Using stable isotopes to understand hydrochemical processes in and around a Prairie Pothole wetland in the Northern Great Plains, USA

Applied Geochemistry
By: , and 

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Abstract

Millions of internally drained wetland systems in the Prairie Potholes region of the northern Great Plains (USA and Canada) provide indispensable habitat for waterfowl and a host of other ecosystem services. The hydrochemistry of these systems is complex and a crucial control on wetland function, flora and fauna. Wetland waters can have high concentrations of SO2-4 due to the oxidation of large amounts of pyrite in glacial till that is in part derived from the Pierre shale. Water chemistry including δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O, and δ34SSO4 values, was determined for groundwater, soil pore water, and wetland surface water in and around a discharge wetland in North Dakota. The isotopic data for the first time trace the interaction of processes that affect wetland chemistry, including open water evaporation, plant transpiration, and microbial SO4 reduction.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Using stable isotopes to understand hydrochemical processes in and around a Prairie Pothole wetland in the Northern Great Plains, USA
Series title Applied Geochemistry
DOI 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.03.040
Volume 26
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher International Association of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Publisher location New York, NY
Contributing office(s) Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page S97
Last page S100
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