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The Effects of Urbanization on a Travertine using LA-ICP-MS

Calcite derived from travertine can be representative of the water that formed it. The spring at Loop 360/222 is supported by local groundwater flow and municipal water (DeMott, 2007) and is in the Bull Creek watershed. Distinct layers have been observed within the travertine that forms on an annual basis.  A method will be developed to analyze the travertine using laser ablation on the ICP-Q-MS. By examining trace elements of the travertine’s distinct layers an estimation of past water quality can be made. Since the travertine sample began forming in 1976 and was sampled in 2006, 28 distinct layers have been observed. It is expected that the older the travertine layer the trace element signature is indicative of the rural or naturally occurring water in Austin and through the analysis of each layer, the trace element signature indicates an increased amount of municipal water over time.