FAST, REGIONAL CONDUIT FLOW TO AN EXCEPTIONAL-VALUE SPRING-FED CREEK: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOURCE-WATER PROTECTION IN MANTLED KARST OF SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

摘要: Karst springs of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, are important water resources, but their sources and flow paths unknown. We traced in a mantled- karst groundwater system the Great Valley section Ridge Physiographic Province using fluorescent dyes, with focus on Big Spring Creek. Upper Creek is assigned High Quality/Exceptional Value status by Pennsylvania based its high quality value as multi-use resource exceptional recreational or ecological significance. Subsurface followed geologic strike after Sulpho Rhodamine B (Acid Red 52) dye was released exposed carbonates. had maximum effective linear velocity 2.5 km d 21 , which 8 times greater than sodium fluorescein Yellow 73) separately into losing stream over colluvium (0.3 ). detected strongly 8.9 away at Creek's largest source spring (,250 ppt water; 50 ppb eluate), weakly an east (2.5 eluate). Sodium four weeks 0.07 to 0.15 eluate Huntsdale Hatchery, 9.5 from release atop colluvial mantle. Slow derived streams mantle likely maintains similar systems. However, this recharge distant, passes below features valley center, creating many opportunities for contamination. Future studies contaminant sediment loadings subterranean basins source-water protection strategies that recognize these patterns necessary protect streams.