Faculty and Student Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2019
Abstract
© 2019, The Author(s). The edge of regional aquifers can be complex hydrodynamic systems with unique flow dynamics, water quality, and continuity relationships with the main aquifer system. A site near the southwestern margin of the High Plains Aquifer (USA) was investigated to characterize the local hydrogeology and its relationship with the regional aquifer system. Measurements of tritium, ion concentrations, oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, and hydraulic heads documented (1) a discontinuous saturated zone, (2) no inflow to the study area from the regional aquifer, (3) focused recharge beneath playas with limited local mixing between pockets of saturation, (4) outflow orthogonal to the regional aquifer flow direction, (5) localized multi-year reversals in flow direction following high precipitation events, and (6) a magnified influence of the paleo-erosional surface of the basement rock (Dockum Group) on groundwater isolation and flow direction. In isolated areas, groundwater can be trapped on decadal time scales by depressions in the Dockum, or by recharge events that periodically reverse groundwater gradients.
Relational Format
journal article
Recommended Citation
Davidson, G. R., Holt, R. M., & Blainey, J. B. (2019). Geochemical assessment of the degree of isolation of edge-of-aquifer groundwater along a fringe of the southern High Plains Aquifer, USA. Hydrogeology Journal, 27(5), 1817–1825. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01943-y
DOI
10.1007/s10040-019-01943-y
Accessibility Status
Searchable text