Chemical evolution of a gas-capped deep aquifer,southwest of Iran

The Kangan Aquifer (KA) is located below a gas reservoir in the crest of the Kangan Anticline, southwest of Iran. This aquifer is composed of Permo-Triassic limestone, dolomite, sandstone, anhydrite and shale. It is characterized by a total dissolved solid of about 332,000 mg/L and Na–Ca–Cl-type water. A previous study showed that the source of the KA waters is evaporated seawater. Chemical evolution of the KA is the main objective of this study. The major, minor and trace element concentrations of the KA waters were measured. The chemical evolution of KA waters occurred by three different processes: evaporation of seawater, water–rock and water–gas interactions. Due to the seawater evaporation process, the concentration of all ions in the KA waters increased up to saturation levels. In comparison to the evaporated seawater, the higher concentrations of Ca, Li, Sr, I, Mn and B and lower concentrations of Mg, SO₄ and Na and no changes in concentrations of Cl and K ions are observed in the KA waters. Based on the chemical evolution after seawater evaporation, the KA waters are classified into four groups: (1) no evolution (Cl, K ions), (2) water–rock interaction (Na, Ca, Mg, Li and Sr ions), (3) water–gas interaction (SO₄ and I ions) and (4) both water–rock and water–gas interactions (Mn and B ions). The chemical evolution processes of the KA waters include dolomitization, precipitation, ion exchange and recrystallization in water–rock interaction. Bacterial reduction and diagenesis of organic material in water–gas interaction also occur. A new type of chart, Ca_excess versus Mg_deficit, is proposed to evaluate the dolomitization process.     

Origin of brine in the Kangan gasfield: isotopic and hydrogeochemical approaches

The Kangan Permo-Triassic brine aquifer and the overlying gas reservoir in the southern Iran are located in Kangan and Dalan Formations, consisting dominantly of limestone, dolomite, and to a lesser extent, shale and anhydrite. The gasfield, 2,900 m in depth and is exploited by 36 wells, some of which produce high salinity water. The produced water gradually changed from fresh to saline, causing severe corrosion in the pipelines and well head facilities. The present research aims to identify the origin of this saline water (brine), as a vital step to manage saline water issues. The major and minor ions, as well as δ²H, δ¹⁸O and δ³⁷Cl isotopes were measured in the Kangan aquifer water and/or the saline produced waters. The potential processes causing salinity can be halite dissolution, membrane filtration, and evaporation of water. The potential sources of water may be meteoric, present or paleo-seawater. The Na/Cl and I/Cl ratios versus Cl^? concentration preclude halite dissolution. Concentrations of Cl, Na, and total dissolved solid were compared with Br concentration, indicating that the evaporated ancient seawater trapped in the structure is the cause of salinization. δ¹⁸O isotope enrichment in the Kangan aquifer water is due to both seawater evaporation and interaction with carbonate rocks. The δ³⁷Cl isotope content also supports the idea of evaporated ancient seawater as the origin of salinity. Membrane filtration is rejected as a possible source of salinity based on the hydrochemistry data, the δ¹⁸O value, and incapability of this process to dramatically enhance salinity up to the observed value of 330,000 mg/L. The overlaying impermeable formations, high pressure in the gas reservoir, and the presence of a cap rock above the Kangan gasfield, all prevent the downward flow of meteoric and Persian Gulf waters into the Kangan aquifer. The evaporated ancient seawater is autochthonous, because the Kangan brine aquifer was formed by entrapment of brine seawater during the deposition of carbonates, gypsum, and minor clastic rocks in a lagoon and sabkha environment. The reliability of determining the source of salinity in a deep complicated inaccessible high-pressure aquifer can be improved by combining various methods of hydrochemistry, isotope, hydrodynamics, hydrogeology and geological settings.     

