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A comparison of hydro-geochemistry and stable isotope composition of travertine-depositing springs, Garab in NE Iran and Pamukkale in SW Turkey

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Abstract

In this study, the hydro-geochemistry and stable isotope compositions (δ18O, δ2H, and δ13C) of travertine-depositing springs were investigated in two regions of Garab and Pamukkale, located in NE-Iran and SW-Turkey, respectively. The physical, chemical and isotopic dataset of water and travertine samples were obtained in situ measurements, laboratory analysis and from the literature. According to the high EC values (~ 2400 and ~ 10,500 μS/cm), the average δ13C-DIC values of water samples (10.4 and 7.2‰ VPDB), and its δ13C–CO2 values (1.5 and − 1.8‰ VPDB), it seems that the Garab and Pamukkale spring water were supplying from deep thermal groundwater with thermogenic origins and with contribution of carbonate dissolution through the rock-water interactions process. The more concentrations of Na+, K+, and Cl− in Garab water are related to subsequent admixture processes, which is originated from dissolving overloaded impure dissolve materials during upwelling water toward the ground level. The more enriched δ13C and δ18O values of Garab travertine samples (10.4 and − 7.1‰ VPDB, respectively) than that of Pamukkale travertine (7.2 and − 10.4‰ VPDB, respectively) is due to more CO2 degassing. The isotopic compositions of precipitation in both Garab (δ2H = 7.2∗δ18O + 11.2‰) and Pamukkale (δ2H = 8∗δ18O + 16‰) areas are characterized by greater d-excess compared to GMWL but smaller than of Mediterranean area. Although the isotopic compositions of both Garab and Pamukkale springs show the meteoric origin; however, the deviation from meteoric water lines is probably evident to oxygen isotope exchange with the deep host bedrock.

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Acknowledgements

We thank anonymous reviewers for technical suggestions on data interpretations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box: 91775-1436, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Mohammadzadeh

  2. Groundwater and Geothermal Research Center (GRC), Water and Environment Research Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Mohammadzadeh

  3. Department of Geography and Natural Hazards, Research Institute of Shakhes Pajouh, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar

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  1. Hossein Mohammadzadeh
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Correspondence to Hossein Mohammadzadeh.

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Mohammadzadeh, H., Mansouri Daneshvar, M.R. A comparison of hydro-geochemistry and stable isotope composition of travertine-depositing springs, Garab in NE Iran and Pamukkale in SW Turkey. Carbonates Evaporites 35, 23 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-020-00566-9

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