Tracking Salinity Sources to Texas Streams: Examples from West Texas and the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain

摘要: Abstract Upper Colorado River (West Texas) and Petronila Creek (Texas Coastal Plain) salinities exceed state regulatory standards. For a recent study, airborne conductivity surveys located points of saline influx. Hydrochemical analyses defined salinity trends potential sources. Both streams comprise Na-Cl hydrochemical facies are near hydrocarbon production operations. decreases downstream overall (8,430-1,540 mg/L total dissolved solids [TDS], during this study) with local trend reversals. Stream-proximal shallow Permian groundwaters sulfate enriched from evaporite dissolution. Stream-water chloride predominance is mitigated by sulfate-enriched base flow. Anomalous increases along the stream path correlate proximity to anomalously water wells oil fields. Conservative (Br/Cl) mixing models suggest hydraulic connection between wells, deep-basin brines, streams. (233-15,180 TDS). The highest (28,100 mg/L) in study area observed tributary ditch that previously was used for oil-field brine discharge. either Tertiary-age or seawater might constitute source salinity. However, boron data probably source. Sulfate (relative chloride) more concentrated surface than expected evaporation reflects soil-gypsum