Saline cooling tower water for irrigation in Minnesota. II. Drainage water composition, leaching fraction, and effect on aquifer quality

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5711517

Engel, R E; Malzer, G L; Bergsrud, F G

Saline cooling tower water (CTW) from the Sherburne County electrical power plant in Minnesota is being considered as an irrigation water source on surrounding crop lands. This study was undertaken to determine composition of drainage waters, leaching fractions (LF), and quality of the underlying aquifer (10-12 m) as affected by irrigation with CTW at two rates under three cropping systems. In a 3-yr field study (1979-1981), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and fallow plots were irrigated at rates that replaced net water deficits (I/sub 1/) and twice the net water deficits (I/sub 2/) in the cropped areas. The soil at this site was a Hubbard loamy sand (Udorthentic Haploboroll). Lysimeters, 57 cm in diam, were buried 150 cm below the plots to monitor the composition of the drainage waters and to determine the LF. Wells were installed in all plots to monitor deep movement of the CTW salts into the aquifer. Application of CTW increased the concentration of Ca and SO/sub 4/ in the drainage waters. Salt concentrations were generally higher under alfalfa than corn and fallow, reflecting its higher water requirement. Drainage waters were undersaturated with respect to gypsum; thus, SO/sub 4/ added from the irrigation water stayed in solution. The LF under the I/sub 2/ rate averaged 0.58. The LF under the alfalfa and corn (I/sub 1/ rate) averaged 0.34 and 0.38, respectively. The LFs under the I/sub 1/ rate were higher than anticipated. Salt concentrations in the aquifer increased greatly over the 3 yr. Sulfate concentrations peaked at 6.4 mmol L/sup -1/ in 1981, over 20 times greater than background levels and higher than US Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards.

• Research Organization: Montana State Univ., Huntley
• OSTI ID: 5711517
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 14:1; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALFALFA
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUIFERS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM IONS
CALCIUM SULFATES
CEREALS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COOLING TOWERS
DISSOLUTION
DRAINAGE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION V
GRASS
GYPSUM
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONS
IRRIGATION
LEACHING
LEGUMINOSAE
LIQUID WASTES
MAIZE
MANAGEMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MINERALS
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SALTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOWERS
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER QUALITY