四川盆地侏罗系大安寨段湖相含云质储层成因研究

四川盆地侏罗系大安寨段是典型的致密油发育层段,勘探开发成果揭示,大安寨储层岩性主要为介壳灰岩致密储层。侏罗系大安寨段致密油勘探开发成效引人关注,特别是近期川中南部侏罗系大安寨段滨浅湖相的GSTMX地区,大安寨段显示频繁,部署的GQ1H在大安寨段获得高产工业油流。根据对最新钻探的GQ1H井解剖表明,含云质岩具有更好的储集条件和含油气性,是储层"甜点"有利分布岩性。通过老井复查、岩心、岩屑、薄片、测井等综合分析表明,含云质储层岩性包括云质灰岩、灰质云岩和泥-粉晶云岩,储集空间主要为粒间、粒间溶孔和微裂缝,储层储集条件好,成像显示溶蚀孔洞发育,川中南部云化程度高于北部。根据碳氧同位素、X衍射、地层水特征以及古地形综合分析初步认为,四川盆地大安寨沉积时期虽然为淡水湖泊,但在古地形、古气候、沉积环境以及湖平面变化共同控制下,局部地区仍然发育一定规模的含云质储层,该认识为川中侏罗系大安寨段相对优质储层深化认识奠定了坚实的地质基础。     

The Major Controlling Factors and Different Oolitic Shoal Reservoir Characteristics of the Triassic Feixianguan Formation,Eastern Longgang Area,NE Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on comprehensive analyses of occurrence, petrological observation, pore structure and geochemistry, the different reservoir characteristics and reservoir evolutionary pathways between different oolitic shoal reservoir types of the Feixianguan Formation on the west side of the Kaijiang-Liangping Trough have been studied. There exist three stages of high-energy slope break belts in the Feixianguan period, the corresponding three stages of oolitic shoals gradually migrating in the direction of the trough. Three types of oolitic shoal reservoirs, namely, residual-oolitic dolomite, mold-oolitic dolomite and sparry oolitic limestone, were formed during sedimentary-diagenetic evolution, the pore types being intergranular dissolved pore, mold pore (or intragranular dissolved pore) and residual intergranular pore, respectively. The petrology, physical properties and pore structure of the different types of oolitic shoal reservoirs are quite different. Residual-oolitic dolomite reservoirs have the best quality, while sparry oolitic limestone reservoirs have the poorest. Combined with analyses of trace elements, rare earth elements and carbon-oxygen isotopes, it is suggested that the formation of residual-oolitic dolomite reservoirs is jointly controlled by penesaline seawater seepage-reflux dolomitization and hydrothermal dolomitization. Mold-pore oolitic dolomite reservoirs are controlled by penesaline seawater seepage-reflux dolomitization and meteoric water solution. The burial dissolution of organic acid not only further improves the reservoir qualities of previously formed oolitic dolomite reservoirs, but also preserves residual intergranular pores in the sparry oolitic limestone reservoirs.     

鄂尔多斯盆地奥陶系盐下白云岩储层特征、成因及分布

奥陶系盐下白云岩储层是鄂尔多斯盆地中东部天然气勘探的重要接替领域.基于钻井岩心、微观薄片、物性分析及地球化学特征等资料,应用微区多参数实验分析方法,对奥陶系盐下白云岩储层特征、成因与分布开展了系统研究.结果表明:①奥陶系盐下主要发育颗粒滩白云岩和微生物白云岩储层,其中颗粒滩白云岩储层岩性为砂屑白云岩、鲕粒白云岩和粉—细...     

