Question

Calculate a charge balance for the following ground water chemistry:

(This is a real chemistry from a current groundwater study in Minnesota)

   Ion           ppm          mass        charge           meq/kg

   Ca⁺⁺           324         40.08            2                      

Mg⁺⁺           150         24.31            2                      

   Na⁺             43           22.99            1                      

HCO₃^-          504         61.02           -1                     

    Cl^-             3.4          35.45           -1                     

SO₄⁼         4,360        96.06           -2                     

Does this sample have a reasonable charge balance?

Does the high level of SO₄ have any potential impacts on the solubility of calcite in this water? (What is a likely source of SO₄?)

Would increasing SO₄ allow more calcite to dissolve or would it force precipitation of calcite?

(Remember that changing SO₄ would have to be balanced by something)

Answer 1