WATER AGES IN THERMAL SYSTEM OF THE PODHALE BASIN (INNER CARPATHIANS, SOUTHERN POLAND)

Abstract

Abstract. Karstified carbonates which outcrop in the Tatras, Inner Carpathians, southern Poland, and dip to the north under the flysch sediments of the Podhale Basin, represent the largest known renewable reservoir of thermal waters in the country, with temperatures up to about 80°C. Measurements of He excess, Ne and Ar unexpectedly revealed the existence of glacial age waters in the northeastern part of the basin, and late Holocene age waters in other parts. The noble gas data are shown to be in accordance with newly interpreted earlier long-term records of 3H, δl8O and δ2H in waters of the karstic springs, and with available determinations of 3H, δl8O, δ2H, l4C and δl3C in cold and thermal well waters.