塔里木盆地寒武系与蒸发岩相关的白云岩储层特征及主控因素

塔里木盆地寒武系广泛发育白云岩,其中中寒武统地层沉积了巨厚的蒸发岩,蒸发岩和白云岩可以构成很好的储盖组合,该领域也是塔里木盆地未来勘探的新领域。萨布哈白云岩和渗透回流白云岩是两种与蒸发岩相关的白云岩,其储层发育的主控因素也都与蒸发岩存在着直接或间接的联系。通过对大量岩芯、薄片、主量元素、稀土元素、碳、氧稳定同位素及锶稳定同位素等地球化学测试和测井资料的细致研究,系统总结了它们的岩石学特征、地球化学特征。萨布哈白云岩储层的岩性以含石膏的泥 粉晶白云岩为特征,孔隙类型主要为膏模孔和溶塌角砾砾间孔,萨布哈白云石化作用及伴生石膏的沉淀作用和准同生期大气淡水溶蚀作用是该类储层的主控因素;渗透回流白云岩储层的岩性以保留原岩颗粒或藻（丘）格架结构的粉晶白云岩为特征,孔隙类型主要为粒间孔、铸模孔、格架孔,渗透回流白云石化作用和大气淡水溶蚀作用是该类储层的主控因素。两者主要发育于塔里木盆地干旱气候背景下的中-下寒武统地层,其分布规律主要受沉积相控制。     

塔里木盆地和田河气田下奥陶统白云岩成因

塔里木盆地和田河气田是最近探明的大型碳酸盐岩气田,下奥陶统主要发育两类白云岩。下部为层状白云岩,以细晶为主,阴极发光呈紫红色和蓝紫色,有序度为0.57～0.68,Sr、Na含量低,碳氧同位素偏负,成岩深度约1500m;上部斑状灰质白云岩与层状白云岩相比,晶形较粗、以中晶为主,有序度较高、为0.85～0.90,Sr偏高、Na偏低,碳氧同位素更偏负,成岩深度约2000m。通过对上述特征综合研究,认为层状白云岩形成于早期浅埋藏海水-淡水混合环境,提出斑状灰质白云岩形成于晚期深埋藏压实流-淡水混合环境,总结了两种成因机理,建立了相关的白云石化模式。     

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of fractured Limestone aquifer by applying a geochemical model in eastern Nile Valley,Egypt

Rock water interactions play an important role in the flow of groundwater. Groundwater samples were collected from deep production wells with depths ranging from 120 to 230 m. Complete chemical analysis of 40 groundwater samples was collected from the fractured limestone aquifer including major cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and major anions (Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, HCO₃ ^?, CO₃ ^2?). A geochemical modeling (NETPATH Software) was applied for environmental simulate net geochemical mass-balance reactions between initial and final waters along a hydrologic flow path. This program simulates selected evolutionary waters for every possible combination of the plausible phases that account for the composition of a selected set of chemical constraints in the system. The groundwater of the Eocene aquifer mainly belongs to fairly fresh water with salinity contents ranging from 228 to 3595 ppm. The measured groundwater levels range between 8 and 25 m near the river Nile to the limestone plateau (eastwards). Consequently, groundwater flows from east to westward toward the river Nile. Groundwater aquifer in the study area is mainly composed of fractured limestone; the saturated states of the PCO₂, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, siderite, gypsum, anhydrite, hematite, and goethite in addition to H₂ gas were estimated. The undersaturated state of carbon dioxide reflects closed conditions and very low probability of recent recharge, and it reveals also the high tendency of water to precipitates carbonate species. Undersaturation by carbonate minerals is only restricted to some pockets distributed on the different places of the aquifer in the study area. The majority of groundwater samples of Eocene aquifer in the study area indicated that groundwater is not suitable for irrigation with treatment and requires good drainage.     

