Case study Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico, USA

By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Chemical and isotopic patterns in groundwater can record characteristics of water sources, flow directions, and groundwater-age information. This hydrochemical information can be useful in refining conceptualization of groundwater flow, in calibration of numerical models of groundwater flow, and in estimation of paleo and modern recharge rates. This case study shows how chemical and isotopic data were used to characterize sources and flow of groundwater in the Middle Rio Grande Basin (MRGB) of New Mexico, USA. The 14C model ages of the groundwater samples are on the tens of thousands of year timescale. These data changed some of the prevailing ideas about flow in the MRGB, and were used to improve a numerical model of the aquifer system.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Case study Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico, USA
Chapter 12
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher International Atomic Energy Agency
Publisher location Vienna, Austria
Contributing office(s) National Research Program - Eastern Branch
Description 23 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Other Government Series
Larger Work Title Isotope Methods for Dating Old Groundwater
First page 273
Last page 295
Country United States
State New Mexico
Other Geospatial Middle Rio Grande Basin
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details