Abstract
Stable isotopes of H2O are used to define the hyporheic–hypolentic boundary in Ledbetter Creek as it discharges to Kentucky Lake, a constructed reservoir in western Kentucky, USA. High-resolution (centimeter-scale) sample collection and analysis were utilized to determine one-dimensional variations in δ2H and δ18O of H2O and chloride (Cl−) across the boundary. During reservoir low stand in winter, the hyporheic–hypolentic zone contains water from Ledbetter Creek and groundwater separated by an interface at ~10 cm below the channel bottom. Following reservoir-stage increase in spring and summer, water from Kentucky Lake infiltrates into the hyporheic–hypolentic zone to a depth of at least 18 cm below the channel bottom. Reservoir-stage decline in autumn causes source-water mixing, largely obscuring the hyporheic–hypolentic boundary. Stable isotopes provide an effective complement to conventional tracers for delineation of water masses within the hyporheic–hypolentic zone.
Résumé
L’utilisation des isotopes stables de la molécule d’eau a permis de définir l’interface hyporhéique-hypolentique dans la Ledbetter Creek, au point de déversement dans le réservoir artificiel que constitue le Kentucky Lake (Ouest du Kentucky, Etats-Unis). Une campagne de prélèvements à haute résolution (échelle centimétrique) a contribué à déterminer les variations unidimensionnelles des valeurs de δ2H et de δ18O de la molécule d’eau et de la concentration en chlorures (Cl−) de part et d’autre de l’interface. En hiver, lorsque le niveau du réservoir est minimal, la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique contient de l’eau de la Ledbetter Creek et de l’eau souterraine, séparées par un interface situé environ 10 cm sous le fond du chenal. Suite aux recharges printanières et estivales, l’eau du Kentucky Lake envahit la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique sur plus de 18 cm sous le fond du chenal. En automne, la baisse de niveau dans le réservoir occasionne un mélange des eaux, rendant diffus l’interface hyporhéique-hypolentique. Les isotopes stables constituent ainsi un complément efficace aux traceurs conventionnels pour la délimitation des masses d’eau dans la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique.
Resumen
Se han utilizado isótopos estables del agua para definir el límite hiporreico-hipoléntico en Ledbetter Creek, que constituye una zona de descarga del lago Kentucky, una presa construida al Oeste de Kentucky, USA. Se ha llevado a cabo una recogida de muestras de alta resolución (a escala centimétrica) y se utilizaron los resultados para determinar las variaciones unidimensionales en δ2H y δ18O del H2O y los cloruros (Cl−) alrededor del límite. Durante la época de niveles bajos en invierno, la zona hiporreica-hipolentica tiene agua procedente de Ledbetter Creek y de agua subterránea separada por una interfase de ~10 cm debajo del límite del canal. Siguiendo el incremento de los niveles en la presa en primavera y verano, el agua del Lago Kentucky se infiltra en la zona hiporreica-hipoléntica hasta una profundidad de, al menos, 18 cm bajo el límite hiporreico-hipoléntico. Los isótopos estables aportan un complemento efectivo a los trazadores convencionales para la delimitación de masas de agua dentro de la zona hiporreica-hipoléntica.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the staff at the Hancock Biological Station, Murray State University, for their assistance and use of lab facilities and field equipment. We would also like to thank the staff at the Environmental Training and Research Laboratory, University of Kentucky, for their assistance in sample preparation and analysis. This project was funded by grants to the senior author from the Geological Society of America and the Brown-McFarlan Fund, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky.
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Aseltyne, T.A., Rowe, H.D. & Fryar, A.E. Stable isotopic fingerprint of a hyporheic–hypolentic boundary in a reservoir. Hydrogeol J 14, 1688–1695 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0088-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0088-2