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Hydrochemical evolution of Na-SO4-Cl groundwaters in a cold, semi-arid region of southern Siberia

Lookup NU author(s): David Banks

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Abstract

The Shira region of Khakassia in southern Siberia exhibits many features governing the evolution of groundwater and surface-water chemistry that are common to other cold, semi-arid areas of the world: (1) a continental climate, (2) location in a rain shadow, (3) low density of surface-water drainage, (4) occurrence of saline lakes, and (5) occurrence of palaeo- and modern evaporite mineralisation. In lowland areas of Shira, the more saline groundwaters and lake waters have a sodium-sulphate (-chloride) composition. Results of thermodynamic modelling suggest that these evolve by a combination of silicate weathering and gypsum and halite dissolution, coupled with carbonate precipitation to remove calcium and bicarbonate ions. An approximately 1:1 sodium:sulphate ratio occurs even in groundwaters from non-evaporite-bearing aquifers. This may indicate the formation of secondary sodium sulphate evaporites (in or near saline lakes or in soil profiles where the water table is shallow), which are subsequently distributed throughout the study area by atmospheric transport. Several urban groundwaters are characterised by very high nitrate concentrations, conceivably derived from sewage/latrine leakage.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Banks D; Parnachev VP; Berezovsky AY; Garbe-Schönberg D

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Hydrogeology Journal

Year: 1999

Volume: 7

Issue: 6

Pages: 546-560

Print publication date: 10/12/1999

ISSN (print): 1431-2174

ISSN (electronic): 1435-0157

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100400050228

DOI: 10.1007/s100400050228

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