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Isotope hydrology and baseflow geochemistry in natural and human-altered watersheds in the Inland Pacific Northwest, USA.
- Source :
-
Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies . Jun2015, Vol. 51 Issue 2, p231-254. 24p. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- This study presents a stable isotope hydrology and geochemical analysis in the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the USA. Isotope ratios were used to estimate mean transit times (MTTs) in natural and human-altered watersheds using the FLOWPC program. Isotope ratios in precipitation resulted in a regional meteoric water line ofδ2H = 7.42·δ18O + 0.88 (n = 316;r2 = 0.97). Isotope compositions exhibited a strong temperature-dependent seasonality. Despite this seasonal variation, the streamδ18O variation was small. A significant regression (τ = 0.11D−1.09;r2 = 0.83) between baseflow MTTs and the damping ratio was found. Baseflow MTTs ranged from 0.4 to 0.6 years (human-altered), 0.7 to 1.7 years (mining-altered), and 0.7 to 3.2 years (forested). Greater MTTs were represented by more homogenous aqueous chemistry whereas smaller MTTs resulted in more dynamic compositions. The isotope and geochemical data presented provide a baseline for future hydrological modelling in the inland PNW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10256016
- Volume :
- 51
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 102578513
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2015.1008468