Isotopic evidence for paleohydrologic evolution of ground-water flow paths, southern Great Plains, United States

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1989 Isotopic evidence for paleohydrologic evolution of ground-water flow paths, southern Great Plains, United States Alan R. Dutton; Alan R. Dutton 1Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar William W. Simpkins William W. Simpkins 1Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Alan R. Dutton 1Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 William W. Simpkins 1Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78713 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1989) 17 (7): 653–656. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0653:IEFPEO>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Alan R. Dutton, William W. Simpkins; Isotopic evidence for paleohydrologic evolution of ground-water flow paths, southern Great Plains, United States. Geology 1989;; 17 (7): 653–656. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0653:IEFPEO>2.3.CO;2 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A confined aquifer in Triassic Dockum Group sandstone beneath the southern Great Plains was isolated from hypothesized paleorecharge areas in eastern New Mexico by Pleistocene erosion of the Pecos and Canadian river valleys and formation of hydrologic divides. Truncation of the flow system left meteoric water in the confined aquifer with mean δD and δ18O values that are 17‰ and 2.0‰,respectively, lighter than those in the overlying High Plains aquifer. Thick upper Dockum mudstone retards downward flow from the High Plains aquifer, which has been recharged by isotopically heavy precipitation during the Holocene. Recharge to the confined aquifer occurred at altitudes of 1600 to 2200 m in proximal Dockum sandstone facies since eroded in eastern New Mexico, at a mean temperature 3 °C cooler than present temperature across the southern High Plains. Effects of Pleistocene climatic change on isotopic composition of Dockum ground water could be superposed over geomorphologic effects. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.