Direct measurements of groundwater seepage into the coastal zone of the NE Gulf of Mexico
- Florida State Univ., Tallahassee, FL (United States). Dept. of Oceanography
Direct measurements of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in coastal waters of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico are being made to: (1) evaluate the volumetric significance of SGD; and (2) validate two chemical tracers being used to assess this flux. Since [sup 222]Rn and CH[sub 4] are extremely high in groundwater relative to seawater and are largely unreactive in seawater, these tracers should allow areas of SGD to be located. Although the amount of water entering coastal waters via SGD has often been considered negligible, measurements show this input may be very important, perhaps equal to or greater than some of the largest springs in Florida. Three transects were established in the study area with five seepage meters, constructed from a 55-gallon drum, placed 50 meters apart starting approximately 3 meters from the coastline and extending perpendicular offshore. Seawater [sup 222]Rn and CH[sub 4] concentrations near these meters were then compared to the seepage rates. Seepage trends at each transect were consistent over long periods of time and the concentrations of [sup 222]Rn and CH[sub 4] showed similar patterns to these rates. A free flowing spring within the study area was also investigated in order to qualitatively establish the relationship between groundwater and the tracer concentrations. A north-south transect across the spring showed elevated tracer concentrations associated with this groundwater input. This study has shown that: (1) nearshore seepage of groundwater into the ocean is volumetrically important; and (2) a qualitative link exists between rates of groundwater seepage and tracer concentrations.
- OSTI ID:
- 5949185
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9304188--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 25:4; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540210 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
ALKANES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
CHEMISTRY
COASTAL WATERS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GROUND WATER
GULF OF MEXICO
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
METHANE
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VOLUME
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER INFLUX
WATER SPRINGS