Al (ppb)
76.5 - 240.7
46.1 - 76.4
28.3 - 46.0
5.9 - 28.2
0.0 - 5.8
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯
Fe (ppb)
583.3 - 981.4
264.8 - 583.2
196.7 - 264.7
108.9 - 196.6
73.9 - 108.8
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯Ca (ppb)
21078.8 - 29886.1
18281.0 - 21078.7
15575.6 - 18280.9
7943.3 - 15575.5
5385.5 - 7943.2
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯
Na (ppb)
7621.5 - 52233.7
5576.1 - 7621.4
4436.0 - 5576.0
2175.2 - 4435.9
1694.9 - 2175.1
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯Mg (ppb)
6905.3 - 11747.1
5957.1 - 6905.2
4701.9 - 5957.0
2602.0 - 4701.8
1854.6 - 2601.9
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯
Ba (ppb)
23.0 - 35.2
16.7 - 22.9
14.0 - 16.6
12.1 - 13.9
10.2 - 12.0
Rivers and Streams
Major Roads
Wisconsin Counties
10 Meter ContoursHigh : 1951
Low : 550
0 6.5 13 19.5 263.25
Miles
¯
Chippewa River, Durand, WIChippewa River, Eau Claire, WI
INTRODUCTIONThe rapid expansion of silica sand mining in the upper Midwest has generated significant
concerns about the environmental impact of industrial sand mining. Ongoing air quality (e.g.Richards and Brozell, 2015) and groundwater quality (Parsen and Gotkowitz, 2015) studies areaddressing some of these concerns, but growing public interest about potential contamination ofthe surface water and groundwater system of western Wisconsin has not been addressed. One ofthe primary impediments to the assessment of potential surface water and groundwatercontamination in western Wisconsin is the lack of data on the background composition of naturalwaters in the region.
The primary objective of this investigation is to conduct the first comprehensive analysis ofsurface water and groundwater chemistry throughout western Wisconsin. This analysis willestablish a critically important environmental baseline that will document natural backgroundvariations in dissolved metal content in surface water and groundwater throughout the region.These data are essential for accurate assessment of the potential for public health risk, identifyingthe source of elevated metal content and for establishing a baseline that may be utilized indeveloping reasonable and responsible environmental regulations.
Sample collectionof surface water
Sample filteringprocess
Sample preparationfor HR-ICPMS
Samples are run within 24 hrs.of collection and follow EPA
Method 200.8 Guidelines
PROCEDURES
Sample Collection- Collect GPS location, temperature, and pH
at collection site- Sample is collected in 500 mL nalgene bottle- Fill nalgene bottle and cap underwater- Store for transportation
Sample Processing Procedure- Take 50 mL aliquant and place into labeled filter
apparatus- Filter with vacuum filter- Verify pH with field values- Acidify with HNO to pH of less than 23
- Samples are run on HR-ICPMS within 24 hoursof collection
HR-ICPMS Preparation- Sample protocol utilizes ~6 unknown samples,
one total procedural blank, and one NISTstandard run as unknown
- Add ~ 40 mL of HNO to a clean, acid washed,3
60 mL nalgene bottle- Add ~10 mL sample aliquant to nalgene bottle- Add ~1 mL Internal Standard (Y,Sc,In,Li) to
nalgene bottle
ANALYTICAL APPROACHThis investigation is designed to develop baseline data on surface water and groundwater
composition, specifically concentrations and mobility of metals that are naturally occurring ingeologic units in western Wisconsin. The analytical protocol has four distinct components:
1) , which entails analysis of approximately 70 samples fromSurface Water Chemistrysecond, third and fourth order streams throughout the region;
2) , in which approximately 50 municipal water wells will beGroundwater Chemistrysampled;
3) , with approximately 50 geochemical analyses of bedrock,Whole Rock Geochemistrymine tailings and wasterock storage piles composed primarily of fine-grained non-economicmaterials that may harbor heavy metals.
4) , which involves progressive chemical leachingSequential Extraction Geochemistryof potential sources of trace metal contamination (e.g. geologic units, mine tailings) to evaluatethe true mobility of trace metals under realistic natural environmental conditions.
These analyses will be conducted by a multidisciplinary research team consisting of faculty,staff and students from the Department of Geology and Materials Science and Engineering at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The project requires close faculty/student interaction, andstudents will be involved in all aspects of the investigation, including sample collection,processing, analysis, data compilation, and dissemination of results.
