Effect of Groundwater Age and Recharge Source on Nitrate Concentrations in Domestic Wells in the San Joaquin Valley
Giovanni Castaldo, Ate Visser, Graham E. Fogg, Thomas Harter
Abstract
O signature, have lower concentrations of nitrates than samples with isotopic signatures indicating mixed source or local precipitation recharge. The curbing effect of river water recharge on nitrate concentrations in domestic wells is similar for direct river recharge and water applied as irrigation. This suggests that irrigation with river water also has a diluting effect that reduces the concentration of nitrate found in groundwater. This conclusion supports the idea that flood-managed aquifer recharge may be considered for remediation of groundwater nitrate when designing replenishment of aquifers.
Topics & Concepts
Groundwater rechargeGroundwaterSan JoaquinAquiferHydrology (agriculture)NitrateEnvironmental scienceDepression-focused rechargeIrrigationGeologyChemistrySoil scienceEcologyBiologyOrganic chemistryGeotechnical engineeringGroundwater and Isotope GeochemistryGroundwater flow and contamination studiesHydrology and Watershed Management Studies