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Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 15 (2007), Paper 9 Posted March 18, 2007 USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES TO EVALUATE THE SOURCES OF SUBMARINE SPRINGS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF LEBANON
Zeinab Saad1,2 2Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, Beirut, Lebanon 3Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, Damascus, Syria ABSTRACT Geochemical and isotopic techniques are applied to evaluate the origin of submarine freshwater along the southern coast of Lebanon and to compare it with the northern coast. Results indicate that submarine springs in the southern and northern coasts have different geochemistries reflecting a difference in the specific geology of the regions. Environmental isotopes including 2H, d18O, and d34S and d18O in sulfate have confirmed the different geological conditions. A more enriched isotopic composition of submarine groundwater occurs in the south where submarine springs are primarily artesian flows that occur in confined aquifers. The deep circulation of groundwater is affected by a high geothermal gradient. Also high sulfate content is related to a fractionation in d34S isotopic composition. This is due to the dissolution of gypsum minerals and reduction of the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Eocene marly limestones in the confined aquifers. At the northern coast, a slightly depleted isotopic composition is found for submarine groundwater. The highly karstified northern region allows rapid infiltration of groundwater and discharge as submarine springs. Tritium results for all submarine waters indicate a short subsurface residence time in the aquifers when compared to rainwater in Lebanon. Reference: Saad, S., V. Kazpard, and A.R. Al Charideh. 2007. Use of environmental isotopes to evaluate the sources of submarine springs along the south coast of Lebanon. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 15, Paper 9. CONTACT: Zeinab Saad Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission National Council for Scientific Research P.O. Box: 11-8281 Beirut Lebanon E-mail: zsaad@cnrs.edu.lb |
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