湘鄂西地区寒武系娄山关组古岩溶储层及其发育控制因素

为了掌握湘鄂西地区寒武系娄山关组储层发育特征及其控制因素,通过典型露头调查、岩溶充填物地球化学测试、岩石薄片鉴定及物性测试等,对该储层进行了多方位研究,得出以下结论:（1）储层岩性以白云岩为主,属孔洞—裂缝型储层,储集空间主要表现为溶蚀孔洞、晶间孔隙、粒间溶孔、裂溶缝等;（2）储层溶蚀作用不受岩石组构控制,属于非组构选择性溶蚀,溶蚀孔洞多沿层面发育,分布大都在不整合面以下约20 m范围内,而且随着深度的增大,孔洞丰度也越小;（3）娄关山组上部地层不整合面不仅是油气运移的良好通道,同时也是有机质生烃聚集成藏的有利场所;（4）储层的发育主要受地质构造、气候环境及地层岩性控制;不整合面及多期次的构造裂缝,为溶蚀孔洞发育创造了很好的条件,但由于沉积间断期气候炎热和较干旱,地表水不是非常丰富,大气淡水淋滤作用较弱,而且储层岩性本身主要为粉、细晶白云岩,不大有利于水岩作用,因而储层不具备形成大中型岩溶缝洞系统的环境物质条件;（5）尽管储层未能形成有规模的古岩溶缝洞系统,但由于其溶蚀孔洞发育并有古化壳存在,因此它仍是中上扬子海相下组合油气勘探中重要的储层之一。      

藏北羌塘盆地羌资2井中侏罗统布曲组碳酸盐岩岩石学及储集物性特征

本文讨论了羌塘盆地羌资2井中侏罗统布曲组碳酸盐岩岩石学及储集物性特征。碳酸盐岩主要有亮晶鲕粒灰岩、白云岩、泥晶灰岩, 以及他们之间的过渡类型; 储集空间主要有孔隙与裂缝两种类型, 表现为孔隙—裂缝组合。孔隙可分为粒间溶孔、粒内溶孔、晶间孔、晶间溶孔、沿缝合线等分布的溶孔; 裂缝可 分为构造缝、构造—溶解缝、压溶缝和溶蚀缝。亮晶鲕粒灰岩孔隙度平均值1.084%, 渗透率平均值0.0319× 10-3 mm2; 白云岩孔隙度平均值1.77%, 渗透率平均值0.1591×10-3 mm2; 储集物性特征均为低孔低渗、高排替压力、微-细喉道、分选中等-不好的负偏态细歪度特征。泥晶灰岩和过渡类型灰岩的储集物性特征与亮晶鲕粒灰岩和白云岩相似。最后, 讨论了成岩作用对碳酸盐岩储集物性的影响, 并认为成岩作用对储集物性的不利影响明显大于有利影响。     

涞源北盆地地下水氢氧同位素特征及北海泉形成模式

拒马源泉群作为拒马河的源头,受到了较多专家和学者的关注。但这些研究多集中在地下水的水化学、水位动态、泉流量等特征上,对地下水氢氧同位素特征的分析几乎没有,且对北海泉的成因解释多为粗略的定性概述。为了说明涞源北盆地地下水的氢氧同位素特征,详细揭示北海泉的形成模式,首次系统地采集了不同含水岩组的地下水样品,测定了水样的氢氧同位素组分。结果表明:样品点δD和δ18O值均落在区域大气降水线上或附近,大气降水是研究区地下水的主要补给来源;白云岩、灰岩含水岩组高程效应较明显,径流途径长,松散含水层径流途径短,受蒸发作用较强;白云岩、灰岩含水岩组和松散含水层氘盈余d值分别为6.0‰～11.6‰、4.2‰～11.2‰、3.8‰～8.0‰,较大气降水大部分偏小,表明岩溶水和松散孔隙水经历了不同的流动过程;白云岩、灰岩含水岩组从补给区向排泄区各自流动过程中,在小西庄、香炉屯村附近断裂带发生沟通混合,然后在向盆地中心径流过程中受断层阻水上升,上升过程中又接受了松散孔隙水的补给,最后在松散岩层中出露成泉,形成北海泉。在孔隙水混入前,两者的平均补给比例大约为48.4%～57.6%和42.4%～51.6%。     

