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Migration of Pollutants in a Glacial Outwash Environment, 3
Author(s) -
Crosby James W.,
Johnstone Donald L.,
Fenton Robert L.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr007i003p00713
Subject(s) - groundwater , outwash plain , pollutant , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , geology , glacial period , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , ecology , biology
Continued investigations of the drain field environment in the Spokane Valley of eastern Washington strengthen earlier conclusions. Very high prevalent moisture tensions, at depth, are related to a lack of deep fluid percolation and lateral movement of waste waters is assumed. Downward movement of chemical pollutants cannot be demonstrated but may occur during early stages of drain field operation. Migration of bacteria is restricted to a relatively few feet from the leach bed. Routine monitoring of groundwater quality did not at any time produce positive results for coliform bacteria. Neither could the chemical quality of the groundwater be related to drain field operation. Local areas where problems have been associated with the use of septic tanks and drain fields appear to be restricted to marginal valley settings where geologic conditions are vastly different.