Texas Tech University System

Description:this Project Aims to Evaluate the Relative Impacts of Perchlorate From Fireworks on Surface Drinking Water Sources and Groundwater Drinking Sources Across the Us by Measuring Perchlorate at Six Sites (two Rivers, Three Lakes, and a Groundwater Site) During July 4TH Events, as Well as Periodic Firework Displays From Baseball Stadiums on the Two Rivers Selected. Seven Specific Objectives Will Be Addressed Through a Combination of Field and Laboratory Studies Combined With Modeling Efforts to Fill Critical Knowledge Gaps.activities:drinking Water Sources in the Watersheds Will Be Evaluated Before and After Major Periods of Fireworks and During Subsequent Rain Events. in Addition to Measuring the Perchlorate Inputs Due to Runoff or Infiltration, the Research Will Also Measure the Direct Deposition Into Water Bodies. Aerial Deposition Will Be Measured by Limited Direct Air and Deposition Sampling at Some Sites. to Expand the Reach of the Study, Additional Samples Will Be Requested From Castnet and Nadp (two Existing Sampling Networks), and the Project Will Also Include Nation-wide Surveys of Public Water Supply Intakes Before and After Periods of Fireworks. All Chemical, Physical, and Biological Observations From the Six Sites Will Be Integrated Into a Widely Applied Watershed Model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (swat), Which Will Expand the Tool's Ability to Assess the Impact of Firework-driven Perchlorate Emissions.subrecipient:penn State University ($620,000): Subaward for (1) Sampling of the Pittsburgh Location, and (2) Model Development and Validation (objectives 5, 6, and 7). Georgia State University ($174,165): Subaward for (1) Sampling the Atlanta Location, and (2) Model Development (objectives 1, 5, and 6). University of California, Berkley ($375,098): Subaward for (1) Sampling the Lake Tahoe Location, and (2) Studies on Perchlorate Reduction. University of Delaware ($319,999): Subaward for (1) Sampling the Massachusetts Location, and (2) Stable Isotope Analyses (objectives 4 and 5). University of Nevada, Las Vegas ($329,985): Subaward for (1) Sampling the Las Vegas Location, and (2) Studies on Air Deposition, Citizen Scientist Lake Survey, Lake Modeling (objectives 1, 2, and 6). Outcomes:anticipated Deliverables Include New Information and Data on: 1) Concentrations, Masses, Attenuation Rates of Perchlorate From Fireworks Use in Diverse Surface Waters as Well as Relative Contributions From Commercial Displays and Public Use and Direct Inputs and Indirect From Runoff; (2) Deposition Rates, Aerial Extents, and Local and Regional Impacts of Perchlorate Deposition; 3) the Relationship Between Density of Fireworks Use (mass or Cost), Population, and Resultant Residual Perchlorate That Enters the Environment; 4) the Biological Attenuation Rate as a Function of the Characteristics of Water Sources; and 5) the Impact of Fireworks Use on Groundwater Resources. Additional Outputs Include Refined and Calibrated Models to Evaluate Perchlorate Input and Fate in Surface Water Resources, a National Survey of the Impact of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Sources, Identification of Key Predictive Variables to Predict Perchlorate Impact, and Development of a Screening Tool to Evaluate Impacts. Potential Beneficiaries of This Program Include Drinking Water Utilities as Well as State and Local Governments and Communities Whose Drinking Water Is Affected by Pollution From the Use of Fireworks.