Albuquerque Basin Research Articles

Salinity, Boron, and Irrigated Pecan Productivity along New Mexico's Rio Grande Basin

AbstractWe surveyed 15 commercial irrigated orchards of ‘Western’ pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] along a 120‐km stretch of the middle Rio Grande basin in southern New Mexico. Our intent was to determine if high salinity and boron (B) broadly threaten pecan cultivation in this region. Ten of the fifteen sites were found to be on soils considered too saline for pecan trees (>2–3 dS m−1 in the soil saturation extract of the upper 0–60 cm of soil depth). Of these 10 sites, 4 had saturation extract Na concentration exceeding 20 mM, which is at or about the concentration corresponding to pecan seedling rootstock growth suppression. A laboratory study showed that cell membranes of excised, subapical seedling root segments from ‘Riverside’ pecan were damaged by about twice the salinity of the saturation extract at the highest salinity sites (9 dS m−1). At all sites, midsummer leaflet B concentration surpassed the published accepted range for pecan of about 50 to 100 mg B kg−1 dry weight, especially at the sites with higher soil salinity. Evaluation of two nearby sites (low salinity and B and high salinity and B orchards) showed that the higher salinity and B were associated with 25% lower yield efficiency, 3% lower percentage kernel, 13% lower mass per nut, and a 9 to 16% reduction in the tree's capacity to recycle N and P into perennial storage organs. The findings bring attention to the sustainability of current irrigation and soil management practices in much of this concentrated pecan producing region.

Occurrence of soil water repellency in arid and humid climates

Soil water repellency generally tends to increase during dry weather while it decreases or completely vanishes after heavy precipitation or during extended periods with high soil water contents. These observations lead to the hypothesis that soil water repellency is common in dry climates and rare in humid climates. The study objective is to test this hypothesis by examining the occurrence of soil water repellency in an arid and humid climate. The main conclusion of this study is that the effect of climate on soil water repellency is very limited. Field observations in the arid Middle Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico (USA) and the humid Piedras Blancas Watershed in Colombia show that the main impact of climate seems to be in which manner it affects the production of organic matter. An extremely dry climate will result in low organic matter production rates and, therefore, less potential for the development of soil water repellency. On the other hand, a very humid climate is favorable for organic matter production and, therefore, for the development of water repellency.

Metals and grain size distributions in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin, Texas USA

This paper deals with the problem of increased heavy metal constituents in agricultural soils due to the expanded use of fertilizers and elevated atmospheric deposition. It discusses the extent of contamination in soil and establishes an environmental monitoring program in the chosen area of concern in the southern coastal region of Texas. Grain size, pH, and metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Ba, As, Cr, Mn, and Fe) were determined in soils of the middle Rio Grande basin. The soils were mainly of sand texture and alkaline in character. Fine sand constituted the major proportion of the soil, and clay and silt ranged from 8–30% of the soil. Correlations of metal concentrations to grain size and iron contents were performed. Metals, except Cd and Pb, gave positive to negative relationships with decreases in grain size. Silt gave no relationship with metal content while clay and silt had a positive relationship. All these metals had a positive correlation with iron in the soil. The results indicate metals are associated with coarse sand, clay, and iron hydroxides surfaces of the soil. The comparison of metal content in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin with metals from other areas of the world suggests that it is relatively uncontaminated.

Hydrogeothermal Studies in New Mexico and Implications for Ground-Water Resources

