Geological-hydrogeochemical characteristics of a "silver spring" water source (the Lozovy ridge)

Abstract

Geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the Lozovy ridge (Southern Primorye) are studied, as far as karst phenomena are widely distributed within its boundaries. Water-bearing rocks of the karst water source "Silver Spring" ("Serebryany Klyuch"), which is located near the bottom of the "Bear's fang" ("Medvezhiy klyk") cave, are investigated. It is found that karst rocks are presented by calcite (CaCO[3]), and an accessory mineral is barite (BaSO[4]). It is determined that among the trace elements forming the composition of carbonate water-bearing rocks the maximum concentrations are typical for Sr, Ba, Fe, Al, Za, Mn, Cu, and Ni. Also, the chemical composition of the waters taken from the "Silver Spring" water source is studied. These waters are fresh, hydrocarbonate, calcium, and weakly alkaline. Among the elements of the spring, such elements as Sr, Ba, Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Ni have the maximum concentration. The other elements have concentrations less than 1 [mu]g/l.