Nitrate and chloride concentrations in the high plains aquifer, Texas

Abstract

Groundwater nitrate and chloride concentrations were compiled for 122 wells in a rural, three‐county area of northwest Texas. The counties are located on the High Plains aquifer, a major source of groundwater in the region. Cropland/pasture is the predominant land use in the study area. The area also contains numerous cattle feedlots. Fertilizer and manure associated with those land uses are potential sources of ground‐water contamination. Although locally elevated above background levels, none of the chemical concentrations exceeded the primary drinking water standard of 44.27 mg/L for nitrate (10mg/L for NO3 — N) or secondary standard of 250mg/L for chloride. Rank correlations between nitrate and chloride were statistically significant in two of the three counties, where the solutes may have originated from a common surface source. Denitrification and scant precipitation recharge may account for an absence of nitrate levels above the drinking water standard.