MEDIA ADVISORY
South Central Section, Geological Society of America
34th Annual Meeting
April 3-4, 2000
Center for Continuing Education
Fayetteville, Arkansas
INFORMATION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES
CONTENTS
I. Introduction
II. Meeting Highlights
III. Support for Journalists
IV. Media Registration Policy and Procedures
I. INTRODUCTION
The 34th annual meeting of the South Central Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA) will be held April 3-4, 2000, at the University of Arkansas Center for Continuing Education.
A major focus of the meeting is regional groundwater contamination. (See meeting highlights below.) Complimentary registration is available for media representatives who wish to attend.
Over 500 geoscientists are expected to attend the meeting. Hosts are geologists from the University of Arkansas Department of Geosciences, in cooperation with colleagues from the Arkansas Water Resource Center, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas Tech University, Arkansas Geological Commission, and the Fort Smith Geological Society.
II. MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The following papers will be presented at the meeting on the dates and times noted. Media representatives are welcome to attend sessions and interview scientists onsite, or conduct telephone interviews in advance of or during the meeting. (See "Support for Journalists" below.)
REGIONAL GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
Jaysson E. Funkhouser, University of Arkansas/ U. S. Geological Survey, Little Rock; 501-228-3663; jefunkho@usgs.gov. "The Effects of a Confined Animal Facility on Groundwater Quality in a Karst Area of Northern Arkansas." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 402, 4:00 p.m.
Arkansas has about 650 individual dairy farms. These confined animal operations typically contain between 100-300 head of cattle, each of which produces 35-50 kilograms of solid waster per day. The way in which waste is handled can have a substantial impact on groundwater quality. The Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality and the University of Arkansas are conducting a 2-part study to determine the impact of "best management practices" defined by the dairy industry, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Arkansas Dept. of Environmental Quality. Results of phase 1, baseline groundwater quality of the farm studied, will be discussed.
Sherri Hamilton, Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 501-575-6633, slhamil@comp.uark.edu; et al. "Survival Study of Escherichia Coli in a Mantled Karst Terrane." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 402, 4:20 p.m. Intensive animal production in northwest Arkansas set the stage for a study of the die-off rate of Escherichia coli bacteria in groundwater at the Savory Experimental Watershed, a field research facility of the University of Arkansas. This bacteria was selected for study because it can be grown and detected easily and serves as a surrogate for pathogens likely to be in groundwater contaminated by animal wastes. Preliminary data show that the die-off rate of the bacteria is much longer than expected and thousands of these organisms are still alive after 75 days.
David N. Mott, National Park Service, Buffalo National River, Harrison AR, 870-741-5443 ext. 152, david_mott@nps.gov; et al. "Hydrogeologic Investigations Reveal Interbasin Recharge Contributes Significantly to Detrimental Nutrient Loads at Buffalo National River, Arkansas." Tuesday, April 4, CCC Room 405-406, 11:00 a.m.
Mill Creek, a major tributary to the Buffalo National River, contributes 96% of the nitrate/nitrite-nitrogen load to the Buffalo River below their confluence. Analyses show that this nitrate load and other pollutants are having a negative impact on invertebrate life forms in both rivers.
Arthur V. Brown, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, artbrown@comp.uark.edu; et al. "Trajectories of Endangered Biota in Cave Springs Cave, Arkansas." Tuesday, April 4, CCC Room 405-406, 3:30 p.m. Pollution of the groundwater in the Cave Spring Care area, Benton County, Arkansas, may originate from land application of confined animal wasters (primarily poultry litter) or from septic system leaching in the recharge area of the cave spring. Impacts on Ozark cavefish and gray bats are discussed. Reduction or cessation of the land application of municipal sewage sludge and confined animal waste in cave recharge zones is recommended.
B. J. Phillips, Plant Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, bjp02@comp.uark.edu; et al. "Using Constructed Wetlands for Remediation of Wastewater Originating on Swine Farms." Tuesday, April 4, CCC Room 405-406, 4:00 p.m.
