Study of shallow groundwater quality evolution under saline intrusion with environmental isotopes and geochemistry

Evolution of the shallow groundwater quality under saline intrusion in porous aquifer system has been studied with environmental isotopes and geochemistry in the Laizhou Bay area, China. Two campaigns of water sampling from various sources were carried out in spring and winter for environmental isotopic and chemical analyses. The origin of groundwater salinity from intrusion of both modern seawater and deep brine water was identified by analysing the correlations between ¹⁸O, D, T, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and electrical conductivity. The results indicate that the brine is originated from evaporating and concentrating of intruded seawater and its δD and δ¹⁸O are different from modern seawater but similar to those of mixture of seawater with fresh groundwater. It is hard to distinguish the salinity origin in this area by the δD–δ¹⁸O relationship alone. The relations between δ¹⁸O and conductivity, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ have been used to identify the salinity origin due to the distinct difference in salinity between the brine and seawater, conjunctively with use of T. A threshold of T = 12 TU was adopted to identify the origin of saline groundwater.     

Dissolved and particulate trace metals and their partitioning in a hypoxic estuary: The Tanshui Estuary in Northern Taiwan

The distribution and partitioning of trace metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) between dissolved and particulate phases were studied in the Tanshui Estuary. The upper reach of the estuary is hypoxic and heavily polluted due to domestic and industrial discharges. The concentration ranges of dissolved and leachable particulate trace metals in the Tanshui Estuary were: Co: 0.3–6.1 nM, 1.8–18.6 mg kg⁻¹; Cu: 5–53 nM, 22–500 mg kg⁻¹; Fe: 388–3,364 nM, 1.08–6.67%; Mn: 57–2,914 nM, 209–1,169 mg kg⁻¹; Ni: 7–310 nM, 6–108 mg kg⁻¹; and Zn: 12–176 nM, 62–1,316 mg kg⁻¹; respectively. The dissolved concentrations of the metals were 2–35 times higher than the average values of the world river water. The distributions of dissolved and particulate studied metals, except Mn, in the estuary showed scattering, which could be attributed to the discharges from many industrial wastewater disposal works located in the upper tributaries. The daily input of dissolved metals from the disposal works to the Tanshui Estuary ranged from 0.1–0.4 tons. Dissolved Mn was nearly conservative in the region with salinity higher than 10 psu, while particulate Mn decreased in the region with salinity of 10–15 psu. The concentration increased significantly seawards, corresponding with the distribution of dissolved oxygen. The distribution coefficient (K_D) for Mn in the lower estuary was nearly three orders of magnitude higher than in the upper estuary. This phenomenon may be attributed to the diffusion of Mn from the anoxic sediment in the upper estuary and gradual oxidation into particulate Mn in the middle and lower estuary as the estuarine water became more oxygenated. The distribution coefficient for Cu decreased with increasing salinity. The percentages of trace metals bound by suspended particulate matter decreased in the following order: Fe>Zn, Cu>Co>Mn>Ni.     

Hydrochemical evaluation of groundwater quality in the Çavuşçayı basin, Sungurlu-Çorum, Turkey

The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality and usage possibility of groundwater in the Çavuşçayı basin and suggest the best water structure for the groundwater use. Results from hydrochemical analyses reveal that groundwater is mostly affected by salty (Na⁺–Cl⁻) waters of the Incik Formation and brackish (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺–SO ₄ ²⁻ ) waters of the Bayındır Formation. The Alibaba saltpan discharged (2 l/s) from the Incik Formation is used for salt production. In the basin, salinity risk increases with depth and along the groundwater flow direction. Therefore, shallow water and trenches opened in the alluvium aquifer at the east of the basin were determined to yield suitable water with no Na⁺ and Cl⁻ contamination. Following the heavy rainy period, waters of less salinity and conductivity are possibly used for agriculture.     

Origin and transport of sedimentary organic matter in the Yalujiang estuary,North China

The biogeochemistry of organic matter (OM) in a macrotidal estuary, the Yalujiang River, was studied during two cruises: the flood season in August 1994 and the dry season in April 1996. Surface sediments were collected in the riverine zone (RZ), the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ), and the marine zone (MZ). The molecular distribution of the n-alkanes and fatty acid series and bulk sediment characteristics, such as C:N and δ¹³C, were used to assess differences in OM source and transport from the river upstream to the marine end member. Higher C:N values typical for terrestrial sources were observed at the upper reach for both seasons. The δ¹³C of OM in surface sediments varied from −27.3‰ to −21.6‰ in the flood season and from −26.8‰ to −31‰ in the dry season. The concentrations of n-alkanes varied between 0.3–21.4 μg g⁻¹ and the variation of fatty acids was 4.8–32.9 μg g⁻¹. The data showed mixing of terrestrial and autochthonous OM in the middle and lower reaches. The distribution of lipids (n-alkanes and Carbon Preference Index) encountered in this study confirmed the importance of terrestrial OM in the sediment samples from degraded soil material. The distribution of fatty acids suggested important phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microbial signals (short-chain and unsaturated acids; ≤C₂₀). Branched fatty acids, such as the iso- and anteiso-C₁₅ and C₁₇ compounds, relfect bacterial contributions. All samples were characterized by a high proportion of mixture inputs in both seasons. A slight decreasing trend was observed with increasing salinity except for the highest percentage of mixed fatty acids in the TMZ of the flood season. Terrestrial fatty acids were approximately 20% in the flood season and 27–46% in the dry season. Differences in hydrological conditions and primary production between the TMZ, RZ, and MZ resulted in different OM distributions, which are reflected in the sources and degree of diagenesis of the sedimentary OM. Seasonal variation may be strongly influenced by hydrological characteristics rather than primary productivity and anthropogenic activities in the Yalujiang region.     

Macrofaunal Spatial Patterns in Relationship to Environmental Variables in the Richibucto Estuary,New Brunswick,Canada

Estuarine macrobenthos respond to a variety of environmental gradients such as sediment type and salinity, and organic enrichment. A relatively new influence, organic loading from suspended bivalve culture, has the potential to alter this response. A study on soft-bottom macrobenthic communities was carried out in the Richibucto estuary (46°40′N, 64°50′W), New Brunswick, Canada, with samples collected from 18 stations in late September and early October 2006. The site consisted of a large tidal channel originating upstream in a small river. The channel was punctuated by bag culture of oysters along its length. A total of 88 species were recorded. The mean values of abundance, species richness, and diversity (H′) of macrofauna were 11,199 ind. m⁻² (ranged from 4,371 to 19,930 ind. m⁻²), 23.4 species grab⁻¹ and 3.29 grab⁻¹, respectively. In general species richness and H′ increased from the upper estuary to the estuarine mouth. Multivariate analyses clearly exhibited the spatial distribution in community structure, which coincided with the locations along the estuary (the upper, the lower and the mouth), as well as inside and outside the channel. Species richness and diversity H′ showed strong positive correlations with salinity (21.2–25.2 ppt), and abundance was positively correlated with water depth (1.0–4.5 m). Abundance and species richness were negatively correlated with both of silt–clay fraction (3.3–24.8%) and sorting (σ_I). Species richness was also negatively correlated with organic content (1.9–12.7%). The BIO-ENV analyses identified silt–clay fraction, σ_I and salinity as the major environmental variable combination influencing the macrofaunal patterns, and silt–clay fraction as the single best-correlated variable.     

