| Director: |
Tracy Branam |
| Other Researchers: |
Sam Frushour,
McKailey Sabaj Allison Faulkner - Potter intern
|
| Funding: |
Indiana University - Indiana Geological & Water Survey
|
| Issue: |
Mineral springs in southern Indiana containing elevated levels of sodium, chloride, bromide, and lithium are believed to be derived from deep aquifer brine water. Historical data and recent spring surveys have indicated the Borden Group Formation may be the source as salt seeps once were abundant in Brown County, and lithium, a constant component found in recent samples from springs in the Borden Formation, also occurs in significant concentrations in the mineral springs. |
| Objective: |
This project will explore for the existence of salt seeps in the Borden Formation of Brown and Lawrence counties, and analyze samples of high conductivity stream or seep water to determine the composition and concentration of major chemical components and trace components of lithium and bromide in an attempt to determine if the component composition and ratios match that of the historic mineral springs of the French Lick area of Orange County. |
| Approach: |
Preliminary conductivity data from previous excursions to Brown County searching for springs coupled with conductivity data from several streams in the Lake Monroe watershed collected during the September 2020 Lake Monroe Blitz, will serve as a guide to areas with the highest conductivity. The streams in selected areas will undergo a greater degree of scrutiny in attempt to locate where the highest conductivity water is originating. Once found, samples will be collected, taken to the IGWS hydrology lab and analyzed on the Autotitrator and Ion Chromatograph to characterize the water composition and component ratios and compared to values obtained from the Orange County mineral springs as part of the springs characterization program being conducted by IGWS personnel involved with this project. |
| Products: |
Identification and location of salt seeps.
Research project for Potter intern will provide data for either a poster or oral presentation at either the 2024 IWRA meeting in November, or the 2025 Indiana Academy of Science annual meeting in March.
Lithium values to be included in any future projects funded for assessing critical mineral potential of Indiana. |
| Benefits: |
Composition of salt seeps will evaluate the potential of Borden Group Formation as a source of lithium, an element on the critical minerals list. This would be a significant find as brines are considered a potential recoverable resource for this element and the occurrence of surface and near-surface sources reduces the cost of extraction.
Determining that the mineral springs of Orange County may be derived from the Borden Group provides confirmation to the observation made by Blatchley in 1901, and would reveal the true depth of the mineral springs aquifer and the degree to which it is shielded from contamination and drought impacts.
Project provides valuable experience in geochemical exploration techniques and laboratory methods of analyses to intern who is planning on pursuing a graduate degree in geology with emphasis on geochemistry and hydrology. |
