Geochemistry of strontium in fresh underground waters of the Sredneobskoy basin (Tomsk region, Russia)

Tomsk branch of the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics, SB RAS, Tomsk, Akademichesky 4, 634055 Tomsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: IvanovaIS_1986@mail.ru

Abstract

In the central part of Western Siberia a study of the chemical composition of fresh underground waters in the upper 600 m of the Sredneobskoy artesian basin was carried out. It was shown that underground waters generally contain high concentrations of strontium. The minimum concentrations of Sr are typical for Neogene-Quaternary sediments (600 µg/L), maximum values in the waters of the Upper Cretaceous sediments (more than 1300 µg/L). The study of strontium accumulation mechanisms in drinking underground waters is undoubtedly an important issue, as strontium is a biologically active element. Especially dangerous is the consumption of underground waters with a calcium-strontium ratio less than 100, that is the hydrogeochemical precondition for Urov endemic (Kashin-Beck disease). According to the calcium/strontium ratios data waters of the Neogene-Quaternary and Paleogene sediments selected in the south-western part of the Tomsk region are unsuitable for drinking water supply. Underground waters are shown to be in equilibrium with Al and Fe hydroxides; Ca, Mg, Fe carbonates; and clay minerals, including ferruginous. Increased strontium content in aquifers is determined not only by the chemical composition of the water-bearing rocks, but also increasing resident time of water rock interaction.