INTERDISCIPLINARY MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CANE SPRING AREA OF THE MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE: INITIAL PROJECT FINDINGS

Blueprint Earth reports new findings regarding the hydrology and geology of the Cane Spring system in the Mojave National Preserve. GIS Software is used to visualize and process field data for analytical use establishing relations between the geology, hydrology and biology of the Cane Spring area. Prior hydrologic information available through the National Park Service covered solely pH, conductivity, and TDS. Surveys conducted as part of Blueprint Earth's environmental cataloging efforts throughout 2014 and 2015 have identified at least three previously undocumented areas of surface water expression. Stream flow sampling was performed during March and June 2015 at six sites throughout the Cane Spring Central and West areas. Initial analysis of cations, anions, and nutrients reveal significant variations between sampled sites, suggesting the need for further investigation into the nature of the Cane Spring system. It is our intent to conduct a seasonal analysis of sample sites, and perform repeat analysis throughout a 12-18 month period. Stable water isotopes will be applied to potentially determine multiple water sources. Future geologic work will include geochemical analysis and potential use of cosmogenic nuclide dating techniques. Results from this project further refine understanding of lithostratigraphic units and the geologic development of the region, the micro-environment, and the geohydrologic environment in and around the Cane Spring complex.