Investigating groundwater chemistry

Investigating groundwater chemistry

To help us understand how groundwater flows through the floodplain and interacts with rain, soil and river water, the project is sampling and analysing the chemistry of groundwater and surface water across the Eddleston site at different times of the year.

Sampling groundwater from one of the floodplain boreholes.

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We collected groundwater samples for laboratory analysis, to discover their chemical composition.

We used a digital titrator to measure the bicarbonate concentration (alkalinity) of freshly pumped groundwater samples to get the most accurate results.

Our portable meters measure other important parameters including pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen.

To collect groundwater samples we use a small electrical pump powered by a 12V battery to purge the borehole and ensure that we have fresh groundwater from the aquifer.

As well as collecting samples for laboratory analysis of inorganic groundwater chemistry, and environmental tracers such as stable isotopes and dissolved gases, we measure parameters like water temperature, acidity/alkalinity and oxygen content in the field, as these can change quickly once groundwater is exposed to air.

Measuring bicarbonate alkalinity in the field using a titrator.

Contact Contact Brighid Ó Dochartaigh for further information

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Contact BGS Enquiries for further information