Groundwater dating with radiocarbon: application to an aquifer under semi-arid conditions in the south of Morocco (Guelmime)

Radiocarbon dating is based on measuring the loss of the parent radionuclide (C-14) in a given sample. This assumes two key features of the system. The first is that the initial concentration of the parent is known and has remained constant in the past. The second is that the system is closed to subsequent gains or losses of the parent, except through radioactive decay. But. the reaction and evolution of the carbonate system strongly dilute the initial C-14 activity in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The result is an artificial "aging" of groundwater by dilution of C-14. Unravelling the relevant processes and distinguishing C-14 decay from C-14 dilution is an engaging geochemical problem. Several attempts to overcome these problems have been made during the past 30 years and a number of possible correction procedures have been presented by different authors. Environmental isotopes study (C-13, C-14) from the aquifers of the Guelmime under semi-arid conditions provides new information on recharge zones, mixing zones and the circulation routes of water. The combination of logP(CO2) the saturation index of dolomite and calcite, HCO(3) over bar, delta(13)C, C-14 and pH along flow paths can provide an indication of open- and closed-system conditions in the Oumlaachar and Seyyad sub-basins. This approach of geochemical analysis, when combined with correction procedures. allows us to understand age and recharge in the Guelmime aquifer. C-14 groundwater ages range from modern to about 2700 years in this aquifer. and indicate recharge values of 0.55-15mm/yr. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.