Hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigations of the Han River basin, South Korea

The Han River, the largest river in South Korea draining approximately 26,000 km 2, comprises two major tributaries: the North and the South Han Rivers. Seasonal and spatial variations in the major ion chemistry and isotope compositions of the Han River were monitored for one year at 14–23 locations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) 2007-10, Vol.345 (1), p.50-60
Main Authors: Ryu, Jong-Sik, Lee, Kwang-Sik, Chang, Ho-Wan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atmospheric deposition
Carbonate weathering
carbonates
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Freshwater
Geochemistry
granite
Han river system
hydrochemistry
Hydrogeochemistry
Hydrology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
ions
Isotope geochemistry
Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology
Isotopes
Mineralogy
river water
rivers
rocks
Silicate weathering
Silicates
silicon
sulfates
total dissolved solids
Water geochemistry
watersheds
Water–rock interaction
weathering
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Summary:The Han River, the largest river in South Korea draining approximately 26,000 km 2, comprises two major tributaries: the North and the South Han Rivers. Seasonal and spatial variations in the major ion chemistry and isotope compositions of the Han River were monitored for one year at 14–23 locations, covering about 80% of the entire drainage basin. Compared to the South Han River (SHR), the North Han River (NHR) was much lower in total dissolved solids (TDS), Sr, and major ion concentrations, but higher in Si concentration, δ 34S SO 4 values, and 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios. These observations suggest strong influence of prevailing rock types in the drainage basins on the chemical and isotopic compositions of the river waters. These are silicate rocks in the NHR basin and carbonate rocks in the SHR basin. The headwaters of the NHR basin, where several flood control dams have been constructed, show enrichment in deuterium and oxygen-18, indicating evaporative loss. The δ 34S SO 4 data suggest dissolved sulfates in the NHR and SHR are mostly derived from atmospheric deposition, and variable mixtures of atmospheric deposition and sulfide oxidation, respectively. The 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios are much higher in the NHR (0.71793–0.72722) than in the SHR (0.71495–0.71785) with one exception, indicating weathering of Precambrian and Mesozoic granitic rocks and marine carbonates, respectively.
ISSN:0022-1694
1879-2707
DOI:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.08.001