Spatial and temporal dynamics of nitrogen exchange in an upwelling reach of a groundwater-fed river and potential response to perturbations changing rainfall patterns under UK climate change scenarios

We report the complex spatial and temporal dynamics of hyporheic exchange flows (HEFs) and nitrogen exchange in an upwelling reach of a 200 m groundwater-fed river. We show how research combining hydrological measurement, geophysics and isotopes, together with nutrient speciation techniques provides insight on nitrogen pathways and transformations that could not have been captured otherwise, including a zone of vertical preferential discharge of nitrate from deeper groundwater, and a zone of rapid denitrification linking the floodplain with the riverbed. Nitrate attenuation in the reach is dominated by denitrification but is spatially highly variable. This variability is driven by groundwater flow pathways and landscape setting, which influences hyporheic flow, residence time and nitrate removal. We observed the spatial connectivity of the river to the riparian zone is important because zones of horizontal preferential discharge supply organic matter from the floodplain and create anoxic riverbed conditions with overlapping zones of nitrification potential and denitrification activity that peaked 10–20 cm below the riverbed. Our data also show that temporal variability in water pathways in the reach is driven by changes in stage of the order of tens of centimetres and by strength of water flux, which may influence the depth of delivery of dissolved organic carbon. The temporal variability is sensitive to changes to river flows under UK climate projections that anticipate a 14%–15% increase in regional median winter rainfall and a 14%–19% reduction in summer rainfall. Superimposed on seasonal projections is more intensive storm activity that will likely lead to a more dynamic and inherently complex (hydrologically and biogeochemically) hyporheic zone. We recorded direct evidence of suppression of upwelling groundwater (flow reversal) during rainfall events. Such flow reversal may fuel riverbed sediments whereby delivery of organic carbon to depth, and higher denitrification rates in HEFs might act in concert to make nitrate removal in the riverbed more efficient.     

Denitrification in riparian buffer zones: the role of floodplain hydrology

The broad purpose of the study described here was to assess the role of denitrification in riparian zones in ameliorating groundwater pollution through nitrate loss, and as a potential source of nitrous oxide to the atmosphere. A suitable riparian zone was identified at Cuddesdon Mill on the River Thame floodplain near Oxford, England. Measurements were made of water and nitrate moving from arable land through the riparian zone and into the river. Techniques to measure denitrification were tested and applied, and the factors controlling denitrification measured. While there was considerable potential for denitrification at the site, this was not realized because much of the water moving off the farmland bypassed the riparian zone, entering the river directly via springs or through gravel lenses beneath the floodplain soil. Management of this site would not reduce nitrate leaching unless the floodplain hydrology could be substantially modified, and the main conclusion is that nitrate buffer zones will only operate efficiently where the hydrology of the site is appropriate. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrology and nitrogen balance of a seasonally inundated Danish floodplain wetland

This paper characterizes a seasonally inundated Danish floodplain wetland in a state close to naturalness and includes an analysis of the major controls on the wetland water and nitrogen balances. The main inputs of water are precipitation and percolation during ponding and unsaturated conditions. Lateral saturated subsurface flow is low. The studied floodplain owes its wetland status to the hydraulic properties of its sediments: the low hydraulic conductivity of a silt–clay deposit on top of the floodplain maintains ponded water during winter, and parts of autumn and spring. A capillary fringe extends to the soil surface, and capillary rise from groundwater during summer maintains near‐saturated conditions in the root zone, and allows a permanently very high evapotranspiration rate. The average for the growing season of 1999 is 3·6 mm day^?1 and peak rate is 5·6 mm day^?1. In summer, the evapotranspiration is to a large degree supplied by subsurface storage in a confined peat layer underlying the silt–clay. The floodplain sediments are in a very reduced state as indicated by low sulphate concentrations. All nitrate transported into the wetland is thus denitrified. However, owing to modest water exchange with surrounding groundwater and surface water, denitrification is low; 71 kg NO₃–N ha^?1 during the study period of 1999. Reduction of nitrate diffusing into the sediments during water ponding accounts for 75% of nitrate removal. Biomass production and nitrogen uptake in above‐ground vegetation is high—8·56 t dry matter ha^?1 year^?1 and 103 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. Subsurface ammonium concentrations are high, and convective upward transport into the root zone driven by evapotranspiration amounted to 12·8 kg N ha^?1year^?1. The floodplain wetland sediments have a high nitrogen content, and conditions are very favourable for mineralization. Mineralization thus constitutes 72% of above‐ground plant uptake. The study demonstrates the necessity of identifying controlling factors, and to combine surface flow with vadose and groundwater flow processes in order to fully comprehend the flow and nitrogen dynamics of this type of wetland. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鄱阳湖典型洪泛区地下水数值模拟研究

受地表河湖系统水情变化干扰,高度动态和异质性的洪泛区地下水文对河湖水资源、水污染以及生态环境功能等方面具有重要影响和贡献。鄱阳湖洪泛区湿地在长江中下游具有重要区位优势和研究特色,但变化环境下其水动力特征和水量交换情况等仍存在许多不确定性。本文以鄱阳湖典型洪泛区为研究区,采用地下水流二维数值模型,开展了洪泛区地表地下水转化作用与水量变化的模拟研究。结果表明,鄱阳湖季节性水位变化很大程度上决定了主湖区与周边地下水之间的动态补排模式,即洪泛区地下水补给湖泊主要发生在枯水和退水时期,而湖泊补给地下水主要发生在涨水和高洪水位时期。一般情况下,整个洪泛区地下水位与湖水位的年内变化态势基本一致,主湖区附近的地下水位年内变幅较大,而大部分洪泛区的地下水位变幅相对较小。北部地下水流速明显大于南部,主湖区附近地下水流速明显大于洪泛区,地下水流速基本小于1～2 m/d。水均衡分析发现,洪泛区地下水系统以接受降雨输入（52%）和主湖区补给（39%）为主,以地下水蒸发输出（72%）和向湖排泄（24%）为主,但补给主要发生在春、夏季,而排泄则发生在秋、冬季。地形地貌对洪泛区地下水位分布以及流速场演化具有主控作用,...     

Assessment of the quantitative and qualitative buffer function of an alluvial wetland: hydrological modelling of a large floodplain (Garonne River,France)

For 2 years, water flow‐patterns in the Garonne floodplain of south‐western France were studied in the field and through hydrodynamic modelling (MARTHE Hydrodynamic Software developed by BRGM). Water flow‐paths and the transport of dissolved elements between river and aquifer have been investigated and modelled. In order to quantify the buffer function of the alluvial floodplain, we focused our work on the effect of a major flood on the water flow‐direction, and on nitrate transport. Thus, we showed that the effect of a large flood in the river was rapidly lost with increasing distance from the river. During the observation period, a hydrologically active strip only 300 m wide on either side of the riverbed played a buffering role in absorbing the flood crest. It was also found that meanders favour the exchange between river and alluvial aquifer, shown by the creation of bypasses between the upstream and downstream parts of meanders. This, in turn, contributes to a dilution of nitrates in the phreatic aquifer, which here has higher nitrate content than the surface water; such dilution may result in an overestimation of the denitrification process in the wooded riverbanks. The coupling of chemical measurements—especially of chlorides and nitrate—with modelling of the dissolved‐element transport allows us to establish the water balance for the riparian wetland, and to separate the effect of dilution and denitrification on nitrate concentration. This indicated the existence of areas in the riparian wetlands where denitrification is particularly strong, leading to reductions in nitrate concentrations of 10 to 30 mg/l NO₃^? during the flood. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Focused Groundwater Controlled Feedbacks into the Hyporheic Zone During Baseflow Recession

Groundwater surface water interaction in the hyporheic zone remains an important challenge for water resources management and ecosystem restoration. In heterogeneous stratified glacial sediments, reach‐scale environments contain an uneven distribution of focused groundwater flow occurring simultaneously with diffusely discharging groundwater. This results in a variation of stream‐aquifer interactions, where focused flow systems are able to temporally dominate exchange processes. The research presented here investigates the direct and indirect influences focused groundwater discharge exerts on the hyporheic zone during baseflow recession. Field results demonstrate that as diffuse sources of groundwater deplete during baseflow recession, focused groundwater discharge remains constant. During baseflow recession the hyporheic zone is unable to expand, while the high nitrate concentration from focused discharge changes the chemistry of the stream. The final result is a higher concentration of nitrate in the hyporheic zone as this altered surface water infiltrates into the subsurface. This indirect coupling of focused groundwater discharge and the hyporheic zone is unaccounted for in hyporheic studies at this time. Results indicate important implications for the potential reduction of agricultural degradation of water quality.     

Nitrogen uptake and denitrification in restored and unrestored streams in urban Maryland, USA

There is growing interest in rates of nitrate uptake and denitrification in restored streams to better understand the effects of restoration on nitrogen processing. This study quantified nitrate uptake in two restored and two unrestored streams in Baltimore, Maryland, USA using nitrate additions, denitrification enzyme assays, and a ¹⁵N isotope tracer addition in one of the urban restored streams, Minebank Run. Restoration included either incorporation of stormwater ponds below a storm drain and catch basins to attenuate flow or hydrologic “reconnection” of a stream channel to its floodplain. Stream restoration was conducted for restoring aging sanitary and bridge infrastructure and introducing some stormwater management in watersheds developed prior to current regulations. Denitrification potential in sediments was variable across streams, whereas nitrate uptake length appeared to be significantly correlated to surface water velocity, which was low in the restored streams during summer baseflow conditions. Uptake length of NO₃ ⁻–N in Minebank Run estimated by ¹⁵N tracer addition was 556 m. Whole stream denitrification rates in Minebank Run were 153 mg NO₃ ⁻–N m⁻² day⁻¹, and approximately 40% of the daily load of nitrate was estimated to be removed via denitrification over a distance of 220.5 m in a stream reach designed to be hydrologically “connected” to its floodplain. Increased hydrologic residence time in Minebank Run during baseflow likely influenced rates of whole stream denitrification, suggesting that hydrologic residence time may be a key factor influencing N uptake and denitrification. Restoration approaches that increase hydrologic “connectivity” with hyporheic sediments and increase hydrologic residence time may be useful for stimulating denitrification. More work is necessary, however, to examine changes in denitrification rates in restored streams across different seasons, variable N loads, and in response to the “flashy” hydrologic flow conditions during storms common in urban streams.     

Estimating the influence of increased nitrate loads from wastewater on phosphorus mobility in river sediments

Research on the sediment‐surface water transition zone in three study site regions, different in hydrological conditions, was conducted to estimate to which extent nitrate in surface water can contribute to riverbed sediment oxidation and thus prevent release of sediment phosphorus to surface water. Consequently, the Du tch Flow Model (DUFLOW) based water quality model “Spreewald” and results from the emission model “ Mo delling N utrient E missions in Ri ver S ystems” (MONERIS) were used to estimate to which extent wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) could contribute to the NO₃^– concentration in surface waters if they were operated without denitrification. It is demonstrated that an effective phosphorus retention in sediments by means of surface water NO₃^– is possible only under specific conditions, i. e. (i) a sufficient supply of surface water to the sediment by advective fluxes, (ii) a sufficient amount of sediment iron to provide phosphorus binding sites in the case of sediment oxidation, (iii) a redox system not leading to a rapid NO₃^– and FeOOH depletion and to phosphorus release from organic pools by high microbial activities. Model results show that in‐stream denitrification processes counteract a significant increase of NO₃^– surface water concentrations from WWTPs operated without denitrification during summer, when eutrophication risk through phosphorus is highest. The increase of NO₃^– surface water concentrations in winter due to decreased denitrification in the surface water is of minor relevance for phosphorus release from sediments.     

Travel time controls the magnitude of nitrate discharge in groundwater bypassing the riparian zone to a stream on Virginia's coastal plain

Groundwater that bypasses the riparian zone by travelling along deep flow paths may deliver high concentrations of fertilizer‐derived NO₃^? to streams, or it may be impacted by the NO₃^? removal process of denitrification in streambed sediments. In a study of a small agricultural catchment on the Atlantic coastal plain of Virginia's eastern shore, we used seepage meters deployed in the streambed to measure specific discharge of groundwater and its solute concentrations for various locations and dates. We used values of Cl^? concentration to discriminate between bypass water recharged distal to the stream and that contained high NO₃^? but low Cl^? concentrations and riparian‐influenced water recharged proximal to the stream that contained low NO₃^? and high Cl^? concentrations. The travel time required for bypass water to transit the 30‐cm‐thick, microbially active denitrifying zone in the streambed determined the extent of NO₃^? removal, and hydraulic conductivity determined travel time through the streambed sediments. At all travel times greater than 2 days, NO₃^? removal was virtually complete. Comparison of the timescales for reaction and transport through the streambed sediments in this system confirmed that the predominant control on nitrate flux was travel time rather than denitrification rate coefficients. We conclude that extensive denitrification can occur in groundwater that bypasses the riparian zone, but a residence time in biologically active streambed sediments sufficient to remove a large fraction of the NO₃^? is only achieved in relatively low‐conductivity porous media. Instead of viewing them as separate, the streambed and riparian zone should be considered an integrated NO₃^? removal unit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors contributing to nitrate contamination in a groundwater recharge area of the North China Plain

Nitrate contamination is a common problem in groundwater of the North China Plain (NCP) owing to overuse of fertilizers and discharge of wastewater. Accordingly, it is important to investigate nitrate contamination in recharge areas to understand the fate of nitrate in the plains area. In this study, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of nitrate and factors contributing to its sources and transformation in shallow groundwater of the Beiyishui River watershed, NCP, were analysed by a combination of multiple regression and multi‐tracer methods. The nitrate concentration of 79% of the samples exceeded the natural environmental standard of 13.3 mg l^?1, while that of 23% of the samples exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standard of 50 mg l^?1. Groundwater age estimation of the hill regions based on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) revealed a mix of young water from 1982 to 1990 and old, low CFC water. The analysis based on the variations in land use in past years revealed that part of the grassland was converted into woodland between 1980 and 1995; therefore, the land use at the recharge time was used to determine which surface conditions influence groundwater nitrate concentrations. Multiple regression analysis showed that point source pollution contributed to the high concentration of nitrate in the hill region. Fertilizer application associated with land use change from grassland to woodland was also related to the present nitrate concentration. In the plains area, the contribution of fresh water from fault fractures and denitrification led to 31 to 72% and 6 to 51% reductions in nitrate concentrations, respectively. Our results suggested that controlling point source contamination and fertilizer input to hilly regions of the study will prevent groundwater of the plains area from deterioration in future years by mixing fresh water into the aquifers and decreasing denitrification, and therefore nitrate concentrations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal and interannual variations of nitrate and chloride in stream waters related to spatial and temporal patterns of groundwater concentrations in agricultural catchments

Nitrate concentrations in streamwater of agricultural catchments often exhibit interannual variations, which are supposed to result from land‐use changes, as well as seasonal variations mainly explained by the effect of hydrological and biogeochemical cycles. In catchments on impervious bedrock, seasonal variations of nitrate concentrations in streamwater are usually characterized by higher nitrate concentrations in winter than in summer. However, intermediate or inverse cycles with higher concentrations in summer are sometimes observed. An experimental study was carried out to assess the mechanisms that determine the seasonal cycles of streamwater nitrate concentrations in intensive agricultural catchments. Temporal and spatial patterns of groundwater concentrations were investigated in two adjacent catchments located in south‐western Brittany (France), characterized by different seasonal variations of streamwater nitrate concentrations. Wells were drilled across the hillslope at depths ranging from 1·5 to 20 m. Dynamics of the water table were monitored and the groundwater nitrate and chloride concentrations were measured weekly over 2 years. Results highlighted that groundwater was partitioned into downslope domains, where denitrification induced lower nitrate concentrations than into mid‐slope and upslope domains. For one catchment, high subsurface flow with high nitrate concentrations during high water periods and active denitrification during low water periods explained the higher streamwater nitrate concentrations in winter than in summer. For the other catchment, the high contribution of groundwater with high nitrate concentrations smoothed or inverted this trend. Increasing bromide/chloride ratio and nitrate concentrations with depth argued for an effect of past agricultural pressure on this catchment. The relative contribution of flows in time and correlatively the spatial origin of waters, function of the depth and the location on the hillslope, and their chemical characteristics control seasonal cycles of streamwater nitrate concentrations and can influence their interannual trends. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zum Einfluß von Sauerstoffkonzentration und pH-Wert bei der heterotrophen Denitrifikation Heterotrophic Denitrification: The Influence of Oxygen and pH Value

A demonstration plant for biological heterotrophic water treatment of nitrate polluted groundwater has been operated in Coswig near Dresden since 1989. In this NEBIO tube reactor process the denitrification is achieved in a downstream fluidized bed with continuous regeneration of sintered polystyrene particles as inert carrier material. A nutrient consisting of ethanol and phosphate is dosed in the reactor influent. In the subsequent treatment stages the denitrified water is aerated, filtered through a multilayer and GAC filter, and is finally disinfected with chlorine gas. The influence of changing raw water quality (oxygen content, pH value) on the process performance was examined. Increasing oxygen concentration lowers the nitrate reduction potential and rises the consumptive ratio ΔC/ΔNO₃. The technology shows a high removal performance of 270 g NO₃ m^?3 h^?1 in the range of pH 6.2 to pH 7.3 which is typical for natural groundwaters. The degradation of nitrate is increasingly inhibited for pH values beyond 7.6. Nitrite production occurs significantly in high pH ranges. The results lead to further insight in the stoichiometry of heterotrophic denitrification. By expressing the stoichiometric equations for nitrate and oxygen respiration as functions of oxygen and pH value it could be shown that the influent water quality has strong effects on the consumption of ethanol. A kinetic model was developed to predict the reactor performance under changing raw water conditions. A two stage kinetic model was designed, regarding two main effects: biochemical degradation of oxygen, nitrate and ethanol and distribution of active biomass due to hydraulic properties of the tube reactor. This model may be helpful for reactor design for sites of various ground water qualities.     

溶解氧对低洼盐碱地鱼塘物质循环的影响

对黄淮海平原低洼盐碱地鱼塘中溶解氧与物质循环之间的关系进行了初步研究. 结果表明池塘水体中的溶解氧含量取决于水体中藻类的光合作用及其它生物的耗氧作用扰动的方式时间可显著改变水体中溶解氧的含量. 池塘水体中异养细菌的数量变动除与水体中的有机物质含量等有关外与水体中溶解氧的含量密切相关. 尤其在底泥中这种变化更加明显. 池塘水体中的氨化作用强度磷的转化强度明显地呈现出受水体中的溶解氧含量影响. 当水体中的溶解氧含量增加时导致细菌的现存量及活性的增加使得氨化作用强度磷的转化强度也显著增加这种情况在底泥中表现的更加明显. 池塘水体中反硝化作用强度反硫化作用强度的变化则与水体中溶解氧含量的变化相反. 当水体中溶解氧的含量减少时水体中的反硝化作用强度反硫化作用强度反而大大增加. 这种作用在底泥中表现得也非常明显.     

Trace metal remobilization in the interstitial waters of red clay and hemipelagic marine sediments

Interstitial water samples from the Guatemala Basin and the coast of Baja California have been analyzed for manganese, iron, copper, nickel and nitrate. The data provide a systematic look at changes in trace metal diagenesis proceeding from red clay to highly reducing nearshore sediments.In red clay sediments, the nitrate concentrations suggest that only aerobic respiration is occurring. Manganese and iron are below detection. Nickel concentrations remain the same as in bottom seawater but copper shows a pronounced maximum just at the sediment/water interface. Proceeding to hemipelagic sediments, denitrification becomes increasingly important and manganese and iron remobilization occur in the sediments.The linear manganese and nitrate profiles suggest regions of production or consumption separated by zones of diffusion. This differs from the conventional picture of a continuous series of reactions within the sediments. Manganese reduction always occurs before iron reduction. The pore water nickel correlates well with manganese in these sediments, suggesting that nickel is associated with MnO₂ in the solid phase. The pore water flux ratio of manganese and nickel agrees well with the ratio in solid phase authigenic oxides. Copper still displays a core top concentration maximum as well as a second maximum associated with the remobilized manganese. The calculated ratio of the Cu/C flux ratios support the argument for copper remobilization during organic carbon oxidation. Comparison of the upward and downward diffusive fluxes with the rate of copper buried by sedimentation shows that at least half of the copper buried must be of diagenetic origin and less than 25% of the copper reaching the sediments is buried.     

Analysis of water stable isotopes fingerprinting to inform conservation management: Lake Urema Wetland System,Mozambique

The present study focusses on the analysis of water stable isotopes to contribute to understanding the hydrology of the Lake Urema wetland system in central Mozambique towards conservation management.Lake Urema Wetland is located in the Gorongosa National Park at the southernmost extent of the East African Rift System and is situated entirely within the Urema catchment. Of particular concern to the park’s management is the understanding of hydrological processes as these may trigger transformations of ecosystems, habitat losses and wildlife migrations. Concerns over the Lake Urema wetland’s drying up and the trapping of sediments in the floodplain have been raised for some time by conservationists.Water samples were collected for stable water isotope analyses during the wet and the dry seasons for the period 2006–2010 from springs, boreholes, rivers, and Lake Urema. In addition monthly composite precipitation was collected at two rain gauges.The results show that Lake Urema is maintained throughout the dry season merely from water generated during the wet season. It receives water from wet season precipitation and the runoff generated from this precipitation. The water source areas of the lake are the Gorongosa Mountain and the Barue Basement geomorphological units. Consequently, the source of the sediments which have been trapped into the lake and the floodplain has to be identified in these two catchment areas and urgent action is required to rescue the lake. This water body constitutes a groundwater buffer system which supports a unique wetland landscape. The annual inundations’ processes leading to the recharge-drainage cycle in the floodplain are most sensitive to the deposition of sediments, changing hydraulic gradients, and reducing wet season inflows and increasing drainage rates.     

The impact of groundwater–surface water interactions on the water balance of a mesoscale lowland river catchment in northeastern Germany

The glacially formed northeastern German lowlands are characterized by extensive floodplains, often interrupted by relatively steep moraine hills. The hydrological cycle of this area is governed by the tight interaction of surface water dynamics and the corresponding directly connected shallow groundwater aquifer. Runoff generation processes, as well as the extent and spatial distribution of the interaction between surface water and groundwater, are controlled by floodplain topography and by surface water dynamics. A modelling approach based on extensive experimental analyses is presented that describes the specific water balance of lowland areas, including the interactions of groundwater and surface water, as well as reflecting the important role of time‐variable shallow groundwater stages for runoff generation in floodplains. In the first part, experimental investigations of floodplain hydrological characteristics lead to a qualitative understanding of the water balance processes and to the development of a conceptual model of the water balance and groundwater dynamics of the study area. Thereby model requirements which allow for an adequate simulation of the floodplain hydrology, considering also interactions between groundwater and surface water have been characterized. Based on these analyses, the Integrated Modelling of Water Balance and Nutrient Dynamics (IWAN) approach has been developed. This consists of coupling the surface runoff generation and soil water routines of the deterministic, spatially distributed hydrological model WASIM‐ETH‐I with the three‐dimensional finite‐difference‐based numerical groundwater model MODFLOW and Processing MODFLOW. The model was applied successfully to a mesoscale subcatchment of the Havel River in northeast Germany. It was calibrated for two small catchments (1·4 and 25 km²), where the importance of the interaction processes between groundwater and surface waters and the sensitivity of several controlling parameters could be quantified. Validation results are satisfying for different years for the entire 198 km² catchment. The model approach was further successfully tested for specific events. The experimental area is a typical example of a floodplain‐dominated landscape. It was demonstrated that the lateral flow processes and the interactions between groundwater and surface water have a major importance for the water balance and periodically superimposed on the vertical runoff generation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Denitrifying bacteria and hydrogeochemistry in a natural wetland adjacent to farmlands in Chiba,Japan

This study combined bacterial incubation and hydrogeochemical methods to investigate denitrification in the surface water, top soil (0–20 cm), and shallow groundwater of the Ochi wetland in Japan. Surface water was rich in nitrate (40 mg/l) and denitrifying bacteria (700 per ml). Three functional zones in the wetland were identified in the top soil and shallow groundwater. In the upstream portion of the wetland (Zone I), the counts of denitrifying bacteria in top soil increased from 5200 to 14 970 per ml and nitrate decreased from 25·4 to 1·8 mg/l. Organic carbon concentrations decreased as sulfate increased from 4·0 to 9·6 mg/l in this zone. In the middle‐stream of the wetland (Zone II), all concentrations of major anions, iron, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content in top soil were relatively constant, but the counts of denitrifying bacteria increased up to 70 200 per ml. In the downstream portion of the wetland (Zone III), complete removal of nitrate resulted in sharp reduction of counts of denitrifying bacteria. Correspondingly, dissolved oxygen (DO), organic carbon, and total nitrogen increased in this zone. Counts of denitrifying bacteria were lower in shallow groundwater than in top soil; nitrate concentrations in shallow groundwater were also very low in this zone. DO and the oxidation/reduction potential data suggest that groundwater flows to the surface along an extended flow path, thus providing nitrate for the denitrifying community. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigating the impact of artificial environmental watering on a semi-arid,highly saline floodplain using electromagnetics and surface nuclear magnetic resonance

