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Evaluation of the importance of clay confining units on groundwater flow in alluvial basins using solute and isotope tracers: the case of Middle San Pedro Basin in southeastern Arizona (USA)

Evaluation de l’importance des unités argileuses dans les bassins alluviaux sur l’écoulement d’eau souterraine en utilisant des traceurs dissous et des isotopes: cas du bassin moyen de San Pedro, Sud-Est de l’Arizona, USA

Evaluación de la importancia de las unidades arcillosas confinantes en el flujo de agua subterránea en cuencas aluviales usando trazadores isotópicos y solutos: el caso de la cuenca del Middle San Pedro en el sudeste de Arizona (EEUU)

Avaliação da importância das unidades confinantes de argila no fluxo de água em bacias aluviais através da utilização de traçadores solúveis e isotópicos: o caso da Bacia Média de San Pedro no sudeste do Arizona (EUA)

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Abstract

As groundwater becomes an increasingly important water resource worldwide, it is essential to understand how local geology affects groundwater quality, flowpaths and residence times. This study utilized multiple tracers to improve conceptual and numerical models of groundwater flow in the Middle San Pedro Basin in southeastern Arizona (USA) by determining recharge areas, compartmentalization of water sources, flowpaths and residence times. Ninety-five groundwater and surface-water samples were analyzed for major ion chemistry (water type and Ca/Sr ratios) and stable (18O, 2H, 13C) and radiogenic (3H, 14C) isotopes, and resulting data were used in conjunction with hydrogeologic information (e.g. hydraulic head and hydrostratigraphy). Results show that recent recharge (<60 years) has occurred within mountain systems along the basin margins and in shallow floodplain aquifers adjacent to the San Pedro River. Groundwater in the lower basin fill aquifer (semi confined) was recharged at high elevation in the fractured bedrock and has been extensively modified by water-rock reactions (increasing F and Sr, decreasing 14C) over long timescales (up to 35,000 years BP). Distinct solute and isotope geochemistries between the lower and upper basin fill aquifers show the importance of a clay confining unit on groundwater flow in the basin, which minimizes vertical groundwater movement.

Résumé

L’eau souterraine devenant une ressource d’importance croissante à travers le monde, il est essentiel de comprendre comment la géologie locale affecte la qualité de l’eau souterraine, l’organisation des écoulements et les temps de séjour. Cette étude a utilisé des traceurs multiples pour améliorer les modèles d’écoulement souterrain conceptuel et numérique dans le Bassin Moyen de San Pedro, Sud-Est de l’Arizona (USA), en déterminant les aires de recharge, la compartimentation des venues d’eau, l’organisation des écoulements et les temps de séjour. Quatre-vingt quinze échantillons d’eau souterraine et d’eau de surface ont été analysés pour la chimie des ions majeurs (type d’eau et ratios Ca/Sr), isotopes stables (18O, 2H, 13C) et radiogéniques (3H, 14C), et les données résultantes utilisées en conjonction avec les données hydrogéologiques (e.g. charge hydraulique et hydro stratigraphie). Les résultats montrent que la recharge récente (<60 ans) a lieu dans les systèmes montagneux le long des marges du bassin et dans des aquifères peu profonds de plaine d’inondation le long de la rivière San Pedro. L’aquifère du bassin inférieur (semi-captif) est rechargé à une cote élevée dans le substrat fracturé et considérablement modifié par des réactions eau-roche (accroissement de F et Sr, décroissance du14C) sur de longues périodes de temps (jusqu’à 35 000 ans avant l’actuel). Les différences géochimiques des solutés et des isotopes entre le remplissage des aquifères des bassins supérieur et inférieur montrent l’importance de l’unité argileuse «confinante» sur les écoulements souterrains dans le bassin, qui minimise les mouvements verticaux de l’eau souterraine.

