Dye Tracing in Karst Terrain

Dye Tracing in Karst Terrain

John Hoffelt, PGJohn Hoffelt, PG

Karst Hydrogeologist Tennessee Division of Superfund

Karst Hydrogeologist Tennessee Division of Superfund

What Is Karst?

Karst is a landform characterized by subsurface

drainage.

Sinkholes

Springs

Sinking Streams

Caves Common Features of Karst

Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide ++++ WaterWater

Carbonic AcidCarbonic Acid

Limestone

Dissolves

Geochemical Processes in Karst

This action is responsible for forming solutionally enlarged conduits that can become a network of caves and

subsurface drainage systems.

This action is responsible for forming solutionally enlarged conduits that can become a network of caves and

subsurface drainage systems.

Investigation ToolsInvestigation Tools

Inorganic SaltInorganic Salt

Fluorescent DyeFluorescent Dye

Biologic AgentBiologic Agent

Fluorescent Dye Injection

Viewed Under Incandescent Light

Viewed Under Incandescent Light

Viewed Under Ultraviolet LightViewed Under Ultraviolet Light

Optical Brighteners on Cotton

Incandescent

UltravioletUltraviolet

Monitor wells and springs to show hydrologic

connection

Monitor wells and springs to show hydrologic

connection

Field

Laboratory

Reporting

Karst Inventory

Analyze Samples

Evaluate Data and Provide Maps

Collect Data

Collect Samples

Sinking Streams

Caves

Springs

Sinking Streams

Caves

Springs

Karst InventoryKarst Inventory

Identify:Identify:

Cave MappingCave Mapping

Stream SurveyStream Survey

Well HouseWell House

Water Level Contours

Note: Sycamore Tree

Note: Sycamore Tree

Automatic Water Sampling

Step 3

Passive Dye ReceptorsPassive Dye Receptors

Dye Tracing - Field WorkDye Tracing - Field Work

Dye Injection Into a Sinking

Stream

Dye Injection Into a Sinking

Stream

DYE WAVELENGTH INFORMATION

EXCITATION WAVELENGTH

EMISSION WAVELENGTHDYE

Water Elutant Water Elutant Optical Brightener

Tinopal 382 380 397 398

Direct Yellow Direct Yellow 96

435 440 450 458

Fluorescein CI Acid Yellow 73

492 498 507 516

Eosine OJ CI Acid Red 87

521 524 536 542

D&C Red 28 CI Acid Red 92

538 545 553 563

Rhodamine WT CI Acid Red 388

558 551 573 569

Sulphorhodamine B CI Acid Red 52

567 560 582 578

Note: Wavelength information provided in nanometers for typical dye batches analyzed under specified settings.

Well InjectionWell Injection

Trench InjectionTrench Injection

Lab analysis using a scanning spectrofluorophotometer

Lab analysis using a scanning spectrofluorophotometer

Dye recovery at Big Swamp Spring over 10day interval in Nov, 2000. Rainfall of

2 to 3 inches over Nov 8 - Nov 10.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

475 500 525 550 575 600 625

Wavelength (nanometers)

Flu

ore

scen

ce u

nit

s7-Nov AM

8-Nov PM

9-Nov AM

10-Nov AM

10-Nov PM

11-Nov AM

12-Nov PM

14-Nov PM

15_Nov PM

17-Nov PM

Relative Fluorescence Spectrum

Dye Breakthrough Curve

500

Fluo

resc

ence

uni

ts 400

300

200

100

0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Time (hours)

Dye Trace and Data Narrative

Dye Trace and Data Narrative

Karst Inventory MapKarst Inventory Map

Area Well InformationArea Well Information

Water Level and Flow Information Water Level and Flow Information

Groundwater Flow Routes

Groundwater Flow Routes

The Final Evaluation

Report Should

Provide...

Karst Areas of the US

Thank YouThank You

John Hoffelt, PGJohn Hoffelt, PG

Karst Hydrogeologist Tennessee Division of Superfund

Karst Hydrogeologist Tennessee Division of Superfund