CARBONATE GEOCHEMISTRY AND FLUXES DELIVERED BY ISONZO AND TIMAVO RIVERS INTO THE NORTH-EASTERN ADRIATIC SEA

The Gulf of Trieste (GoT) receives alkalinity rich waters transported by rivers and submarine springs draining carbonate watersheds from the surrounding Karst. In this study, two major rivers discharging into the GoT (Isonzo and Timavo) were sampled monthly for 15 months to investigate the dynamics of the CO system at the sea-river interface. The two rivers are characterised by highly different carbonate systems and Mg/Ca molar ratio, possibly due to the origin and characteristics of the two catchment basins. Both rivers resulted major contributors to the CO system and to the total alkalinity discharged into the GoT.