Dr. William Shotyk, Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, University of Heidelberg has set up shop in the area to study the unique geochemistry of the region. The water contains less lead, by at least a factor of five, than the cleanest ice layers from the Arctic. Those Arctic samples are from 5,000 to 8,000 years ago, long before the onset of atmospheric lead pollution. The initial test results had some scientist thinking that this shallow groundwater must be ancient, but Shotyk has proven only about 50 years old.
The water that is coming out of this well fell during the height of leaded gasoline automobiles. The Atmospheric pollution was at its worst in Ontario at the time.
From here, if you look North east you can see a ridge of higher Elevation. The elevation difference, and the pressure from rainwater slowly trickling down, keeps these springs perpetually flowing. The higher land, a mix of rocks and sand dumped by glacial retreat, is a porous landscape, allowing groundwater to reach the aquifer below.
The water will go down until it can’t go anymore, and then it will start to move horizontally, going toward Georgian Bay.
This low-lying region is made up of fine-grained sediments, thick layers of clay which protect the underlying aquifer from contamination. In the Simcoe Uplands, chemically reactive soils containting iron oxide, aluminum oxide and manganese oxide act like a sponge for contaminants. Organic matter from plant growth and bacteria along tree roots also latch on to toxic metals, such as lead and other impurities. Taken together, these soil components combine to effectively filter water.
To log this earthcache:
You will need to get a glass bottle, and 2 pH test strip (tests the acidity of the water) - these can be purchased from pet supply stores (fish section, use salt water acidity testers) or pool supply stores.
- Feel the water (and if you dare.. drink it!) - What is the first thing you notice? Why?
- Bottle the water and take some home (for part 5!) - Ideally in a glass bottle, or biodegradable plastic bottle (see part 6!)
- Test the Acidity of the water from the well. How close to neutral (7) is it?
- Test the Acidity of the water from your home tap. How close to neutral (7) is it?
- Do a taste test between your home water, and the water from the spring. Do you notice a difference in taste, and if so, try and express it in a sentance.
- online research: Plastic bottles leach which toxic chemical element into water over time?
Please email me through my profile with the answers to these questions. Add pictures to your logs it you took them!