Groundwater quality,nitrate pollution and irrigation environmental management in the Neogene sediments of an agricultural region in central Thessaly (Greece)

The degradation of groundwater quality, which has been noted in the recent years, is closely connected to the intensification of agriculture, the unreasonable use of chemical fertilizers and the excess consumption of large volumes of irrigation water. In the hilly region of central Thessaly in Greece, which suffers the consequences of intense agricultural use, a hydrogeological study is carried out, taking groundwater samples from springs and boreholes in the Neogene aquifers. The aim of this study is the investigation of irrigation management, water quality and suitability for various uses (water supply, irrigation), the degradation degree and the spatial distribution of pollutants using GIS. The following hydrochemical types prevail in the groundwater of the study area: Ca–Mg–HCO₃, Mg–Ca–Na–HCO₃ and Na–HCO₃. In the above shallow aquifers, especially high values of NO₃ ⁻ (31.7–299.0), NH₄ ⁺ (0.12–1.11), NO₂ ⁻ (0.018–0.109), PO₄ ³⁻ (0.07–0.55), SO₄ ²⁻ (47.5–146.5) and Cl⁻ (24.8–146.5) are found, particularly near inhabited areas (values are in mg L⁻¹). The water of shallow aquifers is considered unsuitable for human use due to their high polluting load, while the water of the deeper aquifers is suitable for human consumption. Regarding water suitability for irrigation, the evaluation of SAR (0.153–7.397) and EC (481–1,680 μS cm⁻¹) resulted in classification category ‘C3S1’, indicating high salinity and low sodium water which can be used for irrigation in most soils and crops with little to medium danger of development of exchangeable sodium and salinity. The statistical data analysis, the factor analysis and the GIS application have brought out the vulnerable-problematic zones in chemical compounds of nitrogen and phosphates. The groundwater quality degradation is localized and related exclusively to human activities. Based on 2005 and 2008 estimates, the annual safe yield of the region’s aquifers were nearly 41.95 MCM. However, the existing situation is that 6.37 MCM of water is over extracted from these aquifers.     

Water quality analysis of a freshwater diversion at Caernarvon, Louisiana

Since 1991, Mississippi River water has been diverted at Caernarvon, Louisiana, into Breton Sound estuary. Breton Sound estuary encompasses 1100 km² of fresh and brackish, rapidly subsiding wetlands. Nitrite + nitrate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonium, total phosphorus, total suspended sediments, and salinity concentrations were monitored at seven locations in Breton Sound from 1988 to 1994. Statistical analysis of the data indicated decreased total Kjeldahl nitrogen with associated decrease in total nitrogen, and decreased salinity concentrations in the estuary due to the diversion. Spring and summer water quality transects indicated rapid reduction of nitrite + nitrate and total suspended sediment concentration as diverted Mississippi River water entered the estuary, suggesting near complete assimilation of these constituents by the ecosystem. Loading rates of nitrite + nitrate (5.6–13.4 g m⁻² yr⁻¹), total nitrogen (8.9–23.4 g m⁻² yr⁻¹), and total phosphorus (0.9–2.0 g m⁻² yr⁻¹) were calculated along with removal efficiencies for these constituents (nitrite + nitrate 88–97%; total nitrogen 32–57%; total phosphorus 0–46%). The low impact of the diversion on water quality in the Breton Sound estuary, along with assimilation of TSS over a very short distance, suggests that more water may be introduced into the estuary without detrimental affects. This would be necessary if freshwater diversions are to be used to distribute nitrients and sediments into the lower reaches of the estuary, in an effort to compensate for relative sea-level rise, and reverse the current trend of rapid loss of wetlands in coastal Louisiana.     

Pressure dependence of electrical conductivity of (Mg,Fe)SiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ilmenite

The electrical conductivity of (Mg_0.93Fe_0.07)SiO₃ ilmenite was measured at temperatures of 500–1,200 K and pressures of 25–35 GPa in a Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus equipped with sintered diamond anvils. In order to verify the reliability of this study, the electrical conductivity of (Mg_0.93Fe_0.07)SiO₃ perovskite was also measured at temperatures of 500–1,400 K and pressures of 30–35 GPa. The pressure calibration was carried out using in situ X-ray diffraction of MgO as pressure marker. The oxidation conditions of the samples were controlled by the Fe disk. The activation energy at zero pressure and activation volume for ilmenite are 0.82(6) eV and −1.5(2) cm³/mol, respectively. Those for perovskite were 0.5(1) eV and −0.4(4) cm³/mol, respectively, which are in agreement with the experimental results reported previously. It is concluded that ilmenite conductivity has a large pressure dependence in the investigated P–T range.     

