title: Well water in karst regions of northeastern Wisconsin contains estrogenic factors, nitrate, and bacteria.
abstract: Well water in karst regions is particularly susceptible to contamination by various nonpoint source pollutants such as nitrate, fecal bacteria, and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study analyzed 40 wells in heavily farmed karst areas of northeastern Wisconsin to determine whether these and other pollutants are present, and if so, whether their presence is (1) correlated with other contaminants and (2) exhibits seasonal variation. Nitrate, bacteria, and estrogenicity (indicating the presence of EDCs) were present in at least some of well water samples collected over the course of four time periods between the summers of 2008 and 2009. Although estrogenicity was greatest during the summer months, bacterial contamination was most prevalent during snowmelt. Levels of estrogenicity present in some well water samples approached a threshold concentration that is known to exert endocrine disruption in wildlife. Strong correlations between estrogenicity and other water quality parameters were not found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311, USA. bauera@uwgb.edu
authors.forename: Angela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wingert
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Fermanich
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zorn
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D060986:Water Wells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014922:Wisconsin
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D009566:Nitrates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical