SGER: Exploratory Research in Isotope Hydrology

SGER：同位素水文学的探索性研究

• 批准号: 0731268
• 负责人: Neil Sturchio
• 金额: $ 1.24万
• 依托单位: University of Illinois at Chicago
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-07-01 至 2008-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0731268&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SGER; Exploratory; Research; Isotope; Hydrology

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.

通过应用水中氢和氧的同位素比率测量，我们对水循环的了解大大增强了。然而，由于传统的同位素测量技术造成的限制，在理解水文循环方面的进一步进展受到限制，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。具有传统实验室测量的准确性和精确度的实时同位素监测仪器的提供，可能导致在理解水文循环以及实时监测水质；堤坝、大坝、垃圾填埋场、水井或管道的渗漏；火山危害；以及影响人类健康的其他现象等实际应用方面取得重大的根本性进展。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格雷布尔附近，通过井塞泄漏的水可能会流向一个被称为戴维斯牧场的牧场。提议租用洛斯加托斯研究所的液水同位素分析仪，用于测量向Davis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是确定洛斯加托斯研究中心的液态水同位素分析仪是否能令人满意地进行实时环境水研究。这一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来完成相同测量的仪器的五分之一，而且它可能安装在现场，这将大大超出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，将同位素比率测量应用于水文学。更广泛的影响：该项目将进行探索性研究，在验证一种新型仪器在液态水的实时同位素测量方面的应用方面可能产生重大影响。新的仪器方法可能会改变在水文调查中使用同位素测量的方式。此外，如果这种仪器被证明是成功的，那么它将使同位素能力得到更广泛的利用，因为它的成本更低，操作更简单，而且能够在现场部署。