磨溪地区台缘带灯四段储层地质特征及其控藏作用

磨溪地区震旦系地层埋藏深,油气资源丰富,是川中地区油气增产的关键,为进一步深化对灯四段储层的地质认识,本文以岩心及薄片观察资料为基础,结合测井及生产资料,分析磨溪地区灯四段储层地质发育特征及其对气藏分布的控制作用,结果表明:磨溪地区灯四段储集岩主要为凝块云岩、藻叠层云岩、藻纹层云岩和砂屑云岩,储集空间以粒间溶孔、粒内溶孔和晶间溶孔为主,少量裂缝,储层类型为裂缝-溶洞型,裂缝及溶孔对储层渗透率起决定性作用。灯四段储层的形成受沉积作用、成岩作用和构造作用三者控制,沉积作用是储层形成的基础,构造作用和成岩作用是储层形成的关键,控制这储层的分布和储层物性的好坏。岩溶作用及储层物性与岩性分布对气藏的形成分布具有控制作用,丘滩相发育的凝块云岩和藻叠层云岩以及被岩溶作用强改造的高孔渗透段是气藏分布的有利区域。     

开江—梁平台内海槽东段长兴组白云岩储层沉积-成岩系统研究

为了指导部署四川盆地白云岩储层中钻井,在油气钻井岩心观察与描述、野外剖面实测和样品采集的基础上,结合镜下薄片鉴定、X衍射、物性和地球化学特征分析,对开江—梁平台内海槽东段长兴组白云岩储层的沉积-成岩系统进行了深入研究。认为台地边缘生物礁和台地边缘浅滩为最重要的储集相带,颗粒白云岩、生物礁白云岩和晶粒白云岩为最主要的储集层岩性,晶间孔、晶间溶孔和超大溶孔为目的层最有效的储集空间,孔洞缝复合型储层为目的层最优质的储集类型。综合分析认为,长兴组沉积-成岩系统与白云岩储层在时空上具有良好的耦合关系,台地边缘生物礁和台地边缘浅滩相控制了白云岩储层的区域分布范围,而不同成岩系统对储层的贡献程度不同。其中:地层封存卤水与混合热卤水成岩系统是储层形成的基础与关键,地层封存卤水形成低孔低渗的孔隙型Ⅲ类储层,混合热卤水形成中孔中渗的孔洞型Ⅱ类储层;构造热液成岩系统对储层贡献最大,并形成高孔高渗的孔洞缝复合型Ⅰ类优质储层。     

鲁西地区奥陶系碳酸盐岩储集特征及主控因素

应用薄片、铸体和阴极发光等室内分析技术,对鲁西隆起奥陶系碳酸盐岩及济阳坳陷潜山奥陶系钻井岩心样品进行了成岩作用及储集特征详细研究。奥陶系碳酸盐岩原生孔隙消失殆尽,次生成因的孔、洞和缝是主要储集空间。其中裂缝储集层在各层段均有发育,但白云岩段优于其它岩性段;构造缝主要分布在构造轴部和断裂带附近,溶蚀缝在不整合面附近较为发育。孔洞型储集层主要发育在白云岩层段,以晶间孔、晶间溶孔和晶内溶孔为主要储集空间;有少量有效孔隙分布在灰岩段,以铸模孔、粒内溶孔和粒内孔为主。马家沟组八陡段顶部发育溶蚀角砾岩、纹层状结晶灰岩,砾间缝、晶间缝和溶洞为主要储集空间。白云岩段是奥陶系碳酸盐岩主要储集层段,构造因素、岩性和成岩作用(尤其是胶结作用和溶蚀作用)是造成奥陶系碳酸盐岩储集层剖面分布差异性的主要控制因素。     

碳酸盐岩早期差异成储路径及其对储集性能的影响:以滨里海盆地N油田石炭系KT-Ⅰ与KT-Ⅱ层系为例*

以滨里海盆地N油田石炭系KT-Ⅰ与KT-Ⅱ层系碳酸盐岩储集层为例,综合岩心、薄片、扫描电镜、高压压汞、常规物性分析以及各类测试资料,对碳酸盐岩储集层特征以及早期成储路径展开系统研究,并进一步探讨成储路径与储集层孔喉结构和质量的关系。结果表明,KT-Ⅰ层系以云岩类储集层为主,颗粒灰岩次之,其中云岩类储集层以晶间(溶)孔、小型溶洞为主,孔喉连通性好,为高孔—高渗的孔洞型储集层, 而颗粒灰岩类储集层以粒内溶孔、铸模孔及生物体腔孔发育为特征,孔喉连通性差,属中孔—低渗的孔隙型储集层。KT-Ⅱ层系以粒间(溶)孔和生物体腔孔发育的颗粒灰岩为特征,为中高孔—高渗的孔隙型储集层。进一步分析表明,KT-Ⅰ层系云岩与灰岩储集层单旋回厚度小,皆受高频海平面升降变化驱动的早成岩期岩溶的控制, 而KT-Ⅱ层系单旋回厚度大,颗粒滩未经历早期岩溶的改造。 3类储集层的成储路径分别为: (1)KT-Ⅰ云岩类储集层,准同生期白云石化作用导致矿物相转变并使得部分矿物更易遭受溶蚀→早成岩期岩溶作用控制储集层的形成→云岩抗压溶岩石骨架有利于储集层的保护; (2)KT-Ⅰ颗粒灰岩储集层,早成岩期岩溶作用优化储集层→初期压实控制胶结流体通道进而控制胶结作用—粒间孔与粒内孔差异胶结控制储集层的保护; (3)KT-Ⅱ颗粒灰岩储集层,原始沉积环境控制储集层的形成→初期压实与早期胶结作用控制储集层的保护。成储路径差异控制了不同的孔渗特征与孔喉结构,而孔喉结构进一步控制了早期岩溶型云岩、早期岩溶型颗粒灰岩、原生孔保存型颗粒灰岩3种储集层的质量。研究结果将为具类似特征的碳酸盐岩储集层成因分析提供参考,也因发现了云岩较灰岩更易早期溶蚀的现象而具有较为重要的岩溶地质学意义。     

Multi-tracer investigation of groundwater residence time in a karstic aquifer: Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA

Several natural and anthropogenic tracers have been used to evaluate groundwater residence time within a karstic limestone aquifer in southeastern New Mexico, USA. Natural groundwater discharge occurs in the lower Pecos Valley from a region of karst springs, wetlands and sinkhole lakes at Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, on the northeast margin of the Roswell Artesian Basin. The springs and sinkholes are formed in gypsum bedrock that serves as a leaky confining unit for an artesian aquifer in the underlying San Andres limestone. Because wetlands on the Refuge provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, there is concern about the potential for contamination by anthropogenic activity in the aquifer recharge area. Estimates of the time required for groundwater to travel through the artesian aquifer vary widely because of uncertainties regarding karst conduit flow. A better understanding of groundwater residence time is required to make informed decisions about management of water resources and wildlife habitat at Bitter Lakes. Results indicate that the artesian aquifer contains a significant component of water recharged within the last 10–50 years, combined with pre-modern groundwater originating from deeper underlying aquifers, some of which may be indirectly sourced from the high Sacramento Mountains to the west.     

元坝气田长兴组储层特征与形成主控因素研究

本文以宏、微观资料相结合的方法,以优质储层发育与形成为主线开展了元坝气田长兴组礁滩储层发育特征研究。研究证明:(1)元坝气田长兴组礁滩储层岩石类型以亮晶生屑灰岩与亮晶生屑白云岩等颗粒岩为主,西部礁滩储层白云岩含量高于东部,长二段礁滩储层白云岩含量高于长一段浅滩储层;(2)储层类型以孔隙型为主,裂缝-孔隙型次之,储集空间包括晶间溶孔、晶间孔、粒间溶孔及裂缝;(3)元坝地区长兴组礁滩储层以Ⅱ、Ⅲ类为主,西部物性好于东部,长二段储层厚度远大于长一段。元坝地区长兴组储层受沉积相、构造活动及成岩作用等控制,受沉积前古地貌和燕山期后构造作用的双重控制,西部储层物性好于东部;3期破裂作用与3期溶蚀作用是形成储层的关键。     

