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Hydrogeologic controls on groundwater recharge and salinization: a geochemical analysis of the northern Hueco Bolson aquifer, Texas, USA

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Abstract

Identification of hydrogeologic controls on groundwater flowpaths, recharge, and salinization is often critical to the management of limited arid groundwater resources. One approach to identifying these mechanisms is a combined analysis of hydrogeologic and hydrochemical data to develop a comprehensive conceptual model of a groundwater basin. To demonstrate this technique, water samples were collected from 33 discrete vertical zone test holes in the Hueco Bolson aquifer, located within the Trans-Pecos Texas region and the primary water resource for El Paso, Texas, USA and Juárez, Mexico. These samples were analyzed for a suite of geochemical tracers and the data evaluated in light of basin hydrogeology. On the basis of δ2H and δ18O data, two regional recharge sources were recognized, one originating from western mountain-fronts and one from through-flow of the adjacent Tularosa aquifer. Chloride concentrations were strongly correlated with lithologic formations and both Cl/Br and 36Cl ratios suggested the primary chloride source is halite dissolution within a specific lithologic unit. In contrast, sulfur isotopes indicated that most sulfate originates from Tularosa basin Permian gypsum sources. These results yielded a more comprehensive conceptual model of the basin, which suggested that chloride salinization of wells is the result of upconing of waters from the Fort Hancock formation.

Résumé

L’identification des contrôles hydrogéologiques sur les écoulements, la réalimentation et la salinisation est fréquemmement critique pour la gestion des faibles ressources en eau souterraine des zones arides. Une des approches pour identifier ces mécanismes consiste à combiner l’analyse des données hydrogéologiques et hydrochimiques pour développer un modèle conceptuel exhaustif sur un bassin hydrogéologique. Afin de mettre en application cette technique, des échantillons d’eau ont été prélevés sur 33 sondages permettant une discrimination verticale, dans l’aquifère de Hueco Bolson, dans la région texane de Trans-Pecos, qui constitue la ressource principale pour El Paso (Texas, Etats-Unis) et Juárez (Mexique). Plusieurs traceurs géochimiques ont été analysés, et les données ont été étudiées sur la base des connaissances hydrogéologiques du bassin. Les données de δ2H et δ18O ont permis d’identifier deux sources d’alimentation régionales : une première sur les contreforts des montagnes de l’ouest, et une seconde par drainance à travers l’aquifère adjacent de Tularosa. Les concentrations en chlorures étaient étroitement corrélées à la lithologie, et les rapports Cl/Br et 36Cl ont suggéré que la source primaire des ions chlorures est la dissolution de la halite dans une unité lithologique spécifique. Par contre, les isotopes du soufre ont indiqué que la majorité des sulfates proviennent du gypse du Bassin permien de Tularosa. Ces résultats conduisent à un modèle conceptuel plus exhaustif, qui suggère que la salinisation chlorurée des puits résulte d’un flux d’eau ascendant depuis la formation de Fort Hancock.

Resumen

La identificación de los factores hidrogeológicos que controlan el flujo, recarga y salinización del agua subterránea es crítica para el manejo de este recurso en regiones áridas. Una forma de identificar estos factores es el análisis combinado de datos hidrogeológicos e hidroquímicos para desarrollar un modelo conceptual exhaustivo de la cuenca. Para demostrar esta técnica, muestras de agua fueron tomadas de 33 pozos de prueba en zona vertical en el acuífero Hueco Bolson, localizado en la región de Trans-Pecos, Texas y la principal fuente de agua de El Paso, Texas, USA y Ciudad Juárez, México. En estas muestras, se analizó un grupo de trazadores geoquímicos y los datos fueron evaluados a la luz de hidrogeología de cuenca. Con base en datos de δ2H y δ18O, dos fuentes de recarga regional fueron identificadas, una originada en las montañas del oeste y otra proveniente del flujo que atraviesa al adyacente acuífero Tularosa. Las concentraciones de cloruro se correlacionaron fuertemente con las formaciones litológicas y ambos cocientes Cl/Br y 36Cl sugirieron que la fuente primaria de cloruro es la disolución de halita dentro de una unidad litológica específica. En contraste, isótopos de azufre indicaron que la mayoría del sulfato se origina en fuentes de yeso de la cuenca Permiana de Tularosa. Estos resultados produjeron un modelo conceptual más exhaustivo de la cuenca, el cual sugiere que la salinización de cloruro de los pozos es el resultado de aguas que emergen a los pozos desde la formación Fort Hancock.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by SAHRA (Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas) at the University of Arizona under the Science and Technology Center (STC) Program of the National Science Foundation, Agreement No. EAR-9876800. This research is based on an existing body of hydrogeochemical knowledge and data developed through association between SAHRA, the Center for Environmental Analysis-Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CEA-CREST) at California State University, Los Angeles, Universidad Autonoma De Juárez, New Mexico State University, University of Texas at El Paso, and El Paso Water Utilities (Hibbs et al. 2003). This larger project would not exist without the extensive sampling campaigns and collaborative efforts of the El Paso Water Utilities. The present study owes greatly to contributions by the El Paso Water Utilities, regional geologic information provided by J. Hawley of New Mexico State University and assistance in preparation of 36Cl samples by F. Phillips and S. McGee of the New Mexico Institute of Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SAHRA–Sustainability of semiArid Hydrology and Riparian Areas, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210158-B, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Jennifer L. Druhan, James F. Hogan & Christopher J. Eastoe

  2. Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Jennifer L. Druhan & James F. Hogan

  3. Department of Geology, University of Arizona, 1040 E. 4th St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Christopher J. Eastoe

  4. CEA-CREST–Center for Environmental Analysis, Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology, California State University, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

    Barry J. Hibbs

  5. Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

    Barry J. Hibbs

  6. El Paso Water Utilities, P.O. Box 511, El Paso, TX, 79961, USA

    William R. Hutchison

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  1. Jennifer L. Druhan
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  2. James F. Hogan
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Druhan.

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Druhan, J.L., Hogan, J.F., Eastoe, C.J. et al. Hydrogeologic controls on groundwater recharge and salinization: a geochemical analysis of the northern Hueco Bolson aquifer, Texas, USA. Hydrogeol J 16, 281–296 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0222-9

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