Abstract

In order to investigate the relative mobility (RM) of dissolved elements during processes controlling major and trace element content, the concentrations of major, minor and trace elements were reviewed from the previous data of CO₂-rich waters and granites from Kangwon Province. The relative mobility of elements dissolved in CO₂-rich waters is calculated from CO₂-rich water/granite ratio with normalizing by sodium. The results show that gaseous input of magmatic volatile metals into the aquifer is negligible in this study area, being limited by cooling of the rising fluids. Granite leaching by weakly acidic, CO₂-charged water is the overwhelming source of metals. Poorly mobile element (Al) is preferentially retained in the solid residue of weathering, while alkalis, alkaline earth and oxo-hydroxo anion forming elements (especially As and U) are mobile and released to the aqueous system. Transition metals display an intermediate behavior and are strongly dependent on either the redox conditions (Fe and Mn) or solid surface-related processes (adsorption or precipitation) (V, Zn and Cu).

Keywords mobility, geochemistry, CO2-rich water, water-rock interaction