Origin and chemical and isotopic evolution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater of the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Rawlings N. Akondi, Eliot A. Atekwana, Loago Molwalefhe

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1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The origin and the chemical and isotopic evolution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater of the Okavango Delta in semi-arid Botswana were investigated using DIC and major ion concentrations and stable oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotopes (δD, δ 18 O and δ 13 C DIC ). The δD and δ 18 O indicated that groundwater was recharged by evaporated river water and unevaporated rain. The river water and shallow (<10 m) groundwater are Ca–Na–HCO 3 type and the deep (≥10 m) groundwater is Na–K–HCO 3 to HCO 3 –Cl–SO 4 to Cl–SO 4 –HCO 3 . Compared to river water, the mean DIC concentrations were 2 times higher in shallow groundwater, 7 times higher in deep groundwater and 24 times higher in island groundwater. The δ 13 C DIC indicate that DIC production in groundwater is from organic matter oxidation and in island groundwater from organic matter oxidation and dissolution of sodium carbonate salts. The ionic and isotopic evolution of the groundwater relative to evaporated river water indicates two independent pools of DIC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-120
Number of pages16
JournalHydrological Sciences Journal
Volume64
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Water Science and Technology

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