water · 2019-07-07 · water from a geological prospective “when geologists look at water, they...

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Water Water The role soil will play in water conservation The role soil will play in water conservation

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Page 1: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

WaterWaterThe role soil will play in water conservationThe role soil will play in water conservation

Page 2: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Water from a Geological Prospective

“When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They see rocks below the earth’s surface controlling the water – a natural system that stores and transmits water (groundwater) and connects it to rivers (surface water). They see the geology of an area controlling the behavior of water – in the streams, where groundwater is found, and in the interaction of these streams with groundwater. Geologist know that understanding an area’s geology is often critical for coordinated management of groundwater and surface water to help prevent the problems we’ve seen in the past year.”

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Page 3: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

The Real Looming Crisis

“ A growing scarcity of fresh water is now a major impediment to food production, ecosystem health, social stability and peace among nations. Each year, millions of tons of grain are grown by depleting underground aquifers – a clear case of robbing the future to pay for the present.”

Sandra Postel

• Exponential growth of any living identity has met with population catastrophes.

• The growth in human population is directly related to our ability to manipulate the water cycle.

• We are now entering a period of diminishing fresh water resources coupled with exponential population growth and climate change.

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Page 4: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Current Agriculture Practices – Water Usage

Water required to produce:Water required to produce:– 1 lb of beef - 1,857 gallons – 1 lb of pork - 756 gallons– 1 lb of chicken – 469 gallons

(National Geographic, April 2010)

A Crisis Unfolding:A Crisis Unfolding:•Droughts are occurring in key farming belt areas.•Less snow pack in the mountains is resulting in less freshwater flows during the growing season.•Contamination of freshwater sources by industrial waste and agriculture is increasing.•Soil erosion and depletion of underground aquifers is accelerating.•Worldwide population is growing and developing countries are expanding the diets of their middle class.

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Page 5: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

“In the 2000 National Water Quality Inventory, states reported that agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts on surveyed rivers and lakes, the second largest source of impairments to wetlands, and a major contributor to contamination of surveyed estuaries and ground water.”

Current Agriculture Practices – Water Pollution

• This is further compounded by corporate agriculture utilizing environmental exemptions bestowed to the family farm.

• A CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feed Operation) on 100 acres can generate the same amount of sewage as a city of 100,000 inhabitants. (Daniel Imhoff, editor of CAFO : The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories)

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Page 6: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Global Soil Degradation

The restoration of soils through ecosystem rehabilitation and sustainable food production, globally, is the only solution to the unfolding water crisis.

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Page 7: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Soil DynamicsMechanistic - Current Agriculture Science -reducing system to smallest components believing this result in the understand the whole.Resulting In:

• Rapid Soil Loss and Erosion

• Water Pollution

Systems - Sustainable Agriculture Science recognizes the components of a system cannot be understood without first understanding the whole. Resulting In:

• Soil Restoration• Water Retention• Water Purification

“A Systems Approach to Soil Science”- Juma and Nickel

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Page 8: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Soil Water - The Driving Force

• Though one of natures simplest compounds water is the driving force in every aspect of soil development.– Size and growth of soil microbial communities– Decomposition of organic matter– Weathering and transformation of soil minerals– Plant growth– Quality and size of groundwater reservoirs

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Page 9: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Soil Water - The Driving Force• Soil Water with ground water exceeds all surface fresh water in rivers and

lakes by more then two orders of magnitude (Kutilek and Nielsen, 1994).• Soils play a vital role in ecosystems because it transforms intermittent

rainfall and snow into a continuous supply of water for plant growth (Noorallah Juma, 2002).

• With ground water, soil transforms precipitation into continuous discharge into stream and rivers (Noorallah Juma, 2002).

• Transportation of natural (organic acids, clay particles, water) and anthropogenic compounds (fertilizer, waste materials, pesticides) in all systems is controlled by soil water dynamics (Noorallah Juma, 2002).

