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Collaborators:

 

Garey Fox, BAE

 

Dan Storm, BAE

 

Chad Penn, PASS

 

Glenn Brown, BAE

 

Todd Halihan, Geology

 

Graduate Research Assistants:

 

Derek Heeren

 

Ron Miller

 

Last Updated:

June 29, 2009

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Questions:

garey.fox@okstate.edu

 

 

Subsurface Transport of Phosphorus to Streams

 

P4050029P9140034

 

Problem Statement:

Excessive nutrient loading, especially phosphorus (P), to surface waters can deteriorate water quality.  For P, the primary transport mechanism from upland areas into surface water systems has been considered to be surface runoff, with subsurface transport considered to be negligible.  However, local or regional conditions can lead to conditions where subsurface transport may be significant. The objective of this research was to determine the importance of subsurface transport of P along streams or rivers in the Ozark region of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, which are characterized by cherty (i.e. gravelly) subsoils.  It is hypothesized that alluvial systems such as these act as transient storage zones for nutrients such as P, and can significantly contribute to baseflow P levels in surface waters.  In addition, these systems may provide a fast and efficient method of subsurface P transport if there is hydraulic connectivity with surface runoff.  

 

 

Presentations:

 

ASABE AIM - Large-Scale Trench Test (Heeren)

 

ASABE AIM – Mapping Preferential Flow Pathways using ERI

 

Poster Presentation on Initial Project Results (First Dye Tracer Experiment)

 

WRAB Presentation – January 11, 2008

 

John Fuchs Thesis Presentation

 

OWRRI Presentation – August 1, 2008

 

USDA-CSREES National Water Conference – February 2009 (Poster)

 

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Board Meeting Presentation – February 17, 2009

 

Arkansas Water Conference – April 14, 2009

 

Conference Proceedings/Publications:

 

Heeren, D.M., R. Miller, G.A. Fox, D.E. Storm, C.J. Penn, and T. Halihan. 2009. Preferential Flow Path Effects on Subsurface Contaminant Transport in Alluvial Floodplains. ASABE Annual International Conference, Reno, NV, June 21-25, 10 pages.

 

Fuchs, J.W., G.A. Fox, D.E. Storm, C. Penn, and G.O. Brown. 2009. Subsurface transport of phosphorus in riparian floodplains: Influence of preferential flow paths. Journal of Environmental Quality 38(2): 473-484.

 

Fuchs, J.W., G.A. Fox, D. Storm, C. Penn, and G.O. Brown. 2008. Subsurface transport

of phosphorus in riparian floodplains: Tracer and phosphorus transport experiments.

ASABE Paper No. 084614. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE.

 

Current/Previous Funding Support:

 

Oklahoma Conservation Commission (EPA 319 Funds), “Riparian Buffers and Floodplain Management Effects on Subsurface Phosphorus Transport in Alluvial Floodplains in the Illinois River Basin”, October 1, 2008-December 31, 2009

 

 

Oklahoma State University, Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Team Initiative Program (TIP) Grant, “Interaction of Non-Point Source Contaminant Loads in Streams with Alluvial Ground Water”, January 1, 2008-December 31, 2009

 

Research supported by the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute/Oklahoma Water Resources Board titled “Subsurface Transport of Phosphorus to Streams: A Potential Source of Phosphorus not Alleviated by Best Management Practices”, March 1, 2007-February 28, 2008.

 

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