Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Geology
Abstract
The Decorah Formation is a marine shale of Middle Ordovician age, overlain by an upper carbonate aquifer, that is contaminated with nitrate. The shale may contain electron donors for denitrification in the forms of organic carbon and sulfur minerals.
Three shallow monitoring wells were installed and sampled, and sediment samples collected and analyzed to determine if denitrification is occurring within the Decorah Formation. This study showed that electron donors were present, but in low abundance, suggesting that denitrification is occurring but does not play a significant role in the removal of nitrates at this site.
Recommended Citation
Ignatius, Ashley, "Possible Groundwater Denitrification in the Decorah Formation (Middle Ordovician)" (2008). Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects. 98.
https://commons.und.edu/senior-projects/98