Geochemical processes and baselines from stream waters for Soda Butte-Lamar Basin and Firehole- Gibbon Basin
Miller WR, Meier AL, Briggs PH. 1997. Geochemical processes and baselines from stream waters for Soda Butte-Lamar Basin and Firehole- Gibbon Basin. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Open-File Report. 97-550. US Geological Service. Reston, VA
When precipitation, as rain and snow, falls within a drainage basin, water comes into contact with rock-forming minerals and chemical weathering is initiated. Chemical weathering within a basin involves the congruent dissolution of minerals such as calcite or the transformation of minerals such as plagioclase to clay minerals. These processes release elements to the natural waters of a basin. Therefore the chemical composition of natural waters that evolved within a basin that has not been effected by anthropogenic processes, is determined by the chemical composition of rocks within the basin. The major element composition of most rock types are generally known from geologic maps, and therefore the major element composition of natural waters of a basin can be predicted. This is not true with respect to trace elements which can vary two or more orders of magnitude within similar rock types. This background geochemistry of the natural waters of a basin can be modified by input from anthropogenic processes such as nuclear fallout or the oxidation of mining wastes. There is probably no place in the world in which the natural background composition of waters of an area has not been modified to some extent by anthropogenic processes. This anthropogenic input is always superimposed on the natural background geochemistry. But areas can be selected, such as National Parks, which are only minimally effected by anthropogenic input and an approximation of the natural background geochemistry can be determined. This information is useful for an understanding of the processes controlling the chemical composition of waters of a basin. In addition, because stream water geochemistry is sensitive to changes in the environment, by monitoring stream water geochemistry over time, future changes in the environment within the basin can be determined. The purpose of this study is to determine the natural geochemical baseline of selected stream waters in Yellowstone National Park (fig. 1), for one period of time, for a wide range of major and minor elements.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Miller, William; Meier, Allen; Briggs, Paul
- Date of Issue
- 1997
- Publisher
- US Geological Service
- Units
- HIST , YELL
- Keywords
- Aquatic Sciences, Chemistry, ehistory, Firehole River Drainage, Geochemistry, Gibbon River drainage, History, Hydrology, Lamar River Drainage, Pollution, Rev, Soda Butte Creek drainage, Trace Elements, Water Quality