The geochemistry of surface waters of the Western District of Victoria

Abstract

Chemical data are presented for the concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, chloride, bromide, sulphate, carbonate, boron, silicon, phosphorus, and nitrogen in some lakes and rivers of the Western District of Victoria. All these waters are of the chloride type and sodium is the dominant cation. Comparatively high pH values are common. Several ionic ratios have been calculated and these are used to illustrate relative enrichments or losses among the ions present during an overall increase in total salinity. Precipitation of dolomitic carbonate is indicated. The similarity of several ionic ratios to those of sea water is used to propose an oceanic origin for these inorganic constituents. Clay membrane mechanisms coupled with solar evaporation are suggested as an explanation for the extreme salinity range of samples.