Multi-isotope identification of key hydrogeochemical processes and pollution pathways of groundwater in abandoned mining areas in Southwest China.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is considered one of the serious environmental issues in the mining area. Understanding the key processes and pathways of hydrogeochemical evolution is critical for the effective control of AMD pollution. Hydrogeochemical analysis along with environmental isotope tracing was utilized to provide information regarding the hydrogeochemical process of groundwater pollution by using the multi-aquifer of abandoned Dashu pyrite in Southwest China as an example. Using the deuterium excess parameter d of groundwater and the results of 2H, 18O, and T analysis, the water-rock interaction intensity was determined. The distribution characteristics of d-T revealed that the groundwater primarily originated from the Quaternary reservoir platform groundwater and that there was a close hydraulic connection among the aquifers. The results of ion analysis and sulfur isotope tracing indicated that the sulfur in groundwater was primarily derived from gypsum dissolution, whereas the sulfur in mine water was primarily derived from pyrite oxidation. The results of the hydrogeochemical inversion indicated that mining activities altered the water level and flow conditions, promoted water-rock interactions, altered the hydrogeochemical process, and caused aquifer and mine water cross-contamination. The findings provide theoretical guidance for identifying the pollution sources and critical hydrogeochemical processes that affect groundwater in depleted mining areas of multi-aquifers and also provide technical support for developing water source control and prevention techniques.

Source and enrichment mechanism of fluoride in groundwater of the Hotan Oasis within the Tarim Basin, Northwestern China.

In arid inland irrigated areas, the role of human activities on fluoride enrichment in groundwater is not fully understood. There is an extremely arid climate, high-intensity irrigation, and severe soil salinization in the Hotan Oasis within the Tarim Basin, Northwestern China. In this study, hydrogeochemistry and environmental isotope methods were combined to explore the distribution characteristics and controlling processes of fluoride enrichment in groundwater. The F- concentration in groundwater had a range of 1.12-9.4 mg/L. F- concentrations of all the groundwater samples were higher than 1.0 mg/L (Chinese Standards for Drinking Water Quality), and about 89% were higher than 1.5 mg/L (WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality). High fluoride groundwater was mainly distributed downstream of the river and in the middle of the interfluvial zone. Vertically, the fluoride concentration was higher when the sampling depth was less than 15 m. There was a significant positive correlation between F- concentration and salinity in groundwater. F- in groundwater was mainly derived from river water fluoride, which could be imported to groundwater with infiltration of rivers and irrigation canals as well as irrigation return flow. Anthropogenic inputs may be partly responsible for fluoride enrichment in groundwater. Fluoride accumulated in the vadose zone by strong evapotranspiration and then leached into groundwater with irrigation return flow was the main mechanism of F- enrichment in groundwater in the study area. This work is a clear example of how human activities together with natural processes can affect the chemical quality of groundwater, which is essential to safeguard the sustainable management of water and soil resources inland arid oasis areas.

Groundwater contamination assessment in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia with combined use of hydrochemical, environmental isotopic, and statistical approaches.

Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia is rapidly becoming urbanized and attracts great attention because of environmental issues. This study was performed to assess the status of groundwater quality in Ulaanbaatar at an early but growing stage of urbanization, focusing on nitrate contamination in relation to land use. Along with high total dissolved solids and NO3- concentrations, significant contamination of groundwater is indicated by positive loadings of NO3-, Cl- and δ15N-NO3- along the first principal component of the principal component analysis (PCA). Based on the concentrations and δ15N values of nitrate, groundwater is classified into two groups: Group I (baseline quality) and II (contaminated). Nitrate in Group II water in urbanized (esp. peri-urban) areas is higher in concentration (> 10 mg/l NO3-) and N-isotopic values (> 10‰ δ15N-NO3-), while pristine hydrochemistry is observed restrictedly in grassland and forest areas. Other ions (e.g., Cl- and SO42-) are also higher in Group II water. The δ15N-NO3- values in Group II water in combination with the spatial distribution on the land use map indicate that nitrate originates from untreated sewage effluents including pit-latrine leakage in peri-urban areas, while nitrate in Group I water originates from soil organic matter. The relationship between nitrate concentrations and δ2H (and δ18O) values of water suggests that nitrate enrichment is also influenced by evaporation during groundwater recharge. With the help of PCA for compositional data, we suggest a hydrochemical index for groundwater contamination assessment; i.e., the Groundwater Quality Index (GQI) that consists of three variables (concentrations of dissolved silica, nitrate and chloride) and can be used to delineate zones vulnerable to nitrate contamination as a crucial step for the efficient monitoring and management of groundwater quality. The study results suggest an urgent need for the management of unsealed pit latrines that are common in peri-urban areas with high population density.

[Indicators of Groundwater Evolution Processes Based on Hydrochemistry and Environmental Isotopes: A Case Study of the Dongyuan Drinking Water Source Area in Ji'nan City].

The Dongyuan groundwater source area, which is the main drinking water source of Ji'nan City, is karst fissure water. To identify groundwater recharge sources, the influence of surface water, hydrochemical evolution, hydrochemical and isotopic components (2H and 18O) of groundwater and surface water samples collected from the Dongyuan groundwater source were investigated.The results showed that the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater were similar, and the main ions were Ca2+, HCO3-, and SO42-. The groundwater, which suffered evaporation to varying degrees, was recharged mainly by precipitation. The hydrochemical composition of regional groundwater is mainly controlled by water-rock interactions, including dissolution/precipitation of carbonate minerals in the limestone aquifers and hydrolysis of silicates minerals in the quaternary aquifers, above the limestone aquifers. In some areas, groundwater was polluted by infiltration of river water. The main indicators of groundwater pollution that exceeded groundwater quality standards were total hardness, NO3-, NH4+, SO42-, Fe, and Mn.

Geochemical processes controlling groundwater quality under semi arid environment: A case study in central Morocco.

Bahira plain is an important area for Morocco due to its agriculture and mining activities. Situated in a sub-arid to arid climate, this plain hosts an aquifer system that represents sequences of carbonates, phosphates, evaporates and alluvial deposits. Groundwater flows from Ganntour plateau (recharge area) to the basin-fill deposits and Zima Lake and Sed Elmejnoun where water evaporates. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical properties of the groundwater and to assess the processes controlling the groundwater's chemistry. We can divide water samples into three hydrochemical water groups: recharge waters (Ca/Mg-HCO3), transition zone waters (Ca-HCO3-SO4/Cl) and discharge waters (Na-Cl/SO4). Accordingly, compositions of waters are determined by the availability of easily soluble minerals like calcite (Ca-HCO3 dominant), halite (Na-Cl dominant) and gypsum (Ca-SO4 dominant). Cl/Br ratios show that Cl concentration increases from dissolution of natural halite. When groundwater is affected by extreme evaporation Cl/Br ratios may increase up to 1900. High fluoride concentrations are associated with low Ca2+ concentrations (<100mg/L). That means when recharge waters enter the aquifer, it starts dissolving fluorite since the Ca2+ concentration is low. Once groundwater becomes saturated with Ca2+, the immobilization of fluoride is occurring by precipitation of fluoride-rich minerals like fluoro-apatite. According to the environmental isotope (18O and 2H) analyses, they are three potential processes affecting groundwater: 1. Evaporation as verified by low slope value, 2. Water-rock interaction, 3. admixture of waters showed different stable isotope compositions and salinities.

PAHs behavior in surface water and groundwater of the Yellow River estuary: Evidence from isotopes and hydrochemistry.

Large-scale irrigation projects have impacted the regional surface-groundwater interactions in the North China Plain (NCP). Given this concern, the aim of this study is to evaluate levels of PAH pollution, identify the sources of the PAHs, analyze the influence of surface-groundwater interactions on PAH distribution, and propose urgent management strategies for PAHs in China's agricultural areas. PAH concentrations, hydrochemical indicators and stable isotopic compositions (δ18O and δ2H) were determined for surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) samples. PAHs concentrations in surface water and groundwater varied from 11.84 to 393.12 ng/L and 8.51-402.84 ng/L, respectively, indicating mild pollution. The seasonal variations showed the following trend: PAHs in surface water at the low-water phase > PAHs in groundwater at the low-water phase > PAHs in surface water at the high-water phase > PAHs in groundwater at the high-water phase. Hydrochemical and δ18O value of most groundwater samples distributed between the Yellow River and seawater. The mean value of mixture ratio of the Yellow River water recharge to the groundwater was 65%, few anomalous sites can reach to 90%. Surface-groundwater interactions influence the spatial distribution of PAHs in the study area. In light of the ongoing serious pollution, management practices for source control, improved control technologies, and the construction of a monitoring network to warn of increased risk are urgently needed.

Trace metal in surface water and groundwater and its transfer in a Yellow River alluvial fan: evidence from isotopes and hydrochemistry.

Metals are ubiquitous in the environment. The aim of sustainable management of the agro-ecosystem includes ensuring that water continues to fulfill its function in agricultural production, cycling of elements, and as a habitat of numerous organisms. There is no doubt that the influence of large-scale irrigation projects has impacted the regional surface-groundwater interactions in the North China Plain (NCP). Given these concerns, the aim of this study is to evaluate the pollution, identify the sources of trace metals, analyze the influence of surface-groundwater interactions on trace metal distribution, and to propose urgent management strategies for trace metals in the agriculture area in China. Trace metals, hydrochemical indicators (EC, pH, concentrations of Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cl(-), SO4(2-), and HCO3(-)) and stable isotopic composition (δ(18)O and δ(2)H) were determined for surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) samples. Trace metals were detected in all samples. Concentrations of Fe, Se, B, Mn, and Zn in SW exceeded drinking water standards by 14.8%, 29.6%, 25.9%, 11.1%, and 14.8% higher, respectively, and by 3.8%, 23.1%, 11.5%, 11.5%, and 7.7% in GW. The pollution of trace metals in surface water was more serious than that in groundwater, and was also higher than in common irrigation areas in NCP. Trace metals were found to have a combined origin of geogenic and agriculture and industrial activities. Their distribution varied greatly and exhibited a certain relationship with the water flow direction, with the exception of a number of singular sites. Hydrochemical and environmental isotopic evidence indicates surface-groundwater interactions influence the spatial distribution of trace metal in the study area. Facing the ongoing serious pollution, management practices for source control, improved control technologies, and the construction of a monitoring net to warn of increased risk are urgently needed.