Isotopic study of Pb pollution in surface waters from the northwest Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O and δ13C) and radiocarbon (14C) have been used in conjunction with chemical data to evaluate recharge mechanisms, groundwater residence time and palaeohydrology within the confined Dilwyn sand aquifer in the Gambier Embayment of the Otway Basin. This aquifer does not receive recharge down-gradient of the hydraulic hinge-line and data have been interpreted along two discrete flow lines. The mean residence time of groundwater (determined by 14C) in the confined aquifer from the hydraulic hinge position to the sea (a distance of about 50 km) along an inferred flow path is approximately 12 800 years. The corresponding hydraulic travel time calculated from Darcy's law is approximately 49 000 years. The apparent discrepancy may be a result of eustatic sea-level lowering during the last glacial. Because the groundwater system is hydraulically connected to the sea, lower sea-level would result in increased gradients and a decrease in groundwater residence time. Variations in stable isotopic composition along flow lines suggest a number of recharge mechanisms. Stable isotope data indicate progressive depletion of 2H and 18O in the groundwaters over the past 30 000 years. Groundwaters older than about 10 000 years B.P. were recharged either during a cooler climate climatic regime (lower precipitation/evapotranspiration and temperature) and/or the vapour source(s) had travelled over greater continental mass than those recharged over the past 10 000 years. Lower chloride concentrations in some of the older groundwaters indicate lower evapotranspiration rates in the recharge areas before 10 000 years ago.