The chemistry of Norwegian groundwaters: IV. The pH-dependence of element concentrations in crystalline bedrock groundwaters

Frengstad, B., Banks, D. and Siewers, U. (2001) The chemistry of Norwegian groundwaters: IV. The pH-dependence of element concentrations in crystalline bedrock groundwaters. Science of the Total Environment, 277(1-3), pp. 101-17. (doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(00)00867-6)

Abstract

A total of 1604 samples of crystalline bedrock groundwaters in Norway have been analysed for pH, major and minor elements. A subset of 476 samples were also analysed for a wide range of trace elements by ICP-MS. The pH of the samples ranges from 5.4 to 9.8, with a predominance of pH values between 8.0 and 8.2. The data-set is divided into five 20-percentile groups according to increasing pH. The concentrations of 60 elements are then displayed as box-plots for each pH group. A line through the five medians yields a visual demonstration of the relationship with, and sensitivity to, pH variations for concentrations of each element. Twelve characteristic trends are distinguishable, from which some of the main hydrogeochemical processes related to pH and groundwater evolution can be inferred.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Banks, Mr David
• Authors: Frengstad, B., Banks, D., and Siewers, U.
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry; Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Science of the Total Environment
• ISSN: 0048-9697