Abstract:
Deteriorating water quality along the Tarawera River, in Kawerau (New Zealand), is thought to be correlated to the solid and liquid waste disposal practices of the local pulp and paper mill in conjunction with naturally occurring geothermal discharge in the area. Due to high concentrations of boron in the liquid from both of these sources this study investigates the use of this element as a tool to assist in improving the management of the waterways and water quality in the region. Comprehensive scientific studies that have been conducted for over 20 years have identified boron as a successful natural tracer for use in water bodies in different parts of the world. [1-3] Drawing on this information we executed a temporal water quality survey to assess the consistency of boron isotope composition values at a localised scale. This survey included monthly sampling over a six-month period spanning the wet and dry seasons. The water samples were a selection of pond, river, ground (shallow and deep zones), and geothermal, coupled with leachate and aeration pond water from a pulp and paper solid waste site. The boron concentration data and isotope ratios were established using ICP-MS and negative TIMS, respectively. This paper discusses: 1) the effectiveness of boron isotope composition values as signatures for water; 2) the reliability of these signatures as a tool for water quality and management purposes; 3) the level to which sampling, analytical and environmental anomalies have influenced the results.