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Sulfur isotopes in sulfate in the inputs and outputs of a Canadian Shield watershed

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Abstract

The isotopic composition of sulfur in sulfate from precipitation, stream inflows and outflow of the Lake 239 watershed at the Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario, was monitored for four years, 1982–1985. Rainfall had δ34S of 3–9and a three year mean value weighted by the mass of sulfate of 4.8‰ Sulfur in streams ranged from 5–15 and displayed a pronounced seasonal pattern in which δ34S showed significant negative correlations with both streamflows and sulfate concentrations. Outflow values were much more constant and averaged 6.4‰ over the three year period. Sulfate reduction or sorption favoring retention of the lighter isotope in the watershed was the probable cause of the isotopic variation of the sulfur isotopes in the streams. A sulfur isotope budget for the lake balanced within 1‰

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries & Oceans, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N6

    R. H. Hesslein & M. J. Capel

  2. 195 Alburg Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2N 1V5, Canada

    D. E. Fox

Authors
  1. R. H. Hesslein
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  2. M. J. Capel
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  3. D. E. Fox
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Hesslein, R.H., Capel, M.J. & Fox, D.E. Sulfur isotopes in sulfate in the inputs and outputs of a Canadian Shield watershed. Biogeochemistry 5, 263–273 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02180067

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