Radiocarbon Concentration and Origin of Thermal Karst Waters in the Region of the Bukk Mountains, Northeastern Hungary

Abstract

Karst springs are abundant in Hungary, and many are thermal (temperatures >30 degrees C). As thermal springs are a significant part of Hungary's water resources, it is important to quantify their travel times in the karst systems. Thus, we chose to measure T and delta-18O in the water and delta-13C and 14C in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water from 50 thermal and non-thermal springs and wells in the Bukk Mountains, northeastern Hungary. Environmental isotope data confirm the karst waterflow pattern implied by earlier studies. We found the water in warm springs and boreholes to be mixtures of cold young and old thermal water. We also determined short mean-residence times for some large cold springs. The 14C activities measured in these springs indicate that the recharge area of the karst aquifer is open to the atmosphere, and atmospheric CO2 contributes to the 14C activity of these groundwaters. We observed good correlation between 14C and 3H activities and we determined negative correlations between 14C concentration and delta-13C values and temperature. From the delta-18O values of the oldest thermal waters, we attribute their origin to precipitation during colder temperatures than at present.