valley Creek
Valley Creek
Bobby Rogers
Frank Carter
Jatnes Brown
R. T. O'Dell
R. T. O'Dell
Dude Dunn
Walter Niehaus
John Grohman
NO-
59
112
110
25
1,430
2,162
198
165
28
26
130
100
210
110
23
76
51
15
1969
NO;
2,240
2 , 240
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
SNT
1969
IDS IDS
331
1,350
1,510
3,130
4,010 3,600
4,980 3,600
1,000
1,550
540
472
1,300
1,290
1,850
1,100
730
780
820
2,220
SiO,
23
25
22
18
32
30
20
22
8
11
22
23
23
18
15
21
20
6
Ca++
64
175
193
620
670
840
122
210
72
67
172
160
214
98
81
113
106
276
9
65
111
118
118
142
19
69
34
16
73
76
128
39
28
46
45
96
Na+
24
205
189
235
386
412
187
239
77
82
167
186
242
230
142
94
119
402
HCOa
168
265
298
285
220
198
289
254
275
156
303
299
273
420
339
289
244
84
13
208
159
1,380
341
328
155
172
79
50
232
167
197
181
123
72
129
281
Cl"
5
430
580
590
920
970
157
550
102
143
349
429
700
214
148
211
232
1,100
F"
0.3
1.8
2.0
1.0
2.1
2.3
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.8
0.9
0.9
1.3
1.0
1.5
1.0
1.3
RESULTS OF WATER SAMPLE ANALYSES
-------
APPENDIX II
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
106
-------
W.-I1
" O .
i
2
3
5
6
8
14
15
16
17
18
Gvner /Location
Emil Kloesil
2S Rowena
Emil Kloesil
2S Rowena
Emil Kloesil
2S Rowena
L. F. Loika
7MS Ballinger
C. Dankworth
Rt.67, 2MS Ballinger
C. Schaefer
1\ SW Rowena
Ray Brown
IMS Ballinger
Otto A. Steinbac'k
4S Rowena
Otto A. Steinback
4S Rowena
Alvin Ha If man
4S Rowena W.
Alvin Halfrnan
4S Rowena
Depth
Depth to
of Water
Well Table
jft.) (ft.)
51 R
37 R
40- +.5 M
45 R
60 R
29.6 6 M
M
82 or 1\ M
90 R
62 R 50 R
62 R
55 R
55 M 27 M
Depth
to
Water
Stratum
60, seep
at 45
72
28
50
44
54
44
54
Well
Lift
Electric
Electric
Electric
Wind
Electric
Wind
Electric
Electric
Wind
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Age Distance Distance &
Well of 6. Direction Direction
Type Well from Well from Well
Plastic New 100Y SE
Cased
Cased 6 yrs . 50' E Cesspool
Cased 50' E Next to
water
trough
Cased Old 150 Yds. N
Cased 40' S
Cased Old
Cased 200' SW
Cased New 40' N 25' E
Cased Old 1 ' E of
Barnyard
Cone.
(mg/jt)
204
Remarks
242
886
357
Over-flowing septic
tank
23 Roy Schaefer
3MS Norton
47 M 14 M
Electric Cased Old
46' S
340 In the barnyard
250
410
791 Right next to
barnyard
357
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
H-1
o
oo
Kail
::o.
26
27
33
37
44
45
59
60
62
64
65
66
Owne r /Loc a t ion
Baker & Carwile
6S Ballinger
Leonard Luedtke
3M NE Miles
Mrs. J. L. Kresta
1M N Bethel
Leon Gibson
10M NW Ballinger
Alfon Book
2%M E Miles
A. F. Book son
2M N Miles
Mrs. Otto Halfman
9 SE Rowena
L . S . Cape
1M S Ballinger
H. Tierce
1.5M NE Hatchel
Bruce Howe 11
3M SE Hatchel
Freddy Gallas
3SE Rowena
Freddy Gallas
33 E Rowena
of
Well
ifJbl
ll9 R
70-75
R
125 R
49M
47 R
70 R
50 M
27 R
60 R
60 R
60 R
60 M
Water Water
Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.)
90
35 R 90
33 M
16.5 M 47
28.6
18
50 R 60
19 R 19
20
50
Strongest
7 M
.Well
Lift
Wind
Wind
Electric
Windmill
Wind
Electric
Wind
Electric
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Well
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Plas-
tic
Casing
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Age
of
Well
Old
Old
Old
Old
New
Old
New
Old
Old
3 yrs.
Distance Distance & Nitrate
& Direction Direction Cone.
from Well from Well (mg/i) Remarks
iM E
250Y S 90
%M W 200Y W 220
100' N40°E 171
200' W 20
k M W Near deserted
100 yds. E 420 house
100' W
30 cattle grazed
110' S75° E 128 nearby
Grazed cattle for
200' N15° W 347 a while
300' NW 184
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
v:2ll
'.'3.
67
71
71
74
75
76
81
83
84
85
98
Owner /Location
Cone Robinson
12H NW Ballinger
Erwin Ha If man
5M SW Ballinger
Erwin Ha If man
5M SW Ballinger
Joe Hovarak
River Rd., S Ballinger
Nobert Rohmfield
5S Ballinger
Nobert Rohmfield
5S Ballinger
J. C. Busher
4.5M E Winters
C. H. Patton
8M NW Ballinger
C. H. Patton
8M NW Ballinger
C. H. Patton
8M NW Ballinger
Leoran Hoelscher
6S Ballinger
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
67 M 8 M 67
22.6
M 17.5 M
40-
50 R 40-50
12-15
30 R 9 M 30
60 R
22 R
28R
30 R
21 M 0 M 15
Well
Lift
Electric
pump
Electric
Electric
pump
Windmill
Windmill
Windmill
Electric
Age Distance
Well of & Direction
Tvoe Well from Well
Cased Old 30' E
60' N
Dug
100' SW
Cased 20' Cesspool
70' Cesspool
Cased 26 yrs. 80' N
Cased Old 360' S60° E
Cased Old *
Cased Old *
Plas-
tic New
Distance &
Direction
from Well
70' SE
(Chicken
Houses)
70' S
50' NW
200' E
200' N
Nitrate
Cone .
(mg/i)
288
142
220
150
130
120
230
110
240
Remarks
50 cattle grazed
nearby; 7000
chickens
Stock pond
Formerly disposed of
cattle manure in
east pasture
*0ver \ mile from
any house
*Over % mile from
any house
Well next to stock
pond
Casing
100 Gene Bowles
5M SE Winters
50 R
Windmill Cased Old
100' S20° E
224
8-10 cattle grazed
nearby
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depch
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Well
101
105
112
113
114
114a
115
116
117
118
119
121
Owner /Location
I. W. Rogers
5M SE Winters
W. V. Connelley
River Rd., S. Ballin-
ger
R. Bruchmiller
5M S Ballinger
R. Bruchmiller
9M S Ballinger
R. Bruchmiller
9M S Ballinger
R. Bruchmiller
9M S Ballinger
R. Bruchmiller
9M S Ballinger
R. Bruchmiller
9M S Ballinger
Vernon Glass
1M N Lowake
George Schaefer
1M W Martins Inn
George Schaefer
1M W Martins Inn
Steve Stubblefield
1.5M S Norton
of Water Water
Well Table Stratu
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
33 M 17 M 30
13.1 4.5 13
M M
90 M 37 M
12 M 1.5 M »12
60.5 M
t
95 M 42.6 M
65 M 32.7 M 62
60 M 14.2 H 37
60-65
R
60 R
73 M 19 M
50 M 8.6 M
m Well
Lift
Windmill
Electric
Wind
Wind
Wind
Wind
Wind
Wind
Electric
Electric
Electric
Pump
Well
Cased
Dug
Tin
Casing
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Age
of
Well
Old
Old
Old
New
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
New
Old
Distance Distance & Nitrate
& Direction Direction Cone.
from Well from Well (mg/jt) Remarks
66' E
75' N 50° E 110
200 Y N up the <.4
hill
1st N03 test
40' N 10' 280 showed 3680 mg/jt
%M E farm 419
Deserted farm
%M W 8.5
20' W of house
100' N 29
%M N 312
100' E 105' E 110
40' S 250 House well
250Y E 344 Irrigation well
*Seep tank betweer
* 242 well and house;
cattle graze near
well
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Wall
Xo.
