1745-6584/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=4d05499ca3d03e8717dd9ee43fb329f8400b32f1 "Ground Water")
Research supported by the Central Platte Natural Resources District and the Old West Regional Commission Project No. 10670217.
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Sources and Concentrations of Nitrate-Nitrogen in Ground Water of the Central Platte Region, Nebraska†
Article first published online: 6 JUL 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1979.tb03323.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Gormly, J. R. and Spalding, R. F. (1979), Sources and Concentrations of Nitrate-Nitrogen in Ground Water of the Central Platte Region, Nebraska. Ground Water, 17: 291–301. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1979.tb03323.x
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 6 JUL 2006
- Article first published online: 6 JUL 2006
- Discussion open until November 1, 1979.
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
ABSTRACT
During 1976-1977 nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations exceeded 10 mg/1 in 183 of the 256 ground-water samples collected from parts of Buffalo, Hall, and Merrick counties in Nebraska. Comparison of the isotopic values with those of potential nitrate sources suggested that the primary source of contamination in most wells was fertilizer and that a small percentage of the wells contained significant concentrations of NO3-N derived from animal wastes. A combination of two or more sources of contamination was assumed for those samples for which the source could not be identified. Significant negative correlations between δ15N and NO3-N (-0.35 in Buffalo and Hall Counties) and between δ5N and depth to water (–0.55 in Merrick County) indicate that denitrification is the major factor in isotopic fractionation of nitrogen from the nitrate sour