Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

2506

Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Earth Sciences

Concentration

Geology

Committee Chair

Daniel Larsen

Committee Member

Randel Cox

Committee Member

George Swihart

Abstract

In this study, the source of historical chloride anomalies in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer from southeast Arkansas is investigated using spatial statistical and geochemical techniques. The spatial statistical and geochemical techniques are employed to determine whether the source of the saline groundwater is due to evaporative processes in the soil column, injection of saline fluids from depth, or infiltration from rivers. Spatial statistical analyses show chloride anomalies in the alluvial aquifer are more closely related to tectonic features associated with the injection of saline fluids from depth than evaporative concentration of soil waters that may have recharged groundwater. Geochemical data and some hydrologic tracers independently suggest anomlaies are from the injection of saline fluids from depth, likely from the Smackover and Lower Wilcox formations in southern Arkansas. However, stable isotope data suggest evaporative processes further exacerbate the salinity problem.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Download

Share

COinS