Paper

THE ROLE of Isotopes in the Determination of the Origin of Mineralization of the Groundwater: Plain of Bekaa - Lebanon


Authors:
Sadek AWAD
Abstract
This study is the first project in Lebanon which determines the origin of the mineralisation of groundwater by using isotopes. The stable isotope of the sulphur atom (34S) and the 18O of the sulphates (S18O4) give information about the type of the mineralization of the groundwater existing during the water seepage. The decrease of the concentrations in dissolved SO4 2- (meq/L) versus the increase of δ18O (‰ vs. SMOW) of the sulphates (S18O4 2-) confirms a partial reduction of the dissolved sulphates in the water. The Under-saturated waters versus the gypsum do not cause the precipitations of the sulphates. The study of δ34S (‰ CD) vs. Cl- (mg/L) indicates high variations in δ34S (‰ CD) for weak difference in the Cl- (mg/L) content, this is due to the reduction of the dissolved sulphates. Concerning the Jurassic water in Lebanon, an oxidation of the sulphide can take place. The purpose of the work is to identify the geochemical facies of local groundwater, to determine their chemical quality, and to define the geochemical conditions of refill and the origin of the mineralization of waters.
Keywords
Sulphur 34; Mineralisation; Sulphates; Bekaa; Lebanon
StartPage
25
EndPage
28
Doi
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