In conjunction with a field calcite precipitation study, fen water samples were collected and analyzed to conduct a cation/anion balance in an effort to understand the geochemical context of the calcite precipitation/dissolution dynamics. Groundwater and surface water geochemistry impact the growth and success of plants in a wetland. The groundwater that feeds this fen is rich in base cations and alkalinity as it is in contact with dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2. Base cations were analyzed using FAA and the major anions were determined titrimetrically and using ion-selective electrodes. Additionally, trace metals that serve as micronutrients were measured using graphite furnace AAS. The geochemical data collected was modeled using MINEQL, a chemical equilibrium model, to determine if the dolomitic geology controls the geochemistry of the wetland stream system.

Determination of a cation/anion balance in a calcareous fen system

245th National Meeting (2013)

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