Peer-Reviewed Article
Testing the efficacy of a Cyclops 7 infrared probe
by performing a follow up dye trace study at McConnell Springs in Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Author Trent Garrison, PhD, YP-0259, Northern Kentucky University
Abstract
Dye traces are often performed to identify sinkhole-to-spring connections, delineate groundwater basins, detect leaks, as well as to measure the direction of groundwater travel. Calculating precise dye travel time is only sometimes achieved, due to the limitations of sampling devices. In this study, a new device is introduced to detect more accurate times of travel.
As a precursor to this study, in the fall of 2015, a dye trace was performed during high flow conditions in the Middle Ordovician karst of Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky in order to measure ground water time of travel between the Campbell House Sinkhole, McConnell Springs, and Preston’s Cave Spring. Using traditional sampling methods at 3 hour intervals, dye appeared in the samples collected 6 hours after injection, and peaked 3 hours later.
The purpose of this project is to replicate that study in similar flow conditions using a newly available infrared probe. This probe1 is capable of collecting in-situ measurements of dye presence, as well as temperature measurements, at one- minute intervals. The paper will discuss efficacy of the device in more detail, but, in short, the probe performed according to specifications2 after some troubleshooting. Dye appeared 3.0 hours after deployment on June 18th, decreased, then peaked at 1,200ppb on June 19th, yielding a first-arrival time of travel of 17.88 cm/sec (2,112 ft/hr). A more accurate picture of dye traveling through the system is gleaned from sampling at these intervals.
Submersible Sensor
Specifications
Cyclops-7 Probe
1. The Cyclops-7F Submersible Sensor, produced by Turner Designs,
https://www.turnerdesigns.com/cyclops-7f-submersible-fluorometer 2. Fluorometer Specifications.
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