Geochemistry and isotope compositions of the Han River, Korea

  • 류종식 (서울대학교 지구환경과학부) ;
  • 이광식 (한국기초과학지원연구원) ;
  • 장호완 (서울대학교 지구환경과학부) ;
  • 김용제 (한국지질자원연구원)
  • Published : 2003.09.01

Abstract

In order to investigate processes and factors controlling the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Han River, seasonal studies were carried out. The North Han River was much lower in the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and major ions than the South Han River, but higher in $SiO_2$ concentration, $\delta$$^{34}$ $S_{so4}$ value and $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr ratio. This indicates that the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Han River were strongly controlled by the geology of their drainage basins: silicate rocks in the North Han River and carbonate rocks in the South Han River. The $\delta$$^{34}$ $S_{so4}$ values were relatively higher in the North Han River (5.90$\pm$1.46$\textperthousand$)) than in the South Han River (3.48$\pm$0.73$\textperthousand$). This implies that dissolved S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$ in the North Han River might be mostly derived from deposition of atmospheric sulfates, whereas in the South Han River from oxidation of sulfide minerals in the abandoned poly-metallic deposits and the coal-bearing sedimentary rocks distributed over the upstream as well as deposition of atmospheric sulfates. The $^{87}$ S $r^{86}$ Sr ratios in the North Han River were distinctly higher than those in the South Han River, reflecting water-rock interaction with different rock types.pes.

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