Characterization of the Epikarst Over The Hunton Anticline, Arbuckle-simpson Aquifer, Oklahoma

Abstract

The mantled epikarst of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer in south central Oklahoma was characterized in terms of thickness, hydraulic conductivity, storativity, and electrical resistivity to help generate a conceptual model of the aquifer. The aquifer properties were evaluated at three sites using direct push coring and electrical conductivity logs, surface electrical resistivity, and infiltration tests. Core analysis included porosity, water content, and particle size distribution.The results indicated that the thickness and hydraulic conductivity of the soils mantling the epikarst correlated with the NRCS Soils database and that the epikarst zone was approximately nine times larger than the soil zone. The storage potential for the mantled epikarst was found to be on the same order of magnitude as the saturated thickness of the aquifer. Hydraulic conductivity was found to be directly related to electrical resistivity for the approximately half of the soil with clay content greater than eight percent.