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Septic Tank Research - COJ.net
Transcript of Septic Tank Research - COJ.net
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Septic Tank Research
Richard HicksFDEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration
Dr. Tom BelangerFlorida Institute of Technology
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Objectives
• Get a better handle on nitrogen (N) inputs into main stem and tributaries from ground water seepage at subdivisions on septic tanks (important for the LSJR Main Stem Nutrient BMAP)
• Evaluate “post closure” nitrogen concentrations in the ground at sites where homes had hooked up to sewer
• Provide some data to help calibrate a model being developed by FSU
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Setup, July 2009Sample Dec 2009
Sample May 2010
Sample Aug 2010?
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Site Selection• Identify study areas
– Near representative nutrient impaired waterbodies
– High-density septic tank areas– COJ/WSEA priority septic tank failure areas– Representing variety of topographic/geologic
conditions– Variety of soil drainage and chemical
characteristics– Where we can combine small-scale with more
regional data
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0
5
10
15
20
25
AM-MW-1
AM-MW-2
AM-MW-3
AM-MW-4
HL-MW-1
HL-MW-2
HL-MW-3
HL-MW-4
JF-M
W-1JF
-MW-2
JF-M
W-3JF
-MW-4
JF-M
W-5MDR-M
W-1MDR-M
W-2MDR-M
W-3MDR-M
W-4MDR-M
W-5MDR-M
W-6MDR-M
W-7MDR-M
W-8SDR-M
W-1OV-M
W-1OV-M
W-2OV-M
W-3OV-M
W-4DL-M
W-1DL-M
W-2DL-M
W-3RV-M
W-1
RV-MW
-2RV-M
W-3
Station
Mea
n C
once
ntra
tion,
mg/
L
NOx
TON
NH4
(31.1)Arlington
ManorNorth Julington
Creek AreaOakwood
VillasDoctors
LakeRiver-view
Intensive Sampling Data-SJRWMD
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Scope
• Identify magnitude and extent of nitrogen plumes at individual sites
• If possible, estimate loading into adjacent surface water
• Methods– Pushpoint wells for plume characterization– Measure seepage– Measure hydraulic gradient– Estimate K from soil porosity
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What it is supposed to look like
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Analytes
• Nitrogen species• Phosphorus• Fecal coliform• Chloride, boron• Trichlosan, caffeine, fluorescent whiteners• Nitrogen isotopes
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Sampling Results To Date, What Do They Show?
• Mixed bag. Some sites look like what we’d expect, others do not…
• 4 sites with existing systems have high nitrogen
• 3 former septic sites show a range of good to bad news
• 5 sites with existing systems have low levels of NO3
• Positive seepage to adjacent waterbodies
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A few other things• Two of the sites showed incomplete nitrification
(high ammonia). Does that mean water table gets too high or the drainfield is backing up?
• Boron and chloride serve as good tracers for the plume, outlast the nitrogen
• Almost all fecal coliform concentrations in ground water were low to non-detect in comparison to surface water samples
• Nitrogen isotope results, with a few exceptions, suggest that nitrate is entirely/primarily from organic sources
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What we need to understand about high NO3 sites
• Most are in well drained sands with deep water table. Can this be extrapolated to other areas?
• Our data are supported by SJRWMD regional monitoring.
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What we need to understand about low N sites
• In one area, near non-detect NO3 is most likely attributable to denitification based on correlation with high water table, low DO
• Sampling equipment limitations could be a factor for some of the sites where we find low DO. This needs to be evaluated further.
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Some other things we hope to learn
• What are the factors that influence NO3 concentration differences between sites?
• Can we do enough work to make general statements related to physical and geochemical conditions?
• At these sites, how significant are other sources of NO3?
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What we can say about former septic sites
• Mixed bag• After 3 years, BQ had no nitrogen but JB
had >15 mg/L NO3. • After >10 years, CS had some, but that
could be due to another source…waiting on isotopes.
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Next…
• Final phase of sampling later this summer • Final report in approximately 12 months