Abstract
The Eocene deposits of Kazan Basin in Turkey contain a rare trona mineral which is planned to be extracted by solution mining. The complex flow dynamics and mixing mechanisms as noted from previous hydraulic and hydrochemical data need to be augmented with environmental tracer and noble gas data to develop a conceptual model of the system for the assessment of the impacts of the mining and to develop sustainable groundwater management policies throughout the area. The tracers used include the stable isotopes of water (δ2H, δ18O), δ13C and 14C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), tritium (3H), the chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11 and CFC-12, and the noble gases He and Ne. The system studied consists of three aquifers: shallow, middle, and deep. CFC data indicate modern recharge in the shallow system. The estimates of ages through 14C dating for the deeper aquifer system are up to 34,000 years. Helium concentrations cover a wide range of values from 5 × 10−8 to 1.5 × 10−5 cm3 STP/g. 3He/4He ratios vary from 0.09RA to 1.29RA (where RA is the atmospheric 3He/4He ratio of 1.384 × 10−6), the highest found in water from the shallow aquifer. Mantle-derived 3He is present in some of the samples indicating upward groundwater movement, possibly along a NE–SW-striking fault-like feature in the basin.
Résumé
Les dépôts de l’Eocène du bassin de Kazan en Turquie contiennent du trona, minéral rare qui est prévu d’être exploité par extraction minière par dissolution. La dynamique complexe des écoulements et les mécanismes de mélange tels qu’identifiés à partir de données hydrauliques et hydrochimiques antérieures nécessitent d’être complétés par des données issues de traceurs environnementaux et de gaz rares afin d’établir un modèle conceptuel du système pour l’évaluation des impacts de la mine et pour élaborer des politiques de gestion durable des eaux souterraines dans toute la zone. Les traceurs utilisés comprennent les isotopes stables de l’eau (δ2H, δ18O), δ13C et le 14C du carbone inorganique dissous, le tritium (3H), les chlorofluorocarbones CFC-11 et CFC-12, et les gaz nobles He et Ne. Le système étudié consiste en trois aquifères : peu profond, intermédiaire et profond. Les données de CFC indiquent une recharge actuelle du système peu profond. Les âges estimés avec la datation au 14C pour le système aquifère le plus profond atteignent les 34,000 ans. Les concentrations en Hélium couvrent une large plage de valeurs de 5 × 10−8 à 1.5 × 10−5 cm3 STP/g. Les rapports de 3He/4He varient de 0.09RA à 1.29RA (oû RA est le rapport atmosphérique 3He/4He de 1.384 × 10−6), les valeurs les plus élevées sont trouvées dans les eaux de l’aquifère peu profond. 3He d’origine mantellique est présent dans certains des échantillons indiquant des flux verticaux ascendants des eaux souterraines, probablement le long de la structure faillée NE–SW dans le bassin.
Resumen
Los depósitos del Eoceno de la cuenca de Kazan en Turquía contienen natrón, un mineral poco frecuente que está planificado extraer por solución. La compleja dinámica de flujo y los mecanismos de mezcla indicados de datos hidráulicos e hidroquímicos previos necesitaron ser detallados a partir de trazadores ambientales y gases nobles con el objeto de desarrollar un modelo conceptual del sistema para la evaluación de los impactos de la minería y para desarrollar políticas de manejo sustentable en el área. Los trazadores usados incluyen a los isótopos estables del agua (δ2H, δ18O), δ13C y 14C de carbono inorgánico disuelto (DIC), tritio (3H), los clorofluorocarbonos CFC-11 y CFC-12, y los gases nobles He y Ne. El sistema estudiado consiste de tres acuíferos: somero, medio y profundo. Los datos de CFC indican una recarga reciente en el sistema somero. La estimación de edades a través de la datación de 14C para el sistema acuífero más profundo son de hasta 34,000 años. Las concentraciones de Helio cubren un amplio rango de valores de 5 × 10−8 a 1.5 × 10−5 cm3 STP/g. Las relaciones 3He/4He varían desde 0.09RA a 1.29RA (donde RA es la relación atmosférica 3He/4He de 1.384 × 10−6), las más altas encontradas en el agua del acuífero somero. Capas derivadas de 3He están presentes en algunas de las muestras indicando un movimiento de agua subterránea hacia arriba, posiblemente a lo largo de una característica falla de rumbo NE–SW existente en la cuenca.