125
126
132
141
143
147
148
157
158
162
164
165
Owner /Location
A. C. Wendland
4M W Miles
Gus Klaus -.
9M SW Ballinger
A. W. Strube
1M E Rowena
Roudie Hohensee
4M N Miles
Walter Adami
5M SE Winters
Miss Agnes Hoelscher
3M E Rowena
Charles Hoelscher
3M E Rowena
L. Frenzel
2M S Rowena
Harry Halfman
S 01 fen
James Eggemeyer
1.5M N Miles
Paul Luedtke
3M NW Lowake
Alvin Nitsche
1M S Winters
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
_(ft.J (ft.) (ft.)
92 R
16.3
M 8.5 M 16
100 R
70-80
R
40 R
40 R
60 R
52.7 11.6
M M
54.7 27.8
M M
119 R 86
75 R 33
11 R 4 R
.Well
Lift
Electric
Wind
Wind
Electric
Pump
Electric
Wind
Electric
Wind
Electric
Pump
Age
Well of
Type Well
Dug
Cased Old
Tin
Casing
Cased Old
Cased
Old
Cased 35
Cased
Cased
Dug Old
Distance
& Direction
from Well
200' W
1/3M E
House 20' to
the S
70' S 70° W
1/3M W
40' S
150Y W
100Y E
200 Y S
96' S 10° W
Distance &
Direction
from Well
100' NW
200' W
1/3M E
20 'S
1/3M W
150Y W
30' N
Nitrate
Cone.
36
311
220
180
210
155
540
405
3.0
80
326
Remarks
House well
Open cesspool
200' east
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
K>
'all
Xo.
173
177
182
186
191
192
200
201
202
204
205
Owner /Location
Ralph Russell
7.5M NW Ballinger
Alex Schwertner
1M S Ballinger
Charles Moonen
2M W Ballinger
E. E. Brown
12M NE Ballinger
Norton School
Norton
Leland Hilliard
Norton
Arthur Eggetneyer
4%M SE Miles
Herbert Book
1M NW Lowake
Herbert Book
S of Schwertner 's
Werner Niehaus
6M S Ballinger
Werner Niehaus
6M S Ballinger
OJ
WeJ
Ifi
60
38
24
40
65
53
66
E Water Water
LI Table Stratun
Ejl (ft.) (ft.)
R
R
R
R
24.7
M M
25.2
M M
35
R 47 R 57
45+R 45
20
30
45
M 0 M
MOM 19
19
M 1.5 M 41
t Well
Lift
Windmill
Electric
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Wind
Wind
Age
Well of
Cased Old
Cased New
Cased Old
Cased Old
Cased Old
Cased Old
Plastic
Casing New
Cased
Dug Old
Cased Old
Plastic
Cased New
Distance Distance &
& Direction Direction
from Well from Well
%M W
60' SE 300Y W
100' N
130' N 5° E 70° W
600' N 30° E
66' N 55° E
80' N 45° W
36' E
32' S 45° W
200' 100 'N
Barn
50' W 50' N
%M W
1000' N 500' E 1000' N
30' S of
Well #204
Nitrate
Cone.
(mg/i)
243
34
809
27
185
90
64
220
90
378
284
Remarks
Has a few cattle,
hogs
85-100 cattle
grazed
New well with
packers above pro-
ducing horizon
Dug well next to
stock tank
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
u>
Depth Depth
Depth to to
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Age Distance Distance & Nitrate
Well i Well of & Direction Direction Cone.
Remarks
,,o. vwner /i-ocacion
210 Vernen Wallace
S Ballinger
213 Inez Daniels
Norton
219 Juanita Mclntyre
Wingate
221 Robert Lee Jones
S Ballinger
223 Walter Lange, Sr.
9M S Ballinger
227 Lena Spill
7M SE Winters
228 Walter O. Lange, Jr.
9M S Ballinger
229 Walter 0. Lange, Jr.
9M S Ballinger
230 Walter O. Lange, Jr.
9M S Ballinger
231 Mrs . John Simecek
5M SW Rowena
232 Walter Lange, Sr.
9M S Ballinger
233 W. Beimer
10M W Ballinger
\Li~-t Ait.j I*. >.-.;
28 9
60 R
80 R
65 R
31 R
33 M. 14.5 M 50
30
60 M 16.8 M 60
32 R
70 R
45 R
28.6 25-
M 14.2 M 28
29.16 14.31 25-
M M 28
LJ A. 1.1
Electric
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Electric
Windmill
Wind
Electric
Electric
Electric
Wind
Wind
1YMC
Dug
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
90' S Well dug in
70' S 95 gravels
""
Old 50' N HO
4 yrs. 30' W 290
75' SW
Old 25' N Cesspool 456
Old 70' S 70° E 100' N 80 30-40 cattle
Old 150' N 290
25' 357
New %M N
160
Old
Old
50 yrs. 30 'N 40 'S 572
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
of . Water Water
ell
>;o.
234
239
251
255
258
264
273
277
279
283
284
Well Table Stratum
Owner /Location
W. Beimer
10M W Bal linger
Tom Poe
6M W Winters
P. J. Block
N of Olfen
-John Grohman
3.5M SW Winters
V. E. Colburn
,5M NW Winters
C. L. Rogers
Wingate
W. H. Namkin
1\ M SE Rowena
Truett Smith
7M NW Winters
A. W. Hoelscher
6M SW Bal linger
M. E. Mathis
3.5M SE Winters
M. E. Mathis
3.5M SE Winters
(ft
17.
M
38
33
24
22
90
61
22
18
36
36
.J. (ft.) (ft.)
7 12.16
M 14-18
R 28 R
M 7.25 M
M 12 M
M 8 M
R
R
M .8 M
M 1 M 12
R 19 R
R
Well
Lift
Electric
Electric
Pump
Wind
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Wind
Electric
Pump
Wind
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Well
Type
Dug
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Casing
Casing
Age
of
Well
20 yrs .
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
New
Old
Distance Distance &
& Direction Direction
from Well from Well
50' NW 80' SW
100' NE*
1500' N 200' W
70' S 80° E* 200' NE
46' S
60' S 20°E
400' S 60° W
75' S
200' NW
300Y NW
hog pen
80' N 50° E
80' N 40° W
300' N 30° W
Nitrate
Cone .
(mg/i) Remarks
378
*Deserted farm
187 house
410
*Cesspool; large
150 feedlot upstream;
30 hogs , cattle
grazed nearby
420 Weak well
28
294
452
351
110
33
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Kill
285
286
288
292
301
303
309
313
314
316
319
321
Owner /Location
G. G. Wiley
2M W Ballinger
Arnold Schraer
1M N Lowake
Dan Woodruff
6H W Ballinger
Charles Grohman
10 . 5M NE Winters
R. T. O'Dell
4.5M N Winters
Mrs . Oscar Priem
2M W Valley View
Leila Harter
Wingate
Paul Halftnan
11M SW Ballinger
Paul Halfman
11M SW Ballinger
Gladys Davis
6M S Ballinger
C. A. Cram
Rt. 67, 2M S
Ballinger
George Pruser, Jr.
2M NE Hatchel
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
50 R
55 R 20-25 R
33 R 30 R 30
54 R 18 R
Spring 0
23 M 10 M 10
33 M
10
34 M 6 M 25
37.15
M 5.0 M
40-45 5.91
R M
15-
17 M 10 M 17
70 R
Well
Lift
Electric
Pump
Wind
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Electric
Wind
Electric
Wind
Electric
Pump
Well
Casing
Cased
Casing
Casing
Dug
Cased
Dug
Cased
Plastic
Casing
Dug
Cased
Age
of
Well
Old
100 yr.
