Digital Simulation of Solute Transport to Green Bay and Lake Michigan by Groundwater from Door County, Wisconsin

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Project Number:

DNR-057

Other Project Number:

WR87R011

Funding Year:

1987

Contract Period:

07/1987 - 09/1990

Funding Source:

DNR

Investigator(s):
PIs:
  • Douglas S. Cherkauer, UW-Milwaukee
  • Peter McKereghan, UW-Milwaukee
  • Linda Schalch, UW-Milwaukee
Abstract:

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the delivery of solutes via groundwater from Door County to the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan and assess effects of human activities on concentrations of chloride, nitrate, lead in groundwater with a digital transport model.

BACKGROUND / NEED

Previous studies have quantified the flow of groundwater in the Great Lakes, though little has been done to assess the magnitude of chemical inputs from groundwater.  Recently several major studies have been done in Door County measuring quantities of groundwater seepage, though none have attempted quantification of the chemical transport of groundwater.

METHODS

The finite element model SUTRA (for saturated, unsaturated transport) was adapted to simulate the movement of water and chemicals through the dolomite aquifer. Wells were sampled for chloride, nitrates and lead from private and public wells in a network designed to determine concentrations countywide, emphasizing shorelines. Collections were taken from wells on five different occasions between July of 1987 and June of 1989. Collections were made within a two- to four-day period on each occasion.

No final report was submitted (WDNR communications 2010).

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