Award Date
May 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geoscience
First Committee Member
Shichun Huang
Second Committee Member
Michael Nicholl
Third Committee Member
Minghua Ren
Fourth Committee Member
Jacimaria Batista
Number of Pages
145
Abstract
Comprehending the natural water resource is imperative for the entire state of Nevada and of particular significance for Southern Nevada, where rapid population growth and climate change are placing significant strain on supplies. This research underscores the significance of water chemistry in identifying potential water source areas through trace elements. For the first time, the study proposed measuring the compositions of the entire suite of metal elements, ranging from Li to U, in over 40 springs in the Moapa Valley and its upper gradient valleys, utilizing the iCAP Qc ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) at UNLV. The research evaluated correlations between various water samples collected throughout Southern Nevada, focusing on WRFS and many trace element compositions. Various inter-element correlations were observed and will be used to constrain the spring pathways by comparing the spring water metal compositions to those of local bedrock units. The principal component analysis (PCA) was primarily utilized to characterize the spring water sources. The trace element composition may be associated with aquifer material that could be helpful to identify groundwater movement. Additionally, the statistical analysis of the element concentrations revealed any relationship between the element concentrations and the host rock of the study area.
Keywords
Geochemistry; Groundwater; ICP-MS; PCA; Trace Elements; Water Chemistry
Disciplines
Environmental Sciences | Geochemistry | Geology
File Format
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Lee, Hyejeong, "Study of Trace Elements in Southern Nevada Spring Waters and Lakes" (2023). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 4728.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/36114753
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/