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Major-ion chemistry, δ13C and 87Sr/86Sr as indicators of hydrochemical evolution and sources of salinity in groundwater in the Yuncheng Basin, China

Chimie des ions majeurs, du δ13C et du 87Sr/86Sr en tant qu’indicateurs de d’évolution hydrochimique et de l’origine de la salinité des eaux souterraines du bassin du Yuncheng, Chine

Iones químicos mayoritarios, δ13C y 87Sr/86Sr como indicadores de evolución hidroquímica y de fuentes de salinidad en el agua subterránea en la Cuenca Yuncheng, China

用主要离子组分、δ13C和 87Sr/86Sr示踪中国运城盆地地下水化学演化及盐分来源

Química de iões maiores, δ13C e 87Sr/86Sr como indicadores da evolução hidroquímica e da origem da salinidade na água subterrânea da Bacia de Yuncheng, China

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Abstract

Processes controlling hydrogeochemistry in the Yuncheng Basin, China, were characterised using major-ion chemistry, 87Sr/86Sr ratios and δ13C values. Evapotranspiration during recharge increased solute concentrations by factors of ∼5–50 in deep palaeowaters, while higher degrees of evapotranspiration have occurred in shallow, modern groundwater. Aquifer sediments (loess) contain approximately 15 weight% calcite; trends in groundwater HCO3 concentrations and δ13C values (ranging from −16.4 to −8.2‰) indicate that carbonate weathering is a significant source of DIC. Groundwater 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7110–0.7162, median of 0.7116) are similar to those in both loess carbonate (0.7109–0.7116) and local rainfall (0.7112), and are significantly lower than Sr in aquifer silicates (0.7184–0.7251). Despite evidence for substantial carbonate dissolution, groundwater is generally Ca-poor (< 10% of total cations) and Na-rich, due to cation exchange. Saturation with respect to carbonate minerals occurs during or soon after recharge (all calcite and dolomite saturation indices are positive). Subsequent carbonate dissolution in the deep aquifer must occur as a second-stage process, in response to Ca loss (by ion exchange) and/or via incongruent dissolution of dolomite and impure calcite. The latter is consistent with positive correlations between δ13C values and Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios (r 2 = 0.32 and 0.34).

Résumé

Les processus contrôlant l’hydrochimie du bassin du Yuncheng en Chine ont été caractérisés à l’aide de la chimie des ions majeurs, des rapports isotopiques 87Sr/86Sr et des valeurs de δ13C. L’évapotranspiration au cours de la recharge a induit une augmentation des concentrations en soluté d’un facteur de ∼5–50 dans les eaux anciennes profondes, alors que de plus fortes intensités d’évapotranspiration marquent les eaux souterraines récentes en sub-surface. Les sédiments de l’aquifère (loess) contiennent environ 15% de calcite ; les tendances en concentration en HCO3 des eaux souterraines et les valeurs de δ13C (comprises entre −16.4 et −8.2‰) indiquent que l’altération des carbonates est une source majeure de carbone inorganique dissous. Les rapports isotopiques du 87Sr/86Sr (0.7110–0.7162, avec 0.7116 comme valeur médiane) sont similaires à ceux des carbonates des loess (0.7109–0.7116) et à ceux des précipitations locales (0.7112), mais plus faibles que les teneurs de Sr dans les silicates des formations de l’aquifère (0.7184–0.7251). Malgré la preuve de l’existence d’une dissolution substantielle des carbonates, les eaux souterraines sont généralement pauvres en Ca (< 10% des cations totaux) et riches en Na, à cause des échanges cationiques. La saturation en ce qui concerne les minéraux carbonatés apparaît pendant ou juste après la recharge (tous les indices de saturation de la calcite et de la dolomite sont positifs). Une dissolution ultérieure des carbonates de l’aquifère profond doit se produire au cours d’un processus secondaire, en réponse à la perte en Ca (par échange d’ions) et/ou via une dissolution incongruente de la dolomite et de la calcite impure. Cette dernière hypothèse est cohérente avec les corrélations positives entre les valeurs de δ13C et les rapports de Mg/Ca et Sr/Ca (r² = 0.32 et 0.34).

