Spatio-temporal Variation of Nitrate Levels in Groundwater in Texas, 1970 to 2010

• Main Author: Rice, Susan C.
• Other Authors: Oppong, Joseph R.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2012
• Subjects: Nitrate; groundwater; water quality
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc177244/

This study looks at spatial variation of groundwater nitrate in Texas and its fluctuations at 10 year increments using data from the Texas Water Development Board. While groundwater nitrate increased in the Ogallala and Seymour aquifers across the time period, the overall rate in Texas appears to be declining as time progresses. However, the available data is limited. Findings show that a much more targeted, knowledge based strategy for sampling would not only reduce the cost of water quality analysis but also reduce the risk of error in these analyses by providing a more realistic picture of the spatial variation of problem contaminants, thereby giving decision-makers a clearer picture on how best to handle the reduction and elimination of problem contaminants.