Subsurface temperatures and heat-flow data provide valuable information on both regional and local ground-water flow patterns. In the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado, heat-flow data are used to estimate basin-scale horizontal flow and predict hydraulic conductivities much higher than values measured in pumping tests or laboratory studies. Along the central Rio Grande rift in the Albuquerque Basin, hot water at depth may be present at a number of locations; however, the hydrogeology is such that warm springs are absent. In south-central New Mexico, along the southern Rio Grande rift, a number of warm springs result from tectonic activity and erosion exposing aquifers which allow deeply-circulating ground water to come near surface. In the Roswell Basin of southeastern New Mexico, recharge to the Pecos River deep aquifer is predicted from depths of ~1,000–1,500 m; in addition a ground-water divide appears present near the Mescalero ridge. On the Llano Estacado downward ground-water movement from the surface is suggested to depths of ~1,000–1,500 m. Along the Rio Grande at Bosque del Apache and Canutillo, and along the Pecos River at Artesia, there appear to be dual-flow systems with river water moving downward to depths of ~50–100 m, while upward flow of ground water occurs from much greater depths. This implies separation of the ground-water systems at these locales, an important ramification regarding the recharge of different zones. The deep pumping at Canutillo appears to have exceeded the natural recharge, and this may well be the case at other locales where pumping depths are below river recharge. Shallow pumping at Canutillo appears to have caused a much greater recharge from the river than was the prepumping case.

Effects of Valley Incision on the Subsurface State of Stress--Theory and Application to the Rio Grande Valley Near Albuquerque, New Mexico

Research Article| January 01, 1999 Effects of Valley Incision on the Subsurface State of Stress—Theory and Application to the Rio Grande Valley Near Albuquerque, New Mexico WILLIAM C. HANEBERG WILLIAM C. HANEBERG New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources, New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, 2808 Central Avenue SE, Albuquerque NM 87106 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental and Engineering Geoscience (1999) V (1): 117–131. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.V.1.117 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation WILLIAM C. HANEBERG; Effects of Valley Incision on the Subsurface State of Stress—Theory and Application to the Rio Grande Valley Near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Environmental and Engineering Geoscience 1999;; V (1): 117–131. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.V.1.117 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental and Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract Basin-fill aquifer systems of the Cenozoic Santa Fe Group along the Rio Grande valley, including the Albuquerque Basin, appear to be over-consolidated partly as a consequence of Pleistocene down-cutting by the Rio Grande, which carved a valley about 150 m deep within the broader Rio Grande rift, and partly as a consequence of tectonic exhumation. A first-order analytical solution for displacements and stresses in a compressible elastic half space bounded by periodic topography is used to illustrate the effects of topography on the subsurface state of stress under conditions of active (extensional), neutral, and passive (contractional) regional stress states. The model takes the regional state of stress into account by using a coefficient of lateral earth pressure, and a coefficient of k = 1/3 was used to simulate the state of stress in a rift basin. The solutions are then used to estimate the magnitude of overconsolidation due to Pleistocene incision of the Rio Grande valley in the Albuquerque area. Young's modulus for the sediments was inferred from sonic logs and published elastic specific storage estimates. Preliminary calculations based on this simple model suggest that the Santa Fe Group aquifer system beneath Albuquerque should be overconsolidated by about 1 to 1.5 MPa directly beneath the river, suggesting that irrecoverable virgin compaction should not begin until water level drawdowns exceed 100 to 150 m. The predicted degree of overconsolidation decreases with depth and laterally with distance from the valley center. In reality, the flanks of the basin are probably overconsolidated by tectonic uplift and subsequent erosion of an unknown thickness of sediment, which is not incorporated into the model, so the 1 MPa estimate is likely to be conservative. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.

Deep structure of the northern Rio Grande rift beneath the San Luis basin (Colorado) from a seismic reflection survey: implications for rift evolution

A seismic reflection survey by Chevron across the San Luis basin (northern Rio Grande rift) and San Juan volcanic field of southern Colorado is reprocessed with extended correlation to search for basement structure. The trace of the main bounding fault of the basin, a high-angle normal fault against the Sangre de Cristo Range, can be correlated to a wide zone of dipping reflection fabric and soles out at lower crustal depths (26–28 km). The deeper reflection fabric represent either broad extensional strain or pre-existing structure, such as a Laramide thrust system. The Sangre de Cristo bounding fault in San Luis basin does not sole out at mid-crustal depths but continues into the lower crust with a shallower dip. The basin architecture in the northern Rio Grande rift (San Luis basin) provides little if any evidence that the Sangre de Cristo bounding fault should flatten in a shallow listric fashion. This fault geometry is quite similar to the high-angle bounding fault in the Espanola basin but contrasts with less deeply-rooted faults in the Albuquerque basin in the central Rio Grande rift. Deeper soling out of the Sangre de Cristo bounding fault could be due to less extension in the northern Rio Grande rift and/or greater strength of the lithosphere compared to the central Rio Grande rift. Unequivocal Moho reflections beneath the San Luis basin cannot be identified, probably due to limited signal penetration or a gradational nature of the Moho. The majority of rift-related movement observed on the Sangre de Cristo bounding fault is post-Eocene. Either the western margin of the basin is marked by a tight monocline or a low-angle normal fault.

