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P.P. Rasmussen

Publications and source records attributed to P.P. Rasmussen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2002

Real-time water quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate nutrient and bacteria concentrations in Kansas streams

An innovative approach currently is underway in Kansas to estimate and monitoring constituent concentrations in streams. Continuous in-stream water-quality monitors are installed at selected U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging stations to provide real-time measurement of specific conductance, pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and total chlorophyll. In addition, periodic water samples are collected manually and analyzed for nutrients, bacteria, and other constituents of concern. Regression equations then are developed from measurements made by the water-quality monitors and analytical results of manually collected samples. These regression equations are used to estimate nutrient, bacteria, and other constituent concentrations. Concentrations then are available to calculate loads and yields to further assess water quality in watersheds. The continuous and real-time nature of the data may be important when considering recreational use of a water body; developing and monitoring total maximum daily loads; adjusting water-treatment strategies; and determining high constituent concentrations in time to prevent adverse effects on fish or other aquatic life.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1995

Water-quality conditions of inflow, outflow, and impounded water at Rathbun Reservoir, Iowa, Clinton and Pomona Lakes, Kansas, and Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska, May through August 1993

During May through August 1993, water-quality samples were collected twice from selected sites in Rathbun Reservoir, Iowa, Clinton and Pomona Lakes, Kansas, and Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska. Samples were analyzed for selected physical and chemical properties, bacteria, major ions, nutrients, selected metals, total organic carbon, selected herbicides, and chlorophyll-a and -b. During May through August 1993, precipitation at all four reservoirs exceeded mean precipitation at nearby long-term precipitation gages; precipitation ranged from 7.76 inches above the long-term mean at Pomona Lake to 12.62 inches above the long-term mean at Rathbun Reservoir. Reservoir water-surface elevations exceeded flood-pool elevation by 4 feet in Clinton Lake, by 19 feet in Pomona Lake, and by 2 feet in Harlan County Reservoir in July. Thermal stratification of water occurred at one site in Rathbun Reservoir in August, at two sites in Clinton Lake in May, at one site in Pomona Lake in June, and at one site in Harlan County Reservoir in June. Total triazine herbicide concentrations in water samples from all four reservoirs ranged from 0.2 to 19 micrograms per liter and were largest water samples from Rathbun Reservoir in June. Concen- trations of atrazine exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level of 3.0 micrograms per liter for drinking water in at least one sample each from Rathbun Reservoir, Clinton Lake, and Pomona Lake. Concentrations of cyanazine exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level of 1.0 microgram per liter in water samples from Rathbun Reservoir.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1994

Hydrogeology and water-quality conditions at the City of Olathe Landfill, east-central Kansas, 1990-93

Water quality at the City of Olathe Landfill in east-central Kansas was examined in relation to hydrogeologic conditions to help determine the effects of the landfill on shallow ground water. This study focused on the Wyandotte and Plattsburg Limestones underlying the landfill. The Wyandotte Limestone underlies the entire landfill, whereas the overlying Plattsburg Limestone crops out within the landffll boundaries. Little Cedar Creek, an unnamed tributary, and a pond are located in the landfill. Water samples from seven monitoring wells and five surface-water sites in the vicinity of the City of Olathe Landfill were collected for analysis of inorganic and organic constituents. The inorganic constituents in the ground water that are most affected in the vicinity of the landfill are calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate, ammonia, barium, iron, and manganese. The dissolved- organic-carbon concentration at a seep flowing from the Plattsburg Limestone was 1,400 milligrams per liter, indicating that the landfill is affecting the water quality near the seep. Benzene was detected in all of the water samples, and the largest concentration was in a sample collected upgradient of the landfill. The benzene concentration exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Maximum Contaminant Level (0.005 milligram per liter) for drinking-water supplies. Six of the eight specific organic compounds detected were found in a water sample collected from the Plattsburg Limestone immediately downgradient of the landfill. No organic compoands, except benzene, were detected in samples collected from the Wyandotte Limestone downgradient of the landfill.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