Three research grants recently awarded by the National Ground Water Research
and Educational Foundation totaling $12,500 will further study in the areas of
public health, ground water resource management, and climate
change.
The selected projects:
Database Independent Microbial Source Tracking to Determine the Source of Fecal
Pollution in Ground Water – This research includes an investigation of the
space between the bottom of a well pump intake and the bottom of the borehole
in domestic well systems, and its potential to promote bacterial growth and to
harbor other microorganisms. Lawrence Goodridge, assistant professor of food
microbiology at the Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University,
is the lead investigator.
Determination of Helium Release Rates for Dating Old Ground Water in a
Carbonate Aquifer –Researchers hope to establish the basis for sustainable
regional water resource management decisions that support both future
development and ecosystem health. Victor Heilweil of the U.S. Geological Survey
and Kip Solomon of the University of Utah and a former Henry Darcy
Distinguished Lectur-er, are the lead investigators.
Interactions Between Fire, Vegetation, Climate and Ground Water in a Burned
Ponderosa Pine/Gambel’s Oak Watershed – The semiarid southwestern United States
currently is suffering from a long-term drought. In addition, scientists
are predicting a continued rise in global temperatures. This type of
climate change is thought to have potential impacts upon water
supplies. Continued climate change and fire suppression may further limit
the water supply. This research project intends to identify linkages
between fire, vegetation, climate and ground water recharge, with an aim toward
allowing managers to better justify the use of fire as a tool to increase water
yield. Deborah Finch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, is
the lead investigator.
