Mobile sediment in an urbanizing karst aquifer: Implications for contaminant transport
Environmental Geology
By: B.J. Mahler, L. Lynch, and P.C. Bennett
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Abstract
Here we investigate geochemical characteristics of sediment in different compartments of a karst aquifer and demonstrate that mobile sediments in a karst aquifer can exhibit a wide range of properties affecting their contaminant transport potential. Sediment samples were collected from surface streams, sinkholes, caves, wells, and springs of a karst aquifer (the Barton Springs portion of the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone) Aquifer, Central Texas) and their mineralogy, grain-size distribution, organic carbon content, and specific surface area analyzed. Statistical analysis of the sediments separated the sampling sites into three distinct groups: (1) streambeds, sinkholes, and small springs; (2) wells; and (3) caves. Sediments from the primary discharge spring were a mix of these three groups. High organic carbon content and increased potential to transport contaminants; the volume of these sediments is likely to increase with continued urbanization of the watershed.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mobile sediment in an urbanizing karst aquifer: Implications for contaminant transport |
| Series title | Environmental Geology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s002540050434 |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2000 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publisher location | Berlin, Germany |
| Description | 14 p. |
| First page | 25 |
| Last page | 38 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Other Geospatial | Edwards Aquifer |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |