Abstract: Objective A large strontium-rich mineral water field was discovered in Xintian County, Hunan Province. However, the study on the source of strontium and the development and utilization potential of strontium-rich spring is relatively weak. Meanwhile, studying the hydrochemical characteristics and the source ofstrontium in strontium-rich karst water can provide some theoretical support to the search for strontium-rich groundwater in karst area.Methods Hydrogeological investigation, PHREEQC software, water stoichiometry, end element method and hydrogeological parameter were used to explore the characteristics of strontium-rich karst water minerals saturation index, the sources of Sr²⁺ and SO₄^2-, and the development and utilization potential of strontium-rich groundwater.ResultsCalcite is mainly saturated both in the spring and shaft, while dolomite changes from unsaturated in the spring to saturate in the shaft. Strontium is saturated in the shaft, and gypsum is unsaturated both in the spring and the shaft. In the spring, mineral saturation index increases with the increase of the total dissolved solids, and they have a good positive correlation, but the correlation is poor in the shaft. The SO₄^2- in the spring and shaft had a good positive correlation. According to the stoichiometric relation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, HCO₃^- and SO₄^2-, SO₄^2- in the shaft may come from gypsum dissolution. The Sr2+ in the spring is mainly derived from strontium replacing calcium with isomorphism in limestone, while Sr²⁺ in the shaft probably comes from strontium mine in the aquifer. 85.2% of the water points in the study area meet the standards for drinking water quality, and most of the water points exceeding the standard are single index exceeding the standard. Through calculation, the natural recharge resources, exploitable resources and groundwater resource potential of strontium-rich groundwater in dry years are 3.83×10⁷m³/a、1.05×10⁷m³/a、7.28×10⁶m³/a respectively.Conclusions Strontium in the strontium-rich groundwater in Xintian County is mainly derived from the dissolution of strontium-containing minerals (strontianite and strontium elements in isomorphic displacement). The amount and resource potential of strontium-rich groundwater are considerable, thus it has great potential and value to development and utilization.