Water Quality Survey of the Sevilleta
Kameron Ortiz
Devin Belt
8/8/1013
Abstract: The objective of the study was to collect, analyze, and report water quality of a variety
of wells, drinkers, springs, and the Rio Grande located inside of Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. The
study was completed in several steps. First, water samples were collected in the field. The
samples were then taken into the lab for analysis. Finally data was derived from lab tests. This
data was then interpreted and compared to previous data collected in 2008-2009. The study
found that 29% of waters in the region had disappeared from 2008. The water sources that
remained declined in quality but were still relatively healthy.
Introduction
The American Southwest has long been known for its semi-arid climate, the sparse desert
brush that its inhabitants have for shelter, and the scarce resource of a very limited state of water
availability. In severe cases harsh droughts occur which further impair the life cycles, ecology,
and geological features of the affected region (http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu). Throughout history
numerous and extensive examples of such droughts have been recorded, including the long
lasting drought we are experiencing today (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). Prolonged drought can
have a more long term damaging effect on environmental and life sustaining communities,
locally and globally, including increased wildfires, dust storms, scarce water resources, higher
pollution levels, crop failure leading to famine, and in extreme case even violence and war
(http://drought.unl.edu).
Consecutive monitoring of drought conditions and water quality are essential for
providing insight and direction toward sustainability (http://water.epa.gov). With climate change
happening in current and rapid succession, recording data can provide a better understanding of
hydrogeologic and hydrochemical processes, and insight into what that information means to the
scientific and human community (http://water.epa.gov). Serving as a long term case study in
water management and availability The Rio Grande Rift, extending from central Colorado into
Mexico, has provided insight to potential water reflux based on observing the Rio Grande river
(http://academic.emporia.edu).
By continuing the tradition of detailed observance of the naturally occurring phenomena
present in this great valley, we hope to not only expand on the knowledge compiled of the area,
but to offer our own insights regarding the current and future states if the water resources
available from this river body. Through careful and accurate measurements, realistic projection
models based on the data collected, and a sincere and responsible scientific method we hope to
offer an unbiased and accurate appraisal of not only the current condition of our scarcest
resource, but guidance for future generations of scientists and student to preserve and celebrate
our subject.
Methods
We collected water samples from several sites around the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
(SNWR; Table 1). We focused on collecting water from both drinkers and tanks maintained by
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as open water sources found in the Middle
Rio Grande Valley.
We followed standard protocols already established by the Hydrogeochemistry Lab at the
University of New Mexico. Our goals were to test for alkalinity, pH, conductivity, temperature,
ppm (dissolved solids), and cation/anion ratios. To collect water samples, we used at each test
site 2 plastic bottles (125ml and 60ml), a syringe with a filter on the end, nitric acid (HNO3;
cation/anion analysis), and a water quality probe used on site.
All of the sampling bottles had to be rinsed three times with water from the drinker/tank/water
source that we were testing. After rinsing water samples could be collected. The 125 ml bottle
was dipped directly into the sampling source and had to be filled completely to the top to ensure
no air pockets remained in the bottle that could affect future tests. The 60 ml bottle was filled
with filtered water from the source using the filtration syringe. Four drops (approximately 4ml)
of nitric acid was then added to the water in order to prep it for cation/anion analysis. Final steps
included collecting data with the water quality probe.
Within two days we tested our water samples for alkalinity with water collected in the 125ml
bottle. The water sample in the 60ml bottle was placed into test tubes and was processed at the
Hydrogeochemistry Lab at the University of New Mexico for cation/anion analyses.
Results and Discussion
There have been numerous influences directed toward water quality in the Sevilleta
National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding area. This study compares and contrasts data
collected in 2008-2009 to present data analysis. Higher elevations of major cations/anions were
present in almost all testing sites although non significant at most.
Major cations (figure 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 1.d) exhibit relative influxes with the Esquivel drinker
site being the most significant in these elements.
Sodium Content
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Na 2008
Na 2013
Rio Grande Esquival Well West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Fig. 1.a
Potassium
30
25
20
15
K 2008
10
K 2013
5
0
Rio Grande
Fig. 1.b
Esquival Well
West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Calcium
250
200
150
Ca 2008
100
Ca 2013
50
0
Rio Grande Esquival Well West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Fig. 1.c
Magnesium
90
80
70
60
50
40
Mg 2008
30
Mg 2013
20
10
0
Rio Grande Esquival Well West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Fig. 1.d
Anion analysis showed an overall decrease in chlorine at 4.2% and bromide at
58.6% with an increase of sulfate at 10.5% shown in figures (2.a, 2.b, 2.c)
Chlorine
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Cl 2008
Cl 2013
Rio Grande Esquival Well West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Fig. 2.a
Bromide
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
Br 2008
0.6
Br 2013
0.4
0.2
0
Rio Grande
Fig. 2.b
Esquival Well
West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Sulfate
800
700
600
500
400
SO4 2008
300
SO4 2013
200
100
0
Rio Grande Esquival Well West Mesa
Well
San Lorenzo
Spring
Goat Draw
Well
Data (2.b) is possibly insignificant given insufficient number of comparison sites
of water sampling.
Conclusion
With the general trend showing an increase in major elements since 2008-2009 we can
conclude that drought has had a negative effect on water quality in the Sevilleta Region. Our
study provides strong evidence that shows further decline of water quality in the Sevilleta region
if drought-like conditions persist. Conservation of current water resources will likely help
prolong the quality of Sevilleta region waters but without the addition of new waters water
quality will continue to decline.
Citations
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/TIB/ecological.html
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/drought/drght_history.html
http://drought.unl.edu/DroughtBasics/TypesofDrought.aspx
http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/monitoring/monintr.cfm
http://academic.emporia.edu/schulmem/hydro/TERM%20PROJECTS/Ware/571%20TermP
aper.htm