Tracers of Groundwater Mixing in the Hueco Bolson Aquifer, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2016 Tracers of Groundwater Mixing in the Hueco Bolson Aquifer, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico Christopher J. Eastoe; Christopher J. Eastoe Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alfredo Granados Olivas; Alfredo Granados Olivas Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering–Geoscience Academic Group, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, Avenida del Charro 610 norte, C.P. 32310 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Barry J. Hibbs Barry J. Hibbs Department of Geological Sciences, California State University–Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032-8203, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Christopher J. Eastoe Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA Alfredo Granados Olivas Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering–Geoscience Academic Group, Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, Avenida del Charro 610 norte, C.P. 32310 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico Barry J. Hibbs Department of Geological Sciences, California State University–Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032-8203, USA Publisher: Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists First Online: 21 Nov 2017 Online Issn: 1558-9161 Print Issn: 1078-7275 © 2016 Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2016) 22 (3): 195–207. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.22.3.195 Article history First Online: 21 Nov 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher J. Eastoe, Alfredo Granados Olivas, Barry J. Hibbs; Tracers of Groundwater Mixing in the Hueco Bolson Aquifer, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2016;; 22 (3): 195–207. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.22.3.195 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search ABSTRACT Stable O and H isotopes and radioisotopes show that Río Bravo water recharged prior to the construction of Elephant Butte Dam is the principal source of groundwater in the Hueco Bolson aquifer beneath Ciudad Juárez. Mixing between pre-dam and post-dam river water occurs in samples from the aquifer beneath the Río Bravo floodplain, where finite tritium is also present. Along the flanks of the Sierra de Juárez, mixing occurs between pre-dam river water and water derived from the Sierra de Juárez. Carbon-14 content of groundwater generally decreases from northwest to southeast beneath the city; corrected residence times in city supply wells range from post-bomb to 3600 years. Sulfur isotopes in groundwater of pre-dam river water origin and anion ratios (Cl/Br and Cl/SO4) are consistent with mixing of solutes from native Hueco Bolsón groundwater with river water. Stable isotopes serve to identify mixing of 9 percent or more of local water into pre-dam river-derived water. Mixing of smaller amounts of saline Hueco Bolson groundwater into river-derived groundwater can best be identified using anion ratios. The improved understanding of groundwater origins, flow paths, and quality arising from this study is crucial information for future water-supply engineering in Ciudad Juárez and for elucidating preferred pathways for contaminant movement in groundwater. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.