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Gilbert C. Bortleson

Publications and source records attributed to Gilbert C. Bortleson.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2003

Phosphorus, iron, and manganese distribution in sediment cores of six Wisconsin lakes

Depositional patterns of iron, manganese, and phosphorus in one central and five northern Wisconsin lakes ranging from oligotrophic to eutrophic, primarily from natural causes, have been investigated. One-meter cores from one or more locations within each lake were analyzed. The historical pattern of iron and manganese deposition is closely related to the pattern of phosphorus deposition in most of the cores. Four of the nine cores show a strong positive correlation coefficient between P and Fe and seven between P and Mn. Manganese has more predictive value than iron for determining the concentration of phosphorus in a given core; however, the iron content appears to be the dominant factor in the phosphorus sorptive and retentive capacity of sediments.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1993

A review of possible causes of nutrient enrichment and decline of endangered sucker populations in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Upper Klamath Lake, and the connecting Agency Lake, is a large (140 square mile) lake in south-central Oregon. The lake has a recent history of long-duration, near-monoculture, blue-green algal blooms of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae . Typically, the algal bloom causes nuisance and detrimental conditions, including a deep-green "pea soup" appearance, from mid-May to late October. Accompanying the blooms are foul odors, extremely high pH, widely varied dissolved-oxygen concentrations of supersaturation or near depletion, occasional but extensive fish kills, and elevated levels of toxic ammonia. In 1988, the Lost River sucker ( Deltistes luxatus ) and shortnose sucker ( Chasmistes brevirostris ), long-term inhabitants of Upper Klamath Lake, were placed on the Federal endangered-species list. The endangering of the sucker species in recent years is hypothesized to be caused by degraded lake-water-quality conditions. Upper Klamath Lake has been eutrophic since it was first discovered. However, increases in algal abundance and changes in algal type over relatively recent years are evident, and can be correlated with agricultural development of the basin. The most common cause for an increased abundance of algae in lakes is increased enrichment of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Ten possible causes for this excessive enrichment in nutrients are described. Three of these hypotheses are suggested for immediate testing because of large-scale changes in nutrient loading that may have occurred as a result of man’s activities. These three hypotheses relate nutrient enrichment to (1) conversion of marshland to agricultural land, (2) agricultural drainage from the basin, and (3) reservoir regulation. Eleven possible hypothetical causes for the decline in sucker populations also are described. The decline in sucker population may be related to excessive nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) of the lake.

Oregon↗
USGS1988

Ground-water resources and simulation of flow in aquifers containing freshwater and seawater, Island County, Washington

Aquifers in Island County, Washington, that are intruded by seawater from Puget Sound contain chloride concentrations that exceed 100 mg/L. Chloride concentrations exceeded 100 mg/L in 24 % of the wells that were drilled below sea level and sampled in August 1981, but most of the chloride concentrations did not exceed 1,000 mg/L. Groundwater occurs in glacial deposits that have a maximum thickness of 3,000 ft; the deposits were divided into five aquifers and five confining units. Four overlapping digital models were calibrated, using time-averaged data, to simulate three-dimensional steady flow of fresh groundwater in multiple aquifers containing freshwater and seawater separated by a sharp interface. Model simulations indicate that most of the recharge is discharged from aquifers C and D as springs below sea levels, and only a small fraction of the recharge moves downward below aquifer C. Simulations also indicate that aquifers beneath the islands are not recharged by groundwater that moves from the mainland through aquifers beneath Puget Sound except in the area of northeast Camano Island. Between Whidbey and Camano Islands, the freshwater-seawater interface intersects the bottom of Puget Sound and prevents movement of fresh groundwater between the two islands. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1987

Water quality in the lower Puyallup River valley and adjacent uplands, Pierce County, Washington

