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Title: Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri

Abstract

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.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of California, Santa Cruz (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6653001
Report Number(s):
CONF-8510489-
Journal ID: CODEN: GAAPB
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 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)

Citation Formats

Dreiss, S J, and Summa, C L. Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Dreiss, S J, & Summa, C L. Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri. United States.
Dreiss, S J, and Summa, C L. 1985. "Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri". United States.
@article{osti_6653001,
title = {Chemical fluctuations in karst springflow storm responses, southeastern Missouri},
author = {Dreiss, S J and Summa, C L},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6653001}, journal = {Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 17,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}

Conference:
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