Tritium-helium 3 dating under complex conditions in hydraulically stressed areas of a buried-valley aquifer
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The 3H-3He dating method is applied in a buried-valley aquifer near Dayton, Ohio. The study area is large, not all sampling locations lie along well-defined flow paths, and existing wells with variable screen lengths and diameters are used. Reliable use of the method at this site requires addressing several complications: (1) The flow system is disturbed because of high pumping rates and induced infiltration; (2) tritium contamination is present in several areas of the aquifer; and (3) radiogenic helium concentrations are elevated in a significant number of the wells. The 3H-3He ages are examined for self-consistency by comparing the reconstructed tritium evolution to the annual weighted tritium measured in precipitation; deviations result from dispersion, tritium contamination, and mixing. 3H-3He ages are next examined for consistency with chlorofluorocarbon ages; the agreement is poor because of degradation of CFCs. Finally, the 3H-3He ages are examined for consistency with the current understanding of local hydrologic processes; the ages are generally supported by hydrogeologic data and the results of groundwater flow modeling coupled with particle-tracking analyses.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Tritium-helium 3 dating under complex conditions in hydraulically stressed areas of a buried-valley aquifer |
| Series title | Water Resources Research |
| DOI | 10.1029/97WR03322 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Description | 16 p. |
| First page | 1165 |
| Last page | 1180 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| City | Dayton |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |