Strontium isotope characterization of the Ash Meadows ground-water system, southern Nevada, USA

Conference · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:145570

Peterman, Z E; Stuckless, J S; Mahan, S A; Marshall, B D; Gutentag, E D; Downey, J S ^[1]

---

1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)

The regional {delta}{sup 87}Sr variation in ground water of the Ash Meadows flow system is consistent with previous work which identifies the Spring Mountains as a major recharge area. {delta}{sup 87}Sr values between -1.06 and 0.79 in water from high springs are indistinguishable from the {delta}{sup 87}Sr values of the Paleozoic carbonate rocks which compose most of the Spring Mountains. The bulk of the discharge at Ash Meadows carries strontium with {delta}{sup 87}Sr values between 4.43 and 4.99. These discharge values require recharge to the system with {delta}{sup 87}Sr values substantially greater than 5. Such waters are identified in the west-central part of the flow system, reflecting a northerly source, and in one spring form the Pahranagat Valley at the northeastern limit of the system. The ultimate source of these large {delta}{sup 87}Sr values may include Tertiary felsic tuffs, Upper Devonian and Mississippian Eleana Formation, or Precambrian clastic rocks. 14 refs., 3 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AI08-78ET44802
• OSTI ID: 145570
• Report Number(s): CONF-920761--Vol.1
• Country of Publication: Netherlands
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GROUND WATER
ORIGIN
RECHARGE
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
STRONTIUM 87
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project