STRONTIUM ISOTOPES AS INDICATORS OF THE DISSOLVING PHASE IN A CARBONATE AQUIFER - IMPLICATIONS FOR C-14 DATING OF GROUNDWATER

The calculation of model C-14 ages for groundwater often relies on a correction being made for the incongruent dissolution of aquifer carbonate. Correction equations are particularly sensitive, in certain ranges, to variation in the deltaC-13 value input for dissolving carbonate. This study uses a combined Sr-87/Sr-86 and deltaC-13 approach to define the source and mean deltaC-13 value of dissolving carbonate in the Lincolnshire Limestone aquifer of eastern England. This deltaC-13 value is most appropriately used in C-14 correction equations and yields the most potentially accurate groundwater model ages.