Edwards Aquifer Project
I am studying the Edwards Aquifer in San Antonio for my thesis at Louisiana State University. The "bad water" of the Edwards is a saline, hydrogen sulfide-rich plume of water which borders the freshwater zone, thus creating a "bad water" line running roughly northeast/southwest through central Texas. There is evidence that bacteria are present in the "bad water"/freshwater transition zone. I am studying these microbes to determine their possible impact on carbonate dissolution in the Edwards aquifer. To address my hypotheses, a combination of water chemistry and geochemical modeling, in-situ microcosms, and possible molecular work will be used. Both the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the San Antonio Water System have agreed to help with this research and both organizations have volunteered time, staff, and information. I am thankful for their support of this work.
Field work was conducted by Dr. Engel and I from June 16 to June 22, 2005 in San Antonio and surrounding areas. We also did some caving at Punkin' and Deep Caves in west Texas.
Here are some helpful Edwards Aquifer websites:
Welcome to the Edwards! Comal Springs in New Braunfels, TX
Bacterial growth on "bad-water" well tubing. Well logging and down-hole video at a well in San Antonio.
Here is the microcosm setup. Here I am in Deep Cave.