The quality of most ground and surface water within and adjacent to the lower Puyallup River valley is suitable for most typical uses; however, some degradation of shallow groundwater quality has occurred. High concentrations of iron and manganese were found in groundwater, sampled at depths of < 40 ft, from wells tapping alluvial aquifers and in a few wells tapping deeper aquifers. Volatile and acid- and base/neutral-extractable organic compounds were not detected in either shallow or deep groundwater samples. The quality of shallow groundwater was generally poorer than that of deep water. Deep ground water (wells set below 100 ft) appears suitable as a supplementary water supply for fish-hatchery needs. Some degradation of water quality, was observed downstream from river mile 1.7 where a municipal wastewater-treatment plant discharges into the river. In the Puyallup River, the highest concentrations of most trace elements were found in bed sediments collected downstream from river mile 1.7. Median concentrations of arsenic, lead, and zinc were higher in bed sediments from small streams compared with those from the Puyallup River, possibly because the small stream drainages, which are almost entirely within developed areas, receive more urban runoff as a percentage of total flow. Total-recoverable trace-element concentrations exceeded water-quality criteria for acute toxicity in the Puyallup River and in some of the small streams. In most cases, high concentrations of total-recoverable trace elements occurred when suspended-sediment concentrations were high. Temperatures in all streams except Wapato Creek and Fife Dutch were within limits (18 C) for Washington State class A water. Minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations were relatively low at 5.6 and 2.0 mg/L, respectively, for Wapato Creek and Fife Dutch. The poorest surface-water quality, which can be characterized as generally unsuitable for fish, was in Fife Dutch, a manmade channel and therefore uncharacteristic of other small streams. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1986

Occurrence of dissolved sodium in ground waters in basalts underlying the Columbia Plateau, Washington

Basalt aquifers of the Columbia River Basalt Group are a principal source of water for agricultural, domestic, and municipal use. Concern has been expressed in this agriculture-dependent region about problems associated with the use of groundwaters with a high sodium concentration relative to the calcium and magnesium content (high sodium-adsorption ratio). Continued irrigation with such waters can reduce soil permeability to the degree that water cannot effectively reach plant roots. Groundwaters within a flow path evolved from a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type in shallow and upgradient locations to a sodium potassium bicarbonate type in deeper and downgradient locations. Most of the intermediate and high sodium adsorption ratio values were observed in discharge areas near major streams and in pumping centers within the central part of the plateau. Ninety-six percent of the groundwaters sampled had a low sodium absorption ratio, indicating that, for irrigation purposes, there is probably little danger of harmful levels of exchangeable sodium occurring on soil. However, water from 18 of 418 wells sampled had a sodium absorption ratio grater than 8.0 and were classified as having a medium, high, or very high sodium hazard.

Idaho, Washington↗
USGS1985

Geochemical controls on dissolved sodium in basalt aquifers of the Columbia Plateau, Washington

Miocene basaltic aquifers of the Columbia Plateau are the principal source of water for agricultural, domestic, and municipal use in Washington State. Irrigation with groundwaters with relatively high sodium concentrations has been cause for concern in recent years, because of the tendency of such waters to reduce soil permeability. Chemical reactions involving groundwater and the basalts are the primary mechanisms responsible for the input of sodium to groundwater in the plateau. This conclusion is supported by the sequence of secondary alteration products found and by progressive changes in groundwater chemistry with depth and position along regional flow paths. Upgradient and shallow groundwaters have low sodium concentrations and sodium-adsorption ratios (SAR's), and are predominantly calcium sodium bicarbonate waters. Groundwaters from deeper and downgradient locations have higher sodium concentrations and SAR 's and are predominantly sodium bicarbonate water. Volcanic glass and cryptocrystalline matrix are the major sources of groundwater sodium, and are dissolved by a combination of silicate hydrolysis and dissolution by carbonic acid. Magnesium, iron, and calcium are removed from solution by the formation of an iron magnesium smectite, calcite , and amorphous iron oxyhydroxide. The addition of sodium, silicon, and potassium by dissolution of basalt exceeds their removal by the precipitation of secondary minerals, and their concentrations increase in the initial stages of this process. In later stages, these continued increases produce a water saturated with clinoptilolite and silica phases, and these begin to precipitate. While the timing of these processes is unclear, the mineralogy of secondary alteration and estimated cooling rates of the basalt flows suggest that observed alteration products formed primarily at low temperature, under conditions similar to those existing at the present time. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1985

