title: The chemistry of Norwegian groundwaters: II. The chemistry of 72 groundwaters from Quaternary sedimentary aquifers.
abstract: Seventy-two samples of groundwater derived from Norwegian Quaternary (largely glaciofluvial or glacial) aquifers were analysed for a wide range of major and minor hydrochemical parameters. The waters exhibit a relatively uncomplex evolution from Na-Cl dominated, immature waters (which reflect marine salts in precipitation) to Ca-HCO3 dominated waters via calcite dissolution. The median pH of these waters is 7.37, in contrast to similar waters from crystalline bedrock aquifers with a median pH of 8.07. The water samples provide little evidence of significant acidification or sulphatisation of groundwaters by 'acid rain'. In fact, a positive correlation emerges between non-marine sulphate and alkalinity/pH, suggesting dominantly lithological sources for non-marine sulphate. No groundwaters from Quaternary deposits exceed maximum recommended concentrations for Rn, F- and Na, while 10% fall outside the required pH range. This again contrasts with bedrock aquifers where 30% of waters are non-compliant with respect to one or more of these parameters.
authors.affiliation: Norges geologiske undersøkelse, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Midtgård
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frengstad
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Krog
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strand
mesh_terms: D015258:Acid Rain; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D009664:Norway; D011786:Quality Control; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D015258:Acid Rain; D014867:Water