Recharge and source‐water insights from the Galapagos Islands using noble gases and stable isotopes

Abstract

Through a combined noble gas and stable isotope study carried out in the Galapagos Islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, we demonstrate the utility of atmospheric noble gases in identifying recharge areas and timing of recharge in fractured, basaltic systems. Timing of recharge obtained through noble gas temperatures (NGTs) for all samples is corroborated by stable isotopes. Except for one sample, combined NGTs and stable isotope analyses point to recharge during the hot season for all low‐altitude (<∼420 m) spring samples from San Cristobal and all basal aquifer samples in Santa Cruz. Stable isotope comparisons also indicate that San Cristobal springs located at high altitudes (>420 m above sea level) are recharged during both the “garúa” and hot seasons. Preservation of seasonality independently recorded by NGTs and stable isotopes is further reinforced by estimated young water ages. Samples located at high‐altitude display systematic deviations of dissolved noble gases from expected air saturated water values and lead to inconsistent recharge altitudes and temperatures using standard NGT models. Existing degassing models are unable to account for the observed noble gas pattern for most samples. We explore various mechanisms to assess their potential at reproducing the observed noble gas signature. In particular, the potential impact of fog droplets during the cooler “garúa” season on dissolved noble gas concentrations in groundwater and the effect of mixing high‐altitude (≥1500 m) rainwater with low‐altitude (∼400 m) fog droplets is explored. This mixing hypothesis is capable of explaining Ne and Xe concentrations for most high‐altitude samples.