Full Description

In November 2004, an unexplained phenomenon occurred in Carpinteria Reservoir (capacity13 MG). Described as resembling "leopard spots," the floating material on the Carpinteria Reservoir water surface was calcite. While there are nonegative health concerns with calcite, the appearance of floating calcite as "leopard spots" can bean alarming sight. The higher concentrations of calcium and bicarbonate in the well water create a higher potentialfor calcite carbonate precipitation than in surface water from the Cater Water Treatment Plant. Samples of the solid material were shipped to a local contract laboratory (Particle MeasurementTechnology Company, Ventura, California) and to Wellesley College (Wellesley, Massachusetts) foridentification. Water quality data from the Carpinteria water sources were gathered and inputinto calcium carbonate equilibrium models to evaluate supersaturation conditions for differentcompounds. Analytical methods included: x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF); x-ray diffraction (XRD); energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy (BSE-SEM); and, standard geological tests including acid dissolution and identification with a binocular microscope. Includes 2 references, table, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2006 Number of Pages: 9File Size: 1 file , 1.1 MB