Stream bed temperature profiles as indicators of percolation characteristics beneath arroyos in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, USA

Stream bed temperature profiles were monitored continuously during water year 1990 and 1991 (WY90 and 91) in two New Mexico arroyos, similar in their meteorological features and dissimilar in their hydrological features. Stream bed temperature profiles between depths of 30 and 300 cm were examined to determine whether temporal changes in temperature profiles represent accurate indicators of the timing, depth and duration of percolation in each stream bed. These results were compared with stream flow, air temperature, and precipitation records for WY90 and 91, to evaluate the effect of changing surface conditions on temperature profiles. Temperature profiles indicate a persistently high thermal gradient with depth beneath Grantline Arroyo, except during a semi-annual thermal reversal in spring and autumn. This typifies the thermal response of dry sediments with low thermal conductivities. High thermal gradients were disrupted only during infrequent stream flows, followed by rapid re-establishment of high gradients. The stream bed temperature at 300 cm was unresponsive to individual precipitation or stream flow during WY90 and 91. This thermal pattern provides strong evidence that most seepage into Grantline Arroyo failed to percolate at a sufficient rate to reach 300 cm before being returned to the atmosphere. A distinctly different thermal pattern was recorded beneath Tijeras Arroyo. Low thermal gradients between 30 and 300 cm and large diurnal variations in temperature, suggest that stream flow created continuous, advection-dominated heat transport for over 300 days, annually. Beneath Tijeras Arroyo, low thermal gradients were interrupted only briefly during periodic, dry summer conditions. Comparisons of stream flow records for WY90 and 91 with stream bed temperature profiles indicate that independent analysis of thermal patterns provides accurate estimates of the timing, depth and duration of percolation beneath both arroyos. Stream flow loss estimates indicate that seepage rates were 15 times greater for Tijeras Arroyo than for Grantline Arroyo, which supports qualitative conclusions derived from analysis of stream bed temperature responses to surface conditions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stream bed temperature profiles as indicators of percolation characteristics beneath arroyos in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, USA

Stream bed temperature profiles as indicators of percolation characteristics beneath arroyos in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, USA

Miocene and Pliocene Sandstone Petrofacies of the Northern Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico, and Implications for Evolution of the Rio Grande Rift

ABSTRACT Sand(stone) petrofacies are an essential element in paleogeographic and paleotectonic reconstruction of nonmarine basins, such as those of the Rio Grande rift. The Miocene-Pliocene Santa Fe Group of the northern Albuquerque basin records development of the Rio Grande rift. The Santa Fe Group consists of alluvial, lacustrine, and eolian deposits. Three lithostratigraphic units (from oldest to youngest, the Zia, middle red, and Ceja) are petrologically indistinguishable, and therefore are all part of the Albuquerque petrofacies (QFL% 53-26-21). Also present is a locally derived volcanic-hypabyssal petrofacies. Sandstone composition and regional relations indicate that most of the Albuquerque petrofacies is the distal equivalent of Miocene petrofacies of the Espanola basin and southern Tusas Mountains. Equivalence of petrofacies in the two basins supports a hypothesis for two-stage development of the Rio Grande rift. During Middle to Late Miocene time, the two basins were connected to form one enlarged Espanola basin, an irregular west-tilted half graben formed by high-angle faulting on reactivated Laramide structures. In the latest Miocene, movement began on the Embudo-Pajarito-La Bajada-San Francisco-Rincon fault system, and the Sandia Mountains rose rapidly. In the process, the northern Albuquerque basin reversed its half-graben tilt from westward (as the southern part of the Miocene Espa ola basin) to eastward (the modern Albuquerque basin). The modern Albuquerque basin bears little resemblance to its Miocene counterpart.

