Use of Isotope Methods for the Development of a New Structural-Geological Model in the Finne Region

Abstract

Since the 1960s intensive isotope hydrogeological studies have been carried out in the Finne mountain range between Herrengosserstedt in Thuringia and the River Unstrut near Karsdorf in Saxony-Anhalt. The new railway line Erfurt-Leipzig/Halle, a part of the traffic projects German Union - Railway-No. 8-, will cross this area with two tunnels, each of which is 6 km long. The tunnelling of the Middle Bunter rocks on the west side involves the crossing of an area with deep wells used for drinking water supply.

To clarify the hydrodynamic situation in this area, the planning company for railway construction German Union (PB DE) contracted Trischler und Partner to carry out an extensive exploration programme. This programme included not only investigations using the isotopes ²H, ¹⁸O, ³H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C, but also single measurements of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and a multitude of hydrochemical analyses.

Because of stratum related ground water sampling, an aquifer related evaluation of the investigation results was possible. Based on these results a fundamentally new structural-geological model for the investigation area was developed. In addition to its great importance for the tunnel planning, with the new model it will be possible to solve urgent questions concerning the drinking water supply in this region.