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Page 10: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Eastern Ontario Bedrock Geology

Page 11: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Glacial History Eastern Ontario

Eastern Ontario entirely covered by the Wisconsinan Glacier. Sandy silt rich in Precambrian rocks, carried from north of Ottawa. Shales and carbonate rocks from the Eastern Ontario marine sediment basin gouged and ground . These ground moraines or tills were deposited forming the North Grower Drumlin Field and Glengarry Till Plain.

Page 12: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Glacial History Eastern Ontario

As the Wisconsinan Glacier receded the Champlain Sea was created. Marine deposits of silt and clay were deposited in these quite waters forming the Winchester Clay Plain over lying the till deposits creating an aquitard over much of the Ottawa Embayment. Sand and gravel deposits were deposited through glacial meltwater (river) channels forming the Edwardsburg, Russell and Prescott Sand Plains.

Page 13: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Glacial History Eastern Ontario

Wisconsinan Glacier and Champlain Sea recede exposing land in Leeds and Lanark Counties. Sandy silt rich in Precambrian rocks deposited along shore lines and meltwater channels forming Smith Falls Limestone Plains. Water washed tills and sands develop boulder pavement in Eastern Ontario Counties. Deposition of clay and silt continue intermixing with sand deposits.

Page 14: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Glacial History Eastern Ontario

Formation of Ottawa and St. Lawrence Drainage basins. Delta deposits of sand and gravel formed along these drainage basins like the Lancaster Flats. Remnants of the Champlain Sea form exceptional deposits of mineral rich peat and marl.

Page 15: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Geological and Soil Conditions Affecting Water Patterns

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Page 16: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Physiography

Smith Falls Limestone Flats - The largest and most continuous tract of shallow soil over limestone in Southern Ontario. The shallow soils vary greatly in texture from clay to light loams, sand and gravel. Drainage is impeded and can become exceedingly droughty.Large areas are covered with peat and muck soils which, for the most part, remain under forest cover.

Ottawa Valley Clay Flats – Though dark silty deep clays they are only mildly calcareous and likely derived from acidic rocks of the Canadian Shield.

North Grower Drumlin Field – Although traversed by the Rideau river and tributaries, drainage is not well developed and lowlands are occupied by poorly drained Gleysolic soils.The overlying drumlins have good drainage and exhibit Grey Brown Luvisolic profiles.

Winchester Clay Plain – For the most part are poorly to imperfectly drained clay loam.Very little uncleared land remains and municipal ditches have been cut to drain the plain.Despite surplus water during the spring a reliable supply for livestock and domestic purposes poses and major problem.Wells often go dry because these tight clays are not good aquifers.Much of the overlying peat has been burned off or used as local domestic fuel. Generally cultivated soils are grey with low levels of humus.

Russell and Prescott Sand Plains – The whole complex comprised of a continuous belt, 65 miles in length, and the three large areas to the north represent delta sand of the Ottawa River during the period of the Champlain Sea.Both the sand and underlying clay are acid derived from the Canadian Shield.There are very few streams in the sand plain as water percolates quickly and is discharged as springs onto the clay floor.

Glengarry Till Plain – The plain is a region of low relief forming the drainage divide between the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa basin. A great number of streams arise from the undulating terrain consisting of long morainic ridges, a few drumlins and intervening clay flats and wetlands.These well drained calcareous tills are recognized for there stoniness.

Lancaster Flats – is an area where the till plain has been buried by water-laid deposits ranging from clay to fine sand. This area is but a small portion of a larger plain extending into Quebec.The soils are generally poorly drained having deep black surface soils underlain by rusty, mottled subsoils.

Algonquin Highlands – This region covers and area of 15,500 square miles underlain by granite and other resistive Precambrian rocks.The soils are generally shallow filling topographical lows within the granitic terrain.The soils are also stony, sandy and acidic forming outwash sand and gravel along valley floors.Many of the hollows are filled with swamps and bogs and though not ideal for agriculture are important forest soils.

