THE EVALUATION AND APPLICATION OF C14 DATING OF GROUND WATER.
Abstract
During the period covered by this proposal a method for the direct determination of ground-water ages and flow rates was developed based on the carbon-14 content of the dissolved carbonate species in the ground water system. Most of the C14 content of the dissolved carbonate species in ground water comes from the soil-zone CO2 and is derived principally from the oxidation of organic matter within this zone. Dissolved carbonate species within the ground water may come from the CO2 of the soil-zone and also from solution of limestone in the aquifer; in some cases magmatic, petroleum- or plant-derived CO2 may be introduced into the aquifer also. Soil-zone CO2 is derived from plant respiration and decay and its carbon isotope composition should be equivalent to that of plants. Marine limestone from the aquifer will contain no carbon-14 because of its age and will dilute the datable, soil-zone-derived carbon. To determine true age of ground water the measured carbon-14 content must be corrected for this solution of limestone and dilution of carbon-14. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0690265
Entities
People
- Bruce B. Hanshaw