Changes in ground water quality in an irrigated area of southern Alberta

Few studies have documented spatial and temporal variations in ground water quality in areas with high densities of animal farming operations (AFOs), or the long-term effects on surface-water quality. Changes in ground water quality were characterized in an irrigated area with a high density of AFOs in southern Alberta, Canada to evaluate the effect on ground water quality of manure application to fields. Fifty-five piezometers in the oxidized zone were sampled once or twice annually from 1995 to 2001, and temporal changes were analyzed using mixed model analysis. Average NO3- -N increased significantly from 12.5 to 17.4 mg L(-1) and average Cl- increased significantly from 19.4 to 34.4 mg L(-1) in piezometers installed in an unconfined sand aquifer at locations receiving fertilizer and manure. Compared with these manured locations, nitrate and chloride concentrations were significantly lower in shallow aquifer water in areas of pasture or native range, and concentrations did not change significantly with time. Nitrate and chloride concentrations in shallow ground water in fine-textured manured locations did not change significantly. Ground water below about 6 m in till and fine lacustrine sediments contains 18O signatures indicative of recharge under preirrigation or glacially influenced conditions, suggesting this ground water has a low vulnerability to agricultural contamination. Evaluations suggest that shallow ground water discharge will cause NO3- -N and Cl- in the Oldman River to increase by factors of at least 4.3 and 1.3, respectively, with more significant effects in smaller streams and under low-flow conditions.