Resumen

Puesto que el agua subterránea se convierte en un recurso de agua crecientemente más importante en todo el mundo, es esencial entender como la geología local afecta la calidad del agua subterránea, las trayectorias de flujo y los tiempos de residencias. Este estudio utilizó múltiples trazadores para mejorar los modelos conceptuales y numéricos del flujo de agua subterránea en la cuenca de Middle San Pedro en el sudeste de Arizona (EEUU) determinando las área de recarga, la compartimentación de las fuentes de agua, las trayectorias de flujo y los tiempos de residencia. Se analizaron noventa y cinco muestras de agua subterránea y de agua superficial en la búsqueda de los iones químicos principales (tipo de agua y relaciones Ca/Sr) e isótopos estables (18O, 2H, 13C) y radiogénicos (3H, 14C), y los datos resultantes fueron usados en conjunción con la información hidrogeológica (por ejemplo carga hidráulica e hidroestratigrafía). Los resultados muestran que ha ocurrido una recarga reciente (<60 años) dentro de los sistemas montañosos a lo largo de los márgenes de cuenca y en los acuíferos someros de la planicie de inundación adyacente al Río San Pedro. El agua subterránea en los acuíferos de relleno (semiconfinados) de la cuenca inferior fue recargada en las altas elevaciones en las rocas fracturadas del basamento y ha sido extensamente modificada por las reacciones agua – roca (incrementándose el F y Sr, y disminuyendo el 14C) a lo largo de grandes escalas de tiempo (hasta 35,000 años antes del presente). La geoquímica de distintos solutos y los isótopos en los acuíferos de relleno en la cuenca inferior y superior muestran la importancia de una unidad arcillosa confinante sobre el flujo de agua subterránea en la cuenca, lo que minimiza el movimiento vertical del agua subterránea.

Resumo

À medida que a água subterrânea se torna progressivamente num importante recurso hídrico à escala mundial, é essencial perceber-se como a geologia local afeta a qualidade da água subterrânea, os caminhos de fluxo e os tempos de residência. Este estudo utilizou múltiplos traçadores para melhorar os modelos conceptuais e numéricos do fluxo de água subterrânea na Bacia Média de San Pedro, no sudeste do Arizona (EUA), através da determinação das áreas de recarga, da compartimentação das origens da água, dos caminhos de fluxo e dos tempos de residência. Foram analisadas noventa e cinco amostras de água subterrânea e superficial para o quimismo dos iões principais (tipos de água e rácios Ca/Sr), os isótopos estáveis (18O, 2H, 13C) e os radiogénicos (3H, 14C), tendo os dados resultantes sido usados em conjugação com informação hidrogeológica (p. ex. carga hidráulica e hidrostratigrafia). Os resultados mostram que a recarga recente (<60 anos) ocorreu nos sistemas montanhosos ao longo das margens da bacia e nas planícies de cheia baixas, adjacentes ao rio San Pedro. A água subterrânea no aquífero inferior do enchimento da bacia (semi-confinado) foi recarregada a cotas superiores no embasamento rochoso fraturado e foi extensivamente modificada por reações água-rocha (aumento de F e Sr, decréscimo de 14C) ao longo de extensas escalas temporais (até 35,000 anos antes do presente). As distintas geoquímicas dos solutos e dos isótopos entre os aquíferos superiores e inferiores no enchimento da bacia mostram a importância de uma unidade confinante de argila no fluxo de água subterrânea na bacia, a qual minimiza a movimentação vertical da água subterrânea.

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Acknowledgements

The landowners and citizens of the Middle San Pedro Basin, Arizona, are thanked for their assistance with this study. Funding for this project was provided by the Arizona Department of Water Resources Rural Watershed Initiative, the USGS Arizona Water Science Center, and the University of Arizona. Many thanks to the USGS reviewers who contributed to this report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Candice B. Hopkins, Jennifer C. McIntosh & Thomas Meixner

  2. Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Chris Eastoe

  3. United States Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA

    Jesse E. Dickinson

  4. United States Geological Survey, Boise, ID, 83702, USA

    Candice B. Hopkins

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  1. Candice B. Hopkins
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  2. Jennifer C. McIntosh
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  3. Chris Eastoe
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  4. Jesse E. Dickinson
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  5. Thomas Meixner
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Correspondence to Candice B. Hopkins or Jennifer C. McIntosh.

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Hopkins, C.B., McIntosh, J.C., Eastoe, C. et al. Evaluation of the importance of clay confining units on groundwater flow in alluvial basins using solute and isotope tracers: the case of Middle San Pedro Basin in southeastern Arizona (USA). Hydrogeol J 22, 829–849 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-1090-0

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