Factors controlling phosphorus mobility in nearshore aquifers adjacent to large lakes.

Internal P stores in offshore lakebed sediments play an important role in lake nutrient dynamics. While P stores in nearshore aquifer sediments may also be important for nutrient dynamics, it is unclear whether P accumulates in these sediments, and if so, what factors control P accumulation and its potential later release from the sediments to nearshore waters. This knowledge gap was addressed by conducting field investigations at seven nearshore sites located along the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Ontario, Canada, with more detailed dissolved and sediment phase characterization completed for two nearshore sites.

Occurrence of Arsenic in Nearshore Aquifers Adjacent to Large Inland Lakes.

Metal oxides that form near sediment-water interfaces in marine and riverine settings are known to act as a sediment trap for pollutants of environmental concern (e.g., arsenic and mercury).

Spatiotemporal controls on septic system derived nutrients in a nearshore aquifer and their discharge to a large lake.

This study evaluates spatiotemporal variability in the behavior of septic system derived nutrients in a sandy nearshore aquifer and their discharge to a large lake. A groundwater nutrient-rich plume was monitored over a two-year period with the septic system origin of the plume confirmed using artificial sweeteners. High temporal variability in NO-N attenuation in the nearshore aquifer prior to discharge to the lake (42-96%) reveals the complex behavior of NO-N and potential importance of changing hydrological and geochemical conditions in controlling NO-N discharge to the lake.

Effect of Transient Wave Forcing on the Behavior of Arsenic in a Nearshore Aquifer.

Groundwater-coastal water interactions influence the fate of inorganic chemicals in nearshore aquifers and their flux to receiving coastal waters. This study evaluates the impact of variable wave conditions on the geochemical changes and distribution of mobile arsenic (As) in a nearshore aquifer. Field measurements in a sandy nearshore aquifer on Lake Erie, Canada, are presented with geochemical changes analyzed over a period of high waves.