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Recased
Old
New
Distance
& Direction
from Well
82' S 75° W
70' N
300' N
450' N 20° W
100' W
"M S
30' N 40° E
10' N
200 Y N
50' S
50' and 60'
100' S 60° E
Distance & Nitrate
Direction Cone.
from Well (mg/jQ
252
100' SW 180
208
180
240
336
294
777
179
%M W of
hog pens 420
50
170
Remarks
50 cattle grazed
nearby
Estimated discharge
»25 gal /minute
Dug well by the
septic tank
Windmill in
field
Raised cattle
years ago
5
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
We LI
"0.
324
325
330
338
344
348
354
359
361
362
365
366
Owner /Location
Frank J. Gulley
2M E Rowena
Frank J. Gulley
2M E Rowena
Severn O'Dell
2M NW Wingate
J. B. Denson
Wilineth
Mrs . Roy Roper
Norton
Robert Conner,
10M NW Winters
B. Phelps
5M SE Winters
R. B. Smith
6M NE Crews
Halley Schwartz
5.5M E Winters
Clarence Henning
2M S Rowena
E. L. Kvapil
1M E Miles
E. L. Kvapil
1M E Miles
o:
We:
ili
62
80
50
50
40
28
53
40
40
70
75
75
£ Water Water
LI Table Stratun
til (ft.) (ft.)
M 44.5 M
M 35 M
R 50
M 16 M
R
M 7 M 25
MUM 43
R
M 11.5 M 19
M 10.3 M
R 75
R 75
i Well
Lift
Electric
Wind
Elec.tric
Pump
Elec trie
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Wind
Electric
Wind
Well
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Age
of
Well
New
pump &
casing
Old
New
Old
Old
Old"
Old
New
Old
Old
Old
Distance
Si Direction
from Well
50' E
40' N
70' N 30°E
66' N 25° E*
20' N 30° E
150' N 20° W
65' S 60° W
*
100' SE
*20' W
40' E
50' SE
150' N
Distance & Nitrate
Direction Cone.
from Well (mg/4)
In the mid-
dle of the 260
farmyard
11
384
190
192
110
3.5
100
40' S 560
100' S 64
30' E 56
Remarks
*0pen cesspool
until one yr. ago
Some cattle
nearby
Raised some
10-12 years
grazed
cattle
ago
*No house within
\ mile
*Cesspool
House Well
Windmill
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Wall
367
368
369
370
374
375
377
379
385
386
387
388
Owner /Loc at ion
E. L. Kvapil
1 M E Miles
B. Ransbarger
17M SE Ballinger
B . Ransbarger
17M SE Ballinger
Wiltna Davis
2M E Winters
Omer Hill
10M NW Winters
Omer Hill
10M NW Winters
Robert Conner
10M NW Winters
Daniel Redman
4M W Rowena
Ben Willberg
3M SE Rowena
E. 0. Eggemeyer
9M S Ballinger
G. C. McGuffin
6M N Crews
Emit 0. Eggemeyer
9M S Ballinger
Depth
of
Well
75 R
74 M
52 M
57 R
30 R
18 R
100 R
100 R
85 R
43 M
60 R
80 M
Depth Depth
to to
Water Water
Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.)
75
24 M
22 M
37 R 47
10 R
3 R
28
36
«45 R 60
20.75
M
30 R
6.95
M
.Well
Lift
Electric
Electric
Wind
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Wind
Wind
Electric
Windmill
Wind
Well
Plastic
Casing
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Age
of
Well
New
Old
±20 yrs.
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Distance Distance &
& Direction Direction
from Well from Well
100' N
100' E 150' SE
^M W 20' N
80' S10° W
300' S 25° W 200' W
In Stock-
300 ' SE pen
100' N 20° W
200' W
100' W
200Y SE of house
*
0' next
25' W to hogs
Nitrate
Cone .
(ma / 4) Remarks
95 Son's well
150 House well
326
140
210
390
215
225
130
315
*Moving outhouse;
290 30 cattle grazing
nearby
Well next to hog
1428 pen. A few cat-
tie died from the
well water.
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
00
Wall
Bo.
393
394
395
407
408
409
413
414
415
416
Owner /Location
David Ocker
4M S Ballinger
Charles Ocker
4M S Ballinger
Ray Holtman
4M SW Ballinger
Barney Puckett
10M NW Winters
Barney Puckett
10M NW Winters
J. R. Wood fin
10M NW Winters
W. F. Phelps
6M SE Winters
W. F. Phelps
6M SE Winters
Lee Roy Pelzrl
l^M N Miles
Frank Laird
8M E Winters
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
37- M 27 M
47 M 25.5 M
60 R
45 M 16.3 M
25 R 12 R
60 R
35 R 20 R
35 R
105 R
16 M 0 12
Well
Lift
Electric
Wind
Wind
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Windmill
Electric
Electric
Pump
Well
Dug
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Age
of
Well
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Old
Distance Distance & Nitrate
& Direction Direction Cone.
from Well from Well (mg/i)
30' N 168
216
200Y N
50' S 50° E 210
* ** 230
60' S 10° E 221
188' W 132
*20' N 23
70' SW 1.5
250' S 70° E 22
Remarks
Well located in
corral
*Located in middle
of pasture; **30
cattle/year graze
around well
Raised 30 cattle/
year years ago
Salt water pollu-
tion from oil
well activity
*0uthouse; house
has been deserted
for years; salt
water pollution.
20 cattle/year
grazing nearby
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
I-1
M
vO
Vail
"0.
418
419
420
425
430
434
444
445
447
448
456
457
Owner /Location
J . Busenlehner
12M S Ballinger
J. Busenlehner
12M S Ballinger
J. Busenlehner
12M S Ballinger
J. L. Shelton
2M S Crews
Paul Michaelis
3M NW Wingate
Ed Moonen
1M S Ballinger, Rt.83
Carl Gottshack
10M SW Winters
Frank Carter
6.5M SE Winters
Hilmer Schaefer
2SE Rowena
Mrs . Herman Spill
8M SE Winters
Joe Mueller
12M NW Ballinger
Joe Mueller
12M NW Ballinger
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
40 R 28
60 R 35
18 M 13.6 M
90+M 7.2 M
80 R 40
34 R
18 M 10 M 10
30 M 13.3 M 20
63 R 25 M 50-55
12 M 8.3 M
50 R 30
21 M 16.5 M
Well
Lift
Electric
Electric
Drawn
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Well
Cased
Cased
Plastic
Casing
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Dug
Cased
Cased
Age Distance
of & Direction
Well from Well
New ^M W House
New 30' W
New
Old 45' E
New 1/3M E
New %M N
15 yrs. 200' SW
Old 80' S 70° W
10 yrs. 200' E
New *
New 120' S
Old 300' NE
Distance & Nitrate
Direction Cone.
from Well (mg/A)
190
200' S of
pens 240
160
50' W 42
fcM N 12
*200' W 384
100' E 120
200' E 260
** 68
140
210
Remarks
Irrigation well
House well
Unused well
30 cattle/year
grazing nearby
100-150 cattle
grazed on land
by Colorado
River
*Used to be a 30
cow dairy
*Well located
across a creek;
**30 cattle/year
grazed near well
20 cattle/year
grazed
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Well
463
464
469
471
473
474
480
484
493
494
Own e r /Loc a tion
A. G. Glass
SE Miles
Victor Schwertner
9M SW Ballinger
Harvey Gulley
%M E Rowena
Tocho Alverdo
in Rowena
Arnold Fuchs
9M SW Ballinger
Arnold Fuchs
9M SW Ballinger
Arnold Fuchs
9M SW Ballinger
Clarence Hallmark
5.5M NE Ballinger
Ralph Russell
2M SW Valley View
Joe T. Haechten
9%M S Ballinger
Mrs. C. H. Midgley
South Ballinger
W. J. Kahlig
9M S Ballinger
of Water Water
Well Table Stratui
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
90 R
30 R 30
110 R 45
40 R
55 R 48
35 M 10.3 M
31 R 27
20 M 4.5 M
24 R 14 R 14
90 R 47
30 M 30 M
33.6
M 4 M
n Well
Lift
Wind
Electric
Electric
Wind
Electric
Wind
broken
Electric
Pump
Electric
pump
Wind
Wind
Age
Well of
Type Well
Cased Old
Cased
Cased
Cased Old
Plastic New
Cased Old
Caved
in
Dug New
Dug Old
Cased
Dug Old
Cased
Distance Distance &
& Direction Direction
from Well from Well
30' N 3'
200Y S
200V E
30' S of
house
200' W 15' S
200' W
£M SW
600' N 20° W
^M W ^M W
100' NW 200' N
50' E
, Nitrate
Cone.
