Hydrogeologic controls on groundwater recharge and salinization: a geochemical analysis of the northern Hueco Bolson aquifer, Texas, USA |
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| Authors: | Jennifer L Druhan James F Hogan Christopher J Eastoe Barry J Hibbs William R Hutchison |
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| Institution: | (1) SAHRA–Sustainability of semiArid Hydrology and Riparian Areas, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210158-B, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;(2) Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;(3) Department of Geology, University of Arizona, 1040 E. 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;(4) CEA-CREST–Center for Environmental Analysis, Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology, California State University, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA;(5) Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA;(6) El Paso Water Utilities, P.O. Box 511, El Paso, TX 79961, USA |
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| Abstract: | Identification of hydrogeologic controls on groundwater flowpaths, recharge, and salinization is often critical to the management of limited arid groundwater resources. One approach to identifying these mechanisms is a combined analysis of hydrogeologic and hydrochemical data to develop a comprehensive conceptual model of a groundwater basin. To demonstrate this technique, water samples were collected from 33 discrete vertical zone test holes in the Hueco Bolson aquifer, located within the Trans-Pecos Texas region and the primary water resource for El Paso, Texas, USA and Juárez, Mexico. These samples were analyzed for a suite of geochemical tracers and the data evaluated in light of basin hydrogeology. On the basis of δ2H and δ18O data, two regional recharge sources were recognized, one originating from western mountain-fronts and one from through-flow of the adjacent Tularosa aquifer. Chloride concentrations were strongly correlated with lithologic formations and both Cl/Br and 36Cl ratios suggested the primary chloride source is halite dissolution within a specific lithologic unit. In contrast, sulfur isotopes indicated that most sulfate originates from Tularosa basin Permian gypsum sources. These results yielded a more comprehensive conceptual model of the basin, which suggested that chloride salinization of wells is the result of upconing of waters from the Fort Hancock formation. |
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| Keywords: | Conceptual models Hydrochemistry Salinization Stable isotopes USA Mexico |
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