Isotope Analysis Reveals Hydrological Patterns at Amherst's Mill River

Presenter

Brooke DeJesus

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Christian David Guzman, Department of Civil Engineering, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A59, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Our research emphasizes isotope hydrology and its water quality applications regarding land use. We collect monthly data to record the variation of streamwater characteristics and total phosphorus. The inspiration of this research stemmed from the sensitivity to drought and flooding in the surrounding areas with hopes to better understand the water quality in regards to phosphorus pollution. Since 2021, we have been collecting stable-water isotope and total phosphorus samples from 13 locations surrounding Amherst. The Mill Site Station (main stem of Mill River) has 28 stream samples with around 100 precipitation sampled nearby. We perform isotope analysis where LGR standards and house standards are used to determine the composition of δ²H (deuterium) and δ¹⁸O (oxygen-18) isotopes in each of the monthly samples. In comparison to Tan Brook (residential land use), Mill Site (rural land use) has a greater proportion of natural, forested vegetation and greater proportion of infiltrating soils. It takes longer for the water to seep through, therefore it has higher mean transit times (506 days) and lower damping ratios (0.1139), with a mean δ¹⁸O value of -7.9‰ and a range between -7.0‰ to -8.6‰. The mean phosphorus concentration for Mill Site is five times lower at 25.4 μg/L. Understanding the individual tributaries that make up the watershed can help identify areas of concern that may be altering the quality of the greater watershed. Other regions with similar climates, or land usage can use these methods and results to make predictions about their water quality.

Keywords

Lake Warner Mill River, Isotope Hydrology, Water quality

Research Area

Engineering

SIMILAR ABSTRACTS (BY KEYWORD)