The hydrochemical identification of groundwater flowing to the Bet She’an-Harod multiaquifer system (Lower Jordan Valley) by rare earth elements,yttrium, stable isotopes (H,O) and Tritium

The Bet She’an and Harod Valleys in Israel are regional recipients and mixing zones for groundwater draining from a multiple aquifer system, which includes carbonate and basalt aquifers and deep-seated pressurized brines. The aquifers drain through two types of outlets, distinct and mixed. The latter type is mainly conditioned by the occurrence of fault-blocks related to the Jordan Rift system, which act as connecting media between the aquifers and facilitate interaquifer flow. Conjoint application of rare earth element distribution and water isotopes enables detection of the local areas replenishment by rainfall infiltration and, in connection with the position of wells or springs, the identification of groundwater flow paths. Once stationary equilibria are established changes of REY composition between REY in groundwater and their surface adsorption, are negligible. In areas with little soil coverage and vegetation even recharge over young Tertiary and diagenetic Cretaceous limestones is distinguishable by their REY distribution patterns. Groundwater recharged over Tertiary limestones show higher REY abundance and more significant Ce anomalies than those derived from the Cretaceous limestones. Weathering of alkali olivine basalts leads to REY patterns in groundwater depleted in the middle REE. The improved knowledge of the hydrological systems is thought to be useful for regional hydrogeological modeling and for designing rational water management schemes.     

A hydrochemical approach to estimate mountain front recharge in an aquifer system in Tamilnadu,India

Mountain-front recharge (MFR) is a process of recharging an aquifer by infiltration of surface flow from streams and adjacent basins in a mountain block and along a mountain front (MF). This is the first attempt in India to estimate MFR along the foothills of Courtallam using hydrogeochemistry and geostatistical tools. The estimation of MFR has been carried out by collecting groundwater samples along the foothills of Courtallam. Collected water samples were analyzed for major cations and anions using standard procedures. Hydrogeochemical facies show the existence of four water types in this region. Calcium-rich water derived from gneissic rock terrain indicates significant recharge from higher elevation. Log pCO₂ and ionic strength of the samples were also calculated to identify the geochemical process. Majority of the collected samples have sodium-rich water and weak ionic strength, which indicate foothill recharge and low residence time. Silicate and carbonate weathering have an equal interplay along the foothills with a relatively large fraction of Mg from the MF. The spatial diagrams of three factors show that the southern part of the study area is dominated by both weathering and anthropogenic processes, whereas the northern part is dominated by both leaching and weathering processes. Thus, the dominant weathering process represented by the second factor indicates the large recharge process along the foothills.     

The Guarani Aquifer System: estimation of recharge along the Uruguay–Brazil border

The cities of Rivera and Santana do Livramento are located on the outcropping area of the sandstone Guarani Aquifer on the Brazil–Uruguay border, where the aquifer is being increasingly exploited. Therefore, recharge estimates are needed to address sustainability. First, a conceptual model of the area was developed. A multilayer, heterogeneous and anisotropic groundwater-flow model was built to validate the conceptual model and to estimate recharge. A field campaign was conducted to collect water samples and monitor water levels used for model calibration. Field data revealed that there exists vertical gradients between confining basalts and underlying sandstones, suggesting basalts could indirectly recharge sandstone in fractured areas. Simulated downward flow between them was a small amount within the global water budget. Calibrated recharge rates over basalts and over outcropping sandstones were 1.3 and 8.1% of mean annual precipitation, respectively. A big portion of sandstone recharge would be drained by streams. The application of a water balance yielded a recharge of 8.5% of average annual precipitation. The numerical model and the water balance yielded similar recharge values consistent with determinations from previous authors in the area and other regions of the aquifer, providing an upper bound for recharge in this transboundary aquifer.     

Geochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater from shallow and deep limestone aquifers system of Aleppo basin (north Syria)

Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H and ¹³C) and radioactivity (³H, ¹⁴C) have been used in conjunction with chemical data to evaluate the processes generating the chemical composition, reconstruct the origin of the water and groundwater residence time. The Aleppo basin is comprised of two main limestone aquifers: the first one is unconfined of Paleogene age and the second is confined of Upper Cretaceous age. The chemical data indicate that the dissolution of minerals and evaporation are the main processes controlling groundwater mineralization. The groundwater from the two aquifers is characterized by distinctive stable isotope signatures. This difference in water isotopes is interpreted in terms of difference origin and recharge period. Fresh and brackish shallow groundwater were mostly recharged during the Holocene period. The presence of ³H in several groundwater samples of this aquifer gives evidence that groundwater recharge is going on. Brackish water of the deep confined aquifer has depleted stable isotope composition and very low ¹⁴C activity that indicates recharge during the late Pleistocene cold period.     

Large-scale tracer profiles in a deep claystone formation (Opalinus Clay at Mont Russelin,Switzerland): Implications for solute transport processes and transport properties of the rock

Natural tracers (Cl^? and stable water isotopes) in pore water of the Opalinus Clay and adjacent formations were studied in the motorway tunnel at Mont Russelin, Switzerland. The Opalinus Clay occurs in the core of an anticline which is cut by a complex system of thrust faults. Concentration profiles of natural tracers were taken from 17 boreholes along a 363 m long section. Pore waters of drillcore samples were analysed with indirect and direct methods. The Cl^? and stable water isotope distribution in the pore water shows a regular and well defined profile, with a conspicuous decrease towards the overlying Dogger limestone aquifer. The highest Cl^? values (approximately 23,000 mg/L) are found in the core of the anticline in Liassic claystones underlying the Opalinus Clay. To quantify the large-scale transport properties of the Opalinus Clay formation, a 2D transport model was constructed and used to reproduce the observed concentration profiles. The calculations indicate that the observed tracer distributions are consistent with diffusion as the dominant transport process. Groundwater flow in the overlying Dogger aquifer was initiated about 2–4 Ma ago, which is long after the folding of the Jura Mountains and probably coincides with the exposure of the aquifer to freshwater recharge following continued erosion of the anticline. The calculations suggest that tracer distributions are controlled by 1) the timing of freshwater recharge in the overlying limestone aquifer, 2) the shape of the anticline and 3) the magnitude and the anisotropy ratio of diffusion coefficients.     

Radiocarbon dating of dissolved inorganic carbon in groundwater from confined parts of the Upper Floridan aquifer, Florida, USA

Geochemical reaction models were evaluated to improve radiocarbon dating of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater from confined parts of the Upper Floridan aquifer in central and northeastern Florida, USA. The predominant geochemical reactions affecting the ¹⁴C activity of DIC include (1) dissolution of dolomite and anhydrite with calcite precipitation (dedolomitization), (2) sulfate reduction accompanying microbial degradation of organic carbon, (3) recrystallization of calcite (isotopic exchange), and (4) mixing of fresh water with as much as 7% saline water in some coastal areas. The calculated cumulative net mineral transfers are negligibly small in upgradient parts of the aquifer and increase significantly in downgradient parts of the aquifer, reflecting, at least in part, upward leakage from the Lower Floridan aquifer and circulation that contacted middle confining units in the Floridan aquifer system. The adjusted radiocarbon ages are independent of flow path and represent travel times of water from the recharge area to the sample point in the aquifer. Downgradient from Polk City (adjusted age 1.7 ka) and Keystone Heights (adjusted age 0.4 ka), 14 of the 22 waters have adjusted ¹⁴C ages of 20–30 ka, indicating that most of the fresh-water resource in the Upper Floridan aquifer today was recharged during the last glacial period. All of the paleowaters are enriched in ¹⁸O and ²H relative to modern infiltration, with maximum enrichment in δ¹⁸O of approximately 2.0‰. Electronic Publication     

The deep Cretaceous aquifer in the Aleppo and Steppe basins of Syria: assessment of the meteoric origin and geographic source of the groundwater

