| The freshwater resources of the lower peninsula of Michigan overlie concentrated aqueous solutions (brine) of the Michigan Basin. The interaction of these fluids has been discovered and there is a question as to the extent of the interaction. Therefore, the geochemistry of surface waters (streams, lakes and wetlands) in the Muskegon River Watershed were studied to determine the source(s) for Cl. A portion of this watershed is in the Michigan Lowlands and it is possible (based on observations of processes occurring in the Saginaw Lowlands) that a source for the Cl is the upwelling of saline ground water. This study used geochemical indicators (e.g., Na/Cl ratios) and graphical and GIS analyses to examine the likelihood for this and other possible sources for Cl. The results indicate four sources for Cl; halite, formation brine, septic/wasted, and natural (atmosphere and water-rock reaction). Halite and brine appear to be the most dominate sources, with road salting, road brining, and activities associated with oil and gas production as important pathways. The impact of upwelling saline water on surface water chemistry is limited in extent and not an important pathway for Cl as it has been shown for the Saginaw Lowlands. |
