Geochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater from shallow and deep limestone aquifers system of Aleppo basin (north Syria)

Abstract

Stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H and 13C) and radioactivity (3H, 14C) have been used in conjunction with chemical data to evaluate the processes generating the chemical composition, reconstruct the origin of the water and groundwater residence time. The Aleppo basin is comprised of two main limestone aquifers: the first one is unconfined of Paleogene age and the second is confined of Upper Cretaceous age. The chemical data indicate that the dissolution of minerals and evaporation are the main processes controlling groundwater mineralization. The groundwater from the two aquifers is characterized by distinctive stable isotope signatures. This difference in water isotopes is interpreted in terms of difference origin and recharge period. Fresh and brackish shallow groundwater were mostly recharged during the Holocene period. The presence of 3H in several groundwater samples of this aquifer gives evidence that groundwater recharge is going on. Brackish water of the deep confined aquifer has depleted stable isotope composition and very low 14C activity that indicates recharge during the late Pleistocene cold period.