![[cd2-10]](/Kola/cd2-10.gif)
(Photo: C. Reimann)
Fig. 1: Collection of stream water in the field.
![[cd2-09]](/Kola/cd2-09.gif)
(Photo: C. Reimann)
Fig. 2: Filtering stream water (<0.45 micrometers) prior to sulphate separation for sulphur isotope determination.
Rationale
The composition of stream water collected at the outlet of a catchment
(Fig. 1) reflects the composition of precipitation modified by
biological and geological processes (e.g. vegetation nutrient uptake,
plant decomposition, soil formation,
weathering of Quaternary deposits and bedrock). Elemental levels and
their evolution through time can shed light on the dynamics of
elemental fluxes in the catchment. Sulphur isotope determination
on dissolved sulphate (Fig. 2) can help tracing the sources of
sulphur.
Advantages
Cheap and rapid medium to sample and analyse.
Dissolved and particulate contributions can be separated.
Drawbacks
Complex medium to interpret.
Seasonal variations impose monitoring.
Mapping based on stream water composition is affected by drainage
directions.
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STREAM WATER SAMPLING (Photo: C. Reimann) Fig. 1: Collection of stream water in the field.
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FILTERING STREAM WATER (Photo: C. Reimann) Fig. 2: Filtering stream water (<0.45 micrometers) prior to sulphate separation for sulphur isotope determination.
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