Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri
The interaction between groundwater flow in conduits and in pores in well-developed karst regions is complex and poorly understood. Chemical analyses of springflow samples, collected at 4 to 24 hour intervals from two large springs in southeastern Missouri, enable interpretation of the mechanics of this interaction. Ca and Mg concentrations in spring discharge exhibit distinct seasonal trends; large variations are superimposed in response to storms. Initial, rapid, oscillatory fluctuations in concentration occur generally coincident with the hydrograph peak for a given event. Interestingly, concentrations then decrease during hydrograph recession. Recovery to pre-event baseline concentrations requires several weeks for large events. Initial oscillations in discharge chemistry probably result from rapid, local recharge to the system through sinkholes, swallow holes and fractures near the spring outlet. The chemical response observed during hydrograph recession results from transport of lesser saturated waters through a regional fracture network. The arrival time of these low concentration waters is consistent with measured tracer travel times from previously delineated regional recharge areas. Thus, the lesser saturated waters represent a regionally transported pulse derived, in part, from the rainfall event.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Santa Cruz (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6653001
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Initial assessment of recharge areas for large karst springs: a case study from the central Zagros Mountains, Iran
Evaluating Transmissivity Estimates from Well Hydrographs in Karst Aquifers
Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
MISSOURI
WATER SPRINGS
WATER CHEMISTRY
VARIATIONS
CALCIUM
DISSOLUTION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GROUND WATER
HYDROLOGY
MAGNESIUM
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION VII
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
USA
WATER
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
580400 - Geochemistry- (-1989)