Center for Earth and Environmental Science
Indiana University ~ Purdue University, Indianapolis

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2002 Pilot Project

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 Pilot Project (2002)

Sedimentologic and Biogeochemical Characterization of the Eagle Creek Watershed: Implications for Nutrient Cycling and Water Quality

Eagle Creek Pilot Program

The pilot program will be implemented in fall 2002 in anticipation of the creation of the Central Indiana Water Resources Partnership between the Center for Earth and Environmental Science and Veolia Water Indianapolis LLC. The pilot program focuses on a subset of the more comprehensive program that will be implemented upon formal creation of the partnership. The pilot program will focus on documenting the surficial sediments in Eagle Creek Reservoir, initial water mass characterization, and initiation of a database and data distribution site for program information and historical data

1)      Establish a database and data distribution site for program information and historical and background data, collect additional background data, initiate creation of a GIS system for reporting and presentation purposes.

GIS to ultimately include:

  • Historical aerial photography

  • Previous watershed and reservoir data

  • Eagle Creek Watershed Task Force data

  • Other public data and information

  • Geologic characteristics of the watershed

2)      What is the distribution of sediments and what are the geochemical parameters, and in particular the nutrient and metal contents, of deposited sediments within Eagle Creek Reservoir? (Sampling Map)

a)      Using 90 surface grab samples from boat transects, we will analyze sediment grain size and composition and determine the organic matter content of surficial sediments. Surficial sediments correspond to approximately the upper 5-10 cm and represent approximately the past 5-10 years of reservoir history. These are estimates that will be verified through determination of sediment accumulation rates in later planned studies.

b)      Determine phosphorous and metal content of surficial sediments by examining bulk geochemistry of sediments, with particular focus on metal chemistry

3) How does the water chemistry vary within the basin and with depth? (Sampling Map)

a) We will conduct preliminary water sampling and water quality measurements at a suite of sample stations spanning the basin, inlets, and outflow points and including depth profiles respecting important depth zonation related to stratification.

We will measure parameters initially during the fall and use preliminary snapshot of water chemistry to determine locations of established monitoring stations in the next phase of the project.

We anticipate establishing 20 sampling stations within the reservoir and sampling at 3 depth intervals per station within the reservoir. Inlets will be sampled at 14 stations and 1 station will be established at the outflow of the reservoir.

Physical and chemical parameters include the following parameters:

  • Ph

  • Temperature

  • Dissolved Oxygen

  • Secchi Depth

  • Specific Conductivity

  • Total Dissolved Solids

  • Total Phosphorus

  • Cations (Na, Ca, Mg, K, NH3)

  • Anions (Cl-, SO4, NO2, NO3, OPO4)

  • Alkalinity

  • Dissolved Inorganic Carbon

  • Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Ratio

Veolia Water Indianapolis laboratories will conduct all water quality analyses that are not field measured. These include alkalinity, anions and cations.
CEES will perform DIC and isotopic analyses.

20 reservoir stations x 3 depth samples, 14 inlets stations, and 1 outflow station = 75 sample points

CEES will conduct the sampling. As it is possible to coordinate sampling for algal control with pilot program sampling, CEES staff and Veolia Water Indianapolis staff will conduct joint sampling programs.           

Project Results
The pilot program will serve an important role of background data collection and evaluation. Combined with the first phase of sediment and water characterization, this program will provide critical information for the design of the comprehensive Eagle Creek Water Quality program that is proposed to follow this pilot study.

 
 

Center for Earth and Environmental Science
 School of Science
 Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis
 723 West Michigan Street, SL118
 Indianapolis, IN 46202
 http://www.cees.iupui.edu
 cees@iupui.edu