摘要
土耳其Kazan流域始新世沉积层含稀有的天然碱矿物,这种矿物计划采用溶解开采法开采。根据早先水力资料和水化学资料所记载的复杂的水流动力学和混合机理信息需要补充环境示踪剂和惰性气体方面的资料,以开发系统的概念模型用于评价开采产生的影响及制定整个地区可持续的地下水管理政策。使用的示踪剂包括水中的(δ2H, δ18O)、溶解无机碳(DIC)中的 δ13C 和 14C、氚(3H)、氯氟烃CFC-11和 CFC-12等同位素及惰性气体He 和 Ne。所研究的系统由三个含水层组成:浅层、中层和深层。CFC资料表明浅层系统中的补给为现代补给。通过14C测年估计深层含水层系统水的年龄达34,000年。氮含量的范围很广,从5 × 10−8 到 1.5 × 10−5 cm3 STP/g不等。3He/4He的比值从0.09RA 到 1.29RA(RA为1.384 × 10−6大气3He/4He比值),最 高的比值发现于浅层含水层的水中。幔源3He存在于一些样品中,表明地下水可能沿着流域内NE–SW走向的断层状构造向上运移。
Resumo
Os depósitos eocénicos da Bacia de Kazan, na Turquia, contêm minerais raros de trona que se prevêem explorar através de mineração por dissolução. O complexo hidrodinamismo e mecanismos de mistura, verificados através de dados hidráulicos e hidroquímicos, têm de ser melhor estudados com recurso a traçadores ambientais e gases nobres, de modo a desenvolver um modelo concetual do sistema para a avaliação dos impactes da mineração e para desenvolver políticas de gestão sustentável da água subterrânea. Os traçadores usados incluem os isótopos estáveis da água (δ2H, δ18O), δ13C e 14C do carbono inorgânico dissolvido (CID), trítio (3H), clorofluorcarbonetos CFC-11 e CFC-12, e os gases nobres He e Ne. O sistema estudado é constituído por três aquíferos: subsuperficial, médio e profundo. Os dados de CFC indicam recarga moderna no sistema subsuperficial. As estimativas de idades, através da datação com 14C, para o sistema aquífero profundo, vão até 34,000 anos. As concentrações de hélio cobrem uma vasta gama de valores, de 5 × 10−8 a 1.5 × 10−5 cm3 STP/g. As razões 3He/4He variam de 0.09RA a 1.29RA (onde RA é a razão atmosférica 3He/4He de 1.384 × 10−6), tendo a mais elevada sido encontrada na água do aquífero subsuperficial. 3He de origem mantélica está presente em algumas amostras, indicando um movimento ascendente da água subterrânea, possivelmente ao longo de uma estrutura NE–SW, do tipo falha de desligamento, existente na bacia.
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Acknowledgements
Part of this study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Environmental, Atmospheric, Earth and Marine Sciences Research Group (CAYDAG) Short-Term R&D Funding Program (1002) Project No. 106Y310. Sebnem Arslan was supported by the fellowship of Fulbright Commission of Turkey during her research at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. The authors would like to thank Eugene Gorman for valuable assistances during CFC measurements, and Mehmet Ekmekci and Nilgun Gulec for their advice. The assistance of Faruk Suluki, Omer Kahraman, Ugur Ozturk and Lutfu Simsek in the field are appreciated. Special thanks to Riotur Mining Inc. for giving access to the hydrogeologic and hydrochemical data. The manuscript was considerably improved by constructive criticism and comments provided by reviewers, including C. Kohfahl, M. Currell and J. Führböter.
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Arslan, S., Yazicigil, H., Stute, M. et al. Analysis of groundwater dynamics in the complex aquifer system of Kazan Trona, Turkey, using environmental tracers and noble gases. Hydrogeol J 23, 175–194 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1188-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1188-z