| title: | Baseline chemical and isotopic composition and age of Estonian groundwater: geochemical foundation for implementation the EU Water Framework Directive in Estonia |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5925 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
1.10. Geology |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Institute of Geology at Tallinn Technical University |
| head of project: | Rein Vaikmäe |
| duration: | 01.01.2004 - 31.12.2007 |
| description: | The project aims to establish baseline chemical and isotopic composition and age of groundwater in Estonia for to provide scientific foundation for implementation the EU Water Framework Directive and the Daughter Directive on Groundwater. Baseline geochemical parameters are needed as a reference to be able to assess quantitatively whether or not anthropogenic pollution is taking place and if so to what extent. Existing water quality limits may be breached by entirely natural processes for elements as F, Fe, As. Thus, quality changes are not only due human impacts but to changes in the aquifer system hydrodynamics (recharge variations, seawater encroachment, mixing processes etc.). In order to interpret the water quality variations in terms of baseline concentrations, some knowledge of water ages (residence times) within groundwater system is required.For this purpose, both inert and reactive chemical and isotopic natural tracers will be used. Numerical models of flow and geochemical models will be used in combination with the tracer methods. The baseline conditions will be investigated as far as possible by cross-sections along the groundwater flow gradient, where sequential changes in the water-rock interaction as well as mixing, may be readily investigated. By investigating the evolution of water quality along flow lines, it will also be possible to establish relative timescales. The identification (or absence) of marker species related to activities of the industrial era, such as total organic carbon (TOC), tritium (3H),dissolved anthropogenic gases (chlorofluorocarbons, SF6) may provide evidence of a recent component in groundwater. The expected deliverables of the project are: the concept of geochemical baseline and baseline trends applied to Estonian aquifers; scientific basis for water policy documents; recommendations for monitoring; scientific publications and conference presentations. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Jüri Ivask | TTÜ GI | teadur | |
| 2. | Enn Kaup | TTÜ GI | vanemteadur | |
| 3. | Andres Marandi | TÜ TI | peaspetsialist | |
| 4. | Tõnu Martma | TTÜ GI | teadur | |
| 5. | Valle Raidla | TTÜ GI | insener | |
| 6. | Rein Vaikmäe | Institute of Geology at Tallinn Technical University | head of laboratory | |
| 7. | Leo Vallner | TTÜ GI | teadur | |