Abstract :Controls on the Spatial Distribution of Calcite Cementation in Fault Zones: Examples from the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 

Abstract :Controls on the Spatial Distribution of Calcite Cementation in Fault Zones: Examples from the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 

In Darwin's Footsteps

“In Darwin's Footsteps” is an introduction to physical and historical geology, which is taught mainly in the field using Lyell's three-volume edition of Principles of Geology (1830–1833) as the primary text. The course was first taught as part of a Ford Foundation-funded program as a “Participatory Seminar” and is now taught in the General Honors Program at the University of New Mexico. The majority of the students are non-science majors, but they are expected to develop observational skills, record observations in notebooks and on maps, interpret their own observations, and formulate testable hypotheses. The emphasis is on the proper recording of geologic data and critical thinking. The final goal of the students is to write a geologic history, in this case of the Albuquerque Basin, based on the observations and maps that have been made by the students.

Using the Spatial Distribution of Calcite Cements to Infer Paleoflow in Fault Zones: Examples from the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico: ABSTRACT

Using the Spatial Distribution of Calcite Cements to Infer Paleoflow in Fault Zones: Examples from the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico: ABSTRACT

Steady State Groundwater Flow Across Idealized Faults

The effects of vertical faults on steady state groundwater flow are simulated using simple analytical solutions for horizontal flow across three domains that are linked by requiring continuity of head and flux. Hydraulic properties are vertically averaged, so that changes in transmissivity can be used to account for changes in aquifer thickness, juxtaposition of different aquifers across the fault, or some combination of the two. Vertical flow along the fault can be included through the use of a source‐sink term. Different combinations of transmissivity contrast and recharge/discharge produce distinct head profiles, which can be used to qualitatively infer the nature of real hydrogeologic systems. Observed hydraulic gradient ratios can also be used to calculate transmissivity ratios, and if information about fault zone thickness and an independent estimate for one of the three transmissivities is known, the magnitudes of the remaining two transmissivities can be calculated. Use of the model to interpret real flow systems is demonstrated using an example from the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico.

Permeability, porosity, and grain-size distribution of selected Pliocene and Quaternary sediments in the Albuquerque Basin

Permeability, porosity, and grain-size distribution of selected Pliocene and Quaternary sediments in the Albuquerque Basin

Spatial distribution of calcite cement in the Sante Fe Group, Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico: Implications for groundwater resources

Spatial distribution of calcite cement in the Sante Fe Group, Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico: Implications for groundwater resources

Patterns of cementation along a Cenozoic normal fault: A record of paleoflow orientations

The Sand Hill fault is a steeply dipping normal fault that cuts poorly consolidated sediments of the Albuquerque basin, New Mexico. The fault zone, which varies in width from ∼1 to 6 m, is selectively cemented by calcite. The margins of cemented areas are characterized locally by striking patterns of elongate cementation that have a strong subvertical orientation. We have considered a variety of possible mechanisms for the formation of these elongate cements, including deformation, weathering, rotation of adjacent cemented beds, and precipitation from flowing ground water. All but the latter can be ruled out. In addition, the elongate cements closely resemble elongate concretions that form from flowing ground water in sedimentary rocks. We conclude that the cements precipitated from flowing ground water, and are elongate parallel to the flow direction at the time of precipitation. Thus, these elongate cements provide an important constraint on models of fluid flow along faults in poorly consolidated sediments; i.e., the orientation of outcrop-scale flow.

