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| Groundwater uranium (red) and nitrate (blue) contamination levels in two major aquifers and other sites in the United States. Source: Noland & Weber (2015). |
By Gundhramns Hammer
September 18, 2015
In a recent geochemical study, Noland & Weber (2015) have found that two U.S. major aquifers - the High Plains (also called the Ogallala) and Central Valley - are contaminated with naturally occurring groundwater uranium.
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln scientists took about 275.000 samples from the aquifers. The data from their chemical analysis showed that uranium (U) in the groundwater exceeded the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL = 30 μg/L) across an area of 22375 km2 where 1.9 million live.
According to these University of Nebraska at Lincoln scientists, "approximately 78% of areas where U concentrations were interpolated
above the MCL were correlated to the presence of nitrate".
The study suggests that this groundwater contamination is linked to intensive animal exploitations and agriculture activitities in the region.
But nuclear testing in the United States cannot be discounted as a source of uranium contamination.
In the end, mon Capitaine, this is the price people have to pay for what is called "economic development" or "progress": Drinking polluted water.
Precisely, mon ami.
What a blooming pity!
References
Noland J. & Weber K.A. (2015). Natural Uranium Contamination in Major U.S. Aquifers Linked to Nitrate. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett., 2: 215-220.
Noland J. & Weber K.A. (2015). Natural Uranium Contamination in Major U.S. Aquifers Linked to Nitrate. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett., 2: 215-220.
