[All] Fwd: Darcy lecture notes re groundwater pollution

[Norah Chaloner]

Hello Folks.. this research is important for any leaching into 
groundwater..  the lecture details below could be helpful in opposing 
the 'new' use of pits and quarries as landfill depositories. . Eg the 
www.opalalliance.ca

This presentation was by David Rudolph, Ph.D,, PE from U of Waterloo in 
Guelph this week... it was most interesting.

His research covers groundwater contamination from a 300 plus acres in 
Oxford Cty.. and is pertinent to our concerns re quarries being 
re-purposed for landfill sites.  He has written a report and his 
research covers 10 years of nitrate infiltration of the soil.. noting 
the time it took and the area of influence through the various layers, 
etc.  It was extensive.. they placed and took readings from over 100 
wells over the years in the area.. wells to take data from... great 
research.
This is the only kind in the world that has done this so is highly 
significant globally.

He stated that 40% of the earth's surface is used for agriculture and by 
2050 food demand will increase by 70% and agricultural water by 50%.  
Agriculture is the largest source of water pollution except for china 
where industrial pollution is the worst.
Reactive nitrogen is the greatest single experiment in global 
geo-engineering. You can download the European Nitrogen Assessment from 
the internet.. A Global Grand Challenge.
So this research started with the farmers using 100 lbs/acre of nitrate 
and they found they could use 50 lb/acre to get the same yield if they 
used rotation of crops. And the infiltration in the groundwater was 
significantly reduced. The Global Nature Fund now lists Lake Winnipeg as 
the most threatened lake in the world!
65% of Southwestern Ontario is agricultural. Woodstock Thornton Field 
had 5 water production wells in sand and gravel aquifers averaging 100 
ft deep and there was chronic increased nitrate in the groundwater. They 
made various adjustments... and all became an example of BMP ( best 
management practices).

  I talked with him after the lecture and he agreed that filling in 
quarries and pits like the one near Ingersoll must not happen and the 
contamination risks to soil and water would be significant. His research 
conclusions although related to chemical nitrate use and how it 
contaminates groundwater would be helpful to use in fighting the 
landfill in quarries. Emil Frind , a long time prof at U of Waterloo was 
on the credits at the end of his power point and Gary Parker at U of 
Guelph also.

He pointed to
The Council of Canadian Academies    ( 
http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en.aspx )  that has just this week released 
a report on agriculture and water protection. It is at this link. There 
will be info in some of the chapters that can be used for protecting 
pits and quarries from landfill.

http://www.scienceadvice.ca/uploads/eng/assessments%20and%20publications%20and%20news%20releases/Water_Agri/WAG_fullreportEN.pdf

Also, Dr Rudolph is giving the lecture again in Waterloo soon. It would 
be worth it to attend when he presents again in Waterloo.
http://uwaterloo.ca/earth-environmental-sciences/people-profiles/david-l-rudolph

He is a valuable contact for OPAL and Gravel Watch Ontario as well as 
general groundwater contamination from agriculture.... .

Norah  Chaloner


  David L. Rudolph

Groundwater (Hydrology)

David Rudolph

*Office:* Physics (PHY) 229B
*Phone:* (519) 888-4567 ext. 36778
*Email:* drudolph at uwaterloo.ca <mailto:drudolph at sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>








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