Resumen

Los procesos que controlan la hidrogeoquímica en la Cuenca Yuncheng Basin, China, fueron caracterizados usando los iones químicos mayoritarios, las relaciones 87Sr/86Sr y los valores de δ13C. La evapotranspiración durante la recarga incrementó las concentraciones de soluto por un factor ∼5 hasta 50 en las paleoaguas profundas, mientras que mayores grados de evapotranspiración han ocurrido en aguas subterráneas modernas someras. Los sedimentos acuíferos (loess) contienen aproximadamente el 15 % en peso de calcita, las tendencias en el agua subterránea de las concentraciones de HCO3 y valores de δ13C (que van desde–16.4 a −8.2‰) indican que la meteorización del carbonato es una fuente significativa de DIC. Las relaciones 87Sr/86Sr (0.7110–0.7162, mediana de 0.7116) en el agua subterránea son similares a aquellas del loess carbonático (0.7109–0.7116) y de la precipitación local (0.7112), y son significativamente más bajos que el Sr en los acuíferos silicatados (0.7184–0.7251). A pesar de la evidencia de la significativa disolución de carbonato, el agua subterránea es generalmente pobre en Ca (< 10% del total de cationes) y rica en Na, debido al intercambio catiónico. La saturación con respecto a los minerales de carbonato ocurre durante o muy poco después de la recarga (todos los índices de saturación de la calcita y dolomita son positivos). La disolución de carbonato subsiguiente en el acuífero profundo debe ocurrir como una segunda etapa del proceso, en respuesta a la pérdida de Ca (por intercambio iónico) y/o por vía de la disolución incongruente de la dolomita y de la calcita impura. Esto ultimo es consistente con las correlaciones positivas entre los valores de δ13C y las relaciones Mg/Ca y Sr/Ca (r 2 = 0.32 y 0.34).

摘要

本文利用水化学主要离子组分、87Sr/86Sr 和 δ13C刻画控制中国运城盆地地下水水化学特征的过程。补给过程中的蒸散发作用可导致地下水中溶解物含量升至深部老水的5到50倍,浅层的现代地下水受蒸散发影响程度更大。含水层沉积物(黄土)中所含方解石的重量百分比约为15 %。地下水中HCO3含量变化趋势和δ13C值(从 –16.4 到 –8.2 ‰)显示地下水中溶解无机碳的主要来源于碳酸盐的风化。地下水87Sr/86Sr比值(范围为0.7110到0.7162,中间值为0.7116)与黄土碳酸盐(0.7109 至 0.7116)及当地大气降水(0.7112)相近,但显著低于含水层中硅酸盐硅同位素值(0.7184 到 0.7251)。大量证据表明地下水中发生了碳酸盐的溶解,但阳离子交换作用使得地下水贫钙离子(小于总阳离子的10 %)的同时富集钠离子。碳酸盐矿物在补给过程中或在补给后迅速达到饱和(所有的碳酸钙和白云石饱和指数均大于零)。钙亏损(由离子交换造成)和/或通过白云岩及不纯灰岩的不全等溶解促进了深部含水层中碳酸盐的溶解。δ13C 值、Mg/Ca、 Sr/Ca 比值 (r 2分别为0.32 和 0.34)存在正相关关系与上述理论是相符的。

Resumo

Foram caracterizados os processos que controlam a hidroquímica na Bacia de Yuncheng, China, usando a química dos iões maiores, os rácios 87Sr/86Sr e valores de δ13C. A evapotranspiração durante a recarga incrementou a concentração de solutos por factores de ∼5 a 50 nas águas antigas profundas, enquanto graus mais elevados de evapotranspiração ocorreram nas águas subterrâneas modernas subsuperficiais. Os sedimentos aquíferos (loess) contêm aproximadamente 15% em peso de calcite; as tendências das concentrações de HCO3 nas águas subterrâneas e os valores de δ13C (variando de −16.4 a −8.2‰) indicam que a meteorização do carbonato é uma origem significativa para o CID (carbono inorgânico dissolvido). Os rácios de 87Sr/86Sr na água subterrânea (0.7110–0.7162, mediana de 0.7116) são similares aos do carbonato do loess (0.7109–0.7116) e aos da precipitação local (0.7112), e são significativamente mais baixos que nos silicatos do aquífero (0.7184–0.7251). Apesar da evidências de uma substancial dissolução de carbonatos, a água subterrânea é geralmente pobre em Ca (< 10% do total de catiões) e rica em Na, devido a troca catiónica. A saturação com respeito aos carbonatos ocorre durante ou logo depois da recarga (todos os índices de saturação da calcite e da dolomite são positivos). Terá que ocorrer subsequente dissolução de carbonato no aquífero profundo como uma segunda fase de processo em resposta à perda de Ca (por troca catiónica) e/ou dissolução incongruente de dolomite ou calcite impura. Este último é consistente com as correlações positivas entre os valores de δ13C e os rácios de Mg/Ca e de Sr/Ca (r 2 = 0.32 e 0.34).

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Acknowledgements

This research was partly initiated and greatly supported by the Australia-China Water Resources Research Centre, including Dr. Deli Chen, Dr. Yongping Wei, Prof. Song Xianfang and Prof. Li Baoguo. Special thanks also to the Yuncheng City Water Resources Service Bureau, in particular Mr. Sun Xinzhong. We are thankful for the review comments provided by Dr. Sam Earman and two anonymous reviewers.

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  1. School of Geosciences, Monash University, Building 28, Room 124, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Matthew J. Currell & Ian Cartwright

  2. National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    Ian Cartwright

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Correspondence to Matthew J. Currell.

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Currell, M.J., Cartwright, I. Major-ion chemistry, δ13C and 87Sr/86Sr as indicators of hydrochemical evolution and sources of salinity in groundwater in the Yuncheng Basin, China. Hydrogeol J 19, 835–850 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0721-6

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