Chemical signatures of groundwater basins in a carbonate aquifer
Determining the area impacted by contaminants introduced into a conduit-flow carbonate aquifer is, in general, much more difficult than in other types of aquifers. Previous dye-tracing studies in the Inner Bluegrass Karst Region (Ordovician) of central Kentucky suggest that the aquifer consists of groundwater basins and interbasin areas. Flow in the groundwater basins is through an integrated system of solution conduits, at depths up to 30 m., to a major spring. In the interbasin areas, solution development and flow is generally within 5 m. of the surface. The present study is based on periodic sampling of major springs and inputs in several groundwater basins. Samples were analyzed for Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, HCO/sub 3/, and SO/sub 4/. After correction for seasonal and discharge effects, variation among groundwater basins was found to be greater than within a basin and was sufficient to determine a chemical signature for each basin. The results confirm the hydrologic isolation of the basins shown by the earlier dye-tracing, indicate that each basin possesses its own chemical microenvironment, and suggest that major element chemistry may be used as a natural tracer to determine flow directions.
- Research Organization:
- Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6596092
- 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
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
HYDROLOGY
WATER CHEMISTRY
CARBONATE ROCKS
GROUND WATER
CONTAMINATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
CALCIUM
CAVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHLORINE
FLUID FLOW
KENTUCKY
MAGNESIUM
SULFATES
WATER POLLUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CAVITIES
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
USA
WATER
580400* - Geochemistry- (-1989)
580100 - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)