Isotope hydrology of karst drainage basins in Jamaica and Puerto Rico
The findings of the study can be considered in three parts: (1) the characterization of the stable isotopic composition of precipitation recharging the White Limestone aquifer in the Martha Brae River Basin; (2) the identification of groundwater masses, patterns of groundwater movement, and recharge conditions in the Martha Brae River Basin, using {delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O; and (3) the examination of groundwater/surface flow relationships in the Martha Brae River and the Rio Manati, using {sup 222}Rn. Mean {delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O values weighted by precipitation amount and geographic area were developed to characterize recharge to subareas of the Martha Brae River Basin. Using differences in isotopic composition of the waters sampled and their respective positions on the local meteoric water line (MWL), two distinct groundwater types were recognized. The isotopic data indicate that the groundwater in the Martha Brae Basin is recharged by rainfall from a mean elevation of 645 meters. The source of recharge to the Deeside-Bunkers Hill portion of the aquifer was identified as partially evaporated pondwater and local precipitation. The value of {sup 222}Rn as a geochemical tool in hydrologic research was unequivocally demonstrated for the first time in this study. {sup 222}Rn measurements made in the Martha Brae River and the Rio Manati permitted the location of groundwater inputs, quantification of the magnitude of groundwater influx, and estimation of stream losses to aquifer recharged.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia Univ., New York, NY (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7188956
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
580000* -- Geosciences
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
AQUIFERS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMISTRY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DRAINAGE
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION II
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GREATER ANTILLES
GROUND WATER
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
ISLANDS
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
JAMAICA
LIGHT NUCLEI
LOSSES
METEORIC WATER
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
OXYGEN 18
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
PUERTO RICO
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
RAIN
RECHARGE
RIVERS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
STABLE ISOTOPES
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS
WATER
WATER INFLUX
WEST INDIES