A drilling project was carried out in Syria to assess the potential of the deep groundwater resources of the Cretaceous aquifer, composed of Cenomanian-Turonian limestones and dolomites. In this context, isotope (¹⁴C, ³H, δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, δ²H) and hydrochemical analyses were performed on wells in and around the Aleppo and Steppe basins. The interpretation includes complementary results from published and unpublished literature. The results provide evidence that many new wells pump mixed groundwater from the Cretaceous aquifer and the overlying Paleogene aquifer. Radiocarbon measurements confirmed dominating Pleistocene groundwater in the Cretaceous aquifer and mainly Holocene groundwater in the Paleogene aquifer. Most groundwater in the Cretaceous aquifer seems to be recharged in the western limestone ridges, stretching from Jebel az Zawiyah (south of Idlep) via Jebel Samane (south of Afrin and A’zaz) to the region north of Aleppo, and in the Northern Palmyrides mountain belt. Some recharge also occurs around the basalt plateau of the Jebel al Hass, south east of Aleppo. It is concluded that the Taurus Mountains and the Euphrates River do not recharge the Cretaceous aquifer. The sources of recharge seem to be occasionally occurring intensive winter storms that approach from Siberia.     

Sources of Sr and implications for weathering of limestone under tallgrass prairie, northeastern Kansas

Grasslands of north-central Kansas are underlain by carbonate aquifers and shale aquitards. Chemical weathering rates in carbonates are poorly known, and, because large areas are underlain by these rocks, solute fluxes are important to estimating global weathering rates. Grasslands exist where the amount of precipitation is extremely variable, both within and between years, so studies in grasslands must account for changes in weathering that accompany changes in precipitation. This study: (1) identifies phases that dominate chemical fluxes at Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS) and Long-Term Ecological Research Site, and (2) addresses the impact of variable precipitation on mineral weathering. The study site is a remnant tallgrass prairie in the central USA, representing baseline weathering in a mid-temperate climate grassland.Groundwater chemistry and hydrology in the 1.2 km² watershed used for this study suggest close connections between groundwater and surface water. Water levels fluctuate seasonally. High water levels coincide with periods of precipitation plus low evapotranspiration rather than during precipitation peaks during the growing season. Precipitation is concentrated before recharging aquifers, suggesting an as yet unquantified residence time in the thin soils.Groundwater and surface water are oversaturated with respect to calcite within limitations of available data. Water is more dilute in more permeable aquifers, and water from one aquifer (Morrill) is indistinguishable from surface water. Cations other than Ca co-vary with each other, especially Sr and Mg. Potassium and Si co-vary in all aquifers and surface water, and increases in concentrations of these elements are the best indicators of silicate weathering at this study site. Silicate-weathering indices correlate inversely to aquifer hydraulic conductivity.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in water ranges from 0.70838 to 0.70901, and it decreases with increasing Sr concentration and with increasing silicate-weathering index. Carbonate extracted from aquifer materials, shales, soil, and tufa has Sr ranging from about 240 (soil) to 880 ppm (Paleozoic limestone). ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranges from 0.70834 ± 0.00006 (limestone) to 0.70904 ± 0.00019 (soil). In all cases, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of aquifer limestone is lower than ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of groundwater, indicating a phase in addition to aquifer carbonate is contributing solutes to water.Aquifer recharge controls weathering: during periods of reduced recharge, increased residence time increases the total amount of all phases dissolved. Mixing analysis using ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr shows that two end members are sufficient to explain sources of dissolved Sr. It is proposed that the less radiogenic end member is a solution derived from dissolving aquifer material; longer residence time increases its contribution. The more radiogenic end member solution probably results from reaction with soil carbonate or eolian dust. This solution dominates solute flux in all but the least permeable aquifer and demonstrates the importance that land-surface and soil-zone reactions have on groundwater chemistry in a carbonate terrain.     

Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization of a karstic mountain region

Karstic limestone formations in the Mediterranean basin are potential water resources that can meet a significant portion of groundwater demand. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly study the hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of karstic mountain regions. This paper presents a detailed hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization of the Nif Mountain karstic aquifer system in western Turkey, an important recharge source for the densely populated surrounding area. Based on the geological and hydrogeological studies, four major aquifers were identified in the study area including the allochthonous limestone in Bornova flysch, conglomerate-sandstone and clayey-limestone in Neogene series, and the Quaternary alluvium. Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater were measured in situ, and samples were collected at 59 locations comprised of springs and wells. Samples were analyzed for major ions, isotopic composition, arsenic, boron and heavy metals among other trace elements. It was found that the hydrogeological structure is complex with many springs having a wide range of discharge rates. High-discharge springs originate from allochthonous limestone units, whereas low-discharge springs are formed at the contacts with claystone and limestone units. Using stable isotope analysis data, a δ¹⁸O-deuterium relationship was obtained that lies between the Mediterranean meteoric and mean global lines. Tritium analyses showed that low-discharge springs originating from contact zones had longer circulation times compared to the high-discharge karstic springs. Furthermore, hydrogeochemical data revealed that groundwater quality significantly deteriorated as water moved from the mountain to the plains. Heavy metal, arsenic and boron concentrations were generally within drinking-water quality standards with a few exceptions occurring in residential and industrial areas located at the foothills of the mountain. Elevated arsenic concentrations were related to local geologic formations, which are likely to contain oxidized sulfite minerals in claystones. It is concluded that Nif Mountain overall has a significant potential to provide high-quality water with a safe yield of at least 50 million m³/year, which corresponds to about 28% of the mean annual inflow to the Tahtali reservoir, a major water resource for the city of Izmir. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Hydrochemical variation in the springs water between Jerusalem–Ramallah Mountains and Jericho Fault,Palestine

The spatial and temporal changes of the composition of the groundwater from the springs along the Wadi Qilt stream running from the Jerusalem–Ramallah Mountains towards the Jericho Plain is studied during the hydrological year 2006/2007. The residence time and the intensity of recharge play an important role in controlling the chemical composition of spring water which mainly depends on distance from the main recharge area. A very important factor is the oxidation of organics derived from sewage and garbage resulting in variable dissolved CO₂ and associated HCO₃ ⁻ concentration. High CO₂ yields lower pH values and thus under-saturation with respect to calcite and dolomite. Low CO₂ concentrations result in over-saturation. Only at the beginning and at the end of the rainy season calcite saturation is achieved. The degradation of dissolved organic matter is a major source for increasing water hardness. Besides dissolution of carbonates dissolved species such as nitrate, chloride, and sulfate are leached from soil and aquifer rocks together with only small amounts of Mg. Mg not only originates from carbonates but also from Mg–Cl waters are leached from aquifer rocks. Leaching of Mg–Cl brines is particularly high at the beginning of the winter season and lowest at its end. Two zones of recharge are distinguishable. Zone 1 represented by Ein Fara and Ein Qilt is fed directly through the infiltration of meteoric water and surface runoff from the mountains along the eastern mountain slopes with little groundwater residence time and high flow rate. The second zone is near the western border of Jericho at the foothills, which is mainly fed by the under-groundwater flow from the eastern slopes with low surface infiltration rate. This zone shows higher groundwater residence time and slower flow rate than zone 1. Groundwater residence time and the flow rate within the aquifer systems are controlled by the geological structure of the aquifer, the amount of active recharge to the aquifer, and the recharge mechanism. The results of this study may be useful in increasing the efficiency of freshwater exploitation in the region. Some precautions, however, should be taken in future plans of artificial recharge of the aquifers or surface-water harvesting in the Wadi. Because of evaporation and associated groundwater deterioration, the runoff water should be artificially infiltrated in zones of Wadis with high storage capacity of aquifers. Natural infiltration along the Wadis lead to evaporation losses and less quality of groundwater.     

