Characterization of transport in an acidic and metal-rich mountain stream based on a lithium tracer injection and simulations of transient storage
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
- Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)
Physical parameters characterizing solute transport in the Snake River (an acidic and metal-rich mountain stream near Montezuma, Colorado) were variable along a 5.2-km study reach. Stream cross-sectional area and volumetric inflow each varied by a factor of 3. Because of transient storage, the residence time of injected tracers in the Snake River was longer than would be calculated by consideration of convective travel time alone. Distributed inflows along the stream were a significant source of in-stream chemical variations. These transport characteristics of the Snake River were established on the basis of the assumption of lithium as an ideally conservative tracer and use of simulations of advection, dispersion, and transient storage. Evaluations of the validity of this combined tracer and simulation approach lend confidence to the estimation of the physical transport parameters, but further development is warranted for methods of onsite transport experimentation in hydrologically complex, chemically reactive environments.
- OSTI ID:
- 5394860
- Journal Information:
- Water Resources Research; (United States), Vol. 26:5; ISSN 0043-1397
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COLORADO
WATER POLLUTION
SOLUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
STREAMS
ACIDIFICATION
ACID RAIN
LITHIUM
SIMULATION
SNAKE RIVER PLAIN
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ALKALI METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RAIN
SURFACE WATERS
USA
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects