Forming of water chemistry in active layer, Steinvik River catchment, SW Spitsbergen

Abstract

: The objective of this work is to demonstrate the results of hydrogeochmical studies carried out in the Steinvik River catchment for the first time, in order to provide detailed information regarding the chemical composition of groundwater in the Hornsund region, SW Spitsbergen. The water chemistry in the non-glaciated Steinvik River catchment is largely controlled by hydrological processes related to thaw of the near surface permafrost. Groundwater runoff is generated from the fast flow through well-permeable active layer. Recharge from melting snow, permafrost and rain, together with short residence time of groundwater, favors the forming of low-mineralized water, reaching 41 and 50 µS/cm for surface and groundwater, respectively, with the dominance of HCO 3− , Cl − , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and Na + ions. In some water samples, increased concentrations of aluminum (up to 268 µg/L ) were found. The highest concentrations of phosphate, nitrite and ammonium in water seem to be related to the presence of bird colonies. Groundwater of active layer in the studied catchment belongs to young meteoric water with the age limited to one summer season.