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Title: Quantifying groundwater travel time near managed recharge operations using 35S as an intrinsic tracer

Journal Article · · Journal of Hydrology
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, CA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
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By identifying groundwater retention times near managed aquifer recharge (MAR) facilities is a high priority for managing water quality, especially for operations that incorporate recycled wastewater. In order to protect public health, California guidelines for Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Projects require a minimum 2–6 month subsurface retention time for recycled water depending on the level of disinfection, which highlights the importance of quantifying groundwater travel times on short time scales. This study developed and evaluated a new intrinsic tracer method using the naturally occurring radioisotope sulfur-35 (35S). The 87.5 day half-life of 35S is ideal for investigating groundwater travel times on the <1 year timescale of interest to MAR managers. Natural concentrations of 35S found in water as dissolved sulfate (35SO4) were measured in source waters and groundwater at the Rio Hondo Spreading Grounds in Los Angeles County, CA, and Orange County Groundwater Recharge Facilities in Orange County, CA. 35SO4 travel times are comparable to travel times determined by well-established deliberate tracer studies. The study also revealed that 35SO4 in MAR source water can vary seasonally and therefore careful characterization of 35SO4 is needed to accurately quantify groundwater travel time. But, more data is needed to fully assess whether or not this tracer could become a valuable tool for managers.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1258543
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1396551
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-678294
Journal Information:
Journal of Hydrology, Journal Name: Journal of Hydrology; ISSN 0022-1694
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 9 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Measuring cosmogenic 35S in natural waters using large-volume liquid scintillation counting journal August 2019

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
hydrologic tracers
travel time
retention time
sulfur-35
montebellow forebay
orange county recharge operation