_Iffisl*l
120
326
288
80
336
<0.4
220
336
200
809
Remarks
Producing well
Deserted windmill
Caved in well
45 cattle/year
grazed
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
to
Vail
495
496
503
506
508
512
513
516
517
523
540
546
Owner /Location
W. J. Kahlig
9M S Ballinger
Arnold Holubec
4M SE Rowena
Travis Barrett
1M S Norton
Ben Wilde
at Bethel
Gene Virden
5.5M NW Winters
Ralph Lange
Martin's Inn Road
William Urbanek
4M S Rowena
William Urbanek
4M S Rowena
William Urbanek
4M S Rowena
Willis Davis
5.5M NW Winters
C. W. Wessels
4M SW Wilmeth
Bobby Rogers
5M E Winters
of
Well
65 R
60 M
67 R
72 R
28 M
41
65 R
65 R
30 M
55 R
60 R
Water Water
Table Stratum .Well
(ft.) (ft.) Lift
Wind
31.6 M 50 Electric
Electric
40 R Pump
72 Electric
0.5 M 18 Windmill
Wind
65 Electric
65 Electric
Electric
3 M Pump
Electric
20 R Pump
Electric
20 R Pump
Well
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Cased
Cased
Age
of
Well
Very
old
New
Old
New
Old
Old
1920 ' s
Old
Old
Old
Distance
& Direction
from Well
100Y E
100' E
36' S
200Y W
100' S
200' S
200Y S
180Y S
%M E
100' S 65" E
100' E
80' N 30C W -
Distance & Nitrate
Direction Cone.
from Well (mg/jt)
1365
130
149
200Y W 221
25' W 496
270
130
110
94
304
155
6
Remarks
South well
East well
Seep water
20 cattle/year
grazed nearby
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Ni
•.'ill
."C1 .
547
551
552
553
558
566
567
569
578
591
592
597
Ovner /Loc a tion
Ben Wilde
Bethel
Paul Pieper
1M N Rowena
Paul Pieper
1M N Rowena
Harvey Gulley
4M W Rowena
Alfred Wessels
4M E Norton
-Duncan Hensley
Wingate
Duncan Hensley
Wingate
Henry Fowler
3M SE Hatchel
Charlie Matschek
3^M N Rowena
L. R. Hancock
Wingate
Jack Pritchard
1.5M NE Wilmeth
Virgil Fuller
5M N Crews
of
Well
(ft. )
110 R
75 M
70.2
M
14.5
M
60 R
90 R
90 R
24 R
25-30
R
80 R
62 R
45 M
Water Water
Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.)
56 M 75
25
28 M 68
4.3 M
24 M
12 R
18-20
20 R R
12 R 62
18 R 27
29 M
Well
Lift
Wind
Electric
Wind
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Well
Cased
Cased
Plastic
Casing
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Age Distance Distance &
of & Direction Direction
Well from Well from Well
Old 5'
100' S cess-
pool 100' S
New
Old 200Y S
Old 152' N 65° E
Old 90' N
Old 40' N
Old 250' SW 200' NW
Old 20' W
5 yrs. 300' S *75' SW
Old *120' S
Nitrate
Cone.
299
294
290
459
200
130
315
10
530
Remarks
Irrigation well
at house
New well
Well in low area
In gravels
*Barnyard: Horses,
a few cows ,
chickens
*Cesspool; 40 cat-
tle/year graze
nearby
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
to
Wall
::o. Owner /Location
599 Miles Coop Gin
Miles , Texas
600 Alfon Book
2M E Miles at P .
Frenzels
607 Wendell Lee
5M S. Norton
608 Fred Tidmore
2M SW Maverick
614 Walter Gerhart
10M NEWinters
616 Walter Gerhart
10M NE Winters
626 Forrest Pohler
2N Rowena
627 W. Wehlman
3M N Rowena
630 Roman Molter
7M SW Bal linger
638 Carlton Robinson
Wingate
653 Earl Dorsett
5 . 5M NW Winters
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum Well
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.) Lift
50 R
47 R 47
40 R 30 R
60 R 35 R
44 R 0.5 M 10
31 M 18.6 M
65 R
35 M 9.8 M
' 49 R 39
15 R
17 M 3 M
Electric
Electric
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Electric
Wind
Windmill
Electric
Pump
Age Distance Distance & Nitrate
Well of S. Direction Direction Cone.
Type Well from Well from Well (mg/i) Remarks
Cased 100' N of Gin
Cased 200 'S
Cased Old %M SE
Cased Old 80' E
Dug Old 120' S 50° W
Dug Old
Cased
Cased 200' E
Old
Cased 1921 %M W %M W
Dug Old 40' N 30° W
25' W
" 60' E
Dug Old 70' S 60° E
180
190
430
504
160
180
210
<.4
270
231
365
Past history of
cattle raising
Deserted house
Some cattle
grazed nearby
Well located on a
long-deserted farm
Limestone aquifer
overlain by gravels
Raised 8-10 cattle/
yr. 15 years ago
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth Co to
of Water Water
Kail
670
671
672
686
689
705
706
708
711
722
727
Owner /Location
P. Frenzel
2M E Miles
Paul Frenzel
2M E Miles
George Ruppert
Rowena
James Patton
2M S. Wingate
James Patton
2M S. Wingate
Ras Gideon
1.5M NE Winters
Ras Gideon
1.5M NE Winters
Mrs. C. R. Morrison
1M N. Wilmeth
Jack King
%M W Rowena
Marvin Patterson
2M SW Valley View
James Teplicek
^M S Rowena Farmyard
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
100 R 68
47.5 26.5
M M
80 R 68
60 R
29.4 40
90+M M 70
12 R
10 M 5.3 M
110 R
45 R 25
18 R 13 R
60-70
R
.Well
Lift
Electric
i
Wind
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Windmill
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Well
Type
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Dug
Dug
Cased
Cased
Dug
Cased
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Age Distance Distance & Nitrate
of & Direction Direction Cone.
Well from Well from Well (mg/t)
100' SE
200' S
5 yr.+ 40' W Cesspool
Old
Old, 100' S 20° E
Old 55' N 50°E
Old *
Old
New
Old
150' NE
30' + 100 SE
200' N 80° W
270
180
1302
Located in
old feedlot 120
120
78
** 180
* 299
378
Located in
barnyard 351
5' E 1620
Remarks
Deserted farm
*Well separated
from house by a
sluice; **15-20
cattle graze
around well
*Appears to be
near old stockpen
Well located down-
slope from hog
pens
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Ul
Depth Depth
Depth to to
of Water Water
"all Well Table Stratum Well
j'w .