Identifying groundwater recharge connections in the Moscow (USA) sub-basin using isotopic tracers and a soil moisture routing model

Globally, aquifers are suffering from large abstractions resulting in groundwater level declines. These declines can be caused by excessive abstraction for drinking water, irrigation purposes or industrial use. Basaltic aquifers also face these conflicts. A large flood basalt area (1.1?×?10⁵ km²) can be found in the Northwest of the USA. This Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) consists of a thick series of basalt flows of Miocene age. The two major hydrogeological units (Wanapum and Grand Ronde formations) are widely used for water abstraction. The mean decline over recent decades has been 0.6 m year^?1. At present day, abstraction wells are drying up, and base flow of rivers is reduced. At the eastern part of CRBG, the Moscow sub-basin on the Idaho/Washington State border can be found. Although a thick poorly permeable clay layer exists on top of the basalt aquifer, groundwater level dynamics suggest that groundwater recharge occurs at certain locations. A set of wells and springs has been monitored bi-weekly for 9 months for δ¹⁸O and δ²H. Large isotopic fluctuations and d-excess values close to the meteoric water line in some wells are indicating that recharge occurs at the granite/basalt interface through lateral flow paths in and below the clay. A soil moisture routing (SMR) model showed that most recharge occurs on the granitic mountains. The basaltic aquifer receives recharge from these sedimentary zones around the granite/basalt interface. The identification of these types of areas is of major importance for future managed-aquifer recharge solutions to solve problems of groundwater depletion.     

Salinization of groundwater in the North German Basin: results from conjoint investigation of major, trace element and multi-isotope distribution

Conjoint consideration of distribution of major, rare earth elements (REE) and Y (combined to REY) and of H, O, C, S, Sr isotopes reveals that four types of groundwater are distinguishable by their chemical composition presented by spider patterns. REY patterns indicate thermo-saline deep water and two types of shallow saline groundwaters. Presence of connate waters is not detectable. Sr isotope ratios distinguish three sources of Sr: fast and slow weathering of biotite and K-feldspar in Pleistocene sediments, respectively, and dissolution of limestones. δ¹³C(DIC) indicate dissolution of limestone under closed and open system conditions. Numerous samples show δ¹³C(DIC) > 13‰ which is probably caused by incongruent dissolution of calcite and dolomite. The brines from below 1,000 m represent mixtures of pre-Pleistocene seawater or its evaporation brines and infiltrated post-Pleistocene precipitation. The shallow waters represent mixtures of Pleistocene and Recent precipitation salinized by dissolution of evaporites or by mixing with ascending brines. The distribution of water types is independent on geologic units and lithologies. Even the Tertiary Rupelian aquiclude does not prevent salinization of the upper aquifer.     

Hydrogeologic framework of the Maku area basalts, northwestern Iran

The Maku area in northwestern Iran is characterized by young lava flows which erupted from Mount Ararat in Turkey. These fractured volcanic rocks overlie alluvium associated with pre-existing rivers and form a good basalt-alluvium aquifer over an area of 650 km². Groundwater discharge occurs from 12 large springs, ranging from 20 to 4,000 L s^?1, and from some extraction wells. Permian and Oligo-Miocene age limestones along the northern boundary of the Bazargan and Poldasht Plains basalts are intensively karstified and groundwater from these high lands easily enters the basalt-alluvium aquifers. The transmissivity of the basalt-alluvium aquifer ranges from 24 to 870 m² d^?1, indicating heterogeneity. Groundwater of the aquifer is a sodium-bicarbonate and mixed cation-bicarbonate type and the concentration of fluoride is higher than the universal maximum admissible concentrations for drinking. In order to determine the chemical composition and identify the source of the high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of the basaltic area, water samples from the springs, wells and rivers were analyzed. The results indicate that the high fluoride water enters the study area from the Sari Su River.     

