Effects of Surface and Groundwater Interactions on the Solution Chemistry of a Subtropical Karst Stream
Date
2006-12
Authors
Cave, Michael S.
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Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas face threats from a variety of anthropogenic disturbances, including groundwater pumping, impoundment, siltation, agricultural practices, and the introduction of exotic species (Bowles and Arsuffi 1993). Local streams are characterized by extreme hydrologic variability, a karst geology that fosters high connectivity between ground and surface water flow paths, and populations of endemic species. These potentially fragile ecosystems offer significant economic, scientific, and aesthetic value to the region, and a better understanding of their physical, chemical, and biological processes is critical for future protection and remediation efforts. The Blanco River is a little-studied karst stream that traverses the Texas Hill Country and Balcones Fault Zone regions associated with the eastern Edwards Plateau. It is intimately connected with the Trinity Aquifer, the Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer, and the San Marcos River, all being extremely valuable regional resources. This study characterizes water quality in the Blanco River from the headwaters to mouth, with particular attention given to the effects of spring and tributary inputs on concentrations o f dominant ions calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. Surface waters were almost always saturated with respect to calcite and dolomite, with the highest degrees of saturation found in the headwaters. Spring water was consistently undersaturated and exhibited very low variability in temperature. Historical correlations between discharge and concentrations of specific ions are considered as evidence of active diagenesis, specifically dedolomitization, in rock units of the Blanco River. A greater concentration of dolomitic weathering products in the headwaters region also supports this conclusion. Two 24-hour monitoring events examining trends in major dissolved ions and organic matter revealed high daytime levels of calcite and dolomite saturation and two potential mechanisms for retention of energy in the Blanco River ecosystem.
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Keywords
hydrology, river channels, water quality, Texas, Blanco River, Karst
Citation
Cave, M. S. (2006). Effects of surface and groundwater interactions on the solution chemistry of a subtropical karst stream (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.