Deciphering Groundwater Flow Systems in Oasis Valley, Nevada, Using Trace Element Chemistry, Multivariate Statistics, and Geographical Information System

The origin of groundwater discharging via evapotranspiration and from springs within Oasis Valley, Nevada, is of concern owing to the close proximity of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and the possible contamination of groundwater as a result of underground nuclear testing. Principal components analysis, cluster analysis, and population partitioning, along with a Geographical Information System, were used to decipher groundwater flow patterns in Oasis Valley, Nevada. These multivariate statistical techniques were applied to the trace element chemistry of groundwater samples collected from 26 springs and wells within Oasis Valley, the NTS, and the Nellis Air Force Range. The results of all statistical analyses showed similar geographical trends in the trace element chemistry of the groundwaters included in this study. Differences are observed between the groundwaters from the NTS and those of Oasis Valley based on the concentrations of the elements Li, Ge, Mo, Rb, Ba, U, and Ru. A concentration gradient is observed from lower concentrations in the NTS to increasing concentrations toward Oasis Valley suggesting groundwater flow in an overall southwestward direction from the NTS. Also, a different trace element signature is observed for the waters collected in the northern and western region of Oasis Valley, suggesting another source of groundwater to this area.