Analysis of isotopic signals in the Danube River water at Tulln, Austria, based on daily grab samples in 2012

Abstract

Results of stable isotope measurements (δ(2)H, δ(18)O) of daily grab samples, taken from the Danube River at Tulln (river km 1963) during 2012, show seasonal and short-term variations depending on the climatic/hydrological conditions and changes in the catchment area (temperature changes, heavy rains and snow melt processes). Isotope ratios in river water clearly reflect the isotopic composition of precipitation water in the catchment area since evaporation influences play a minor role. Average δ(2)H and δ(18)O values in 2012 are-78‰ and-11.0‰, respectively, deuterium excess averages 10‰. The entire variation amounts to 1.8‰ in δ(18)O and 15‰ in δ(2)H. Quick changes of the isotopic composition within a few days emphasise the necessity of daily sampling for the investigation of hydrological events, while monthly grab sampling seems sufficient for the investigation of long-term hydro-climatic trends. (3)H results show peaks (half-width 1-2 days, up to about 150 TU) exceeding the regional environmental level of about 9 TU, probably due to releases from nuclear power plants.

Measurement of tritium in the Sava and Danube Rivers

“…They also contribute to increasing tritium levels in the Danube. Varlam and Wyhlidal (Varlam et al, 2010;Wyhlidal et al, 2014) have shown that an average tritium concentration of 1.9 Bq/l (15.8TU) in water samples from Danube water along the Lower Danube Basin was recorded during a 2-year research period. This value is a slighter greater than the average tritium concentration of 1.3 Bq/l (10.8TU) in precipitation.…”