Surface and Subsurface Properties Regulating Manganese Contamination of Groundwater in the North Carolina Piedmont
Year: 2015
Type: report
Abstract: Manganese (Mn) contamination of well water is a widespread problem and increasing concern in North Carolina (NC).Roughly 50% of wells in NC have Mn concentrations exceeding the state standard of 0.05 mg/L.Recent studies have shown that routine consumption of well water with elevated Mn concentrations may lead to increased infant mortality rates, death by cancers, and cognitive impairments in children.In NC, Mn in well water is naturally derived, but specific sources of Mn to groundwater are generally unknown, and concentrations are spatially variable, ranging from <0.01 to >2 mg/L, making it difficult to predict risks to exposure.The goal of this research was to identify environmental factors that regulate dissolved Mn concentrations in groundwater of the NC Piedmont.In particular, the specific research objectives were to 1) relate the spatial variability of groundwater Mn concentrations to surface and subsurface properties that have been mapped across the North Carolina Piedmont; 2) characterize the hydrogeochemical conditions of Mn-contaminated aquifers, potential sources of Mn, and Mn retention capacities of soil, saprolite and aquifer solids; and 3) develop decisionmaking tools that support of better management of manganese as a contaminant in groundwater.To accomplish the goal and objectives, chemical analyses of Mn in regolith (soil and saprolite), bedrock, and well-water samples from ten NC Division of Water Resources groundwater research stations were integrated with geospatial analyses of statewide well-water data, soil maps, and geology maps obtained from the US Geological Survey, US Department of Agriculture, North Carolina Geological Survey, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Carolina, WRRI Project 13-05-W.
Language: English
Subfield: Geochemistry and Petrology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G6727262441
OpenAlex ID: W2510474320