Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006ND101B

Analysis of Associated Bedrock-Aquifer System Sediments: Origins of Electron donor-rich Aquifers in Eastern North Dakota

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $8,590 Total Non-Federal Funds: $17,180

Principal Investigators: [UNKNOWN]

Abstract: Nitrate pollution has long been recognized as the most prevalent form of groundwater pollution. The only effective process to remediate nitrate contaminants is denitrification, typically through natural attenuation. This process reduces nitrate (NO3-) to harmless nitrogen gas. The process occurs naturally, requiring only an oxygen-limited environment, the presence of nitrogen digesting bacteria, and the availability of electron donors. The three most common electron donors are organic carbon, sulfide (typically as pyrite, FeS2), and ferrous iron minerals. Research has also shown that the controlling factor in this reaction has typically been the availability of suitable electron donors within the aquifer sediments. This research is to establish a link between the denitrification capacity of North Dakota aquifers with the electron donor composition of the surrounding bedrock, including not only pyrite but also organic carbon and ferrous iron.