New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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WATERS OF THE WESTERN SPRINGS CATCHMENT, AUCKLAND

W. J. Russell

K. A. Rodgers

Geology Department, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland 1, New Zealand

Abstract Aquifers occur in basalt deposits infilling valleys in the Western Springs catchment of Auckland City, and they discharge into small streams incised along the edges of major lava flows. Total run-off from the area is >0.261 nv'.s¹. Analyses by standard methods of twelve subsurface and surface waters show that flowing groundwaters have a low level of pollution (dissolved oxygen x = 7.6 mg.l"¹, abuminoid nitrogen x = 0.038 mg.JT¹, and total solids * = 188 mg.l"¹). Surface waters and stagnant groundwater have high, but varying levels of biological activity. Although much of the dissolved solid content of all the waters (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K¹, SiO₂) is consistent with the chemistry of the rocks of the catchment, particularly the glassy volcanic tuffs, for surface waters various sources of pollution also make significant contributions (e.g., leaking sewers, sewage overflows, combustion of fossil fuels, fertilisers, zoo animals). Apart from its iron level, the moderate volume (■ - .O.I3mV) of flowing groundwater is of suitable quality for domestic, industrial and irrigation needs.

N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11 (4) : 713-28.
Received 10 September 1976; revision received 27 May 1977.

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1061K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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