Investigation of Pollution in a Karst Aquifer Utilizing Optical Brightener, July 1984 - August 1985

摘要

Optical brightener is an additive to laundry detergents and often contaminates groundwater. Its concentration may rapidly and inexpensively be determined by fluorescence techniques, and because its source is human waste water, its presence in groundwater serves as a direct indication of pollution from septic tanks, sewer leaks, and landfills. A total of 105 wells and springs in an area within the Inner Bluegrass Karst Region near Lexington, Kentucky, were described and sampled. Analyses were made for optical brightener (430 samples), total coliform (91), fecal coliform (93), and fecal streptococci (90). As many as 20 optical brightener and 4 bacterial samples were analyzed from a single site during the period from May 20, 1984 to June 17, 1985. Data were also collected on spring discharges, well water levels, and other site characteristics. Statistical analysis of the relationship between optical brightener and the bacterial indices showed low correlation for both spring and wells, in contrast to an earlier study.