Chemical and strontium isotope characterization of rainwater in France: influence of sources and hydrogeochemical implications

Strontium isotope ratios and Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO4(2-), NO3- and Sr2+ concentrations were measured in rainwater samples collected in four stations in France (Brest, Dax, Orleans and Clermont-Ferrand) over a period of 1 year. Each sample represented a monthly series of rain events. The chemical composition and the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the rainwater samples varied considerably. Using Na concentrations as an indicator of marine origin, the proportion of marine and crustal elements was estimated from elemental ratios. Strontium isotopes were used to characterize the different sources using data from the four stations and the literature. Such sources include sea salts, crustal sources (carbonates, silicates and volcanic rocks) and anthropogenic sources (fertilizers, automobile exhausts, incinerators and urban heating).