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Deep groundwater flow and geochemical processes in limestone aquifers: evidence from thermal waters in Derbyshire, England, UK

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Abstract

Thermal waters potentially provide information on geochemical processes acting deep within aquifers. New isotopic data on groundwater sulphate, inorganic carbon and strontium in thermal and non-thermal waters of a major limestone aquifer system in Derbyshire, England, UK, are used to constrain sulphate sources and groundwater evolution. Shallow groundwaters gain sulphate from oxidation of sulphide minerals and have relatively 13C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Thermal waters have relatively high Sr/Ca and more 13C-enriched DIC as a result of increased water–rock interaction. In other respects, the thermal waters define two distinct groups. Thermal waters rising at Buxton have higher Mg, Mn and 87Sr/86Sr and lower Ca and SO4, indicating flow from deep sandstone aquifers via a high permeability pathway in the limestone. By contrast, Matlock-type waters (97% of the thermal flux) have elevated sulphate concentrations derived from interaction with buried evaporites, with no chemical evidence for flow below the limestone. About 5% of the limestone area's groundwater flows to the Matlock group springs via deep regional flow and the remainder flows via local shallow paths to many non-thermal springs. Gypsum dissolution has produced significant tertiary porosity and tertiary permeability in the carbonate aquifer and this is an essential precursor to the development of karstic drainage.

Résumé

Les eaux thermales peuvent apporter des informations sur les processus géochimiques dans les aquifères profonds. De nouvelles données isotopiques sur les sulfates présents dans les eaux souterraines, le carbone inorganique et le strontium dans les eaux thermales et non thermales d'un système aquifère calcaire majeur dans le Derbyshire, Angleterre, Royaume Uni, sont utilisées pour comprendre les sources de sulfates et l'évolution des eaux souterraines. Les eaux souterraines phréatique s'enrichissent en sulfate via l'oxydation des minéraux sulfatés et ont un Carbone Inorganique Dissous (DIC) relativement appauvri en13C. Les eaux thermales ont un rapport Sr/Ca relativement plus élevé et un DIC plus enrichi en13C, du fait de l'interaction accrue des eaux avec les roches. En d'autres mots, les eaux thermales définissent deux groupes distincts. Les eaux thermales remontant à Buxton ont un Mg, un Mn et un rapport 87Sr/86Sr plus hauts, mais un Ca et SO4 plus faible, indiquant un écoulement à travers les zones perméables des aquifers gréseux. Par contraste, les eaux du type de Matlock (97% du flux thermique), possèdent des concentrations élevées en sulfates, provenant de l'interaction des eaux avec les évaporites enfouies, tandis qu'il n'existe aucune évidence chimique d'un écoulement sous les calcaires. Sur environ 5% de la surface des calcaires, les eaux souterraines alimentent des sources non-thermales. La dissolution du Gypse a produit une porosité tertiaire significative et une perméabilité dans les aquifères calcaires, et ceci est un précurseur essentiel au développement du drainage karstique.

Resumen

Las aguas termales potencialmente proporcionan información sobre procesos geoquímicos que actúan a profundidad en acuíferos. Nuevos datos isotópicos de sulfatos, carbón inorgánico y estroncio en aguas termales y no-termales de un acuífero importante de caliza en Derbyshire, Inglaterra se utilizan para delinear las fuentes de sulfato y la evolución de aguas subterráneas.

Las aguas subterráneas no muy profundas adquieren sulfato a través de la oxidación de minerales de sulfuro y poseen carbón inorgánico disuelto (DIC) relativamente deplatado de 13C. Las aguas termales muestran un ratio Sr/Ca relativamente alto y poseen (DIC) más enriquecido en13C, como resultado de la mayor interacción de roca-agua. En otros aspectos, los aguas termales definen dos grupos distintivos. Las aguas termales que ascienden en Buxton tienen mas Mg, Mn y 87Sr/86Sr y menos Ca and SO4, indicando flujo de acuíferos de areniscas profundas por un sendero de alta permeabilidad en la caliza.

En contraste el tipo de agua - Matlock (97% del flujo termal) posee altas concentraciones de sulfato, derivado por interacción con evaporitas enterradas, sin evidencia química de flujo debajo de la caliza. Aproximadamente 5% del agua del área de la caliza se fluye al grupo de manantiales de Matlock a través de un flujo regional profundo y el resto fluye por senderos locales poco profundos a muchos de los manantiales no-termales. La disolución de yeso ha producido porosidad terciaria importante así como permeabilidad en el acuífero de carbonato y este es un precursor esencial del desarrollo de drenaje kárstico.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) via an MSc studentship to Neil Webber at Leeds during the early part of this work. Later support was by a University of Huddersfield research studentship to Neil who collected water samples and undertook most of the laboratory analyses. Stable isotope facilities for groundwater studies were funded via NERC research grants GR3/7839 and GR3/8134 to SHB. We thank Bob Cliff of the University of Leeds for the Sr isotopic analyses and Rob Newton and Dave Hatfield for their expert assistance in the Leeds stable isotope lab. Critical and constructive comments by Tim Atkinson and Mike Edmunds have helped us to improve this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Limestone Research Group, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK

    John Gunn & David J. Lowe

  2. Earth Sciences, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

    Simon H. Bottrell

  3. Worthington Groundwater, 55 Mayfair Avenue, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, L9H 3K9

    Stephen R. H. Worthington

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  1. John Gunn
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Correspondence to Simon H. Bottrell.

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Gunn, J., Bottrell, S.H., Lowe, D.J. et al. Deep groundwater flow and geochemical processes in limestone aquifers: evidence from thermal waters in Derbyshire, England, UK. Hydrogeol J 14, 868–881 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0022-7

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