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Characterizing groundwater flow in a faulted karst system using optical brighteners from septic systems as tracers

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

This study used optical brighteners (OB) released from septic systems to show that groundwater flow direction is largely controlled by the structural framework in a faulted karst groundwater system. Effective protection of groundwater resources requires that groundwater systems are adequately characterized and source water protection areas (SWPA) are developed for drinking water wells. Karst aquifers are among the most sensitive to contamination due to high recharge rates, and among the most difficult aquifers to characterize due to heterogeneity, and anisotropy. Because septic systems may be used to treat wastewater within SWPAs for karst aquifers there is a need to characterize these groundwater systems using tracers. The objective of this study was to characterize groundwater flow in a faulted portion of the Edwards aquifer in Bexar County, Texas using OB that are released as incidental tracers from septic systems. This study included measurement of water levels, sampling of groundwater and surface water, analysis for OB, and spatial analysis in a GIS. Results show that OB intensities were highest to the southwest of the septic area, a direction that is sub-parallel to the fault and fracture orientation and nearly perpendicular to the hydraulic gradient. This indicates that movement of OB, solutes, or non-aqueous liquids/solids in a faulted karst system can be largely controlled by fault/fracture orientation and structural relay ramps.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by the Center for Water Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. We thank the City of Shavano Park, San Antonio Water System, and the Edwards Aquifer Authority for assistance with field sampling, laboratory equipment use, and permission to access wells. Thank you also to Dianne Hart with the City of San Antonio for assistance with GIS. Anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged for providing input to improve this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    K. E. Murray

  2. HNTB, 85 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 304, San Antonio, TX, 78216, USA

    D. R. Straud

  3. Center for Water Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    W. W. Hammond

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  1. K. E. Murray
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  2. D. R. Straud
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Correspondence to K. E. Murray.

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Murray, K.E., Straud, D.R. & Hammond, W.W. Characterizing groundwater flow in a faulted karst system using optical brighteners from septic systems as tracers. Environ Geol 53, 769–776 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0689-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0689-7

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