SGER: Exploratory Research in Isotope Hydrology

我们对水文循环的认识，已大大提高了应用同位素比值测量的氢和氧在水中。然而，由于传统同位素测量技术的限制，进一步了解水文循环的进展受到限制，这些技术涉及零星的样品采集间隔和相对较长的保存和分析时间。实时同位素监测仪器的可用性具有常规实验室测量的准确性和精密度，可以在理解水文循环以及诸如实时监测水质等实际应用方面取得重大的根本进展；堤防、水坝、堆填区、水井或管道渗漏；火山灾害;以及其他影响人类健康的现象。密封不当的油井泄漏有可能污染用于公共供应的地下水。其中一口这样的井位于怀俄明州的格雷布尔附近，通过井塞泄漏的水可能流向一个被称为戴维斯牧场的牧场。建议租用洛斯加托斯研究液态水同位素分析仪，用于测量为戴维斯牧场供水的泉水和地表水的同位素组成。这项调查的一个附带好处将是确定洛斯加托斯研究液态水同位素分析仪是否适合实时环境水研究。这台仪器引起了地球科学界的极大兴趣，因为它的成本大约是目前用于完成相同测量的传统仪器的五分之一，而且因为它可能被放置在现场，这将大大超过现有同位素测量设备的能力。智力价值：这项研究的智力价值在于它探索了一种新的方法来应用同位素比值测量在水文学。更广泛的影响：该项目将进行探索性研究，在验证用于液态水实时同位素测量的新型仪器的应用方面可能产生重大影响。新的仪器方法可能潜在地改变同位素测量在水文调查中的使用方式。此外，如果仪器被证明在此类应用中是成功的，那么它将使同位素能力得到更广泛的应用，因为它降低了成本和更简单的操作，以及它的现场部署能力。

Our understanding of the hydrologic cycle has been enhanced substantially by the application of isotope ratio measurements of hydrogen and oxygen in water. Further progress in understanding the hydrologic cycle is limited, however, by the constraints imposed by conventional isotopic measurement techniques, which involve sporadic sample collection intervals and relatively long holding and analysis times. The availability of instrumentation for real-time isotope monitoring, having the accuracy and precision of conventional laboratory-based measurements, could lead to significant fundamental advances in understanding the hydrologic cycle as well as practical applications such as real-time monitoring of water quality; leakage of levees, dams, landfills, wells, or pipes; volcanic hazards; and other phenomena with impact on human health. Leakage from improperly sealed oil wells has the potential to contaminate ground waters used for public supply. One such well is located near Greybull, Wyoming, and water leaking past well plugs may be flowing to a ranch, known as the Davis Ranch. It is proposed that a Los Gatos Research Liquid-Water Isotope Analyzer be leased and used to measure the isotopic composition of springs and surface waters providing water to the Davis Ranch. A side benefit of this investigation will be to determine if the Los Gatos Research Liquid-Water Isotope Analyzer is satisfactory for real-time environmental water studies. This instrument is of great interest to the geosciences community because its cost is about one-fifth that of current instrumentation used conventionally to accomplish the same measurements, and because it potentially might be located on site, which would substantially exceed the capabilities of existing isotopic measurement equipment. Intellectual Merit: The intellectual merit of this research lies in its exploration of a novel approach to the application of isotope ratio measurements in hydrology. Broader Impact: This project will perform exploratory research that could have significant impact in terms of validating the application of a new type of instrumentation for real-time isotopic measurements of liquid water. The new instrumental approach could potentially transform the way in which isotopic measurements are used in hydrologic investigations. In addition, if the instrumentation is demonstrated to be successful for such applications, then it will make isotopic capabilities much more widely available because of its reduced cost and simpler operation, as well as its capability for field deployment.