Multiple isotope approach to the determination of the natural attenuation potential of a high-alpine karst system

³H, δ¹⁸O and δ²H measurements on groundwater and chemical and isotope analyses on groundwater sulfate were used to determine the origin and mean transit times of groundwater and the sources affecting groundwater sulfate in a high-alpine karstic catchment area in southern Germany. Modelling results using a lumped parameter approach yielded mean transit times of water between 4 and 12 years for different karst springs. However, results obtained from δ¹⁸O and δ²H measurements on groundwater showed that a calculated mean transit time of 12 years for groundwater flow in one karst system can only be explained by mixing of young and old tritium-free ice and snowmelt water. Groundwater sulfate characterized by δ³⁴S values of around 20‰ and δ¹⁸O values of ca. 12‰ in concert with sulfate concentrations of approximately 11 mg/L are probably affected by evaporites. In contrast, δ³⁴S values of around 6‰ and δ¹⁸O values up to 9.4‰ in concert with sulfate concentrations between 1 and 7 mg/L mainly derive from atmospheric deposition. However, a δ³⁴S value of -7.3‰ identified for one of the karst springs demonstrates that the oxidation of sulfide-containing minerals must be considered as an additional source, affecting sulfate concentrations in groundwater. The estimated transit time distribution of groundwater shows relatively high mean transit times between 2 and 5 years with a low contribution of very short transit times of less than 1 year. The high contribution of long mean transit times of groundwater in the alpine karst system, which represents an important drinking water resource, is an important function for drinking water supplies.