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Sources of Nitrate Contamination in the Butte Summit Valley
Ericka Sholey and Stacy Wilcox
Abstract
Excessive nitrate levels can be dangerous whether they are found in drinking water or aquatic ecosystems. Work done by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology shows that nitrate concentrations in both groundwater and surface water in the Butte area are highly elevated, and are way above Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program (VNRP) targets (Carstarphen et al., 2004; GWIC, 2005). Elevated nutrient levels have also stagnated development in the area surrounding Butte. Future housing development on the outskirts of Butte has been currently put on hold because of the elevated nitrate levels in ground water, so monitoring nutrient concentrations in the Butte Summit Valley is important to economic development for this community. Our goal of our undergraduate research is to determine major nitrate point sources in the upper Silver Bow Creek, which flows through the city of Butte. Through our research we have discovered a “dead zone” on Silver Bow Creek just downstream of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, which is one of the main point sources of nutrients in this study area. This “dead zone” is a hyper-eutrophic section of the creek characterized by a seasonal nightly drop in dissolved oxygen levels that are lethal to fish.
Biography
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My name is Ericka Sholey, and I was born and raised in Butte, Montana. After high school graduation in, I attended the University of Montana in Missoula for a year studying general classes. I wasn’t sure what to do with my life, so I got an internship working at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. After enjoying the warm weather and new friends, I realized it was time to go back to school and get a degree. I chose to come to Montana Tech and major in Geological Engineering, where I’m studying currently.
My interests include rocks and fossils, camping, four-wheeling, and my pug, Macey. I keep myself busy by doing homework, working as a waitress, and spending time with the ones I love.
My undergraduate research has taught me the importance of water quality and waste water treatment. I have learned the affects of contaminants in water can affect the biology of life around it.
After I finish my Geological Engineering degree here at Montana Tech, I hope to get a great job with a mining company. I will be happy that I overcame one of the hardest obstacles in my life: an engineering degree.
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My name is Stacy Wilcox and I am from Butte, Montana. After graduating from Butte High School, I attended the University of Montana in Missoula to study Anthropology. I enjoyed my time in Missoula but realized I really didn’t want to be an anthropologist, so I returned to Butte. I decided to attend Montana Tech and conquer two of my worst fears: science and math. I truly see this as one of the best decisions I could have made.
I love being a student at Montana Tech. After taking one geology class I knew that that was what I could think about for the rest of my life. So, became part of the Geological Engineering Program. I am pursuing the Hydro-option and am very excited about where my studies will take me. I don’t have any specific career goals-- except to follow my interests and keep on learning.
My undergraduate research project has given me experience with local water quality issues, and more specifically, has taught me how to collect water quality data as well as measure stream flow. I enjoy standing in water, skiing, running, backpacking, my cat (Wesley), and of course, rocks and minerals.
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