128
129
746
747
773
775
784
786
805
806
864
Owner/Location
James Teplicek
^M S Rowena
Albert Spill
7M NE Winters
Carl Lewis
Norton
Edwin Urban
3M NW Miles
M. R. Williams
5M NW Winters
Mrs. A. T. Williams
6M NW Winters
Andrew Lange
1M E Rowena
E. F. Albro
1M NE Wilmeth
V. D. Cooper
4.5M N Winters
V. D. Cooper
4.5M N Winters
W. H. Dierschke
2M NE Rowena
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
54 M 6
25.5
60 M M 55
65 R
70-80
R 60
40 R 4 R 32
48 R 8 R
100 R
105 R 30 R 75
36 M 5.7 M
22 R
26.6
100 R M
Lift
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Electric
Electric
Pump
None
Electric
Pump
Electric
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Age Distance Distance &
Well of & Direction Direction
Type Well from Well from Well
Cased 100Y S
Cased New 30' S 15° E *120 ' W
Cased Old 110' S 35° E
Cased Old 100' NW
Dug Old 210' S *50' S
Cased Old 34' N 65° E
Cased 1954 %M E fcM E
Cased Old *100' NW
Dug New 600' NE *
Dug Old 300' E *
Cased %M W of house
Nitrate
Cone.
(mg/,0
130
130
100
170
243
296
300
324
12
<0.4
210
-
Remarks
Irrigation well
*20 cattle kept
in pen
*New feedlot
*0uthouse; has a
few cows and hogs ;
recent tenant
*Located in pas-
ture; 100-150
cattle graze near
well
*Located in pas-
ture; 100-150 cat-
tle graze near
well
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Ov
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Well
i"o. Owner/Location
865 Omar Halfman
8M S Ballinger
866 Omar Halfman
8M S Ballinger
867 Omar Halfman
8M S Ballinger
868 Omar Halfman
8M S Ballinger
869 Omar Halfman
8M S Ballinger
870 A. C. Wendland
4M W Miles
1000 Smithwick
in Miles
1001 J. Hohensee
2M SE Miles
1002 Robert Schwertner
1M SW Rowena
1003 E. R. Holubec
4M SE Rowena
1004 Werner Lange
Rowena
of Water Water
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
20 M 6.6 M
30 M 3.6 M
60 M 6 M
61 M 6.17 M
25 R .5 M
»90 R
80 R 50-60
49 R
20 M 4 M 18-20
70 R 63
115 R 76
Age
Well Well of
Lift Type Well
Electric Dug
Electric Dug
Wind Cased Old
Cased
Wind Cased
Case
Wind gravel
packed
Dug Old
Wind Cased
New
Electric Cased
Distance Distance & Nitrate
& Direction Direction Cone.
from Well from Well (mg/z)
25' W 50' NE 1250
200
50 ' SW 0 1898
%M SW %M SW 920
243
0 110
400 'S 200 'S 120
190
200 'S 280
150' S 820
360
Remarks
Dug well by the
house
01 fen church well
Windmill in corral
Location of TWDB
water level
recorder
Olfen school well
Well located next
to small feedlot
Dug drainage well;
interbedded lime-
stone & marls
1005 Lyle & Lyle
2M S Ballinger
42 M 16.7 M
Dug
Old
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
N>
Depth Depth
Depth to to
of Water Water
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Age Distance Distance & Nitrate
"ell
So.
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1031
1032
1033
1034
1111
Owner /Location
H. H. Gulley
2^M S Ballinger
H. H. Gulley
2% M S Ballinger
J. Hohensee
2M E Miles
Arthur Ha If man
l^M NW Lowake
Cmereck
1%M N Miles
Ludwig Schwertner
1%M NE Rowena
Joe Pfluger
3M SW Ballinger
Gus Frey
2M S Ballinger
Frieda Backhous
5M S Rowena
Jack Bishop
5M NW Winters
Well Table Stratum
(ft.) (ft.) (ft.)
60 M 22 M
30 M 1.7 M 15
100 R 60 R
25-30
45 R R 45
67-70
R 67-70
70 M 25 M
40 R
60 R
60 R
60 R 10 R 26
Well
Lift
None
Electric
Electric
Electric
Electric
Wind
Electric
Electric
Wind
Electric
Pump
Well
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
Cased
of & Direction
Well from Well
Old 50' S
4 yrs. kft E
Old 300' N
50' E
10 yrs. 50'
New 250' N
100' N
50' SW
100' S 55° W
Old 70' N 80° W
Direction Cone.
from Well (mg/i) Remarks
Location of TWDB
3" S 1470 water level
recorder. A few
cattle died at
this well
Lvi c1
•3JM d
59
112
110
25
No sample; broken
pump; few cattle
died from water
Highest N03 in
5' N 2162 county; no ob-
vious source of
N03
Grazes some
198 cattle
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
Depth Depth
Depth to to
Sewage Disposal Barnyard
Ni
'Jell
No.
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1125
Owner /Location
Dewitt Bryan
2M NW Wilmeth
Valley Creek
0.5M S Wingate
Valley Creek
2M E Norton
Bobby Rogers
5M E Winters
Frank Carter
6.5M SE Winters
James Brown
5M SE Winters
R. T. O'Dell
4.5M N Winters
R. T. O'Dell
4.5M N Winters
Dude Dunn
Wingate
Walter Niehaus
Norton
John Grohman
3.5M SW Winters
of Water
Well Table
(ft.) (ft.)
80 R
50 R
70 R
32 M 9 M
14 M 4.4 M
14 M 4.7 M
Stock
Taak
Water
Stratum Well
(ft.) Lift
Electric
Pump
Electric
32 Pump
25 Electric
50 Pump
Electric
Pump
None
None
Electric
Pump
Electric
Pump
Age
Well of
Type Well
Cased Old
Cased 1 yr.
Cased 1 yr.
Dug Old
Dug 1 yr.
Dug 1 yr.
Cased Old
Cased Old
Distance Distance & Nitrate
& Direction Direction Cone.
from Well from Well (mg/i)
300' NE 50' W 165
28
26
130
125' N 40° W 110' NE 100
100' E 30' N 210
110
23
100' NE 76
80' N 10° W 51
300' E of house 15
Remarks
10-15 cattle,
chickens , hogs
New house located
on a hill over 100
yds. east of old
house
See Well No. 445
12-15 cattle
Located far out in
pasture; 125-150
cattle grazed
Located far out in
pasture; 125-150
cattle grazed
See Well No. 255
RESULTS OF WATER WELL INVENTORY
-------
APPENDIX III
PROFILES FOR SOIL NITRATE AND SOIL CHLORIDE
INDEX TO LITHOLOGY
top soil
sand and gravel
L
t-
caliche
gravel
^^I.* "\\
silt
tS3W&&V:
vV- o'.K.n.v
conglomerate
clay
shale
sand
nitrate profile
chloride profile
I
1
• 1
1 1
limestone
129
-------
LITHOLOGY
x
I-
o.
Ill
o
10
U>
o
15
20
1OO
2OO 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 1. Located 10 feet south of well 369 (326 ppm Nitrate, 22 feet
to water) which was used as a watering hole for cattle for fifty
years. Chlorides are quite low in comparison to the nitrate present.
2,080 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
v
0
a.
Ul
Q
1O
15 •
I
1OO
200 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 2. Located 100 yards south of well 369 (326 ppm Nitrate, 22 feet
to water) which was used as a watering hole for cattle for fifty years.
Chlorides are quite low in comparison to the nitrate present. 2,080 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
a.
Ul
a
10
15
2O
100
20O 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
600
7OO
Hole 3. Located 250 yards west of well 369 (326 ppm nitrate, 22 feet to
water). The high nitrate and good correlation with chloride indicate
animal wastes, although there is no history or reason for any particular
concentration of cattle at this site. 513 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
4)
U
Z 10
ui
Q
15
20
too
2OO 30O 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
700
Hole 4. Located in a mesquite pasture \ mile west of well 419 (240 ppm
nitrate) (see map following Hole 5). The high nitrate concentration below
14 feet is possible due to deposition from groundwater flowing laterally
in a permeable limestone. The chloride is very low. 327 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
15
2O
tt /, "«
I , I
.1.1.11.1:
100
20O 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 5. Located 100 feet north of Hole 4 in a pasture with no mesquite.
