Age Dating of old groundwater is a challenging task. Recently Krypton dating tool has been developed. Is this a promising start of a bright future for groundwater investigations?
Well,
Calculation of temperature of old water systems (Paleo temperatures of hydrologic system)
Ancient groundwater contains noble gases dissolved at concentrations determined by the prevailing ambient temperature at the time of recharge. Methods for determining the age of groundwater, for example, determining the age at C 14, with the temperatures calculated during the monitoring of the relevant Ar, Kr, Xe concentrations may provide information on the old temperatures. Noble gas method is the only way that can be used directly in determining old temperatures. Other techniques for understanding the old climate are more general, combining humidity and temperature as relative terms.
Regards
The 81Kr method is of interest for groundwater older than ca. 20ka (practical limit of 14C). In most times this is deep circulating (often highly mineralized) water. So, the interest also is mostly academic. 81Kr is released by certain nuclear facilities; thats why the method is not suitable for young groundwater. Anyway, I think it is also a quite expensive method only available at Oak Ridge Natl. Labs.
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