Escalation of salinity levels in the quaternary aquifers of the Ganga alluvial plain,India

A detailed water quality analysis was carried out in the quaternary aquifer system of the marginal alluvial plain (Ganga Plain) in Bah Tahsil, Agra district, India. The electrical conductivity of 50 samples each from dug wells, hand pumps and tube wells was analysed for the study of salinity levels in shallow, intermediate and deep aquifers. Out of 50, 20 samples of each were also analysed for other chemical constituents such as Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, F⁻ and TDS. The analyses show drastic changes in the salinity levels of shallow, intermediate and deep aquifers. The deep aquifers are more saline compared to the shallow and intermediate aquifers. On the contrary, the concentration of chemical constituents such as Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻ and F⁻ was more in the shallow aquifers compared to the deep aquifers. Moreover, there is an indication that the salinity and concentration of the above chemical constituents also escalate with time in each aquifer. The chemical constituents such as Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, F⁻ and TDS range from 51 to 165 mg/l, 1 to 14 mg/l, 224 to 1,459 mg/l, 0 to 1.5 mg/l and 750 to 2,650 mg/l, respectively. Over a 3-year period, the salinity levels have sharply increased and the average F level has increased by 0.1–0.3 mg/l. An attempt has been made here to discuss the factors causing the variation and escalation of chemical constituents and salinity in the water of the three aquifers.     

Effects of saline water irrigation on soil properties in northwest China

Due to the lack of freshwater, highly saline groundwater was the main irrigation source in the last few decades in the Minqin Basin, which is in northwest China. The study evaluates the effects of salt accumulation on the soil physical–chemicals properties. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were taken from the experiment site, which was irrigated with saline water at a concentration of 0.8, 2 and 5 g L⁻¹ (coded later as C₀₈, C₂ and C₅). Undisturbed soil samples, at depths of 0–45 and 45–60 cm were taken to determine the water retention curve (WRC). Moreover, in the same place, another set of undisturbed soil samples were taken to determine the porosity and pore-size distribution (PoSD). From the WRC, the water-holding capacity of the soil was estimated. Disturbed soil samples at depths of 0–20, 0–45, 45–60 and 80–100 cm were taken to determine the index of aggregates stability in water (IC). The electrical conductivity of the saturated paste (EC_e) was determined at depths of 0–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm, during the irrigation season on C₀₈, C₂ and C₅ treatments. The results show that the total porosity and the index of aggregates stability in water decrease with the increasing salinity of irrigation water, and the EC_e increases with the increasing salinity of irrigation water especially in the surface soil. The water-holding capacity (WHC) of soil also increases with the increasing salinity of irrigation water.     

Groundwater problems resulting from CO2 pollution and overexploitation in Alto Guadalentín aquifer (Murcia,Spain)

 The Alto Guadalentín detrital aquifer is both overexploited and polluted. Water conductivity ranges between 1200 and 4900 μS cm^–1, HCO₃ ^– between 1000 and 1990 mg l^–1, and PCO₂ between 0.041 and 1.497 bars. The temperature and chemical composition of the water show a positive thermal anomaly directly attributable to the neotectonic activity in the area. The high CO₂ content has caused the abandonment of numerous wells due to water corrosiveness which attacks pumping equipment. Received: 10 October 1995 · Accepted: 14 November 1995     

Water quality analysis of groundwater in crystalline basement rocks,Northern Ghana

Hydrochemical data are presented for groundwater samples, collected from fractured aquifers in parts of northern Ghana. The data was collected to assess the groundwater suitability for domestic and agricultural use. Results of the study reveal that the pH of the groundwater in the area is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The electrical conductivity values, total dissolved solids (TDS) values and calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations in the groundwater are generally below the limit set by the WHO for potable water supply. On the basis of activity diagrams, groundwater from the fractured aquifers appears to be stable within the montmorillonite field, suggesting weathering of silicate minerals. An inverse distance weighting interpolator with a power of 2 was applied to the data points to produce prediction maps for nitrate and fluoride. The distribution maps show the presence of high nitrate concentrations (50–194 mg/l) in some of the boreholes in the western part of the study area indicating anthropogenic impact on the groundwater. Elevated fluoride level (1.5–4 mg/l), higher than the WHO allowable fluoride concentration of 1.5, is recorded in the groundwater underlying the northeastern part of the study area, more specifically Bongo and its surrounding communities of the Upper East region. Results of this study suggest that groundwater from the fractured aquifers in the area exhibit low sodicity–low salinity (S1–C1), low sodicity–medium salinity (S1–C2) characteristics [United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) classification scheme]. All data points from this study plot within the ‘Excellent to good’ category on a Wilcox diagram. Groundwater in this area thus appears to provide irrigation water of excellent quality. The hydrochemical results indicate that, although nitrate and fluoride concentrations in some boreholes are high, the groundwater in the study area, based on the parameters analyzed, is chemically potable and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes.     

Hydrogeologic and hydrochemical framework of the shallow groundwater system in the southern Voltaian Sedimentary Basin, Ghana

 The southern Voltaian Sedimentary Basin underlies an area of about 5000 km² in east-central Ghana. Groundwater in the basin occurs in fractures in highly consolidated siliciclastic aquifers overlain by a thin unsaturated zone. Aquifer parameters were evaluated from available aquifer-test data on 28 shallow wells in the basin. Hydraulic-conductivity values range from 0.04–3.6 m/d and are about two orders of magnitude greater than the hydraulic conductivity calculated using Darcy's Law and the average groundwater velocity estimated from carbon-14 dating. Linear-regression analysis of the transmissivity and specific-capacity data allowed the establishment of an empirical relationship between log transmissivity and log specific capacity for the underlying aquifers. Groundwater chemistry in the basin is controlled by the weathering of albitic plagioclase feldspar. The weathering rates of various minerals were estimated using ¹⁴C-derived average velocity in the basin. The weathering rate of albite was calculated to be 2.16 μmol L^–1 yr^–1 with the resulting formation of 3.3 μmol L^–1 yr^–1 of kaolinite and 0.047 μmol L^–1 yr^–1 of calcite. The low porosity and permeability of the aquifers in the basin are attributed to the precipitation of secondary minerals on fracture surfaces and interlayer pore spaces. Received, September 1997 Revised, July 1998, August 1998 Accepted, August 1998     

Comparison of Measured and PTF Predictions of SWCCs for Loess Soils in China

There are significant advantages in using indirect pedo-transfer functions, (PTFs) for the estimation of unsaturated soil properties. The pedo-transfer functions can be used for the estimation of the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) which in turn is used for the estimation of other unsaturated soil properties. The accuracy of the indirect pedo-transfer function method for the estimation of the SWCC depends on the PTF and the equation used to best-fit the particle-size distribution (PSD) data. The objectives of this study are to: (1) evaluate the performance of the Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 37:817–827, 2000) equation for best-fitting the particle-size distribution, (PSD) data, and, (2) compare the predictions made by two of the commonly used PTFs; namely, Arya and Paris (Soil Sci Soc Am J 45:1023–1030, 1981) and Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 39:1103–1117, 2002), for estimating the SWCC from the PSD. The authors used 258 measured PSDs and SWCC datasets from the Loess Plateau, China, for this study. The dataset consisted of 187 silt–loam soils, 41 loam soils, 11 silt–clay–loam soils, 10 sand–loam soils, 6 silt–clay soils, and 3 loam–sand soils. The SWCC and PSD datasets were measured using a Pressure Plate apparatus and the pipette method, respectively. The comparison between the estimated and measured particle-size distribution curves showed that the Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 37:817–827, 2000) equation closely prepresented the PSD for all soils in the Loess Plateau, with a lower root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.869%. The comparison between the estimated and measured water contents at the same suction showed that the Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 39:1103–1117, 2002) PTF performed somewhat better than the Arya and Paris (Soil Sci Soc Am J 45:1023–1030, 1981) function. The Fredlund et al. method had RMSE value of 0.039 cm³ cm⁻³ as opposed to 0.046 cm³ cm⁻³ for the Arya and Paris (Soil Sci Soc Am J 45:1023–1030, 1981) method. The Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 39:1103–1117, 2002) PTF produced the closest predictions for sand–loam, loam–sand, and loam soils, with a lower RMSE for gravimetric water content ranging from 0.006 to 0.036 cm³ cm⁻³. There were consistent over-estimations observed for silt–loam, silt–clay–loam, and slit–clay soils with RMSE values for gravimetric water content ranging from 0.037 to 0.043 cm³ cm⁻³. The measured and estimated air-entry values were closest when using the Fredlund et al. (Can Geotech J 39:1103–1117, 2002) PTF. The measured and estimated maximum slopes on the SWCC were closest when using the Arya and Paris (Soil Sci Soc Am J 45:1023–1030, 1981) PTF.     

