Abstract
The isotope composition of sulphur and oxygen were measured in water collected from the Central Roztocze (SE of Poland) rivers. The research focused mainly on the upper section of the Wieprz River, its confluences and springs and on two confluences of the Tanew River. The results proved that there are two sources of sulphate dissolved in water: the Cretaceous aquifer and soil within the catchment's area. Seasonal variation of the sulphate concentration together with sulphur and oxygen isotope composition was observed. The isotope composition of sulphate varied in water collected at the different locations of the same river. They are similar for sulphates in springs and rivers. The isotope composition of sulphate varied in water collected at the different locations of the same river. The δ34S values of sulphates in the Wieprz River are the lowest (negative) in lower part of the river. It shows that the contribution of sulphate from spring water increases downstream. The low sulphate content and high δ34S and δ18O value in sulphates was found downstream from dams. It may be the result of deficiency of oxygen in mud and the reduction in bacteria activity. The seasonal variations of the oxygen isotope composition in sulphate are significant in sulphates collected from rivers and from springs. They are caused by seasonal variations of the δ18O in water stored in the soil. The narrow range of the δ18O values for the sulphates extracted from springs at the same time means that the main source of sulphate in spring water are oxidising processes using the same source of oxygen in every location. The high sulphate content combined with the high δ34S values of the sulphates in springs suggest, that the sulphates from Cretaceous aquifer were mixed with sulphates dissolved from the soil.
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Trembaczowski, A., Szaran, J. & Niezgoda, H. Investigating the Provenance and Seasonal Variations in Sulphate Sulphur and Oxygen Isotopes of Central Roztocze River Water, SE Poland. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 157, 65–84 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WATE.0000038873.25798.6b
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WATE.0000038873.25798.6b