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Evolution of a Deep Fluid in a Surficial Environment Using Stable Carbon and Sulfur Isotopes: Case of the Transitional Zone of the Edwards Aquifer in South Central Texas

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Abstract

The Edwards Aquifer in south central Texas (USA) features a distinct fault line defining the freshwater and saline water zones. We aim to elucidate the evolutionary behavior of carbon and sulfur emanating from deep environments and flowing in surficial environment so as to better understand the cycling of these metals in water environments. To characterize the evolution of carbon and sulfur species in surficial environment as the fluid emanates from a deep saline aquifer, we monitored the chemical and isotopic (δ13CDIC and δ34SSO4) parameters over a 700-m stretch on a stream-pond system situated on the saline-freshwater line of the Edwards Aquifer’s artesian zone. A three-tier evolution process associated with the interaction of a deep saline fluid with a fresh-ponded water was observed, namely: A deep fluid control zone characterized by decreasing pH values and relatively high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations along the stream path; a mixing zone of the deep fluid and fresh-ponded water where the TDS concentrations showed a sharp decline and a continual decrease in pH values; and a fresh-ponded water-controlled zone with a stable pH value and low TDS concentrations. The decreasing pH values were a result of CO2 outgassing due to the relatively high CO2 partial pressures (10–2.53 atm) relative to atmospheric (10–3.50 atm) in the aqueous system, and the high TDS concentrations were attributed to the deep saline fluid emanating at the well-head. The enrichment in the δ13CDIC and δ34SSO4 for the initial stream path reflects the kinetic isotopic fractionations associated with CO2 outgassing and with the microbial conversion. The zonation of the evolutionary process indicates that (i) solutes play a critical role in the evolution of carbon and sulfur in surficial environment, (ii) kinetic and chemical fractionation are the dominant processes controlling carbon evolution, and (iii) microbial metabolism primarily controls sulfate fractionation and evolution through the conversion of sulfate to thiosulfate.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Samantha Gonzales and Karla Tapia for assisting in the sample collection and analyses. We also thank Dr. Shray Saxena for running the anions sample.

Funding

This research was supported financially by the Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Research Council Grants 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, and the Texas A&M University-San Antonio, College of Arts and Science Summer Grants 2019 and 2020.

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  1. Department of Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, One University Way, San Antonio, TX, 78224, USA

    Pride T. Abongwa & Walter Den

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  1. Pride T. Abongwa
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  2. Walter Den
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Correspondence to Pride T. Abongwa.

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Highlights

• We assessed carbon and sulfur evolution from deep fluids in surficial environments.

• TDS increases over distance until interaction with fresh surface water, while pH decreases throughout.

• Carbon evolved by CO2 outgassing, whereas sulfur evolved by microbial metabolism.

• Kinetic fractionation was associated with carbon evolution and conversion of sulfate to thiosulfate causes sulfur fractionation.

• Three tier-evolution was established: Zone 1, deep fluid control; Zone 2, mixing area; and Zone 3, freshwater dominance.

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Abongwa, P.T., Den, W. Evolution of a Deep Fluid in a Surficial Environment Using Stable Carbon and Sulfur Isotopes: Case of the Transitional Zone of the Edwards Aquifer in South Central Texas. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 213 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05159-3

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