375 Borlaug Hall and via Zoom
Abstract
Threats to groundwater systems from intensive agricultural practices requires an understanding of the hydrogeology and the interconnection of the underlying aquifer systems and surface water bodies. Groundwater modeling softwares such as MODFLOW developed by the USGS allow scientists to create tools to simulate these systems and forecast how changes in parameters such as groundwater recharge or nutrient loading rates will impact the system as a whole. Two ongoing studies so far have been conducted utilizing MODFLOW to understand and assess impacts from intensive agriculture in Minnesota, one study focused in Southeastern Minnesota and one study focused in Central Minnesota. The groundwater modeling tools being developed within these studies will be used to understand both complex buried glacial sands aquifer systems and karst bedrock aquifer systems. These models will be utilized to simulate mean travel times in the groundwater systems, solute transport scenarios, and water quantity changes in response to changes in parameters such as groundwater pumping rates for irrigation. With these tools, the complexity of threats from intensive agriculture in the region can begin to be better understood and the effects of changes in practices, hydrology, or land usage can be forecasted.