Bulletin of the National Speleological Society - ISSN 0146-9517
Volume 21 Part 2: 67-76 - July 1959

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Evaluation of Ground Water Tracing Methods Used in Speleology
John L. Haas Jr.

Abstract

Inorganic chemicals, dyes, bacteria, and radioactive elements were found to have been used to determine speed and path of flow of groundwater in limestone.

Considering the peculiarities of water flow through limestone and the equipment available to the average speleologist, the following methods of stream tracing are recommended:

1. If it is necessary to know only if two streams in a limestone area are connected, the Dunn method is recommended. This method employs the detection of fluorescein in the stream by use of adsorbent coconut charcoal. The dye is then leached from the charcoal by an ethyl alcohol solution containing 5% potassium hydroxide.
2. If it is necessary to know also the speed of flow, a variation of Slichter's method is recommended. This method employs the detection of ions in the water by the increase in electrical conductivity as the ions pass the site of suspected emergence. Slichter recommended ammonium chloride be used as the tracer.

This page last updated: 27 July, 2002 6:17
Web Author: Jim Pisarowicz