Controls on ground-water chemistry in the Horse Heaven Hills, south-central Washington

Miocene basaltic aquifers are the source of domestic and municipal water, and about 20,000 acre-feet of irrigation water annually, in the Horse Heaven Hills in south-central Washington State. Groundwater chemical variations derive from the hydraulic characteristics is of the geohydrologic system, from groundwater basalt reactions, and from irrigation. Some dissolved species concentrations increase with residence time; others decrease. Recharge area groundwaters are calcium magnesium sodium bicarbonate waters with sodium-adsorption ratios (SAR's) less than 1.0. They evolve to sodium potassium bicarbonate waters with SAR 's as high as 17. Glassy and cryptocrystalline phases of the basalt are the main sources of dissolved sodium. They dissolve by silicate hydrolysis in carbon dioxide charged waters that recharge the aquifer system. Dissolved silicon, iron, and aluminum concentrations are controlled by the solubilities of amorphous secondary alteration products, which order to silica phases, oxyhydroxides, and smectite. Carbonate mineral precipitation is induced by increasing pH from the hydrolysis reaction. Sodium and potassium concentrations increase until clinoptilolite saturation is reached and precipitation begins. Deviations from the general variation patterns are due to localized geologic structures which distort the groundwater flow system, and to the irrigation use of Columbia River water. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1983

Limnological study of Shasta Lake, Shasta County, California, with emphasis on the effects of the 1977 drought

An intensive limnological study of Shasta Lake was made in conjunction with the California Department of Water Resources during the 1977 drought. Water-quality data were collected from March 1977 through September 1978 at six lake stations and four lake tributary stations. Data collected during and after the drought were compared. Lake water quality is described as a function of lake morphometry, climate, hydrology, and reservoir hydraulics. Results indicate Shasta Lake is a warm monomictic lake. Tributary inflow to the lake and outflow through the dam generate density currents which promote mixing at depth and the development of an extensive metalimnion. During the drought, record low lake levels resulted in the exposure of an extensive nearshore sediment zone. Resuspended sediments caused a deterioration of water quality. The most notable effects, in comparison with post-drought conditions, were decreased light penetration, increased dissolved-solids concentration and specific conductance, decreased dissolved-oxygen concentrations, and elevated nutrient levels. A hypolimnetic anoxic condition was observed at the upstream stations of the lake. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1978

Preferred and observed conditions for sockeye salmon in Ozette Lake and its tributaries, Clallam County, Washington

Ozette River and Ozette Lake and its tributaries in Washington have many of the water-quality and stream-hydraulic characteristics that are generally supportive of good sockeye salmon production. Ozette Lake is a large, deep lake and a natural rearing area and for young sockeye. In the summer of 1976 water temperatures preferred for the growth of young sockeye (45-68 degrees Fahrenheit) occurred between about 200 feet of depth and the water surface, or generally in the zone of steep temperature gradient. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in excess of 8.0 milligrams per liter at all depths throughout the year provided an adequate supply of oxygen for sockeye production. In comparison with eight other sockeye-producing lakes in Washington and Alaska, the concentrations of zooplankton in Ozette Lake appear adequate to support the rearing of sockeye salmon. In Big River and Umbrella Creek, tributaries to Ozette Lake, the streambed areas with gravels suitable for spawning were calculated to be about 39,000 and 31 ,000 square yards, respectively. If those areas were completely utilized they would accommodate about 13,000 and 10,000 spawning sockeye females, respectively. (Woodard-USGS)

Washington↗
USGS1975

Recent sedimentary history of Lake Monona, Wisconsin

Chemical analyses from two short cores in Lake Monona show that pronounced changes in chemical stratigraphy have occurred since white man moved into Madison and southern Wisconsin and began modifying the area. Since the mid to late 1800's, there has been an appreciable increase in P, Fe, Mn, Al, and K in the uppermost sediments. Maximum concentrations of P were observed near the turn of the century and in the most recent sediment layers.

Wisconsin↗