Isotopic composition of the natural waters of the Crimean Mountains under the influence of natural processes

Abstract

The stable isotopic and tritium content of precipitation and groundwater were studied in the Crimean Mountains. Stable isotopes of water (δ18О and δ2Н) and tritium were used to assess sources of water in the shallow groundwater and surface-water systems, and to better understand groundwater/ surface-water interactions. The δ18О values of groundwater range from –10,3 to –8,7 ‰ with corresponding δ2Н values of –65,2 to –59,6 ‰. These are mainly scattered along the local meteoric water line, meaning meteoric origin. The weighted average concentration of stable isotopic δ18О and δ2Н in the rainfall (>17mm/day) for the summer season of 2013 were approximately –7,9 and –55,6 ‰ respectively. Formation of groundwater is caused by the infi ltration of precipitation. Additional information has been obtained from tritium data. Refs 15. Figs 7. Tables 9.