Strontium isotope ratios in stream base flow within the Georgia Piedmont province
Author(s)
Rose, Seth
Fullagar, Paul D.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Strontium isotope ratios, strontium ion
concentrations, major ion concentrations, and stream
discharge were measured within the Middle Oconee River
basin upstream of Arcade, Georgia during the period 2003-
2004. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in stream base flow
were between 0.7126 and 0.7172, considerably higher than
rainfall (0.7117) and shallow ground water (0.7120). This
indicates that Sr and by inference other weathering products
in base flow are derived principally from weathering, rather
than ion exchange in the shallow soil zone. Unlike all other
parameters, strontium isotope ratios were temporally
invariant within a given watershed, independent of seasonal
variations with respect to base flow discharge. Strontium
isotope ratios were significantly different in all four
watersheds and therefore provide the best geochemical
“tracer” for base flow. 87Sr/86Sr ratios increased as a
function of basin area, independent of Sr ion concentrations,
probably as the result of the increased contribution from
rubidium-bearing minerals such as K-feldspar, muscovite,
and biotite.
Sponsor
Sponsored by:
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute
The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty
Date
2005-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings