Changes in Ground Water Quality in an Irrigated Area of Southern Alberta

Abstract

Few studies have documented spatial and temporal variations in ground water quality in areas with high densities of animal farming operations (AFOs), or the long-term effects on surface-water quality. Changes in ground water quality were characterized in an irrigated area with a high density of AFOs in southern Alberta, Canada to evaluate the effect on ground water quality of manure application to fields. Fifty-five piezometers in the oxidized zone were sampled once or twice annually from 1995 to 2001, and temporal changes were analyzed using mixed model analysis. Average NO3- -N increased significantly from 12.5 to 17.4 mg L(-1) and average Cl- increased significantly from 19.4 to 34.4 mg L(-1) in piezometers installed in an unconfined sand aquifer at locations receiving fertilizer and manure. Compared with these manured locations, nitrate and chloride concentrations were significantly lower in shallow aquifer water in areas of pasture or native range, and concentrations did not change significantly with time. Nitrate and chloride concentrations in shallow ground water in fine-textured manured locations did not change significantly. Ground water below about 6 m in till and fine lacustrine sediments contains 18O signatures indicative of recharge under preirrigation or glacially influenced conditions, suggesting this ground water has a low vulnerability to agricultural contamination. Evaluations suggest that shallow ground water discharge will cause NO3- -N and Cl- in the Oldman River to increase by factors of at least 4.3 and 1.3, respectively, with more significant effects in smaller streams and under low-flow conditions.

Nitrogen- and phosphorus-based applications of cattle manure and compost for irrigated cereal silage

“…Repeated manure applications on land near CFOs can cause nutrient accumulation in soil above crop requirements (Sharpley et al 1998). Studies in Alberta have shown that repeated application of large rates of cattle manure causes excess nutrient accumulation in soil (Chang and Janzen 1996;Rodvang et al 2004;Chang et al 2005;Olson et al 2009). Excess nutrients are subject to loss through a variety of mechanisms and pose a risk to environmental quality, with water quality being of particular concern (Ribaudo et al 2003;Toth et al 2006).…”

Farmstead drinking water sources, concerns and safety practices of livestock farm families in southern Alberta, Canada

“…Moreover, almost half of those operations are large beef producers that are concentrated in the northern part of this district known as the "Feedlot Alley" [24]. Studies show that one feedlot may have as many as 25,000 cattle [19,24]. The sheer size of these operations and the livestock density has raised questions about environment, drinking water quality and threats to public health [8,17].…”

“…A five-year surface water assessment study conducted by Saffran (2005) of the Oldman River Basin, the region's primary water source, found that this river has a high nitrate and coliform bacteria concentration that exceeds Canadian drinking water guidelines at all levels throughout the year [20]. Similarly, Rodvang et al (2004), in a study of ground water quality in an irrigated area of southern Alberta, observed that shallow ground water discharges cause nitrate and chloride levels in the Oldman River to increase by factors of at least 4.3 and 1.3, respectively, with more significant effects in smaller streams and under low-flow conditions [19]. Southern Alberta, which is primarily known for its dry land farming combined with an elaborate field crop irrigation system, also has the highest incidence of E coli O157:H7 contagion in the country [17,21].…”

“…Southern Alberta, which is primarily known for its dry land farming combined with an elaborate field crop irrigation system, also has the highest incidence of E coli O157:H7 contagion in the country [17,21]. This epidemiological evidence is a critical matter for public health and the quality of life for local residents, especially for south western rural communities that generally depend on treated irrigation water for their own and their livestock's consumption [3,19]. Furthermore, the quality of drinking water supplies is a concern for non-health-related uses, including agricultural needs as poor quality water can impair watering systems [4,22,23].…”

Assessment of mortar evolution in pig slurry by mechanical and ultrasonic measurements

“…Manure storage structures are commonly made of mortarcovered bricks or precast concrete [1]. The degradation of these structures can cause the contamination of soils and underground water [2], constituting an environmental problem.…”