Application of stable isotopes and hydrochemical analysis in groundwater aquifers of Argolis Peninsula (Greece).

ABSTRACT

The present study examines the isotopic and hydrochemical composition of 18 inland spring waters and 3 coastal karstic spring waters, covering the period between October 2005 and March 2008. The stable isotopes ((18)O, (2)H) processing has revealed the absence of significant evaporation phenomena and that the origin of fresh water samples is meteoric. Using (18)O values in rainfall waters, an average line of isotopic depletion with altitude has been constructed, extracting a rate of-0.45‰/100 m as typical for the study area. Furthermore, the mean altitude of recharge of the springs has been estimated by plotting the groundwater sampling points on a δ(18)O versus altitude diagram. Hydrochemistry results have shown that the dissolution of carbonate, flysch and ophiolitic formations defines the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater. Moreover, seawater intrusion in the coastal area is significantly high, causing the water in the three karstic springs to be brackish.