Strontium isotopic evidence on the chemical evolution of pore waters in the Milk River Aquifer, Alberta, Canada

Strontium isotope ratios were measured on 13 rock, 18 leachate and 28 pore-water samples from the Milk River aquifer, the confining argillaceous formations, and the glacial till mantling the recharge area. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) of pore waters from the aquifer, confining units, and the glacial till ranged from 0.7069 to 0.7082. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios in aquifer pore waters decrease with increasing distance from the aquifer recharge area, and this is interpreted to be the result of mixing and water–rock interaction within the aquifer.