Skip Links

USGS HomeContact USGSSearch USGS

Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5299

Pubs Warehouse

##### In cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

## Recent (2003–05) Water Quality of Barton Springs, Austin, Texas, With Emphasis on Factors Affecting Variability

#### By Barbara J. Mahler, Bradley D. Garner, MaryLynn Musgrove, Amber L. Guilfoyle, and Mohan V. Rao

----

**Suggested citation:**

Mahler, B.J., Garner, B.D., Musgrove, M., Guilfoyle, A.L., and Rao, M.V., 2006, Recent (2003–05) water quality of Barton Springs, Austin, Texas, with emphasis on factors affecting variability: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5299, 83 p., 5 appendixes.

----

### Contents

Abstract

Introduction 

Purpose and Scope

Overview of Karst Systems 

Study Area Description and Previous Studies

Geologic Setting

Sources of Recharge

Discharge From the Aquifer

General Ground-Water-Flow Direction

Saline Zone Boundary

Water Quality in the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer

Chemical Species and Contaminants of Interest

Nutrients

Pesticides

Volatile Organic Compounds 

Acknowledgments

Methods

Study Design

Discharge Measurements

Recharge Estimation

Physicochemical Property Measurements

Water-Quality Sample Collection

Analytical Methods

Water Quality of Barton Springs (2003–05)

Continuous Discharge and Physicochemical Measurements

Spring Discharge

Specific Conductance

Turbidity

Temperature

pH

Dissolved Oxygen

Water Quality Over an Annual Cycle

Major Ions

Differences in Geochemistry Among Spring Orifices

Temporal Variability in Major Ion Concentrations and Relation to Recharge and Discharge

Nutrients

Differences in Nitrate Concentrations Among Spring Orifices

Temporal Variability in Nitrate Concentrations and Relation to Recharge and Discharge

Trace Elements

Soluble Pesticides

Detection Frequencies and Concentrations

Differences in Pesticide Concentrations Among Spring Orifices

Temporal Variability in Pesticide Concentrations and Relation to Recharge and Discharge

Volatile Organic Compounds

Detection Frequencies and Concentrations

Differences in Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Detection Frequencies Among Spring Orifices

Temporal Variability in Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Relation to Recharge and Discharge

Comparison of Pesticide and Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations in Spring Waters and Ground Waters

Pharmaceuticals

Annual Loads of Ubiquitous Contaminants

Response of Barton Springs to Stormflow

Variation in Physicochemical Properties in Response to Storms

Streamflow and Spring Discharge

Specific Conductance and Turbidity

Major Ions

Nutrients

Soluble Pesticides

Volatile Organic Compounds

Pharmaceuticals

Storm-Related Loads of Contaminants

Synthesis—Factors That Affect Water-Quality Variability

Water Quality 

Relation of Spring Geochemistry to Flow Paths

Sources of Water to Barton Springs

Aquifer Functioning in Response to Flow Conditions

Limitations of This Investigation 

Summary

References

Appendix 1—Review of Historical (1974–2003) Water-Quality Data

Appendix 2—Historical Data

Appendix 3—Quality-Assurance/Quality-Control Data

Appendix 4—Routine Sampling Data

Appendix 5—Storm Sampling Data

 

----

AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey	URL: *http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/sir/2006/5299/index.html*	Questions or Assistance: Contact USGS	Last modified: Thursday, 01-Dec-2016 19:34:42 EST