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δ34S, δ18O, δ D in shallow groundwater: Tracing anthropogenic sulfate and accompanying ground water/rock interactions

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Abstract

The objectives of this study are to assessδ 34S as a tracer of anthropogenic SO 2−4 in groundwater and to document geochemical interactions that take place as a result of industrial SO 2−4 loading. During four separate sampling excursions, groundwater samples were obtained from 13 piezometers which surround the elemental S storage blocks at a processing facility for sour (H2S) natural gas in Alberta, Canada. Each sample was analyzed forδ 34Ssulfate,δ 18Osulfate,δ 18Owater,δDwater, major aqueous species, alkalinity, pH, temperature and dissolved O2. Hydraulic head measurements were taken to define the groundwater flow field. In the study area, anthropogenic SO 2−4 has aδ 34S of approximately +18‰ (CDT), while natural groundwater SO 2−4 is depleted to about −12%. Low activity of sulfate reducing bacteria in the groundwater at this site assures thatδ 34S is a conservative tracer. Groundwater SO 2−4 concentrations increase asδ 34S approaches +18‰, suggesting that elevated SO 2−4 concentrations are due to S released by sour gas processing. Acidic waters generated by the oxidation of industrial S from the gas plant are neutralized by rock-water reactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    C. Van Donkelaar & I. E. Hutcheon

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, T2N 1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    H. R. Krouse

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  1. C. Van Donkelaar
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  2. I. E. Hutcheon
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  3. H. R. Krouse
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Van Donkelaar, C., Hutcheon, I.E. & Krouse, H.R. δ34S, δ18O, δ D in shallow groundwater: Tracing anthropogenic sulfate and accompanying ground water/rock interactions. Water Air Soil Pollut 79, 279–298 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01100442

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01100442

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