Tectonic Influences on Ground Water Quality: Insight from Complementary Methods

Earman, Sam; McPherson, Brian; Phillips, Fred M.; Ralser, Steve; Herrin, James M.; Broska, James

doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00402.x

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Tectonic control has been demonstrated to strongly affect groundwater circulation (e.g. Earman et al, 2008;also Civita, 2005;Scesi and Gattinoni, 2007;Goldscheider and Neukum, 2010 for the Alpine region) both directly (faults acting as preferential pathways or barriers) and indirectly (induced rock fracturing). Rock fracturing, whatever its origin, is a second factor strongly affecting aquifer structure and groundwater flow: fractured rocks are neither homogeneous nor isotropic, making the identification of their flow patterns a particularly challenging task (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of tectonically affected groundwater systems through a multidisciplinary approach

Gambillara

Terrana

Giussani

et al. 2013

Applied Geochemistry

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This study uses a multidisciplinary approach to obtain a complete picture of the groundwater system of complex mountain aquifers. An Alpine region (the north-western area of Lake Como, Italy), characterized by two regional fault systems (The Breglia and Grona fault systems) containing different lithologies, was investigated using the multidisciplinary approach described here. The use of Principal Components Analysis (PCA), classical geochemical bivariate and trivariate diagrams of major and trace elements, and geostructural data, including remote sensing, permitted the identification of three principal groups of water. The first group, characterized by an enrichment of Ca2+ and HCO3-, flow in limestone. The second group is enriched in HCO3-, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and circulates through dolomite rocks. The third group, characterized by a decrease of Ca2+ and Mg2+, an increase of Na++K+ and a high Si/electrical conductivity (EC) ratio, flow in the basement rocks. Nevertheless, some peculiarities were evident. The matching of PCA, hydrochemical and geostructural information explains the role played by faults in water circulation. In particular, the Breglia fault permits the rise of deep water from crystalline basement and dolomite. Similarly, the Grona fault plays a role on drainage in proximity to the contact between the crystalline basement and the sedimentary cover. The springs located near the Grona fault rise into the crystalline basement but reflect a dolomite water chemistry. The multidisciplinary approach allowed understanding of the groundwater system and identification of fault systems not detectable with a geostructural survey

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of tectonically affected groundwater systems through a multidisciplinary approach

Gambillara

Terrana

Giussani

et al. 2013

Applied Geochemistry

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“…Research into transport of mantle volatiles including CO 2 to the surface through continental smokers has been underway for some time (e.g., Matthews et al, 1987;Greisshaber et al, 1992;Hilton, 1996), but understanding fluid conduits, the influence of endogenic fluids on near-surface water quality (Earman et al, 2008) and microbial diversity are less well developed.…”

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confidence: 99%

Continental smokers couple mantle degassing and distinctive microbiology within continents

Crossey

Karlstrom

Schmandt

et al. 2016

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

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The discovery of oceanic black (and white) smokers revolutionized our understanding of mid-ocean ridges and led to the recognition of new organisms and ecosystems. Continental smokers, defined here to include a broad range of carbonic springs, hot springs, and fumaroles that vent mantle-derived fluids in continental settings, exhibit many of the same processes of heat and mass transfer and ecosystem niche differentiation. Helium isotope (3 He/ 4 He) analyses indicate that widespread mantle degassing is taking place in the western U.S.A., and that variations in mantle helium values correlate best with low seismic-velocity domains in the mantle and lateral contrasts in mantle velocity rather than crustal parameters such as GPS, proximity to volcanoes, crustal velocity, or composition. Microbial community analyses indicate that these springs can host novel microorganisms. A targeted analysis of four springs in New Mexico yield the first published occurrence of chemolithoautotrophic Zetaproteobacteria in a continental setting. These observations lead to two linked hypotheses: that mantle-derived volatiles transit through conduits in extending continental lithosphere preferentially above and at the edges of mantle low velocity domains. High CO 2 and other constituents ultimately derived from mantle volatiles drive water-rock interactions and heterogeneous fluid mixing that help structure diverse and distinctive microbial communities.

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“…A number of complementary methods, including major ion geochemistry, isotope hydrology, and analysis of gases dissolved in groundwater, were employed to obtain information on groundwater systems in the tectonically active western USA (San Bernardino Valley, Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico). The geological differences between the San Bernardino Valley and its neighboring basins might be used as a model for the distinctive nature of chemical evolution of groundwater in other similar basins (Earman et al, 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%