Radioacarbon in dissolved organic carbon, a possible groundwater dating method: Case studies from western Canada

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Water Resources Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91WR00504· OSTI ID:5946545

Wassenaar, L; Aravena, R ^[1]; Hendry, J ^[2]; Fritz, P ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada)
2. National Hydrology Research Inst., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)
3. Gesellschaft fuer Strahlen- und Umweltforschung mbH Muenchen, Neuherberg (West Germany)

This paper explores the feasibility of using {sup 14}C in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as an alternative isotopic groundwater dating method. Two hydrogeologically contrasting groundwater systems were tested; the Cretaceous age Milk River aquifer, and low-permeability, organic rich, Wisconsinan age Prairie tills in southern Alberta, Canada. Comparisons of radiocarbon data were made between DOC fractions, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and several DIC geochemical age correction models along well defined flow paths. The data presented demonstrate that {sup 14}C dating of DOC fractions can indeed provide an alternative method for determining isotopic groundwater ages, under suitable conditions. However, detailed information may be required regarding (1) the geologic nature of the aquifer and its flow system, (2) the isotopically conservative behavior of DOC, (3) the initial {sup 14}C activity of DOC in recharge, and (4) the effect of bacterial redox processes on the {sup 14}C activity of DOC. In the Milk River aquifer, DOC {sup 14}C ages were successfully used to estimate groundwater residence times, as well as to further refine input parameter assumptions for the DIC method. In the Prairie tills, DOC {sup 14}C ages were used to establish a maximum age for the pore waters in an environment where the DIC method is especially problematic.

• OSTI ID: 5946545
• Journal Information: Water Resources Research; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resources Research; (United States) Vol. 27:8; ISSN 0043-1397; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AGE ESTIMATION
ALBERTA
AQUIFERS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CANADA
CARBON 14
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMISTRY
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPE DATING
ISOTOPES
ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE
LIGHT NUCLEI
MESOZOIC ERA
MORAINES
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RELIABILITY
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES