Study of chemical and physical properties of the ground water and surface water at Ross Natural History Reservation and Kahola Lake in east central Kansas.

Abstract

Water properties in -limestone aquifers and surficial water bodies vary spatially and temporally dependent on factors such as precipitation, recharge rates, groundwater flow rates, joint patterns, antecedent conditions. and anthropogenic activities. This study involved sampling and testing selected chemical and physical properties of the ground and surface water at two locations in east central Kansas. At each location a surface water body and one spring was chosen for sampling. Multiple samples were collected from each location at different times dependent on climatic conditions. Remote sensing and field studies were also used to evaluate factors that could be affecting water quality at each study locale. The primary sampling location was the Ross Natural History Reservation (RNHR). At this location Gladfelter Pond and Ross Spring were chosen for sampling. The second sampling location was in the vicinity of Kahola Lake. The Lake and a nearby spring were chosen for sampling. The duration of the study was from the fall of 1999 through winter 2000, and the field procedures consisted of three rounds of sampling and water analysis at the four sites. The chemical and physical properties determined from sampling and testing were water temperature, pH, calcium, alkalinity, CaC03, chloride, zinc, orthophosphate, and nitrate/nitrite (NO£ and N03-as N). Ninety-six separate analyses were performed. In an article entitled Flint Hill Springs (Sawin et. al. 1999) states that "In general, water quality and flow rates in the Flint Hills springs have remained steady through the years". I investigated for indications that water properties changed temporally in spring water at a different rate than the surface water at each location. The basic premise was that spring water should be more resistant to change than surface water bodies. My results indicated that most of the ground water properties exhibited greater changes than the surface waters sampled at the same locations. Despite the limited time frame of this study I believe that my findings indicate the "steady-state" image about springs is misleading. The only test that appeared to support the steady state picture of the Flint Hill Springs was temperature because of the earth's geothermal properties. Another goal of the study was to evaluate concentrations of zinc, nitrate, and orthophosphate with respect to State of Kansas drinking water standards. Concentrations of zinc and nitrate were well below State of Kansas drinking water maximum contaminant levels. Orthophosphate levels were also generally low, however, a spike in concentration was observed in one sample from Gladfelter Pond at the RNHR during the second round of testing.