An attempt to date saline groundwater in the multi aquifers system of the Dead Sea area, using carbon isotopes

N. Avrahamov*, O. Sivan, Y. Yechieli, B. Lazar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Dating of brines is a great challenge due to their complex chemical characteristic. This work presents an attempt to date hypersaline groundwater in the Dead Sea (DS) area, using carbon species and isotopes of groundwater. While most ions exhibit conservative behavior, the carbon system parameters indicate additional processes. The depletion in the δ 13 C DICin saline groundwater, compared to the DS, is probably due to anaerobic oxidation of organic matter by sulfate reduction and methane oxidation. Methane was indeed found, in low concentrations, in many groundwater samples. The very low 14 C DICvalue of some of the saline groundwater samples (∼14 pMC, >10000 years), much lower than both fresh and saline end-members of the system, suggests the presence of ancient brine source in the lower sub-aquifer. Other samples of saline groundwater, from the upper sub-aquifer, have 14 C DICvalues closer to that of the DS (∼80 pMC, <150 years).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWater-Rock Interaction - Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-13
Pages55-58
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2010
Event13th International Conference on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-13 - Guanajuato, Mexico
Duration: 16 Aug 201020 Aug 2010

Publication series

NameWater-Rock Interaction - Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-13

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-13
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityGuanajuato
Period16/08/1020/08/10

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