Abstract
ABSTRACTKarst springs in the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains and the Crimean Piedmont show a restricted range of values (δ18O = –10.5 to –8.0 ‰, δ2H = –72 to –58 ‰), somewhat more negative than the weighted mean of meteoric precipitation. This suggests preferential recharge at higher elevations during winter months. Groundwater tapped by boreholes splits in three groups. A first group has isotopic properties similar to those of the springs. The second group shows significantly lower values (δ18O = –13.3 to –12.0 ‰, δ2H = –95 to –82 ‰), suggesting recharge during colder Pleistocene times. The third group has high isotope values (δ18O = –2.5 to +1.0 ‰, δ2H = –24 to –22 ‰); the data points are shifted to the right of the Local Meteoric Water Line, suggesting water–rock exchange processes in the aquifer. These boreholes are located in the Crimean Plains and discharge mineralized (ca. 25 g L−1) thermal (65°C) water from a depth of 1600–1800 m. Groundwater associated with mud volcanoes on the Kerch peninsula have distinct isotope characteristics (δ18O = –1.6 to +9.4 ‰, δ2H = –30 to –18 ‰). Restricted δ2H variability along with variable and high δ18O values suggest water–rock interactions at temperatures exceeding 95 °C.
Highlights
Over its known history, the economic development of Crimea has been limited by the availability of water
Data from a borehole located in the northernmost part of the Crimean Plains and all but one samples from the Kerch peninsula plot to the right of the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL)
Samples from the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains can be subdivided into three groups (Figure 2(a))
Summary
The economic development of Crimea has been limited by the availability of water. Around the middle of the twentieth century, the water resources of Crimea totalled 0.83 km, concentrated primarily in the Crimean Mountains. Resources in the Crimean Plains amounted to only 0.04 km, and this part of the peninsula has been largely unsuitable for industrial or agricultural development [1]. Water resources of Crimea have been studied extensively since the 1920s in order to meet the continuously growing demand of domestic and industrial water supply. Hydrogeological surveys and exploratory drilling were performed in all parts of the peninsula between 1940 and the.
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