High nitrate and low chloride in the limestone below 14 feet.
-------
LITHOLOGY
X
a. 10
o
U>
Ln
20
5 -
15 -
:-v^-»r
''M^vf
V*.IMM-
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 6. Located 50 feet northwest of well 116 (312 ppm nitrate, 14 feet
to water), which was used as a watering hole for cattle. Low nitrate
and low chloride. 180 #/aCre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
1O
LO
2O
15 -
,_-l
-,!-*•'J"S
'Ol'V
- 'w -v~;
V li'A \'
'-v-ii
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (nig/kg)
5OO
60O
TOO
Hole 7. Located 20 feet east of well 113 (419 ppm nitrate, 2 feet to
water). No history of livestock, fertilizer, or human habitation at
this site. The nitrate is quite high while chloride is very low.
427 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
o
0)
10
OJ
- II // -e- *
nxx «V
II '' * *
*:*;•
15 -
20
^JX?fi
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
ZOO
Hole 8. Located in a cotton field 250 yards south of well 113 (419 ppm
nitrate, 2 feet to water). No history of livestock, fertilizer, or
human habitation near this hole. Low chloride. 287 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
u>
oo
5 -
15 -
<. -7
100
I
2OO 30O 4OO
NITRATI AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 9. Located \ mile west of well 6 (886 ppm nitrate) on top of a hill
in a pasture where cattle are raised. Nitrate is fairly low, chloride
very low above 12 feet. 167 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
U>
10
15
20
*/, *
x>3-vi
i t-
' \> _ >' *-
\l
100
2OO 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 10. Located %. mile west of well 6 (886 ppm nitrate) on the side of
a hill in a pasture where cattle are raised. Chloride is very low,
nitrate is fairly low. 173 ///acre-foot.
-------
10
15
2O
LITHOLOGY
-
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
c* «****
a- •'o.-.o 6"<('tr _?".|
PO °: °: °"tt;-.6.-.-..'^
o"J-%°0.i?-:|^.
IS
1
i i
i i
1
i
I 1 l 1 I l I 1 1 1 I 1 l I
O 10O 20O 3OO 4OO 5OO 6OO 7OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (nig/kg)
Hole 11. Located \ mile north of well 60 (5 ppm nitrate) in Colorado
River Terrace. Nitrate is low, chloride is very low. 113 ///acre-foot,
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
10
15 •
2O
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 12. Located on a turn row in a cotton field \ mile south of well
234 (387 ppm nitrate, 12 feet to water). There is no history of live-
stock, fertilizer, or human habitation at this site. Chloride is very
low and nitrate is very high. 947 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
to
15
2O
100
200 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (nig/kg)
5OO
60O
700
Hole 13. Located 10 feet south of well 1006 (1470 ppm nitrate, 22 feet
to water) at a deserted corral. A herd of cattle died from nitrate
poisoning at this well (1968). Nitrate and chloride are high. 1380 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
20
5 "
1O -
15 -
JT.J
&&*
#v
100
2OO 300 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
60O
700
Hole 14. Located in a maize field 100 yards south of well 1006 (1470
ppm nitrate, 22 feet to water). No history of livestock, fertilizer,
or human habitation at this site. Chloride is very low, nitrate is
fairly low. 240 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
41
4>
X
*•
a,
ui
a
10
15 -
2O
1OO
7OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 15. Located at site of old barnyard, 250 yards south of well 1006
(1470 ppm nitrate, 22 feet to water). Chloride is fairly low, nitrate
is fairly high. 760 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
a.
Ul
a
10 •
Ul
15 •
20
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 16. Located at site of torn down house of old farm, 250 yards
south of well 1006 (1470 ppm nitrate, 22 feet to water). Fairly good
nitrate-chloride correlation. 733 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
«
4)
10
2O
15 -
I
I
100
2OO 30O 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
7OO
Hole 17. Located 30 feet southeast of well 386 (315 ppm nitrate, 21 feet
to water) and next to a caliche pit. There is a history of a few cattle
at this site. Fairly good nitrate-chloride correlation. 360 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
2O
100
20O 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 18. Located 5 feet north of well 388 (1428 ppm nitrate, 7 feet to
water) and 5 feet south of a hog pen. Nitrate and chloride are very
high and correlate extremely well. 1,093 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
o
0)
o.
Ul
O
10
-P-
oo
IS -
7 r v
-j 7 v
T • '
•
I
\j
! ,
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 19. Located 250 feet west of well 388 (1428 ppm nitrate, 7 feet to
water). Nitrate and chloride are low, but correlate well. 247 #/acre-
foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
TO
VD
20
5 -
_L
V < V i
V£r~
i
TOO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 20. Located 75 feet east of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to
water) and 30 feet south of two septic tank laterals. Nitrate and
chloride are fairly low. 240 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
u
4)
0.
Ul
O
1O
Ul
O
20
r*,">»
*&
&CM
ff
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
60O
TOO
Hole 21. Located 10 feet east of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to
water) and next to a water trough in a barnyard. Nitrate is very high,
chloride is even higher. 1740 ^/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •*
4>
o
10 •
15 •
2O
Uf
sp \ '
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 22. Located 20 feet east of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to
water) in a barnyard. Very high nitrate and chloride. 2000 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
«
o>
Ill
o
10
Ui
15 -
2O
*^
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 23. Located 30 feet east of well 867 (1898 ppm, 6 feet to water) and 5 feet
outside a barnyard. High nitrate and chloride. 1067 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
o
0)
z
S: 10
Ul
o
Ln
UO
15 -
2O
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
70O
Hole 24. Located 2 feet south of a septic tank lateral and 55 feet
northeast of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to water). High
nitrate and chloride. 2133 ^/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 "^
- *«
4)
4)
a 10
Ul
a
I-1
Ul
15 -
2O
v/T«?
-' . '
I
I
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 25. Located 2 feet east of a septic tank lateral, 10 feet south of
hole 24, and 50 feet northeast of well 867 ^1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet to
water). High nitrate and chloride. 1067 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
e
u
£ io
HI
o
Ui
Ul
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 26. Located % mile southeast of well 867 (1898 pptn nitrate, 6 feet
to water) in a seep area in a cotton field. No history of cattle or
fertilizer at this site. As expected for a seep, nitrate and chloride
are high near the surface. 400 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
Ul
Z 10
ui
Q
15 i
2O
= * * II *,,
,«= «//''*
jfesSa^Si.
i^'Tv
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 27. Located % mile southwest of well 867 (1898 ppm nitrate, 6 feet
to water) in a cornfield. No history of livestock or fertilizer. Nitrate
and chloride are fairly low, but correlate well. 213 ft/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
Ln
5 -
4)
4>
10 -
15 -
2O
\ /^'\'V
» ,V=
.V . -
•*,N>
^^^ ^ *
\V
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
7OO
Hole 28. Located % mile northwest of well 393 (168 ppm nitrate, 27
feet to water) in a cotton field. Chloride is low, nitrate is fairly
low. No history of cattle or fertilizer. 253 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
1O
Ol
00
2O
*,!=»•
100
2OO 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 29. Located 200 feet south of well 324 (260 ppm nitrate, 44 feet to
water) in a fallow field. No history of livestock or fertilizer. Nitrate
is low, chloride is very low. 160 ^/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
Ul
5 •
I
t-
Q.
ui
O
IO •
15 -
20
,, x y I x-
10O
2OO 3OO 40O
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
70O
Hole 30. Located at the Lange Drilling Company in the town of Rowena.
Low chloride and fairly low nitrate. 293 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
4)
41
X
t-
OL
in
O
10
20
JL
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 31. Located 50 feet northwest of well 728 (130 ppm nitrate,
6 feet to water) in an old stream bed, now a seep area. Cattle have
grazed on fertilized bermuda grass at this site. Nitrate and chloride
correlate well, and are higher near the surface as might be expected
in a seep where evaporation is taking place. 393 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
a. 10
ui
o
15 -
2O
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
7OO
Hole 32. Located 30 feet west of well 727 (1260 pptn nitrate) in a corral.