Geological structure, recharge processes and underground drainage of a glacierised karst aquifer system, Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch, Swiss Alps

The relationships between stratigraphic and tectonic setting, recharge processes and underground drainage of the glacierised karst aquifer system ‘Tsanfleuron-Sanetsch’ in the Swiss Alps have been studied by means of various methods, particularly tracer tests (19 injections). The area belongs to the Helvetic nappes and consists of Jurassic to Palaeogene sedimentary rocks. Strata are folded and form a regional anticlinorium. Cretaceous Urgonian limestone constitutes the main karst aquifer, overlain by a retreating glacier in its upper part. Polished limestone surfaces are exposed between the glacier front and the end moraine of 1855/1860 (Little Ice Age); typical alpine karrenfields can be observed further below. Results show that (1) large parts of the area are drained by the Glarey spring, which is used as a drinking water source, while marginal parts belong to the catchments of other springs; (2) groundwater flow towards the Glarey spring occurs in the main aquifer, parallel to stratification, while flow towards another spring crosses the entire stratigraphic sequence, consisting of about 800 m of marl and limestone, along deep faults that were probably enlarged by mass movements; (3) the variability of glacial meltwater production influences the shape of the tracer breakthrough curves and, consequently, flow and transport in the aquifer.     

Modeling of limestone aquifer in the western part of the River Nile between Beni Suef and El Minia

A robust classification scheme for partitioning groundwater chemistry into homogeneous groups was an important tool for the characterization of Eocene limestone aquifer. The aquifer locally is composed of chalky limestone with thin clay intercalated (Samalut Fm.), the fissures, the joints, and the fractures are represented the conduits of the aquifer system. The flow patterns are conditioned by karstification processes which develop a conduit network and preserve low permeability microfractured blocks. The aquifer is mainly recharged by surrounding aquifers and agricultural wastewaters. The groundwater flows in the eastern part (due the Bahr Yossef and River Nile), which is a discharge area rather than a recharge. Twenty-eight groundwater samples was collected from the Eocene limestone aquifer and analyzed for isotopes, major, and trace elements. δD and δ¹⁸O concentrations ranged widely due to geology, infiltration of different surface waters, evaporation, and hydrogeology. The concentration of δD and δ¹⁸O isotopes is depleted in the northern zone of the northern part and western zone of the central and southern part of the study area. They are enriched due the eastern area of the central and southern part of the study area. δD vs. δ¹⁸O delineate the Pleistocene aquifer and has a strong influence than other waters on aquifer hydrogeochemistry. It is confirmed by the AquaChem outputs of the mixing proportions of different water types included in the aquifer system. Cl-δD and Cl-δ¹⁸O relationships indicate the role of evaporation especially due the eastern area of the central and southern part of the study area. This research tests the performance of the many available graphical and statistical methodologies used to classify water samples. R-mode clustering, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis were investigated. All the methods were discussed and compared as to their ability to cluster, ease of use, and ease of interpretation. Nearly most low-salinity waters are in equilibrium to supersaturate with respect to both carbonate minerals, while it is shifted to undersaturate with salinity. The inverse modeling findings clarify that the calcite, gypsum, and anhydrite dissolution increased due the northeastern area, middle zone, and southern corner of the northern, central, and southern part of the study area, respectively. The latter areas also were characterized by the lowest precipitation of the dolomite. Such areas are distinguished by much more enhancement for aquifer permeability and therefore transmissivity. The latter areas can be use as injection zone by fresh water. It can be a triple function; firstly, it recharges the saline Eocene limestone aquifer through the enhancement hydraulic conductivity and dilutes it. Secondly, it enhances much more the aquifer permeability and therefore the transmissivity. The Eocene limestone aquifer can be improved in quality and quantity by using such a model and exploits it as an alternative water resource with Quaternary aquifer and Nile water. Thirdly, it irrigates more areas to increase the income/capita. The dedolomitization represents the main hydrogeochemical process in the aquifer system. The geomedia (limestone, clay, marl, shale, and sand deposits) are in contact with water, therefore, the rock/water interaction, mixing, and ion exchange were estimated by the geochemical evolution of the groundwater systems.     

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.     

