THE WATER QUALITY CHALLENGE: USING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK TECTONIC SALINITY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT IMPAIR SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER
Two integrated datasets are presented to demonstrate how a quantitative loading model for particular solutes of concern (in this case, sulfate and arsenic) can be integrated with climate change scenarios. (1) Traditional ‘campaign’ water sampling over the 2006-2013 water years along a 60 km reach of the Jemez shows that during low flow the salinity, sulfate concentration, and arsenic concentration all exceed designated use limits. Trace elements and carbon isotopes demonstrate the extent of geothermal inflows. Stable isotopes of water (D, O) can be used for hydrograph separation. (2) The deployment of continuous sensors for temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen in the Jemez in 2010-2013 provides information on coupling of discharge, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and specific conductance at a highly resolved timescale. Combined, these results indicate the need for a wider application of environmental sensors in hydrologic systems to inform water management decisions. Climate change scenarios predicting reduced snowpack and changes in runoff timing, linked to a solute loading/discharge model and our hydrochemical data, highlight serious water quality concerns for the Jemez river and the downstream stakeholders.