Chemical evolution of shallow groundwater as recorded by springs, Sagehen basin; Nevada County, California

Rademacher, Laura K.; Clark, J. M.; Hudson, G. B.; Erman, Don C.; Erman, Nancy A.

doi:10.1016/s0009-2541(01)00314-x

Cited by 91 publications

(113 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Tracer ages are defined as the length of time that the ground water has been isolated from the soil atmosphere; hence, these geochemical clocks typically start at the time of recharge. They have been used to estimate recharge rates (Solomon et al 1993), validate numerical models of flow (Reilly et al 1994;Szabo et al 1996;Tompson et al 1999), determine rates of water-rock interactions (Rademacher et al 2001), and provide chronologies to assess temporal variability in water quality parameters (Böhlke and Denver 1995). Because of their relatively large analytical errors, CFCs and T/ 3 He dating are best suited for studying ground water flow over periods of decades that typically have path lengths of kilometers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical Imaging of Flow Near an Artificial Recharge Facility, Orange County, California

Clark¹,

Hudson²,

Davisson³

et al. 2004

Groundwater

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Critical for the management of artificial recharge operations is detailed knowledge of ground water dynamics near spreading areas. Geochemical tracer techniques including stable isotopes of water, tritium/helium–3 (T/3He) dating, and deliberate gas tracer experiments are ideally suited for these investigations. These tracers were used to evaluate flow near an artificial recharge site in northern Orange County, California, where ∼2.5 × 108 m3 (200,000 acre‐feet) of water are recharged annually. T/3He ages show that most of the relatively shallow ground water within 3 km of the recharge facilities have apparent ages < 2 years; further downgradient apparent ages increase, reaching > 20 years at ∼6 km. Gas tracer experiments using sulfur hexafluoride and xenon isotopes were conducted from the Santa Ana River and two spreading basins. These tracers were followed in the ground water for more than two years, allowing subsurface flow patterns and flow times to be quantified. Results demonstrate that mean horizontal ground water velocities range from < 1 to > 4 km/year. The leading edges of the tracer patch moved at velocities about twice as fast as the center of mass. Leading edge velocities are important when considering the potential transport of microbes and other “time sensitive” contaminants and cannot be determined easily with other methods. T/3He apparent ages and tracer travel times agreed within the analytical uncertainty at 16 of 19 narrow screened monitoring wells. By combining these techniques, ground water flow was imaged with time scales on the order of weeks to decades.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical Imaging of Flow Near an Artificial Recharge Facility, Orange County, California

Clark¹,

Hudson²,

Davisson³

et al. 2004

Groundwater

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“…Noble gas and helium isotope samples were collected in 10 mL crimped copper tubes and were analyzed at the LLNL noble gas mass spectrometry facility [22][23][24]. Measurement uncertainty is 2% for the helium isotope ratio and dissolved concentrations of helium, neon and argon and is 3% for krypton and xenon concentrations.…”

Section: Sample Collection and Data Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tracers Reveal Recharge Elevations, Groundwater Flow Paths and Travel Times on Mount Shasta, California

Peters

Visser

Esser

et al. 2018

Water

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Mount Shasta (4322 m) is famous for its spring water. Water for municipal, domestic and industrial use is obtained from local springs and wells, fed by annual snow melt and sustained perennially by the groundwater flow system. We examined geochemical and isotopic tracers in samples from wells and springs on Mount Shasta, at the headwaters of the Sacramento River, in order to better understand the hydrologic system. The topographic relief in the study area imparts robust signatures of recharge elevation to both stable isotopes of the water molecule (δ 18 O and δD) and to dissolved noble gases, offering tools to identify recharge areas and delineate groundwater flow paths. Recharge elevations determined using stable isotopes and noble gas recharge temperatures are in close agreement and indicate that most snowmelt infiltrates at elevations between 2000 m and 2900 m, which coincides with areas of thin soils and barren land cover. Large springs in Mt Shasta City discharge at an elevation more than 1600 m lower. High elevation springs (>2000 m) yield very young water (<2 years) while lower elevation wells (1000-1500 m) produce water with a residence time ranging from 6 years to over 60 years, based on observed tritium activities. Upslope movement of the tree line in the identified recharge elevation range due to a warming climate is likely to decrease infiltration and recharge, which will decrease spring discharge and production at wells, albeit with a time lag dependent upon the length of groundwater flow paths.

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“…Samples from 29 sites in the LUSCR1 network, 29 sites in the SUS1 network, and 2 sites in the REFFO1 network of the PODL Study Unit were collected during 2001, 2002, and 2003 . Tracer-based piston-flow ages were interpreted and published by Debrewer and others, 2007.…”

Section: Podlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimates of tracer-based piston-flow ages of groundwater from selected sites: National Water-Quality Assessment Program, 1992–2005

Hinkle¹,

Shapiro²,

Plummer³

et al. 2011

Scientific Investigations Report

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For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod.To order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov.Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.Suggested citation: Hinkle, S.R., Shapiro, S.D., Plummer, L.N., Busenberg, Eurybiades, Widman, P.K., Casile, G.C., and Wayland, J.E., 2010, Estimates of tracer-based piston-flow ages of groundwater from selected sites-National Water-Quality Assessment Program, 1992Program, -2005 ForewordThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is committed to providing the Nation with reliable scientific information that helps to enhance and protect the overall quality of life and that facilitates effective management of water, biological, energy, and mineral resources (http://www.usgs.gov/). Information on the Nation's water resources is critical to ensuring long-term availability of water that is safe for drinking and recreation and is suitable for industry, irrigation, and fish and wildlife. Population growth and increasing demands for water make the availability of that water, measured in terms of quantity and quality, even more essential to the long-term sustainability of our communities and ecosystems.The USGS implemented the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program in 1991 to support national, regional, State, and local information needs and decisions related to water-quality management and policy (http:// water.usgs.gov/nawqa). The NAWQA Program is designed to answer: What is the quality of our Nation's streams and ground water? How are conditions changing over time? How do natural features and human activities affect the quality of streams and ground water, and where are those effects most pronounced? By combining information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life, the NAWQA Program aims to provide science-based insights for current and emerging water issues and priorities. From 1991 to 2001, the NAWQA Program completed interdisciplinary assessments and established a baseline understanding of waterquality conditions in 51 of the Nation's river basins and aquifers, referred to as Study Units (http://water.usgs. gov/nawqa/studyu.html).National and regional assessments are ongoing in the second decade (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012) of the NAWQA Program as 42 of the 51 Study Units are selectively reassessed. These assessments extend the findings in the Study Units by determining water-quality status and trends at sites that have been consiste...

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Chemical evolution of shallow groundwater as recorded by springs, Sagehen basin; Nevada County, California

Cited by 91 publications

References 41 publications

Geochemical Imaging of Flow Near an Artificial Recharge Facility, Orange County, California

Geochemical Imaging of Flow Near an Artificial Recharge Facility, Orange County, California

Tracers Reveal Recharge Elevations, Groundwater Flow Paths and Travel Times on Mount Shasta, California

Estimates of tracer-based piston-flow ages of groundwater from selected sites: National Water-Quality Assessment Program, 1992–2005

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