INVOLVING UNDERGRADUATES IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER by ISIORHO, Solomon A. (PhD) Dept. of Geosciences Indiana University - Purdue University Ft. Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, IN

Talk Outline Introduction Reason/Purpose Area Methods Results & Discussions Conclusion

Reason/Purpose Groundwater is usually the unknown Understanding the relationship between surface water and groundwater is important in studies that involve rivers, lakes or wetlands. Teach and involve undergraduates in the field studies to increase their interest and to ensure that the relationship between surface water is carried out on a routine basis.

Measuring recharge/discharge Physical methods –Stream gauging and seepage meters Chemical –Chemical and isotope for hydrograph separation & determining groundwater flow direction Thermal ( Silliman & Booth, 1993) –For detecting groundwater flow Retrieved May 5, 2005

Glacial Geology of Allen County, Indiana Allen County

Geomorphology of Indiana

Study Area IPFW

Location Well field Wetland Creek

Methods Several holes (wells) (2 -12 feet depth) were dug near a creek –(routinely used in wetlands, hydrogeology, Intro Lab) Three 5-foot 2" ID PVC pipes are installed along the bank of the creek. Water temperature and water levels in the wells are monitored on a semi regular basis. –The three 5-foot PVC pipes, 12-foot deep well, and the creek water levels are monitored for five months. A Water level calculator is prepared by an Undergrad.

Results Water level measurements Relationships between wells Drawing from

Comparing Waters temperatures with Air temperatures Correlation (R=0.836) between Air temp and Creek (River) water temp is slightly higher than Air temp and Well Water temp (R=0.763)

Water levels in PVC Pipes Correlation between pipes 1 & 2 is (r) = 0.379; Pipes 1 & 3 is (r) = & Between pipes 2 & 3 is (r) = 0.765

Relationship between depth of PVC pipe Below Ground Level (BGL) and water level in the pipes The deep PVC pipe (31" below ground level (BGL)) had a water level of 56 inches, the intermediate PVC pipe (27" BGL) has 43 inches of water and the shallowest (23" BGL) has 33 inches of water…..upwelling condition & groundwater discharge The correlation (r) between the length of PVC BGL and water is very high (r =0.997) and this can be used to model the water level in PVC pipes with the depth. However, the correlation coefficient between the water level in the deepest PVC to the creek's water level is very low (r = 0.114).

Limited Water Chemistry Table 1 pHTemp Conductivity Water Depth Well A (12') ‘ PVCs (river) see table below Well C (6') " Table 2 Top of pipe to Water Pipe below ground level PVC #14.2”30 PVC #213.5”34 PVC #323.5”37

Groundwater level Calculator Water level calculator developed by an undergrad....Zack Long

Conclusion Undergrads are capable of doing field work and the relationship between surface water and groundwater can be determined easily using simple three PVC pipes and this measurement should be done routinely in studies that involve rivers, lakes or wetlands.