1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
ludmilkaskok [199]
3 years ago
10

Analyze What has happened to the amount of water in the High Plains Aquifer over time

Biology
2 answers:
Serhud [2]3 years ago
6 0
The High Plains Aquifer system

The High Plains aquifer system is the primary source for ground water in the High Plains region, most notably for agricultural use. This aquifer covers a large area (174,000 sq. miles) and spans vertically over eight states (Figure 1). The name was derived from the High Plains Physiographic Province, an area of relatively flat topography that progresses eastward from the Rocky Mountains (Figure 2) (USGS, 1997). The Ogallala aquifer is the leading geologic formation of the system, although two smaller formations are present (Brule and Arikaree). Collectively, over 170,000 wells are tapped into this natural resource which contributes to irrigating some 500,000 sq. kilometers of farmland, making it the largest irrigation-sustained cropland in the world. For example, agriculture from South Dakota to Texas is has been supported solely by irrigation from the High Plains aquifer for nearly a century. The High Plains aquifer is an open system mainly developed in shallow sands and gravels. Much of the water originally entered the aquifer during a wetter climate during the last ice age (High Plains, 2000). Probably the most critical issue facing this aquifer is the overuse caused by the increasing irrigational practices of modern-day agricultural techniques.
Figure 1; Extent of the High Plains Aquifer system
Picture from USGS, 1997 ; Modified by: Tyler Ringler

Click for larger picture

Figure 2; Physiographic Province that gave name to the High Plains Aquifer system
Picture from USGS, 1997 ; Modified by: Tyler Ringler

Click for larger picture

The High Plains Aquifer system

Hydrologic setting

Recharge of the enormous aquifer is attained through precipitation on a large-scale, and more by streams and canals locally. A huge drop in the holding capacities and generalized water levels throughout the region can be seen in the last several decades due to increased irrigation (Figure 3). Some of the runoff through irrigation actually proves to be a moderate source of the aquifer’s own recharges as well (USGS, 1997). The dry arid climate in the west high plains coupled with the higher precipitated eastern region allows for moderate recharge, but over usage is still driving down the overall volumes of water being retained. Between the years of 1950 and 1980, for example, their was a 300% increase in groundwater pumped from the High Plains aquifer system (High Plains, 2000). Average recharge rates for Nebraska and Kansas for the aquifer is around 0.05 and 0.6 inches per year. Most of the recharge occurs in areas where sand dunes or other highly permeable material makes up the land surface (USGS, 1997).

Figure 3; Recharge process of the High Plains Aquifer system.
Picture from Google Image search ; Modified by: Tyler Ringler

Click for larger picture


Hydrologic and Geologic Properties

Ground water quality in the High Plains aquifer system is dependant upon several factors including chemical composition and solubility of aquifer materials. Also, ground water samples near a recharge area typically show less amounts of dissolved solids present due to dilution and a shorter residence time. Inversely, ground water near discharge regions show higher dissolved solids due to a longer residence time (USGS, 1997). The dissolved solid count for most of Kansas and Nebraska fall short of the 500 milligrams per liter standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency (Figure 4). One of the biggest players in the dissolved particle content around the Kansas-Nebraska region of the aquifer is sodium. High contents of sodium can negatively affect soil tillability and permeability. The highest contents can be seen in south-central Kansas (Figure 5) where the High Plains aquifer overlies Permian bedrock that contains saline water derived from partial dissolution of salt beds (USGS, 1997).

Figure 4; Dissolved solid content for Kansas and Nebraska regions of aquifer
Picture from USGS, 1997

Click for larger picture

Figure 5; Dissolved sodium ion content for Kansas and Nebraska regions of aquifer
Picture from USGS, 1997

Click for larger picture

The High Plains aquifer system is unconfined, and composed of several Quaternary and Tertiary age geologic units. The oldest formation included in the aquifer system is the Brule formation of Oligocene age. Figure 6 shows the prominent geologic rock formations involved in the aquifer system, along with the name, age, and thickness of each. The Brule is mainly found under western Nebraska and is made up heavy siltstone beds with channel deposits of sandstone (USGS, 1997). The Arikaree formation has thick beds of volcanic ash, siltstone, claystone, and marl which stretch from eastern Nebraska (1,000 ft. thick) to western Nebraska in


Leno4ka [110]3 years ago
6 0

Answer:

There has been great decline on the amount of water at high plains aquifer (ogallala aquifer)

Explanation:

The high plains aquifer serves mostly agricultural purposes in America and it is believed that 1/6 of world grains are supported by water from the aquifer. The pressure from agricultural activities, mostly irrigation has affected the recharge period of the aquifer, leading to decline in the water level.

The high plains aquifer traverses through 8 states in America- from the South Dakota to Northern Texas. States has over time managed the aquifer poorly, necessitating the intervention of the federal government.

You might be interested in
Help meeeeeeeeeellllllllll
azamat

Answer:

whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

8 0
2 years ago
Read 2 more answers
A food that is high in calories and could be used for energy storage in animals is MOST LIKELY high in what major nutrient
balu736 [363]
Carbohydrates I'm thinking
5 0
3 years ago
Random changes in allele frequency in a population are called:
kogti [31]
Random changes in allele frequency in a population are usually called genetic drift. The reason why this is the answer is because it is a very specific word which is used to describe exactly that - random changes in allele frequency. 

All the other cases; answers, here aren't correct and don't apply. 
8 0
3 years ago
The atoms or molecules that combine in a chemical reaction are called what
Yuki888 [10]

Answer:

In a chemical reaction, the atoms and molecules that interact with each other are called reactants. In a chemical reaction, the atoms and molecules produced by the reaction are called products.

4 0
3 years ago
Deforestation, the chopping down of large numbers trees for human use, is considered to have a negative impact on climate change
artcher [175]

Answer:

Plants take in carbon dioxide from the environment for photosynthesis. Because trees are large, they need a lot of energy, which likely results in a lot of carbon dioxide being removed from the air. If they’re chopped down, there will be fewer trees to remove the extra carbon dioxide from the air.

Explanation:

answer from Plato

4 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
Other questions:
  • Explain the four steps of the calvin cycle
    15·1 answer
  • I’ll mark brainlest
    11·2 answers
  • Which of the following is a potential obstacle to the commercial development of brownfields? a. the presence of pollutants b. en
    9·2 answers
  • a mitochondrion is having a problem creating enough energy to build new molecules. which problem most likely exist with the mito
    15·2 answers
  • What causes the youngest layers to be on top?
    11·1 answer
  • This is part one of the questions i need help on
    15·1 answer
  • A child who is being evaluated for an immune deficiency fails to make antibody to tetanus toxoid or pneumococcal vaccine, but sh
    11·2 answers
  • 2. Describe sexual reproduction.
    6·2 answers
  • HI GUYS ........................................................................................................................
    13·1 answer
  • What role do glucose and oxygen play in cellular respiration?
    5·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!