Saline water in the Little Arkansas River Basin area, south-central Kansas
Chemical Quality Series
3
Prepared cooperatively by the Kansas Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey
By: Robert B. Leonard and Melvin K. Kleinschmidt
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Abstract
Ground water in unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene age in part of the Little Arkansas River basin has been polluted by the influx of saline water. The source of the saline water generally is oil-field brine that leaked from disposal ponds on the land surface. Locally, pollution by saline water also has been caused by upwelling of oil-field brine injected under pressure into the "lost-circulation zone" of the Lower Permian Wellington Formation and, possibly, by leakage of brine from corroded or improperly cased disposal wells. Anomalously high concentrations of chloride ion in some reaches of the Little Arkansas River probably can be attributed to pollution by municipal wastes rather than from inflow of saline ground water. Hydraulic connection exists between the "lost-circulation zone" and unconsolidated deposits, as evidenced by the continuing development of sinkholes, by the continuing discharge of saline water through springs and seeps along the Arkansas River south of the Little Arkansas River basin and by changes in the chloride concentration in water pumped from wells in the "lost-circulation zone." The hydraulic head in the "lost-circulation zone" is below the base of the unconsolidated deposits, and much below the potentiometric surface of the aquifer in those deposits. Any movement of water, therefore, would be downward from the "fresh-water" aquifer to the saline "lost-circulation zone."
Suggested Citation
Leonard, R., Kleinschmidt, M.K., 1976, Saline water in the Little Arkansas River Basin area, south-central Kansas: Chemical Quality Series 3, iii, 24 p.; ill.; maps.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Other Government Series |
| Title | Saline water in the Little Arkansas River Basin area, south-central Kansas |
| Series title | Chemical Quality Series |
| Series number | 3 |
| Year Published | 1976 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | University of Kansas Publications |
| Publisher location | Lawrence, KS |
| Contributing office(s) | Kansas Water Science Center |
| Description | iii, 24 p.; ill.; maps |
| First page | i |
| Last page | 24 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| Other Geospatial | Little Arkansas River Basin |