Water chemistry controlled by drainage basin: Case study in the Han River, South Korea

  • Published : 2005.04.01

Abstract

To evaluate the main hydrogeochemical characteristics, river waters are investigated using element리 and isotopic compositions in South Korea. In this area, the chemical compositions are mostly classified into three groups; $Ca^{2+}-{HCO_3}^-$ type, $Ca^{2+}-Cl^{-}-{NO_3}^-$ type and $Ca^{2+}-{HCO_3}^{-}-Cl^{-}-{NO_3}^-$ type. These types are affected by two major factors: water-rock interaction and anthropogenic inputs such as sewage and fertilizers. Based on the values of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$, most of waters are originated from precipitation except two samples contaminated. The lithology and geography of basins mainly control the water chemistry. Elemental and isotopic compositions show that water chemistry are mainly controlled by three end members, especially by carbonate dissolution, and suggest that anthropogenic input affect the water chemistry. Also, three weathering sources are identified: silicates, dolomite and limestone.

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