Origin of brines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) inferred from stable isotope and chemical data

Brines in the Miocene formations of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin have isotopic composition close to SMOW, which identifies them as the connate marine water. However, controversies exist on the origin of brines in the Carboniferous formations. Isotopic and hydrochemical data exclude any relationship to marine water and enrichment by evaporation. The most common brine which occurs at great depths can be identified as the oldest infiltration in a very hot climate (δ¹⁸O ⋟ −2‰, δD ⋟ −20‰, Cl⁻ content 34 to 140 g/L). This brine is free of SO₄²⁻ and U, and rich in Ba²⁺ and²²⁶Ra. Its salinity is probably related to the leaching of evaporites and intensive weathering of rocks during the Rotliegendes.Other brines are difficult to identify because their isotopic contents are within the range of mixing between the oldest brine and the Quaternary waters (δ¹⁸O ⋟ 10‰, δD ⋟ 70‰). Isotopic and hydrochemical data allow identification of several occurrences of brine formed by meteoric water of a warm Tertiary climate, after the last marine transgression in the Tortonian. That brine is rich in SO₄²⁻ and contains moderate contents of²²⁶Ra and U. Its salinity is thought to result from leaching of Miocene evaporites. Two other identified types of brines can be related to some infiltration periods before the last marine transgression. The sources in salinity of these 2 types remain unknown. Mining activity results in a common occurrence of mixed brines. When the Quaternary component dominates, its identification is easy from the isotopic composition, whereas the end brine component can ususally be identified by chosen ion ratios and the presence or lack of sulphates.