Depth porosity relationships and virgin specific storage estimates for the Upper Sante Fe Group aquifer system, central Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

Depth porosity relationships and virgin specific storage estimates for the Upper Sante Fe Group aquifer system, central Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

Aquifer Recharge Studies in the Albuquerque Basin: Relating Grainsize Distributions to Hydraulic Conductivity: ABSTRACT

Aquifer Recharge Studies in the Albuquerque Basin: Relating Grainsize Distributions to Hydraulic Conductivity: ABSTRACT

Architecture of the Sierra Ladrones Formation, central New Mexico: Depositional controls on the permeability correlation structure

Statistical models of hydrogeological heterogeneity are often used in aquifer and reservoir characterization. The number of data required to estimate objectively the spatial correlation structure of permeability, however, is often prohibitive. The objective of this study was to develop a better understanding of how information about depositional processes can be used to characterize hydrogeological heterogeneity. An outcrop of the fluvial/interfluvial Sierra Ladrones Formation of New Mexico was studied for this purpose. On the basis of previous studies of paleogeography and our own field observations, deposits of the Sierra Ladrones Formation are interpreted as marginal ancestral Rio Grande flood-plain and tributary deposits. Architectural elements were mapped over a 0.16-km[sup 2] peninsular outcrop of Pliocene-Pleistocene deposits of the central Albuquerque Basin. Geostatistical analysis of the architectural-element map data indicates non-orthogonal anisotropy in the horizontal direction. The orientations of the strongest (N30[degree]W) and weakest (N90[degree]E) correlation correspond to the orientation of the tributary system and the ancestral Rio Grande flood plain, respectively. In the vertical direction, the correlation structure exhibits exponential behavior corresponding to the average-element thicknesses. The results demonstrate that information about depositional environment can be used to help to quantify statistically subsurface heterogeneity. 28 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.

A geophysical model of the Española Basin, Rio Grande rift, New Mexico

A model of the subsurface structure of the eastern part of the Española Basin in the northern Rio Grande rift of New Mexico was constructed from geophysical data obtained since 1983 by the Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE) field course. Approximately 742 new gravity observations, 1276 ground magnetic stations, 30 km of seismic refraction lines, 19 km of seismic reflection lines, 22 magnetotelluric stations, and several Schlumberger and dipole‐dipole resistivity lines were established. Our studies provide new information on one boundary of a major continental rift and on the depositional and structural style of an extensional basin within the rift. Integration of these data sets into a single transect indicates that the Española Basin is asymmetrical with approximately 2 to 3 km of sediments and sedimentary rocks near the center, thinning eastward to the Precambrian outcrop of the flanking Sangre de Cristo uplift. Several minor faults with throws of less than 200 m were found, but no major eastern bounding fault was observed. Thus, the Española Basin could be an asymmetrical, west‐dipping half‐graben. However, major fault offset, down toward the basin axis, may occur within Precambrian rocks of the Sangre de Cristo uplift. In either case, the geometry of the basin does not agree well with current models for the structural evolution of continental rifts, which emphasize low‐angle detachment faults which create asymmetrical, hinged half‐grabens. These models predict that major shoulder uplift should occur adjacent to the side of the graben bounded by a listric master fault rather than adjacent to the hinged side. In contrast, for the Española Basin major uplift occurred adjacent to the eastern side, which could be the hinged side of the basin. A thick wedge of older sedimentary rocks with high P‐wave velocity (4.4 km/s) and low electrical resistivity (5 Ω⋅m) was discovered under the younger Tertiary sediments and sedimentary rocks near the center of the basin. This wedge has maximum thickness of 1.2 km at the western end of the profile and thins eastward. The physical properties suggest this layer could be older Tertiary, or possibly a Mesozoic‐Paleozoic, section of rocks. If the latter, it has potential economic importance because of the possible presence of a Cretaceous section which is known to produce oil and gas in the Albuquerque Basin to the south and the San Luis Basin to the north. However, based on data from the Yates La Mesa no. 2 well, 10 km south of the transect, this wedge is likely middle Tertiary lacustrine deposits (NMOCD, 1986). The great thickness of lake deposits may represent a major lacustrine facies of the Eocene Galisteo and El Rito formations, exposed around the southern, southwestern, and northwestern margins of the basin. Magnetotelluric data suggest the crystalline basement underlying the central Española Basin may be more conductive than near the eastern margin. The entire Española Basin is also underlain by a highly conductive layer of about 1 Ω⋅m at a depth of 15 km. Both the shallow and deep low‐resistivity zones may result from hot, saline fluids. Such fluids deep within the crust may reduce the shear strength of the crust significantly and concentrate crustal extension on the west side of the rift.