thumbnail

Preliminary assessment of water quality in the alluvial aquifer of the Puerco River basin, Northeastern Arizona

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4126
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874126

Links

Abstract

The quality of groundwater in the alluvial aquifer of the Puerco River basin, northeastern Arizona, was evaluated in order to assess potential contamination from uranium mining and milling operations in New Mexico. A total of 14 wells and 1 spring were sampled to determine if a contaminant plume of radionuclides or trace elements is present. The water is characterized by high dissolved solids with a median of 698 mg/l and high concentrations of alkalinity, sodium, and sulfate. Except for iron, manganese, and strontium, the concentrations of trace elements generally are below the applicable EPA and State of Arizona maximum contaminant levels. Gross alpha activity has a median of 27 picocuries/l and ranges from 4 to 42 picocuries/l. Uranium, which accounts for most of the gross alpha activity, has a median concentration of 19 micrograms/l and ranges from 1 to 38 micrograms/l. Twenty percent to 84% of the gross alpha activity was derived from other undetermined radionuclides. Other radionuclides, including radium-226 and radium-228, generally are not present in activities > 5 picocuries/l in the water. Statistical analysis of the water quality data suggest that no contaminant plume can be defined on the basis of samples from existing wells. The contamination in the alluvial aquifer apparently does not change in the downstream direction along the Puerco River. The geochemistry of radionuclides indicates that most radionuclides from the uranium-decay series are immobile or only slightly mobile, whereas uranium will not precipitate out of solution but may be removed by sorption in the alluvial aquifer. (Author 's abstract)

Suggested Citation

Webb, R.H., Rink, G., and Radtke, D.B., 1987, Preliminary assessment of water quality in the alluvial aquifer of the Puerco River basin, Northeastern Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4126, vi, 70 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874126.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Preliminary assessment of water quality in the alluvial aquifer of the Puerco River basin, Northeastern Arizona
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4126
DOI 10.3133/wri874126
Year Published 1987
Language ENGLISH
Publisher Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 70 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details