Chemistry of the Cudgegong River, New South Wales

Abstract

Studies of the chemical characteristics of the Cudgegong River, N.S.W., were made in December 1974, November and December 1975 and January and June 1976. The concentrations of the major ions showed correlation with the geology of the catchment and the river's discharge. The order of dominance for ions in most of the river was found to be Mg²⁺ > Na+ > Ca²⁺ and HCO₃^- > Cl^- > SO₄^2-, but in the uppermost reaches of the river the order was Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ and Cl^- > HCO₃^- > SO₄^2-. The origin and variation of ions, mineral weathering and ion-ion associations are discussed.