Abstract:
In the karst groundwater exploration study of the Mouthspring Cambrian-Ordovician (∈-O) carbonate aquifer system which is situated on the southwest of Datong of Shanxi Province, environmental sulphur isotopes were used for identifying the origin of karst groundwater, recognizing the environment of karst groundwater with three kinds characterized by its circulation, discharge and recharge, distinguishing the sub-systems of karst groundwater with its mutual relationships. The difference of enrichment of 34 S in species with different valences, the fractionation of sulphur isotopes mainly the isotopic variations of sulphur compounds including
δ34S(SO
42-) and
δ34S(HS
-) were used for this purpose. The Mouthspring ∈-O aquifer system is different from two neighbouring ∈-O aquifer systems, the Deityhead and the Threefloor, using the relationships of their sulphur isotopes,
δ18O(SO
42-) and
14C. Large variations of
δ34S(SO
42-),
δ34S(SO
42-) and
δ18O(SO
42-) were found in karst groundwater, however, the anomalous values were occurred in the Z1 spring of Deithead ∈-O aquifer system.