The Illinois State Geological Survey has found evidence of karst in the area surrounding the proposed megadairy site in Jo Daviess County. On July 29 the ISGS released its report online regarding the research lead by Sam Panno, head geochemist for the ISGS. Panno's report verified the presence of karst despite a report filed in 2007 by the dairy's geologists which denied the presence of karst.
Karst topography is found in areas where bedrock has been dissolved. This can cause sinkholes or dolines. Farmers and those who live in rural farming areas have to be especially aware of a karst landscape because run off from waste facilities can pollute the groundwater as water bypasses the naturally porous aquifer.
The team observed road cuts, quarries, springs, sinkholes and also used ground penetrating radar to map out hidden fractures in the bedrock. The report from the ISGS website states the following:
"The convergence of evidence from this and previous investigations has shown that the (Tradition Dairy) site and the surrounding area overlie karstified carbonate bedrock that constitutes a karst aquifer. As such, the aquifer is highly susceptible to groundwater contamination ...
"Given that the thickness of the sediment and shale overlying the carbonate bedrock at the (Tradition Dairy) site is only between 10 to 20 feet thick, it is likely that the bottom of the waste lagoons will be resting on or within carbonate bedrock ...
"Consequently, if there were spills, leakage, or a catastrophic breach in the waste lagoon's containment system or their waste distribution system, the crevice-karst network would allow its contents to rapidly enter the aquifer and create widespread contamination of groundwater and surface water as well. Further, given the environmentally sensitive nature of the (Tradition Dairy) Site and surrounding areas, the application of animal waste onto nearby fields may also pose a threat to groundwater and surface water."
The report warns of aquifer crevices directly under the megadairy's manure ponds that could severely contaminate the ground water. In short, this report indicates that the presence of karst topography in the region designated for the megadairy puts the groundwater at risk for contamination should leakage or a spill occur from the waste facilities used by the dairy.
According to a press release from HOMES (Helping Others Maintain Environmental Standards), HOMES board member Ken Turner said in regards to the findings, "We're confident that this evidence, along with other expert testimony, will result in a permanent injunction against this industrial facility once the trial resumes in November."
The case of HOMES vs. A.J. Bos, which has prevented the implementation of the megadairy in Jo Daviess County, was remanded back to the state of Illinois court in Jo Daviess County on April 29. Pretrial for the case in Jo Daviess County is set for Sept. 11 and bench trial is scheduled for Nov. 23.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Geophix
To locate or map the sinkholes, variety of geophysical methods can be used including ground penetrating radar (GPR). GPR may not the best method or it should be used combined with other geophysical techniques like direct current resistivity and seismic. The geophysical consulting services for this kind of subsurface problems are growing, but relatively unknown to the public compared to seismology (earthquake and volcano, etc.) and exploration geophysics (oil and gas). An experienced geophysicist specializing in environmental and engineering geophysics is very helpful in this kind of situation.
