Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

A groundbreaking study reveals that treated wastewater from Grand Canyon Village influences both Garden Springs and Monument Spring, challenging long-held assumptions about discharge locations. Using anthropogenic tracers—including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and nitrate—the research identifies preferential groundwater pathways within the complex fault network of the Grand Canyon, distinguishing conduits from barriers to flow. Stable isotopic measurements further confirm the wastewater's contribution at Monument Spring, providing critical insights into subsurface hydrology. This approach offers a novel method for studying fracture flow and karst systems, with broader implications for water resource management in similar geological settings.

Beisner, K. R., Paretti, N. V., Jasmann, J. R., & Barber, L. B. (2023). Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 48, 101461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101461