HR-ICPMS Procedure- Tune and calibrate instrument for elements of
interest and internal standard elements overthe typical concentration range using externallysourced, certified standards
- Analyze samples listed above with additionalblank sample and certified NIST sample to monitor method performance
- Check the quality of the data:- Confirm the quality of the calibration curves (correlation coefficient >0.999)
using 4 or more standards- Check relative standard deviation for all element measurements in each
sample run so that they are <5%- Normalize sample element signals with respect to the controlled internal
standard element’s signals to account for instrument drift- Confirm the success of the run by confirming NIST samples measured
concentrations are within tolerable ranges of reported NIST valuesaccording to the EPA method
- Using calibrated signal intensity, calibration curves, and known dilution,calculate the concentration of the elements
Adam Wiest, Samantha Bartnik, Laurel McEllistrem, Steve Sellwood, J. Brian Mahoney
Establishing an Environmental Baseline forSurface and Groundwater Chemistry in Western Wisconsin
Departments of Geology and Materials Science and Engineering, UW- Eau Claire
FUTURE WORKComprehensive Trace Metal Contaminant Sampling Protocol
A comprehensive assessment of potential trace metal contamination associated with frac sand facilities requiresan analysis of:
Ambient Sources:1.Geochemical composition of target formations (Wonewoc and Jordan Fms.)2.Geochemical composition of overburden formations (Lone Rock/Tunnel City + Oneota Group)3.Groundwater chemistry4.Surface Water chemistry
Potential Sources from Processing:1.Process/Stormwater chemistry2.Fine/Slime geochemistry
**A scientifically valid assessment of potential trace metal mobility requires the application of sequentialextraction geochemistry on lithologic units containing elevated trace metal levels
ProcessingFacility
MonitoringWell
StormwaterContainment
Precambrianbasement
Eau Claire Fm.
Lone Rock Fm.
Oneota Gp.
SurfaceWater
GroundWater
Water Chemistry Sample
Geochemistry Sample
Subsurface Water Flowpath
fines
storm/process water
Jordan Fm.
Wonewoc Fm.
Mt. Simon Fm.
Eau Claire
Red C
edar
Riv
er Chi
ppew
aR
iver
BarronBruce
Eau Claire River
Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River
Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River
Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River Eau Claire
Red
Ced
arRiv
er Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Barron
Bruce
0 40kilometers
Eau Claire River
Nickel
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
(1)
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37W
-RC
R-D
39
W-R
CR
-E
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
58
W-R
CR
-I
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46W
-LN
-A(2
)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
0
1
2
3
50
100
Ni
ppb
EPA Drinking Water Standard
Chromium
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
(1)
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37W
-RC
R-D
39
W-R
CR
-E
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
58
W-R
CR
-I
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46W
-LN
-A(2
)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
0
.5
1
1.5
90
100
Cr
ppb
EPA Drinking Water Standard
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
Zinc
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
(1)
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37W
-RC
R-D
39
W-R
CR
-E
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
58
W-R
CR
-I
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46W
-LN
-A(2
)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
0
2
4
6
8
Zn p
pb
4000
5000
Pppb
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37
W-R
CR
-D
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46
W-L
N-A
(2)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
Phosphorus
0
200
300
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
100Wisconsin State Phosphorus Limit
Lead
0
2
4
10
15EPA Drinking Water Standard
Pb p
pb
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
(1)
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37W
-RC
R-D
39
W-R
CR
-E
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
58
W-R
CR
-I
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46W
-LN
-A(2
)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
33
W-C
R-G
32
W-C
R-F
31
W-C
R-E
61
W-C
R-K
(1)
61
W-C
R-K
(2)
23
W-C
R-D
56
W-C
R-J
55
W-C
R-I
12
W-C
R-A
13
W-C
R-B
37W
-RC
R-D
39
W-R
CR
-E
40
W-R
CR
-F
41
W-R
CR
-G
42
W-R
CR
-H
21
W-R
CR
-B
58
W-R
CR
-I
20
W-R
CR
-A
29
W-E
CR
-A
30
W-E
CR
-B
57
W-E
CR
-C
46
W-L
N-A
46W
-LN
-A(2
)
60
W-L
N-B
38
W-Y
R
22
W-E
C
28
W-B
GC
EC
Well
Fie
ld
Chi
ppew
a R
iver
Red
Ced
arR
iver
Eau
Cla
ire R
iver
Littl
e Nia
gra
Cr e
ek
Yello
w R
iver
Elk
Cre
ekBe
arG
rass
Cre
ek
Eau
Cla
ireW
ell F
ield
Arsenic
0
.5
1
5
10EPA Drinking Water Standard
As
ppb
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
CONCLUSIONS
PRELIMINARY RESULTS- Initial results indicate that trace metal values in the Red Cedar and Chippewa River drainages are low relative to established state and federal drinking
water standards (As, Cr, Pb) and public welfare secondary standards (Zn)- Major element chemistry varies regionally, and appears to be controlled by bedrock geology- Establishment of regional environmental chemistry baseline in surface and underground water chemistry in Western Wisconsin is crucial prior to the
development of a reasonable and realistic regulatory framework
FRAC SAND FACILITIES AND FACILITY TYPES ASOF MAY, 2014
Analytes of interest were selected primarily based on Environmental Protection Agencyprocedures for the determination of dissolved elements in ground waters, surface watersanddrinking water (EPA Method 200.8). These analytes include elements of interest to theWisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for the establishment of environmentalregulations.
Cobalt (Co)Iron (Fe)Lead (Pb)Magnesium (Mg)
Phosphorus (P)Selenium (Se)Strontium (Sr)Thallium (Th)Uranium (U)Vanadium (V)Zinc (Zn)
ANALYTES OF INTEREST
Aluminium (Al)Antimony (Sb)Arsenic (As)Barium (Ba)Cadmium (Cd)Calcium (Ca)
Manganese (Mn)Nickel (Ni)
wisconsinwatch.org
