Intensive monitoring of the Cuise Sands Aquifer in a small agricultural catchment (3 km, where agricultural practices are well documented) over nearly 5 a showed significant disparities for major element concentrations, Sr concentrations, isotopic compositions and H-3 values, depending on the groundwater sampling locations. Lower Sr-87/Sr-86 values (0.7079-0.7085) associated with low NO3 concentrations, low Mg/Sr molar ratios (< 100) and low H-3 values are attributed to natural end-members. Groundwater with higher Sr-87/Sr-86 values (> 0.7085) and higher Mg/Sr molar ratios (> 250) suggest a contribution of Sr from anthropogenic sources. Strontium isotopes coupled with Mg/Sr and Ca/Sr ratios of groundwater in this catchment successfully demonstrated the capacity to trace fertilizer contributions, which significantly modify the natural Sr isotopic signature of groundwater. The specific geochemical signature of groundwater revealed by Sr isotopes, in addition to major and trace element concentrations (in particular Mg/Sr and Ca/Sr molar ratios), demonstrated the partial isolation of groundwater bodies in this catchment. Compartmentalisation of the aquifer is compatible with fault distribution as defined by geological and geophysical investigations. Thus, the Sr isotopic tool coupled with Mg/Sr and Ca/Sr ratios has been applied with success to trace water pathways and recharge and to provide scenarios for the hydrological functioning of the system. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.