Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40, 3156-3162
Widespread Presence of Naturally Occurring Perchlorate in High Plains of Texas and New Mexico SRINATH RAJAGOPALAN,† TODD A. ANDERSON,‡ LYNNE FAHLQUIST,§ KEN A. RAINWATER,† MOIRA RIDLEY,⊥ AND W . A N D R E W J A C K S O N * ,† Department of Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1023, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163, U.S. Geological Survey, 8027 Exchange Dr, Austin, Texas 78754, and Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1053
Perchlorate (ClO4-) occurrence in groundwater has previously been linked to industrial releases and the historic use of Chilean nitrate fertilizers. However, recently a number of occurrences have been identified for which there is no obvious anthropogenic source. Groundwater from an area of 155 000 km2 in 56 counties in northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico is impacted by the presence of ClO4-. Concentrations were generally low (
