Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Study of Groundwater in a Semi‐arid Region: Yeniceoba Plain (Cihanbeyli‐KONYA), Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in the Yeniceoba Plain in Central Anatolia, Turkey. An understanding of the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for the sustainable development of water resources in this region. A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in the Plio‐Quaternary aquifer system using stable isotopes (δ18O and δD), tritium (3H), major and minor elements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cl, SO4, NO3, HCO3 and Br) in order to identify groundwater chemistry patterns and the processes affecting groundwater mineralization in this system. The chemical data reveal that the chemical composition of groundwater in this aquifer system is mainly controlled by rock/water interactions including dissolution of evaporitic minerals, weathering of silicates, precipitation/dissolution of carbonates, ion exchange, and evaporation. Based on the values of Cl/Br ratio (> 300 mg/l) in the Plio‐Quaternary groundwater, dissolution of evaporitic minerals in aquifer contributes significantly to the high mineralization. The stable isotope analyses indicate that the groundwater in the system was influenced by evaporation of rainfall during infiltration. Low tritium values (generally <1 tritium units) of groundwater reflect a minor contribution of recent recharge and groundwater residence times of more than three or four decades.

Insights into groundwater salinization from hydrogeochemical and isotopic evidence in an arid inland basin

“…Hydrogeochemical and stable isotope indicators are practical tools for analysing groundwater salinization and recharge processes that are inherently associated with groundwater salinization in arid inland basins (Bozdağ & Göçmez, ; Carol, Kruse, & Mas‐Pla, ; Dogramaci, Skrzypek, Dodson, & Grierson, ; Xie et al, ). For example, conservative ions (e.g., Cl − and Br − ) and isotopic indicators are used to investigate recharge processes and rates under natural and irrigation conditions (Gates, Edmunds, Ma, & Scanlon, ; Lin, Jin, Liang, & Zhan, ; Scanlon et al, ).…”

Hydrogeochemical characteristics and evaluation of the water resources in Tuzlukçu (Konya/Turkey) Geothermal Area

“…The isotopic ratios in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the Tuzlukçu thermal/cold waters range from − 10.92-5.24 (Table 4). The δ 13 C isotope ratios of T1 and T2 thermal water samples point out the marine dolostones-limestones, and the δ 13 C isotope ratios of the T7 thermal water sample point out the marine limestones. These values indicate that the CO 2 in the thermal waters derives mainly from limestone-dolomite units of Loras formation and Kurşunlu limestone.…”

“…The metamorphic CO 2 (metamorphism of carbonates rocks and CO 2 emitted from the earth's crust and mantle) is also an important source of CO 2 in thermal waters (Clark and Fritz 1997;Clark 2015;Keskin and Kaçaroğlu 2015). The probable source of carbon in the cold waters are 13 C-DIC, freshwater carbonates, C4 plants and soil CO 2 or their combination (Fig. 12).…”

“…The probable source of carbon in the cold waters are δ 13 C -DIC, freshwater carbonates, C4 plants and soil CO 2 or a combination of these. δ13 C values of the rocks shows that the K1 and K2 rock samples have a shallow marine carbonate origin, whereas K2 and K4 have a marine origin. δ 18 O and δ 2 H values of water samples show that the waters have a meteoric origin and are fed from different elevations.…”

“…The primary chemical process is determined as weathering of carbonates and silicates. The δ13 C values of waters indicate that the CO 2 in the thermal waters is derived mainly from limestone-dolomite units in the region. The probable source of carbon in the cold waters are δ 13 C -DIC, freshwater carbonates, C4 plants and soil CO 2 or a combination of these.…”