Nitrate and chloride correlate well and are very high. 1540 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
X
^
Q.
Ill
o
10
ON
ho
15 -
2O
100
2OO 3OO 400
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (nig/kg)
500
600
7OO
Hole 33. Located % mile south of well 1002 (280 ppm nitrate, 4 feet to
water) on old farm site. Now a seep area in a cotton field. Nitrate
is very high, chloride is high. 1340 ft/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
U>
5 •
0>
4)
X
£ io
Ul
O
15 •
20
$*"
* t // »
" V.
' -f- II ^
//.,•*«.,*
»
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 34. Located 200 feet east of well 202 (90 pptn nitrate, 0 feet to
water) in a cotton field. No history of livestock or fertilizer.
Chloride is very low, nitrate is fairly high. 353 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
X
t-
a.
ui
o
10
20
"vf * b»Z
*,te**t
Ki^
•\ »-^|N v
n^r-^v,
15 -
ff o
Vx*«
'.Vtr
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
TOO
Hole 35. Located 30 feet northeast of well 1001 (190 ppm nitrate) in a
cotton field. No history of fertilizer or livestock. Nitrate is high,
chloride is very low. 387 #/acre-foot.
-------
UTHOLOGY
«
5 •
•i
0)
»
X
a. 10 •
Ul <
O
•
•
«
15 -
mm
H
•i
mm
20 .
»C> '•*'',-;''
c^v^
^ "<
Q-M f-p
?§??
^|^
, — / — , \^
XV,-VXN~
M' \'-\~v)
x ^ — . ^ /
!/
k
\ |
j \
\f
^
Mi i i i i i i i
O 1OO 2OO 3OO 4OO 5OO 6OO 7OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
Hole 36. Located % mile north of well 365 (64 ppm nitrate). No history
of livestock or fertilizer. Nitrate and chloride are fairly low. 260 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
15
2O
t1 £'
l~l
I.I
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 37. Located % mile west of well 141 (220 ppm nitrate) in a pasture
where cattle are raised. Chloride is very low, nitrate is fairly low.
247 VA/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
1O -
IS •
20
'i"i ,'~
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 38. Located % mile southwest of well 551 (294 ppm nitrate, 56 feet
to water), next to a seep area in a cotton field. This is near the site
of a deserted farm complex. Nitrate and chloride are fairly high and
correlate well.
-------
ITHOLOGY
5 -
4)
4)
X
»-
Q.
w
O
1O
oo
15
2O
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
60O
700
Hole 39. Located 5 feet north of well 551 (294 ppm nitrate, 56 feet to
water) and 100 feet south of a barnyard. Nitrate and chloride are
fairly high. 447 #1acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
vo
z
£ io
ui
o
2O
^ w ,
,Ir<
- Y=3^
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 40. Located 100 feet north of well 551 (294 ppm nitrate, 56 feet
to water) in a barnyard. Nitrate and chloride are very high. 2667 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
o>
01
Z 10
o
15 -
20
?*//«" =
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
60O
7OO
Hole 41. Located in the same barnyard as Hole 40. Extremely high
nitrate and chloride. 3967 /A/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
1O
15
2O
*
* *
>!'*t
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
ZOO
Hole 42. Located on the site of the barn of the barnyard drilled by
Holes 40 and 41. Nitrate is high and chloride is extremely high.
1332 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
fo
X
£ 10
ui
O
15
2O
&£&i
V^lir*^""''^ C*
l^tll
•
\
I
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
50O
6OO
TOO
Hole 43. Located 5 feet outside the barnyard drilled by Holes 40,
41, and 42. Very high chloride, extremely high nitrate. 5267 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 "
X
t-
a
in
Q
10
u>
15
2O
Mil
* \\ =
= *^*
-\\ttf,,-*'
100
2OO 30O 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 44. Located 60 feet north of well 551 (294 ppm nitrate, 56 feet
to water) and 10 feet north of a septic tank lateral. Chloride is
high, nitrate is fairly high. 313 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
" >«'
X
£ 10
•a
a
15 1
20
I"
%>'/1*
=>
t-#
v
I
1OO
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
70O
Hole 45. Located 10 feet south of well 1034 (2162 ppm nitrate). This
hole was drilled at the site of an old water trough where many cattle
were watered in the early 1900*s. No cattle have been raised here in
the past 30 years. Nitrate and chloride are high at fairly shallow
depths. 953 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
0)
<*
X
£ 10
1U
Q
Ln
15 -
2O
I
I
100
2OO 3OO 4OO
NITRATE AND CHLORIDE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 46. Located 40 feet east of well 1034 (2162 ppm nitrate) in a cotton
field. Many cattle in this area in the early 1900 s. Chloride is high,
nitrate is very high. 1153 #/acre-foot.
-------
APPENDIX IV
PROFILES FOR SOIL NITRATE
For Index to Lithology
See Page 129
176
-------
LITHOLOGY
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
600
7OO
Hole 47. Located 100 feet west of well 608 (504 ppm nitrate, 35 feet
to water) next to a deserted farmhouse. Nitrate is very high. There
was no barnyard at this house. 1,150 #/acre-foot.
-------
LSTHOLOGY
1O
00
15 - >
2O
6 o o
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (ing/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 48. Located 700 feet north of well 608 (504 ppm nitrate, 35 feet
to water) in a cotton field next to a road. Nitrate is high. 345 #/
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 4
4)
<•-
X
io 4-
15 4
2O
1
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
600
7OO
Hole 49. Located in a sorghum field 900 feet north of hole 48. No
history of cattle or fertilizer. 275 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
Z 10
in
a
oo
o
15 -
20
'**«.
j—i—'—^
100
H—'—h
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 50. Located in a tnesguite pasture 1/3 mile northwest of hole 49.
Nitrate is fairly low. 125 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
oo
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 51. Located in a mesquite pasture 600 feet north of hole 50
34U #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
00
15 -
20
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
700
Hole 52. Located 1/3 mile southeast of well 67 (288 ppm nitrate, 8 feet
to water) and near a seep area. Very shallow water table. 178 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
1O -
CO
CO
15
20
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 53. Located 1/5 mile east of well 67 (288 ppm nitrate.
8 feet to water) in a cotton field. 130 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
4)
0
X
t-
&
ui
a
10
oo
15
20
1OO
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
70O
Hole 54. Located 1/4 mile south of well 67 (288 ppm nitrate,
8 feet to water) in a pasture where cattle graze. 215 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
10 -
i—1
oo
Ui
15 • •
20
' V •.' «/^ J
••
I
10O
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 55. Located 1/4 mile southwest of well 67 (288 opm nitrate,
8 feet to water) in a pasture where cattle graze. 220 #/acre-foot
-------
LITHOLOGY
oo
Q>
4>
10 -
15 -.
»*.'
^ // \>
* ft =5*
\\ % =
^ tt *
V
100
200
300 400
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 56. Located 4UU feet west of hole 52 near a seep area.
263 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
oo
2O
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (m8/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 57. Located 100 feet east of well 67 (288 ppm nitrate, e feet
to water) in barnyard which was abandoned three years ago.
945 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
10
00
00
15
20
»v&
J—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I—I
1OO 2OO
3OO 40O
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO 6OO
TOO
Hole 58. Located near well 67 (288 ppm nitrate, 8 feet to water).
160 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
cx>
VQ
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 59. Located near well 67 (288 ppm nitrate, 8 feet to water) and
hole 58. Very low nitrate. 50 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
VD
O
01
4)
1O
15 -
2O
- **-
?x
*$.
• • o
10O
H "—I 1 1 " h
2OO
300 400
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
7OO
Hole 60. Located near hole 59. Lowest nitrate profile found.