Sorption Model for Dissolved and Leachable Particulate Aluminium in the Great Ouse Estuary, England

The behaviour of dissolved Al in the Great Ouse estuary, in particular with respect to salinity, is complex. There is, however, evidence from field data as well as laboratory mixing experiments to suggest that flocculation and sorption mechanisms play important roles affecting the concentrations of dissolved Al during the early stages of estuarine mixing. In contrast, a near-buffering of dissolved Al occurs in the entire stretch of the estuary (salinity >0.2) with concentrations varying around 1.4 μg l⁻¹. This distribution and lack of variation with salinity is attributable to sorption processes which might dominate over other processes in these turbid estuarine waters (suspended particulate load 48–888 mg l⁻¹) impacting dissolved Al levels. Sorption models have been developed for both dissolved and leachable particulate Al concentrations in these waters. These observations provide compelling evidence of sorption processes that might be important in the geochemistry of Al in estuarine waters.     

A fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of 200 Ma of fluid evolution in the Galway Granite, Connemara, Ireland

Fluid inclusions in granite quartz and three generations of veins indicate that three fluids have affected the Caledonian Galway Granite. These fluids were examined by petrography, microthermometry, chlorite thermometry, fluid chemistry and stable isotope studies. The earliest fluid was a H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluid of moderate salinity (4–10 wt% NaCl eq.) that deposited late-magmatic molybdenite mineralised quartz veins (V₁) and formed the earliest secondary inclusions in granite quartz. This fluid is more abundant in the west of the batholith, corresponding to a decrease in emplacement depth. Within veins, and to the east, this fluid was trapped homogeneously, but in granite quartz in the west it unmixed at 305–390 °C and 0.7–1.8 kbar. Homogeneous quartz δ¹⁸O across the batholith (9.5 ± 0.4‰n = 12) suggests V₁ precipitation at high temperatures (perhaps 600 °C) and pressures (1–3 kbar) from magmatic fluids. Microthermometric data for V₁ indicate lower temperatures, suggesting inclusion volumes re-equilibrated during cooling. The second fluid was a H₂O-NaCl-KCl, low-moderate salinity (0–10 wt% NaCl eq.), moderate temperature (270–340 °C), high δD (−18 ± 2‰), low δ¹⁸O (0.5–2.0‰) fluid of meteoric origin. This fluid penetrated the batholith via quartz veins (V₂) which infill faults active during post-consolidation uplift of the batholith. It forms the most common inclusion type in granite quartz throughout the batholith and is responsible for widespread retrograde alteration involving chloritization of biotite and hornblende, sericitization and saussuritization of plagioclase, and reddening of K-feldspar. The salinity was generated by fluid-rock interactions within the granite. Within granite quartz this fluid was trapped at 0.5–2.3 kbar, having become overpressured. This fluid probably infiltrated the Granite in a meteoric-convection system during cooling after intrusion, but a later age cannot be ruled out. The final fluid to enter the Granite and its host rocks was a H₂O-NaCl-CaCl₂-KCl fluid with variable salinity (8–28 wt% NaCl eq.), temperature (125–205 °C), δD (−17 to −45‰), δ¹⁸O (−3 to + 1.2‰), δ¹³C_CO2 (−19 to 0‰) and δ³⁴S_sulphate (13–23‰) that deposited veins containing quartz, fluorite, calcite, barite, galena, chalcopyrite sphalerite and pyrite (V₃). Correlations of salinity, temperature, δD and δ¹⁸O are interpreted as the result of mixing of two fluid end-members, one