Isotopes, Geochemistry, Citizen Science and Local Partnerships as Tools to Build upon a Fractured Understanding of the Hydrology of the Northern Patagonia Mountains Item Type text; Electronic Thesis Authors Schrag-Toso, Sean Conrad Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 05/10/2021 06:19:41 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/641693 ISOTOPES, GEOCHEMISTRY, CITIZEN SCIENCE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS AS TOOLS TO BUILD UPON A FRACTURED UNDERSTANDING OF THE HYDROLOGY OF THE NORTHERN PATAGONIA MOUNTAINS By Sean Schrag-Toso __________________________________________ Copyright © Sean Schrag-Toso 2020 A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of: MASTER OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2020 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: Sean Conrad Schrag-Toso 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research revolves around groundwater, one of the most precious resources in the arid West. In the course of developing an understanding of this resource, I seek to acknowledge the many groups of people who have accompanied me through the learning process: the community of Cerro Pita, in Panama, who hosted me for two years during my Peace Corps service which planted the seed for a career in water resources; the professionals who have devoted their lives to advancing the field of hydrology; and, the citizens of the Town of Patagonia, who are feeling the effects of uncertainty around this precious resource. I am grateful for your influence and for the lessons you have taught me. Kristine Uhlman, with decades of experience, voluntarily chose to mentor and advise me throughout this research. Thank you, Kristine, for your guidance and dedication to mentoring the next generation of water resources professionals and for the bowls of phở. Thank you, Dr. Jennifer McIntosh, for patiently advising me throughout this research. I have been inspired by your attention to detail, calm leadership, and patience in teaching. Numerous other individuals have volunteered their time and expertise to this research. Thank you Floyd Gray, James Callegary, and Chris Eastoe, for responding to my many emails, providing expertise and for meeting to discuss the project and its goals. From Patagonia, I would like to thank Dave Ellis and Carolyn Shafer for your enthusiasm and leadership in the Patagonia area. To Howard from the Audubon Society, thank you for enduring a day of sampling as we drove around the Patagonia Mountains in my car that lacked air conditioning and tends to backfire. To Dr. McIntosh’s research group: Chandler, for answering my impromptu questions and advice on writing, Alyssa, for the encouragement and exchange of ideas, and the rest of the research group for their feedback and guidance. To the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences: thank you Tim for the help in the lab and for sharing decades of knowledge on the hydrology of Southern Arizona, and to Thomas, Kathy, Sarah, and Anna for the help with grants. Thank you, Terrie, for the unsolicited snacks that power the student body in Harshbarger. Additionally, I want to thank my friends in the hydrology department, in particular: Amy, Garrett, Cara, Ammon, Neha, and Charlie for being an endless source of laughter, encouragement, and knowledge. Funding for this project was provided by a 104b grant through the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Climate and Society (CLIMAS) Fellowship, funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and in-kind contributions from partners and advisors. Lastly, thank you, Georgia Ehlers for directing the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow program which allows for continued service, balanced work, and financial support for returned Peace Corps Volunteers throughout graduate school. 4 Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9 Hydrologic Motivations ............................................................................................................... 9 Societal Motivation ................................................................................................................... 11 Local Partnerships ..................................................................................................................... 11 The Town of Patagonia’s Flood and Flow Committee .......................................................... 12 Patagonia Area Water Study ................................................................................................. 13 Objectives...................................................................................................................................... 13 Hydrologic objectives ................................................................................................................ 13 Societal objectives .................................................................................................................... 14 Background ................................................................................................................................... 14 Study Area ................................................................................................................................. 14 Climate ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Geology ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Hydrogeology ............................................................................................................................ 16 Fractured Bedrock ................................................................................................................. 16 Porous Media Flow ............................................................................................................... 18 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 19 Overland Flow ....................................................................................................................... 19 Water Table and Groundwater Recharge ............................................................................. 19 Springs ................................................................................................................................... 20 Acid Rock Drainage/Pyrite Oxidation .................................................................................... 20 Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 21 Field Methods ........................................................................................................................... 21 Laboratory Methods ................................................................................................................. 22 Radiocarbon Age Corrections ................................................................................................... 23 Previous Works used for Comparison ...................................................................................... 25 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 26 Field Parameters ....................................................................................................................... 26 Alkalinity .................................................................................................................................... 27 Major Ions ................................................................................................................................. 27 5 Trace Elements .......................................................................................................................... 27 Stable Water Isotopes ............................................................................................................... 28 Stable Isotopes of Sulfate ......................................................................................................... 28 Age Tracers................................................................................................................................ 29 Hydrologic Discussion