EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER ON PHOSPHORUS MOBILITY IN GROUNDWATER

摘要

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in the shallow, unconfined aquifer at Pineview Reservoir, Utah indicate increased phosphorus transport is occurring in groundwater. Because of known septic system influence in shallow groundwater, a set of sorption experiments was completed to determine whether the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences P sorption and increases P mobility. A P only and a P + DOM isotherm were completed for two types of aquifer sediments. Initial P concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 mg PO4-P/L were chosen to simulate environmentally relevant conditions. For the P + DOM isotherm, 15 mg C/L was spiked into the DOM artificial groundwater solution.