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Dynamic scheme of water circulation in karstic aquifers as constrained by Sr and Pb isotopes. Application to the Hérault watershed, Southern France

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the relationship between the karst aquifers and the Hérault River (southern France) as a function of hydrologic conditions. The combination of major and trace element, and Sr and Pb isotopes determined on dissolved load in karstic springs makes it possible to identify a dynamic scheme of the hydrology of the karstic area.

In the headwaters part of this area, the Sourcettes Spring is fed by an interrupted stream that infiltrates at the basement-sedimentary cover contact. Internal geochemical processes are also pointed out: (1) water–rock interactions during underground circulation, and (2) water originating from different layers of the aquifer may show different chemistry depending on the hydrological conditions. The Vernède Spring, is fed by a second water supply during high flows (previously considered as unconnected). Finally, the Cent-Fonts Springs have been confirmed to be fed by the Buège interrupted stream.

Pb isotopes on the dissolved and particulate loads of the river samples make it possible to discriminate the natural (local rocks) versus anthropogenic (mining district and road traffic) Pb sources. The Pb isotope investigations on karstic water make it possible to differentiate between neighboring springs presenting identical Sr isotope and element ratios, and to point out different underground circulation.

Résumé

Cet article s'intéresse à la relation entre le karst et une rivière dans le bassin de l'Hérault (France), en fonction des conditions hydrologiques. La combinaison des éléments majeurs, des traces et des isotopes de Sr et Pb déterminés dans la charge dissoute de sources karstiques permet de construire un schéma dynamique de la région karstique.

Dans la partie la plus haute de cette région, la source des Sourcettes est alimentée par un cours d'eau qui s'infiltre au contact de la série sédimentaire sur le socle. Des processus géochimiques sont également mis en évidence: (1) des interactions eau-roche au cours du trajet souterrain, (2) de l'eau provenant de différents niveaux de l'aquifère en fonction des conditions hydrologiques. Dans la partie orientale du bassin, la source Vernède reçoit une seconde alimentation lors des fortes crues, précédemment considérée comme n'étant pas connectée. Finalement, on confirme que la source des Cent-Fonts est alimentée par les pertes de la rivière de la Buèges.

Les isotopes du Pb dans les charges dissoute et solide des échantillons de rivières ont conduit à faire la distinction entre les sources naturelle (roches locales) et anthropique (mines et trafic routier). Les études sur les isotopes du Pb dans les eaux karstiques permettent de différencier les sources voisines présentant des rapports d'éléments et de signatures isotopiques du Sr identiques, et à distinguer différentes circulations souterraines drainant ou non des minéralisations disséminées de Pb.

Resumen

Este artículo trata de la relación río-acuífero kárstico en la cuenca de Hérault (Francia), en función de las condiciones hidrológicas. La combinación de elementos principales, elementos traza, e isótopos de estroncio y plomo en muestras de manantiales kársticos permite construir un esquema dinámico de la zona.

El manantial de Sourcettes, en la parte alta de la región, está alimentado por una corriente interrumpida que se infiltra a través la cubierta sedimentaria del lecho. También, se apunta a los procesos internos geoquímicos: (1) interacciones roca-acuífero, (2) aguas procedentes de capas diferentes del acuífero, dependiendo de las condiciones hidrológicas. El manantial de Vernède, en el sector oriental de la cuenca, se nutre de una segunda fuente de agua en períodos de aguas altas, que anteriormente se consideraba desconenctada. Finalmente, se ha confirmado que los manantiales de Cent-Fonts captan las aguas del curso interrumpido del Buège.

Los isótopos de plomo, tanto en fase disuelta como en suspensión de muestras de río, permiten discriminar entre orígenes naturales (rocas naturales) y antrópicos (minería y tráfico) de este elemento. Las investigaciones en aguas kársticas llevan a diferenciar entre manantiales vecinos que tienen relaciones de isótopos de estroncio idénticas, así como a proponer circulaciones distintas en el acuífero por drenaje o por mineralización no diseminada del plomo.

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Acknowledgements

L. Aquilina is thanked for fruitful comments. The help and judicious advice of L. Savoyant and S. Pourtales for analyzing trace elements by ICP-MS is much appreciated. The BRGM analysis team is also thanked for part of the Sr isotopes measurements. F. Albarède and his team are greatly thanked for Pb isotope measurements on the Plasma 54 (ICP-MS with a magnetic sector) at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure (Lyon, France). J.L. Isaac is thanked for his help in sampling. P. Olcott, J. Mazeika, and B. Paukstys are thanked for their constructive reviews of the manuscript.

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  1. Jean-Marc Luck

    Present address: case 060, GTS, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HydroSciences, Case 057, Université Montpellier II, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France

    Emmanuelle Petelet-Giraud, Jean-Marc Luck & Dalila Ben Othman

  2. BRGM, Water Department, BP 6009, 45060 Orléans cedex 2, France

    Emmanuelle Petelet-Giraud & Philippe Negrel

  3. case 060, GTS, Place E. Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France

    Dalila Ben Othman

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  1. Emmanuelle Petelet-Giraud
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  2. Jean-Marc Luck
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Correspondence to Emmanuelle Petelet-Giraud.

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Petelet-Giraud, E., Luck, JM., Ben Othman, D. et al. Dynamic scheme of water circulation in karstic aquifers as constrained by Sr and Pb isotopes. Application to the Hérault watershed, Southern France. Hydrogeology Journal 11, 560–573 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-003-0272-6

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