Chemical composition and variability of the waters of the Edwards Plateau, central Texas
- Southwest Texas State Univ., San Marcos, TX (United States)
The surface waters of the karstic Edwards Plateau, southcentral Texas, are quite similar in many of their chemical characteristics. The ionic composition of the water was dominated by calcium and alkalinity (mostly bicarbonate) acquired through limestone weathering, and the ionic composition (in equivalents) was Ca>Mg>Na>K and alkalinity >Cl and SO{sub 4}. The median specific conductance and total dissolved solids ranged from 394 to 535 {mu}S cm{sup {minus}1} and 220 and 327 mg L{sup {minus}1}, respectively. The streams were always near or at supersaturation with respect to calcium carbonate, and the dynamics of calcium carbonate dissolution and precipitation tended to maintain the dissolved substances at a fairly constant level. This may have been enhanced by the intimate contact of water and bedrock characteristic of karst drainages. Specific conductance, Ca, and alkalinity all decreased at higher summer temperatures. Many of the streams on the plateau maintained a constant level or actually increased concentrations of total dissolved substances at increased flow rates. These waters acquired significant quantities of solute as they flow through the confine Edwards Aquifer, including alkalinity, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, and NO{sub 3}.
- OSTI ID:
- 37568
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9403190-; ISBN 1-882132-28-9; TRN: IM9519%%497
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. international conference on ground water ecology, Atlanta, GA (United States), 27-30 Mar 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the second international conference on ground water ecology; Stanford, J.A. [ed.] [Univ. of Montana, Polson, MT (United States). Flathead Lake Biological Station]; Valett, H.M. [ed.] [Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Biology]; PB: 400 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Geochemical and Sr isotopic variations in groundwaters of the Edwards aquifer, central Texas
Effects of chloride, calcium, and dissolved organic carbon on silver toxicity: Comparison between rainbow tout and fathead minnows