Strontium isotopic geochemistry of the Devils Lake drainage system, North Dakota: A preliminary study and potential paleoclimatic implications

A series of water samples (precipitation, surface water and ground water) from the Devils Lake drainage basin in central North Dakota have been analyzed for their ??180 and ??D and 87Sr/86Sr. The ??180 and ??D of snow and most ground water samples fall near the meteoric water line, with the ground water being isotopically heavier than the snow, indicating that a portion of the recharge must come from non-winter precipitation events. One ground water and all the surface water samples fall below the meteoric water line, demonstrating extensive evaporation. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the snow is more radiogenic than those of the ground water samples, indicating that the ground water has increased its 86Sr content by the dissolution of mafic rock in the aquifer. Stump Lake has a much inure radiogenic Sr isotopic ratio than the waters of Devils Lake suggesting a source of water different from that of Devils Lake. The East Stump Lake water, on the other hand, appears to be either a mix of Devils Lake and Stump Lake waters, or Devils Lake water diluted with precipitation.