Groundwater modeling of the Silver Bell Mountains, Arizona, USA |
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| Authors: | L G Jaramillo-Nieves S Ge |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Sciences, General Studies, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 23323, San Juan, PR, 00931-3323, USA
2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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| Abstract: | This study examines the groundwater characteristics in the Silver Bell Mountains, Arizona, USA, using a numerical model. Groundwater modeling is developed to describe the flow pattern in the study area and subsequently explores the possible interaction with regional porphyry copper deposits. A conceptual model is developed for the study area and regional hydrogeological conditions are simulated using the finite-difference groundwater flow model, MODFLOW-2005. The model results show that groundwater flow in the Silver Bell Mountains is strongly influenced by topography and its velocity varies with depth. In addition, the numerical model supports the idea of a continuous sustained interaction between groundwater flow and porphyry copper deposits in the Silver Bell Mountains. This interaction may result in continuing leaching of trace elements from the ore deposit, an important implication for continuing supergene alteration and enrichment of the porphyry copper deposit. |
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