Recharge in semiarid mountain environments
A systematic investigation of tritium activity in precipitation, surface water, springs, and ground water of the Roswell artesian basin in New Mexico, has been supplemented by hydrogeologic reconnaissance of spring systems; by various statistical correlations and spectral analysis of stream flow and water level records of observation wells; by spring discharge measurements; by stable isotope determinations (oxygen 18 and deuterium); and by numerical modeling of part of the basin. Two recharge contributions to the Principal or Carbonate Aquifer have been distinguished principally on the basis of their tritium label and aquifer response characteristics. Almost all basin waters (including deep ground water) fall close to the meteoric line of hydrogen/oxygen isotope composition, and this rules out a juvenile origin or appreciable bedrock interaction.
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (USA). New Mexico Water Resources Research Inst.
- OSTI ID:
- 6255711
- Report Number(s):
- PB-83-173286
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
MOUNTAINS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
NEW MEXICO
RADIOACTIVITY
TRITIUM
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AQUIFERS
ARID LANDS
ARTESIAN BASINS
CARBONATES
DEUTERIUM
OXYGEN 18
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
RUNOFF
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION VI
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABLE ISOTOPES
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520301 - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Water- (1987)
580100 - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)