Deducing Flow Path Mixing by Storm-Induced Bulk Chemistry and REE Variations in Two Karst Springs: With Trends Like These Who Needs Anomalies? Corresponding author: James L. Berglund, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19122,
[email protected] Laura Toran, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19122,
[email protected] Ellen K. Herman, Department of Geology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA, 17837,
[email protected] Citation: Berglund, J.L. Toran, L., and Herman, E.K. 2019. Deducing Flow Path Mixing by Storm-Induced Bulk Chemistry and REE Variations in Two Karst Springs: With Trends Like These Who Needs Anomalies? Journal of Hydrology 571: 349-364. Key words: karst; karst spring; rare earth elements; storm hydrograph; flow mixing; Valley and Ridge Province 1 Abstract Karst aquifers are dynamic hydrologic systems which can be sensitive to short-term recharge events (storms) and heterogeneous recharge characteristics (point recharge at sinks, irregular soil thicknesses). In this study, two adjacent karst springs, Tippery Spring and Near Tippery Spring, were monitored to better understand flow and source mixing characteristics in response to two storms in May and June 2017. Monitoring techniques included high-resolution discharge and temperature logging and collection of spring water using automatic samplers to analyze chemical parameters such as stable water isotopes and Mg/Ca ratios along with Ca/Zr ratios and rare earth elements (REEs) which have had limited testing in karst systems. The two springs exhibited behaviors which were both unique to each spring and shared depending on which parameter is considered.