鄂尔多斯盆地苏里格气田储层成岩作用与模拟

通过苏里格气田气层与非气层的岩石学特征、成岩作用、储集特征对比,分析了气层与非气层成岩相的差异。气层主要发育在粗粒岩屑石英砂岩溶孔成岩相和含泥粗粒岩屑石英砂岩溶孔相中,非气层则主要发育在含泥(中)细粒岩屑石英砂岩致密压实相和含泥(中)粗粒岩屑石英砂岩残余粒间孔相中。通过流体-岩石相互作用物理和数学模拟,在成岩演化中成岩阶段A期,大量有机酸的排出,溶蚀了苏里格气田储层凝灰质和长石等易溶组分,形成次生孔隙。由于沉积水体能量强弱差别、成岩作用的不同,中粗粒与细粒沉积物成岩演化途径不同,中粗粒沉积物次生孔隙发育,残余一定的原生孔隙,总孔隙度较大,易形成气层;细粒沉积物原生孔隙消失殆尽,次生孔隙少,总孔隙度很小,不易形成气层。     

The combined use of Sr/Sr and carbon and water isotopes to study the hydrochemical interaction between groundwater and lakewater in mantled karst

The hydrochemical interaction between groundwater and lakewater influences the composition of water that percolates downward from the surficial aquifer system through the underlying intermediate confining unit and recharges the Upper Floridan aquifer along highlands in Florida. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio along with the stable isotopes, D, ¹⁸O, and ¹³C were used as tracers to study the interaction between groundwater, lakewater, and aquifer minerals near Lake Barco, a seepage lake in the mantled karst terrane of northern Florida. Upgradient from the lake, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of groundwater decreases with depth (mean values of 0.71004, 0.70890, and 0.70852 for water from the surficial aquifer system, intermediate confining unit, and Upper Floridan aquifer, respectively), resulting from the interaction of dilute oxygenated recharge water with aquifer minerals that are less radiogenic with depth. The concentrations of Sr²⁺ generally increase with depth, and higher concentrations of Sr²⁺ in water from the Upper Floridan aquifer (20–35 μg/L), relative to water from the surficial aquifer system and the intermediate confining unit, result from the dissolution of Sr-bearing calcite and dolomite in the Eocene limestone. Dissolution of calcite [δ¹³C = −1.6 permil (%o)] is also indicated by an enriched δ¹³C_DIC(-8.8 to -11.4% o) in water from the Upper Floridan aquifer, relative to the overlying hydrogeologic units (δ¹³C_DIC < -16%o).

Groundwater downgradient from Lake Barco was enriched in ¹⁸O and D relative to groundwater upgradient from the lake, indicating mixing of lakewater leakage and groundwater. Downgradient from the lake, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of groundwater and aquifer material become less radiogenic and the Sr²⁺ concentrations generally increase with depth. However, Sr²⁺ concentrations are substantially less than in upgradient groundwaters at similar depths. The lower Sr²⁺ concentrations result from the influence of anoxic lakewater leakage on the mobility of Sr²⁺ from clays. Based on results from mass-balance modeling, it is probable that cation exchange plays the dominant role in controlling the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of groundwater, both upgradient and downgradient from Lake Barco. Even though groundwater from the three distinct hydrogeologic units displays considerable variability in Sr concentration and isotopic composition, the dominant processes associated with the mixing of lakewater leakage with groundwater, as well as the effects of mineral-water interaction, can be ascertained by integrating the use of stable and radiogenic isotopic measurements of groundwater, lakewater, and aquifer minerals.