40 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
20
1OO
2OO
30O 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 61. Located 1 mile east of well 338 (384 ppm nitrate, 16
feet to water) in a cultivated field. 172 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 -
£ io
in
o
•*
15 -
2O
, A f ' \
\ ' h
^—'—i—'—i—i—i
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OQ
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 62. Located 1/8 mile southeast of hole 61 in a cultivated
field. 67 #/acre-foot.
-------
MTHOLOGY
5 •
4)
0
X
£ 10
111
o
U>
15
20
j 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 j.
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 63. Located 1/8 mile east of hole 61 ±n a mesquite pasture.
92 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 " ;
0>
E 10
in
o
15
20
S\ % /X "•
'/'l0'^
X\x 'x
100
20O
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
7OO
Hole 64. Located 1/8 mile east of hole 63 in a mesquite pasture.
62 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
t)
0)
X
£ 10
III
o
vO
Ln
15
*N\
1OO
2OO
30O 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 65. Located 1/2 mile south of well 338 (384 ppm nitrate, 16
feet to water) in a raesquite pasture. 85 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
4)
4)
10
15
20
l
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
600
7OO
Hole 66. Located 1/8 mile east of hole 65 in a cultivated field.
110 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
600
7OO
Hole 67. Located 200 feet northwest of farmhouse and 1/5 mile east
of hole 66. 200 ft/acre-foot.
-------
oo
t>
X
10
LITHOLOGY
5 • •>-
15 -
X.
^i.N^^v-
^"<'^'^-\
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (ing/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 68. Located 100 feet east of well 408 (230 ppm nitrate, 12 feet
to water) and near a drainage channel in clay. 77 /A/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 • *
10
15 -
20
*", u
J_
1OO
2OO
30O 40O
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 69 Located 1UU feet northeast of farmhouse and 1/3 mile east of
hole 68*. 285 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 • =
£ 10
in
O
o
O
15 -
- II
-s*~
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 70. Located I mile northeast of well 523 (304 ppm nitrate, 3 feet
to water) in a pasture. 65 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
15 -
20
lOO
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 71. Located 1/2 mile south of hole 70 near a farmhouse.
212 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
4)
0)
Z
t-
a.
ui
o
10
N>
O
15 -
I
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
500
6OO
ZOO
Hole 72. Located 2 miles east of well 773 (243 ppm nitrate, 4 feet to
water) on a high point in a cultivated field. 245 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
K>
O
5 •
1O •
15 •
2O
- \\^= =
100
^—'—i—«—i—•—h
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (nig/kg)
5OO
60O
7OO
Hole 73. Located 1/5 mile south of hole 72 behind a terrace in cultivated
field. 110 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
ho
o
-P-
5 -
1O -
-
•i
15 -
" H 7, ^~~,
* *»•"-*• =s^
S&S
V" -*'
X1 • —
*• *•'£'•*
**#
-7 • 'J
K4il
» ^* x^ * »
^^£*/r
i ^•**.'V=
s <>. ^^^
t:° o o"o°'<
^«o oo-
o -o o o'O o <
' Oo0o-o.9°6:
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o?o00tfo:0°c
0 0 9..0 .
• O O O- • — , - '
'^^^i
3VV»:*'
1 1 1 1 1 Ill
O 1OO 2OO 3OO 4OO 5OO 6OO 7OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
Hole 74. Located 1/8 mile northwest of well 301 (spring, 240 ppm
nitrate) in a pasture. 73 ^/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
N>
O
Ui
4)
z
10 •
15 -
20
\\
« lt N
y.O -""
> r" "O "
' O O 1 O
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mo/kg)
5OO
6OO
7OO
Hole 75. Located 150 feet south of hole 74 in a pasture. 70 #/
acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
•I
5 -
•
»• m
4)
V
^N , •
X
£ 10 -
in
a
15 •
sft*^^
!&e3&S&*
£^%^
=^ || 5^ V
>sc,^*i
ii^ip^
^:-SvS5xi
.•.".v»*r;'.'»5»".
:»iv:x«:::¥
:M£:3*
-
1 1 I I I I I 1 1 1 1 1 J 1
10O
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
7O(
Hole 76. Located 200 feet southwest of hole 74 in a pasture.
66 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
2O
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/lcg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 77. Located 300 feet south of hole 74 in a pasture. 100 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
a 10
o
o
oo
15 -
20
100
2OO
300 400
NITRATE (mg/kg)
50O
6OO
700
Hole 78, Located 1/4 mile south of hole 74 in a pasture. 82 #/
acre-
78, L-
j-foot.
-------
IITHOLOGY
5 -
1O -
O
vo
15
o_o
0^ =
\
.0
/X
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
ZOO
Hole 79. Located 1/3 mile east of well 1115 (130 ppm nitrate) in a
mesquite pasture. 75 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
NJ
h-1
O
z
t-
a
in
O
1O
15
20
• Jv,»
r*.T 4
— ^N" ^.
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 80. Located 1/5 mile southwest of hole 79 in a pasture.
65
-------
LITHOLOGY
z
£ 10
o
K>
15
20
J 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 , 1
100
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 81. Located 1 mile northwest of well 445 (120 ppm nitrate,
13 feet to water) in a cotton field. 70 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
z
£ 10
in
o
NJ
15 H
2O
100
200
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
TOO
Hole 82. Located 400 feet east of hole 81 in a cotton field.
110 ^/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
5 •
X
£ 10
o
to
I-1
u>
15 •
20
•^-4
1OO
2OO
3OO 4OO
NITRATE (mg/kg)
5OO
6OO
700
Hole 83. located 400 feet east of well 445 (120 ppm nitrate, 13 feet
to water) near an old stock pen which was abandoned 30 years ago.
155 #/acre-foot.
-------
LITHOLOGY
CO
• S5*f3Sfe«8!£
= *
-------
SELECTED WATER
RESOURCES ABSTRACTS
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM
1. Report No.
.••'. --Jon No.
W
Title
An Investigation of the Nitrate Problem in
Runnels County, Texas
Aathor(s)
Jones, D. C.
Radian Corporation
Austin, Texas
5, Report Date
f.
8, 1 .'forautigOegai-iattioa
Report f?o*
16060 HNI
16060 HNI
t|§ Type ::-! Kept.^f- and
^:--Period Covered
Environmental Protection Agency report
number, EPA-R2-73-267, June 1973.
16. Abstract
This report describes the methods, results, conclusions, and recom=
mendations of the investigation of the nitrate contamination in
Runnels County, Texas. It was found that most water well contami-
nation is due to naturally occurring nitrate. However, all the
very high nitrate contamination problems (>1000 ppm) are principally
due to nitrate from barnyards. The nitrate sources were confirmed
utilizing the nitrogen isotope ratio technique. The nitrate con=
tamination was caused by a rising water table which intersected
and dissolved nitrate deposits from the soil. The rising water
table was caused by a combination of low porosity aquifers, in-
creased infiltration (decreased surface runoff) due to terracing,
and several consecutive years of above normal rainfall. There
appears to be no economical way to remove the nitrate from either
the water or the soil. Recommendations for ways for the area resi-
dents to obtain potable water and for a continued monitoring program
are included.
I/a, Descriptors
Groundwater
Nitrate*
Water Pollution Sources*
Stable Isotopes*
17b. Identifiers
Groundwater Pollution*
Nitrogen Isotope Ratio*
Nitrate in Groundwater*
Infrared Photography*
Soil Contamination
Soil Chemical Properties
Soil Leaching
Remote Sensing*
Nitrate in Soils
Groundwater Analysis
Groundwater Age Dating
Aerial Photography
Aquifer Character-
istics
17c. CO WRR Field & Group
05B
19. Availability
""). $e
. '(Page)
21 tf&. of
Pages
Send To:
WATER RESOURCES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION CENTER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON. O. C. 2O24O
.,r i'.-
OU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1973 514-156/345 1-3
------- |