PRODUCTION OF GROUNDWATER TRACING PARTICLES FOR EVALUATING KARST GROUNDWATER CONNECTIONS

At an enhanced aquifer recharge research site (EAR site) in a water supply aquifer, nontoxic groundwater tracing particles (GTP) are needed to evaluate conduit pathways for particles. The site is located in the Eastern Arbuckle Simpson aquifer near the largest spring in Oklahoma, Byrds Mill Spring, which is the water supply for Ada, Oklahoma. The GTP production requires nontoxic particles to trace conduit connections between sinkholes, wells, and Byrds Mill Spring. Two different tracers are being produced to tracer test the aquifer based on regulatory approval: salt tracers and GTP. The GTP are unique to this study in both application and composition but adapted from previous surface water work in karst. The GTP produced for this study are both fluorescent and magnetic. These elements will aid in GTP identification and collection throughout the tracer test domain. The production procedures for these GTP will be explored. The GTP will be composed of food grade sodium alginate gel with borosilicate glass beads for buoyancy. Nontoxic uranine fluorescent dye will be used for fluorescence and natural magnetite power will be used to make the particles magnetic.