Date of Award
12-1993
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geological and Environmental Sciences
Department
Geosciences
First Advisor
Dr. Richard N. Passero
Second Advisor
Dr. Alan Kehew
Third Advisor
Dr. Michael Stoline
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Groundwater in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has been impacted by human activities. This study presents a statistical method for predicting aquifer sensitivity/vulnerability within a glacio-hydrogeologic system.
Computerized data including 3620 water well records with partial chemical analyses, soil surveys, land use maps, and hydrogeologic reports were used to quantify aquifer parameters, nitrate-N contaminant concentrations, soil factors, and agricultural practices. Statistical analyses included simple t-tests , correlation, ANOV A, and multiple regression analyses.
The results indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between nitrate-N concentrations and depth of well submergence, well depth, clay thickness, partial clay thickness, land use, and soil slope. Two multiple regression models are presented, a general aquifer sensitivity model which uses only the hydrogeologic parameters, and an agricultural ground-water vulnerability model which incorporates agricultural land use and soil slope. Less than 10 % of the total variance in nitrate-N concentration was accounted for by these models.
Recommended Citation
Chidester, Steven Douglas, "A Study of Aquifer Sensitivity and Vulnerability in Kalamazoo County, Michigan Based on Hydrogeologic and Agricultural Factors" (1993). Masters Theses. 3896.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3896