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%。     

Groundwater flow in an ‘underfit’ carbonate aquifer in a semiarid climate: application of environmental tracers to the Salt Basin,New Mexico (USA)

The Salt Basin is a semiarid hydrologically closed drainage basin in southern New Mexico, USA. The aquifers in the basin consist largely of Permian limestone and dolomite. Groundwater flows from the high elevations (～2,500 m) of the Sacramento Mountains south into the Salt Lakes, which are saline playas. The aquifer is ‘underfit’ in the sense that depths to groundwater are great (～300 m), implying that the aquifer could transmit much more water than it does. In this study, it is speculated that this characteristic is a result of a geologically recent reduction in recharge due to warming and drying at the end of the last glacial period. Water use is currently limited, but the basin has been proposed for large-scale groundwater extraction and export projects. Wells in the basin are of limited utility for hydraulic testing; therefore, the study focused on environmental tracers (major-ion geochemistry, stable isotopes of O, H, and C, and ¹⁴C dating) for basin analysis. The groundwater evolves from a Ca–HCO₃ type water into a Ca–Mg (Na) – HCO₃–Mg (Cl) water as it flows toward the center of the basin due to dedolomitization driven by gypsum dissolution. Carbon-14 ages corrected for dedolomitization ranged from less than 1,000 years in the recharge area to 19,000 years near the basin center. Stable isotopes are consistent with the presence of glacial-period recharge that is much less evaporated than modern. This supports the hypothesis that the underfit nature of the aquifer is a result of a geologically recent reduction in recharge.     

Estimation of groundwater recharge in Wadi Al-Yammaniyah,Saudi Arabia

Groundwater recharge by natural replenishment for the unconsolidated alluvial aquifer in Wadi Al-Yammaniyah is estimated on a daily basis instead of the conventional monthly basis The study reveals that during the two-year period (1978 and 1979), the estimated recharge in the area is about 40% of the total average annual rainfall of 155 mm Subsurface underflow estimated at 36×10⁻⁶ m³/yr from the Wadi Al-Yammaniyah aquifer occurs in the vicinity of Wadi Ash-Shamiyah A comparison of the recharge and extracted volumes of water from the aquifer indicates that there is a net increase of 10 million m³ and 38 million m³ of water in the storage for 1978 and 1979, respectively     

Trace-Element Modeling and Source Constraints for Tholeiitic and Cale-alkaline Basalts from a Depleted Asthenospheric Mantle Source,Mt. Erciyes Stratovolcano,Turkey

The Mt. Erciyes stratovolcano was built up in an intraplate tectonic environment as a consequence of Eurasian and Afro-Arabian continental collision. However, the volcanic products generally exhibit a calc-alkaline character; minor amounts of tholeiitic basalts are also present. Tholeiitic basalts show high Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, low K₂O, and depleted Ba, Nb, and especially Rb (2.3-5.97 ppm) contents, low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.703344-0.703964), and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512920-0.512780) isotopic ratios. These compositional features show that they were derived from a depleted asthenospheric mantle source, possibly a MORB-like source component. In contrast, calc-alkaline basaltic rocks exhibit relatively high large-ion-lithophile and high-field-strength elements, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.704591-0.70507) and low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51272-0.512394) isotopic ratios.

The bulk-rock chemistry of the tholeiitic basalts reflects the chemical composition of the extracted source component. Furthermore, trace-element concentrations may be calculated from an accepted mantle source component (starting composition) for different degrees of partial melting. These calculations also provide a sensitive approach to the origin of tholeiitic basalts. Modeled trace-element compositions of tholeiitic basalts are calculated from a primitive mantle composition. Calculated trace-element compositions imply that tholeiitic basalts are derived by minor fractional melting (1-1.5 %), in the absence of assimilation or deep-crustal melting. The calc-alkaline basalts were subsequently produced from initially tholeiitic basalts by the way of an AFC (assimilation-fractional crystallization) process, with a crustal assimilation of 10-15 %.

The geochemical data, partial melting, and AFC modeling all indicate that basaltic products have a complex evolutionary history involving partial melting from a MORB-like mantle source. The assimilation and fractional crystallization processes are considered as providing an example for the chemical evolution of basaltic products, from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline, in an intraplate environment.