Floodplains have ecological and cultural significance and need to be managed properly. However, floodplains along the River Murray in South Australia are showing a substantial vegetation health decline due to increased salinization. To improve floodplain health, water resource managers are experimenting with the delivery of fresh water to the high priority floodplains. However, the salinity impact of watering on the shallow, saline groundwater is not well understood due to the presence of a spatially variable and impermeable surface clay layer. This study uses time-domain electromagnetics (EM) and surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to assess the impact of watering on groundwater salinity in a South Australian River Murray floodplain. We examined the changes in bulk electrical conductivity (EC) from time-domain EM data collected at five sites before and after a watering event. Only one site showed a bulk EC reduction of up to 5,200 μS/cm, suggesting groundwater was freshened, whilst the remaining sites showed little change in bulk EC. Our results suggest the salinity impact of watering is highly localized and heterogeneous. For ecological management purposes, it is also desirable to estimate groundwater EC after watering. This study presents a method to estimate groundwater EC in a highly conductive environment by coupling EM with surface NMR. We also extended the analysis to an airborne-EM survey to derive spatial distribution of groundwater EC, which provides additional insights into the floodplain processes and shows an overall good agreement with field observations. This study demonstrates the potential benefits of using geophysics to investigate floodplain dynamics. The methodology developed in this study is useful for first-pass assessments of groundwater quality in a non-invasive manner, which is transferrable to many other fresh or saline groundwater systems, especially in ecologically sensitive areas where traditional hydrogeological techniques may be unsuitable due to the potential disturbance of local ecosystems.     

Understanding the dynamics and contamination of an urban aquifer system using groundwater age (14C, 3H,CFCs) and chemistry

The quality of the groundwater supplying drinking water to the Guadalajara metropolitan area has deteriorated due to both endogenic and exogenic processes. Previous studies of this complex neotectonic volcanic environment suggest that the sources of contamination here are underground fluids derived from an active volcanic center and surface wastewater derived from regional land‐use intensification. This study uses isotopic, gaseous, and chemical signatures to more comprehensively characterize this groundwater flow and its contamination paths. Groundwater is mainly recharged at the La Primavera Caldera to the west and is discharged into the Santiago River to the east. The exception to this trend is the Toluquilla area, where groundwater most likely represents rainfall originating from outside the basin limits. Evaporation affects groundwater in these areas, especially waters that have been affected by recycling below urban areas in the Atejamac area and by intensive agricultural activity in the Toluquilla area. Additionally, we present evidence that groundwater flow through alluvial sediments and tuffs in deeper wells mixes with a lower aquifer unit in basaltic‐andesitic rocks, which are in contact with hydrothermal fluids. Groundwater ages range from postbomb in the western and northwestern regions of the study area (i.e., the Atemajac aquifer unit) to Late Pleistocene in the southern and southeastern regions (i.e., the Toluquilla aquifer unit). Recently recharged water records little mixing and is located mostly in or near the La Primavera volcanic system. As groundwater undergoes gravitational flow towards discharge areas, it mixes with older water components. Chloride and sodium concentrations above natural background levels are primarily related to volcanic activity, nitrate is associated with human activities, and sulfate originates from both anthropogenic sources and water–rock interactions. Nitrate originating from land‐use activities (such as sewers, septic tanks, landfills, and agricultural fields) that is introduced into the deeper part of the groundwater system is expected to travel with the groundwater to the discharge areas because oxidizing conditions will prevent microbial reduction. See Supplementary Information.     

Nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers for nitrate removal – Systematic review

It is unquestionable that an effective decision concerning the usage of a certain environmental clean-up technology should be conveniently supported. Significant amount of scientific work focussing on the reduction of nitrate concentration in drinking water by both metallic iron and nanomaterials and their usage in permeable reactive barriers has been worldwide published over the last two decades.This work aims to present in a systematic review of the most relevant research done on the removal of nitrate from groundwater using nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers.The research was based on scientific papers published between 2004 and June 2014. It was performed using 16 combinations of keywords in 34 databases, according to PRISMA statement guidelines. Independent reviewers validated the selection criteria.From the 4161 records filtered, 45 met the selection criteria and were selected to be included in this review.This study's outcomes show that the permeable reactive barriers are, indeed, a suitable technology for denitrification and with good performance record but the long-term impact of the use of nanosized zero valent iron in this remediation process, in both on the environment and on the human health, is far to be conveniently known. As a consequence, further work is required on this matter, so that nanosized iron based permeable reactive barriers for the removal of nitrate from drinking water can be genuinely considered an eco-efficient technology.