Nutrient management on modern swine rearing facilities is a serious environmental problem, and constructed wetlands are a potential solution. This study monitored nutrient concentrations in constructed wetlands at three swine farms in Arkansas.
Shelley R. McGinnis, Dept. of Environmental Dynamics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 501-575-4277, shelley@cast.uark.edu; et al. "Environmental Equity and Domestic Well Water Quality Within the Omaha and Santee Sioux Reservations." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 402, 11:00 a.m. Recent surveys of Native Americans suggest that individuals living on reservations may be at greater environmental risk than the population at large due to water quality problems on tribal lands. Despite these surveys, few studies of environmental conditions on reservations have been undertaken. This study compares water quality data from two reservations in Nebraska with existing state, regional and national water quality data. Contamination exceeding EPA maximum contaminant levels underscores the need for studies in other areas with Native American reservations.
OTHER GROUNDWATER ISSUES
Phillip D. Hays, U. S. Geological Survey, Little Rock, 501-228-3610, pdhays@usgs.gov; et al. "Model Determinations of Sustainable Yield and Optimization of Groundwater Pumpage in Eastern and Southeastern Arkansas." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 402, 9:20 a.m.
The Sparta/Memphis and Mississippi River alluvial aquifers are the most productive aquifers supplying water to eastern Arkansas. Recent hydrologic data show that water in many areas is being withdrawn at rates much greater than the aquifers are recharged. Modeling by the U. S. Geological Survey and the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission indicates that withdrawals from the Sparta aquifer in Union County must be reduced to 28% of current levels to achieve sustainability.
Jack H. Cole, Mechanical Engineering Dept., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 501-575-4054, jhc@engr.uark.edu; et al. "The University of Arkansas Savoy Field Research Facility: A Developmental Status Report." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 402, 2:00 p.m.
The Savoy Field Research Facility of the University of Arkansas is a state-of-the-art field laboratory consisting of approximately 3100 acres located 15 miles west of the campus in Fayetteville. Groundwater studies have been emphasized to date. However, the same geologic features that make it an ideal site for hydrologic studies make it an ideal site for energy-related research. This presentation describes the significant features of the facility, its uniqueness and national importance as a field test site, and development goals and plans.
OTHER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Another major focus of the meeting is a symposium on "Alkalic Rocks of North America." The session focuses on very deep rocks that are subject to melting from high temperatures and pressures. The following paper is of local/regional interest:
Dennis P. Dunn, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, 512-899-2925, dendunn@ix.netcom.com. "Erosion Diamond Distribution at the Prairie Creek Lamproite Pipe, Murfreesboro, Arkansas." Monday, April 3, CCC Room 405-406, 2:20 p.m.
This very rare diamond-producing area, exposed by erosion, has yielded over 93,000 carats. History of the area and details from mining records will be discussed.
III. SUPPORT FOR JOURNALISTS
Prior to the meeting, contact GSA Director of Communications and Marketing, Ann Cairns, for information and assistance. Advance interviews with scientists can be arranged and conducted on an embargoed basis, with release dates coinciding with presentation dates.
During the meeting, Stephanie Shepherd of the University of Arkansas Department of Geosciences will be onsite to assist journalists. She can be reached by calling the Hilton at 501-442-5555 and asking for the GSA registration desk. Telephone and onsite interviews can be arranged.
IV. MEDIA REGISTRATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Media will register at the main meeting registration desk (Sequoyah Room, Hilton Hotel, Fayetteville) where they will receive badges and program/abstract books. Registration locations and hours are:
Sunday, April 2, 4-8 p.m.
Monday April 3, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 4, 7 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Registration entitles journalists and public information officers (PIOs) from geoscience and other related organizations to access to all scientific sessions and the exhibition area.
Eligibility for complimentary media registration is as follows, all of whom have equal access:
- Working press representing bona fide news media with a press card, letter, or business card from the publication.
- Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 1998 or 1999.
- PIOs of scientific societies, educational institutions and government agencies.