Capitan Reef, A Brackish Water Resource Denise Wann July 22, 2003

The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.

Fresh Water Facts By volume, only 3% of all water on Earth is freshwater and most is unavailable, locked up in the form of ice caps and glaciers far from humans. (Iyioke, 10/1998) By volume, only 3% of all water on Earth is freshwater and most is unavailable, locked up in the form of ice caps and glaciers far from humans. (Iyioke, 10/1998) Only 1% is easily accessible surface freshwater. (Iyioke, 10/1998) Only 1% is easily accessible surface freshwater. (Iyioke, 10/1998) “Fresh water supplies are shrinking so fast that as many as 7 billion people in 60 countries could face water scarcity by 2050.” (The Washington Post, March 2003) “Fresh water supplies are shrinking so fast that as many as 7 billion people in 60 countries could face water scarcity by 2050.” (The Washington Post, March 2003)

Fresh Water Facts “Water promises to be to the 21 st century what oil was to the 20 th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations.” (Fortune Magazine, 5/2000) “Water promises to be to the 21 st century what oil was to the 20 th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations.” (Fortune Magazine, 5/2000) “Most North Americans think water shortages are just a third world problem. “ (Barlow & Clarke, 2002) “Most North Americans think water shortages are just a third world problem. “ (Barlow & Clarke, 2002)

Brackish Water Facts Saline and Brackish waters account for about 97% of the waters in the world. Saline and Brackish waters account for about 97% of the waters in the world. Brackish water is defined as salinity from 3,000 – 10,000 mg/L TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Brackish water is defined as salinity from 3,000 – 10,000 mg/L TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) – Humans prefer to drink <500 mg/L TDS. – Livestock and Crop Irrigation 3,000 mg/L TDS. – Brine water (Salt/Saline Water) >10,000 mg/L TDS.

An Ocean of Water ~12 million BWPD is produced and reinjected in the Permian Basin. (Morales & Barrufet) ~12 million BWPD is produced and reinjected in the Permian Basin. (Morales & Barrufet) If the brackish water produced in Lea County per year could be purified, it could sustain a city of 300,000. (July 2003) If the brackish water produced in Lea County per year could be purified, it could sustain a city of 300,000. (July 2003) Consider the possibilities! Consider the possibilities!

Capitan Reef Formation (A Reef in the Desert –(Pima 2003) The reef began to form along the borders of the Delaware Sea ~250 million years ago. The reef began to form along the borders of the Delaware Sea ~250 million years ago.

Capitan Reef Formation (A Reef in the Desert –(Pima 2003) The reef thrived for millions of years. Growth ended near the end of the Permian period. The reef thrived for millions of years. Growth ended near the end of the Permian period. At the end of the Permian Period, animals and plants began to die. (the great extinction time) At the end of the Permian Period, animals and plants began to die. (the great extinction time) The Delaware Sea’s link to the ocean closed off, most likely due to either dropping sea level or a rising continent. The Delaware Sea’s link to the ocean closed off, most likely due to either dropping sea level or a rising continent.

Capitan Reef Formation conti. (A Reef in the Desert –(Pima 2003) As this happened, minerals started precipitating out of the water, falling to the seafloor. Thin layers of sediments filled the basin and covered the reef layer by layer. As this happened, minerals started precipitating out of the water, falling to the seafloor. Thin layers of sediments filled the basin and covered the reef layer by layer.

Capitan Reef Formation conti. (A Reef in the Desert –(Pima 2003) The Capitan Reef remained buried until major faulting began ~26 million years ago. Faulting lifted the present day Guadalupe Mountains up, nearly two miles. The Capitan Reef remained buried until major faulting began ~26 million years ago. Faulting lifted the present day Guadalupe Mountains up, nearly two miles. After the reef was uplifted by the faults, the wind and rain wore away the sediments on the exposed reef leaving the more resistant rocks. After the reef was uplifted by the faults, the wind and rain wore away the sediments on the exposed reef leaving the more resistant rocks.

Capitan Reef Formation conti. (A Reef in the Desert –(Pima 2003) During the time of tectonic activity, there was widespread fresh water influx through the Permian sediments, in particular the Capitan Reef. During the time of tectonic activity, there was widespread fresh water influx through the Permian sediments, in particular the Capitan Reef. The closer to the mountain ranges, the fresher the water. The closer to the mountain ranges, the fresher the water.

Capitan Reef Today Parallels the western and eastern edges of the Delaware Basin in two strips 5-14 miles wide. Parallels the western and eastern edges of the Delaware Basin in two strips 5-14 miles wide.

Capitan Reef Today Depths range from shallow to ~ 4000’ Depths range from shallow to ~ 4000’ Reef is exposed at the surface in the Guadalupe, Apache and Glass Mountains (shown in red) Reef is exposed at the surface in the Guadalupe, Apache and Glass Mountains (shown in red)

Capitan Reef Today TDS averages from ~1000 – 3000 mg/L, considered slightly to moderately saline. (LBG-Guyton Associates) TDS averages from ~1000 – 3000 mg/L, considered slightly to moderately saline. (LBG-Guyton Associates) – Used as fresh water resource for Carlsbad – Used for irrigation in Guadalupe Mountains – Used for livestock in Apache and Glass Mountains – Used for Waterflood Operations in New Mexico and Texas

Capitan Reef Today Has the potential to produce large quantities of groundwater and should be considered a good potential brackish groundwater resource (LBG-Guyton Associates, 2003) Has the potential to produce large quantities of groundwater and should be considered a good potential brackish groundwater resource (LBG-Guyton Associates, 2003)

Where Do We Go From Here? Desalination pilot test in the Capitan Reef Desalination pilot test in the Capitan Reef – Would yield the most cost effective and technologically feasible purification process

For such a time as this an ancient Sea was laid Buried but not forgotten to come alive someday In our weakness, is our strength for bound together we must be A daunting task ahead of us to awaken this mystical Sea The challenge is great, the task immense the winner not yet known Will fear strike us before we start or will a victory be sown Nothing ventured, nothing gained a famous saying we all know Believe and live it everyday and greatness will be shown Denise Wann 2003 For such a time as this an ancient Sea was laid Buried but not forgotten to come alive someday In our weakness, is our strength for bound together we must be A daunting task ahead of us to awaken this mystical Sea The challenge is great, the task immense the winner not yet known Will fear strike us before we start or will a victory be sown Nothing ventured, nothing gained a famous saying we all know Believe and live it everyday and greatness will be shown Denise Wann 2003