Edwardsburg Sand Plain – Glaciofluvial in origin the sand plain has been well spread through wave action in the late stages of the Champlain sea.Relief is moderate and water table stands near the surface resulting in shallow muck and peat bog development.Soils are acid and deficient in all important nutrients.

Leeds Knobs and Flats is comprised of Precambrian granite knolls with clay filled channels left by Lake Iroquois. Historically the region was dairy farming where the deeper clay soils produced excellent yields of hay, silage corn and small grains.

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Page 17: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Water Holding Capacity

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Page 18: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Water Erosion

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Page 19: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Global Human Induced Water Erosion

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Page 20: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Groundwater Characteristics of the Ottawa Valley• Groundwater is stored in, and moves through, porous sand and gravel and porous or

fractured bedrock (aquifers). Aquifers are recharged by the infiltration of rainwater or snowmelt from the ground surface.

• Throughout much of the Ottawa valley, an impervious blanket (aquitard) of Champlain Sea silt and clay limits aquifer recharge.

• This has resulted in slow flow rates and long residence times in aquifers causing groundwater quality to be controlled by the chemical composition of the aquifer. (Pyrite- bearing rocks yield water with a characteristic rotten-egg odour. Water from salt-rich Champlain Sea sediments can be saline. Calcium and magnesium, dissolved from limestone and dolostone, produce what is known as hard water.)

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Page 21: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Potential Groundwater Problems Due to Geological Setting of the Ottawa Valley

• All groundwater is provided through precipitation and very few

geological features provide rapid infiltration and recharge.

• Pressure for cultivable acreage coupled with lack of cohesive land

management policy will result in further habitat destruction to create

arable land, particularly peatland soils.

• Excessive pumping of groundwater can and will deplete aquifers.

• In rural areas, livestock wastes, pesticides, and fertilizers have

polluted groundwater. (http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/products-

services/mapping-product/geoscape/ottawa/6060)

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Page 22: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Sustainable Agricultures Role in Protecting Ottawa Valley Aquifers

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Page 23: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

Conclusions

The conclusion of *May 2000 audit was; “The proximity to the largest organic markets in the world, land prices, ecological diversity, cold climate, abundant natural resources and water is fueling a very healthy organic agricultural sector in Eastern Ontario. From this prospective Eastern Ontario is probably one of the premier sustainable organic agricultural regions in North America.”

•This fact is not lost to agriculture and increased demand for undisturbed land will result in mounting pressure to develop the region’s resources•Resulting in further stress to a vulnerable groundwater resource.

* Preliminary Evaluation of Physiographic Regions of Eastern Ontario , (2000) Agricultural Mineral Prospectors Inc.23

Page 24: Water · 2019-07-07 · Water from a Geological Prospective “When geologists look at water, they see an entirely different picture that policies and politics don’t affect. They

References1. The Pedosphere and its Dynamics – A Systems Approach to Soil Science , Noorallah G. Juma, Ph.D., 20022. The Nature and Properties of Soil, Twelfth Edition, Nyle C. Brady & Ray R. Weil, 19993. Physiography of Southern Ontario, Third Edition, L.J. Chapman & D.F. Putnam, 19844. NRCS, National Resources Conservation Service, USDA, http://soils.usda.gov5. Terroir, The Role of Geology, Climate and Culture in the Making of French Wines, James E. Wilson, 19986. Soil Water Dynamics, Anthony Toby O’Green, 20127. The Big Picture, a guide for good humans, http://agoodhuman.wordpress.com/8. Peak Water: Aquifers and Rivers Are Running Dry. How Three Regions Are Coping, Matthew Power , Wired

Magazine, 04.21.089. Natural Resources Canada, http://nrcan.gc.ca10.The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories , Daniel Imhoff, editor of CAFO 11.Last Oasis – Facing Water Scarcity, Sandra Postel , Vice President, Research, Worldwatch Institute,

Washington, D.C.12.Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries

http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/water/Waterfrontpage.htm13.Geology and Water, Wayne I. Anderson, http://www.uni.edu/~andersow/geologyandwater.html14.United States Geological Survey (USGS), http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesprings.html

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