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dc.contributor.authorFouty, Suzanne C.
dc.creatorFouty, Suzanne C.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2011-11-28T13:51:41Z
dc.date.available2011-11-28T13:51:41Z
dc.date.issued1989en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10150/191343
dc.description.abstractThe chloride mass-balance method can be used to evaluate long-term groundwater recharge rates, geomorphic-surface ages, modern and past root and percolation depths, and surface stability in arid and semi-arid regions. The variation of chloride concentration with depth in the soil forms the basis of the method. This variation is graphically portrayed as chloride versus depth and cumulative chloride versus depth plots. Both plots have an upper zone where chloride is concentrated by evapotranspiration and a lower zone which represents water and solute flux below the roots. Previous studies using the mass-balance method have assumed constant precipitation and chloride inputs through time, and invoked piston flow as the mechanism of water and solute transport. These assumptions are not valid in semiarid and arid regions, In unsaturated, heterogeneous sediments, or over thousands of years. Uncertainties In precipitation and chloride inputs limits the precision of long-term recharge-rate and surface-age calculations because the calculations are highly sensitive to the precipitation and chloride inputs, and bulk density values selected. The chloride method should be restricted to unconsolidated sediments to minimize the occurrence of fracture flow and runoff that complicate surface-age and recharge calculations for consolidated sediments. Surface-age calculations, using this method, are only valid for stable, nonaggrad.tng surfaces. Recharge calculations are valid only in zones where chloride concentrations at depth reflect secondary chloride.
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherThe University of Arizona.en_US
dc.rightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.en_US
dc.subjectHydrology.
dc.subjectGroundwater recharge -- Arid regions.
dc.subjectGroundwater recharge -- Nevada.
dc.subjectGeomorphology -- Nevada.
dc.titleChloride mass balance as a method for determining long-term groundwater recharge rates and geomorphic-surface stability in arid and semi-arid regions, Whisky Flat and Beatty, Nevadaen_US
dc.typeThesis-Reproduction (electronic)en_US
dc.typetexten_US
dc.identifier.oclc228033626en_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Arizonaen_US
thesis.degree.levelmastersen_US
dc.contributor.committeememberBull, W. B.en_US
dc.contributor.committeememberBaker, V. R.en_US
dc.contributor.committeememberDavis, O. K.en_US
dc.contributor.committeememberStone, W. J.en_US
thesis.degree.disciplineGeosciencesen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineGraduate Collegeen_US
thesis.degree.nameM.S.en_US
dc.description.notehydrology collectionen_US
refterms.dateFOA2018-06-23T02:05:02Z
html.description.abstractThe chloride mass-balance method can be used to evaluate long-term groundwater recharge rates, geomorphic-surface ages, modern and past root and percolation depths, and surface stability in arid and semi-arid regions. The variation of chloride concentration with depth in the soil forms the basis of the method. This variation is graphically portrayed as chloride versus depth and cumulative chloride versus depth plots. Both plots have an upper zone where chloride is concentrated by evapotranspiration and a lower zone which represents water and solute flux below the roots. Previous studies using the mass-balance method have assumed constant precipitation and chloride inputs through time, and invoked piston flow as the mechanism of water and solute transport. These assumptions are not valid in semiarid and arid regions, In unsaturated, heterogeneous sediments, or over thousands of years. Uncertainties In precipitation and chloride inputs limits the precision of long-term recharge-rate and surface-age calculations because the calculations are highly sensitive to the precipitation and chloride inputs, and bulk density values selected. The chloride method should be restricted to unconsolidated sediments to minimize the occurrence of fracture flow and runoff that complicate surface-age and recharge calculations for consolidated sediments. Surface-age calculations, using this method, are only valid for stable, nonaggrad.tng surfaces. Recharge calculations are valid only in zones where chloride concentrations at depth reflect secondary chloride.


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