Groundwater as a Closed System for Atmospheric Noble Gases

3 Groundwater as a Closed System for Atmospheric Noble Gases 

A coastal spring was found to contain 12 x 10 9cc STP Xe/cc water. What was the ambient temperature at the point of recharge (assuming the system remained closed) From Fig. 13.1 it is seen that 12 x 10 9cc STP Xe/cc water are dissolved in water that equilibrates with air at 12 °C. Hence, if recharge were at sea level, the ambient temperature would have been 12 °C. 

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The scope of noble gas applications in groundwater studies is much greater than described thus far, but first we have to check the basic assumption that groundwater provides closed system conditions for dissolved atmospheric noble gases. 

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