Tritium/Helium-3 Dating of River Infiltration:An Example from the Oderbruch Area, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

The concentrations of tritium, helium isotopes and neon have been measured in groundwater samples from a shallow and deep groundwater system recharged by bank infiltration from the Oder River in northeastern Berlin, Germany. The apparent 3H/3He ages show a distinct variation. They increased from only a few months to >40 years along the flow path. The farthest wells from the river have high concentration of 4He terrigenic which is around 5 × 10?5 (ccSTP/kg). The highest values for stable 3H (3H + 3Hetrit) were encountered at a 2.6 kmdistance from the river.