title: Sr isotope tracing of multiple water sources in a complex river system, Noteć River, central Poland.
abstract: Anthropogenic impact on surface waters and other elements in the environment was investigated in the Noteć River basin in central Poland. The approach was to trace changes in the Sr isotope composition ((87)Sr/(86)Sr) and concentration in space and time. Systematic sampling of the river water shows a very wide range of (87)Sr/(86)Sr ratios, from 0.7089 to 0.7127. This strong variation, however, is restricted to the upper course of the river, whereas the water in the lower course typically shows (87)Sr/(86)Sr values around 0.7104-0.7105. Variations in (87)Sr/(86)Sr are associated with a wide range of Sr concentrations, from 0.14 to 1.32mg/L. We find that strong variations in (87)Sr/(86)Sr and Sr concentrations can be accounted for by mixing of two end-members: 1) atmospheric waters charged with Sr from the near-surface weathering and wash-out of Quaternary glaciogenic deposits, and 2) waters introduced into the river from an open pit lignite mine. The first reservoir is characterized by a low Sr content and high (87)Sr/(86)Sr ratios, whereas mine waters display opposite characteristics. Anthropogenic pollution is also induced by extensive use of fertilizers which constitute the third source of Sr in the environment. The study has an important implication for future archeological studies in the region. It shows that the present-day Sr isotope signatures of river water, flora and fauna cannot be used unambiguously to determine the "baseline" for bioavailable (87)Sr/(86)Sr in the past.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: mateusz.zielinski@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zieliński
authors.affiliation: Poznań Science and Technology Park, Adam Mickiewicz University Foundation, Rubież 46, 61-612 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: dopieralska@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dopieralska
authors.affiliation: Isotope Laboratory, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: zbelka@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Zdzislaw
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Belka
authors.affiliation: Isotope Laboratory, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: awalczak@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walczak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Maków Polnych 16, 61-606 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: siep@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siepak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: mjakub@amu.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakubowicz
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011044:Poland; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013325:Strontium Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D013325:Strontium Isotopes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Anthropogenic contamination; Noteć River; Poland; Strontium isotopes; Water sources