A 15-month-long hydrogeologic investigation of a fen-wetland complex in nor
theastern Illinois, USA indicated the encroachment of ground-water-borne an
thropogenic contaminants into two of three high quality fens. Ground-water
flow directions and chemical evidence indicated that plumes of ground water
with anomalously large concentrations of Na+ and Cl- originated from a pri
vate septic system and from rock salt spread on an adjacent road. The conta
mination, in turn, had an adverse effect on fen vegetation; within the plum
es, diverse vegetation was replaced by the more salt-tolerant narrow-leaf c
attail (Typha angustifolia). Ground water of the third fen contained large
concentrations of SO42- as high as 516 mg/L. The SO42- anomaly was observed
on a transient and/or seasonal basis in the fen ground water and in an adj
acent marsh and pond. Isotopically light delta(34)S values in these waters
indicated that the addition of SO42- resulted from the oxidation of pyrite
within underlying pear and/or pyritic gravel. However, the large SO42- conc
entrations had no discernible effect on fen vegetation. The results of this
investigation indicate how easily construction of houses with private sept
ic systems and deicing agents from roadway maintenance can contaminate fen
ground water with relatively large concentrations of Na+ and Cl-, resulting
in a significant loss of biodiversity in fens.