a high-δD (−17 to −8‰), moderate-δ¹⁸O (1.2–2.5‰), high-δ¹³C_CO2 (> −4‰), low-δ³⁴S_sulphate (13‰), high-temperature (205–230 °C), moderate-salinity (8–12 wt% NaCl eq.) fluid, the other a low-δD (−61 to −45‰), low-δ¹⁸O (−5.4 to −3‰), low-δ¹³C (<−10‰), high-δ³⁴S_sulphate (20–23‰) low-temperature (80–125 °C), high-salinity (21–28 wt% NaCl eq.) fluid. Geochronological evidence suggests V₃ veins are late Triassic; the high-δD end-member is interpreted as a contemporaneous surface fluid, probably mixed meteoric water and evaporated seawater and/or dissolved evaporites, whereas the low-δD end-member is interpreted as a basinal brine derived from the adjacent Carboniferous sequence. This study demonstrates that the Galway Granite was a locus for repeated fluid events for a variety of reasons; from expulsion of magmatic fluids during the final stages of crystallisation, through a meteoric convection system, probably driven by waning magmatic heat, to much later mineralisation, concentrated in its vicinity due to thermal, tectonic and compositional properties of granite batholiths which encourage mineralisation long after magmatic heat has abated. Received: 3 April 1996 / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

Characterization of the physical and hydraulic properties of the sediment in karst aquifers of the Springfield Plateau,Central Missouri,USA

Physical and hydraulic properties of sediment from two karst aquifers were measured to determine (1) the similarity of sediment between karst aquifer systems and (2) the importance of sediment in modeling flow through karst aquifers. The sediment from the two systems was similar in size and composition. Within both aquifers, the silt-sized sediment was composed primarily of quartz, with minor amounts of plagioclase and clays. Hydraulic conductivity of the sediment measured directly (falling-head test) ranged from 1.61×10⁻⁷ to 1.33×10⁻⁶ m s^–1 and estimated using the Campbell equation ranged from 8.30×10⁻⁸ to 8.98×10⁻⁷ m s^–1. These values of hydraulic conductivity fall within the span of hydraulic conductivities for carbonate rocks, indicating that the sediment and carbonate matrix could be represented as one mathematical unit in modeling flow through karst aquifers. Statistical agreement in the hydraulic conductivity values generated by the two methods indicates that the estimation technique could be used to calculate hydraulic conductivities; thus allowing karst scientist to collect bulk sediment samples instead of having to collect cores from within karst aquifers. Electronic Publication     

An evaluation of the genesis and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in the Volta Region,Ghana

Stable isotope data and concentrations of the major cations and anions of groundwater from the northern part of the Volta Region, Ghana, were used to determine the source of recharge and the suitability of groundwater in the area for irrigation. This study finds that the delta deuterium (δD) and delta Oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) data from the area fall along the global meteoric water line (GMWL). An equation of regression derived for the relationship between δD and δ¹⁸O bears very close semblance to the equation which describes the GMWL. On the basis of this, groundwater in the study area is probably meteoric and fresh. The apparently low salinities and sodicities of the groundwater seem to support this interpretation. The suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes is related to its source, which determines its constitution. A plot of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC) data on a semilog axis, suggests that groundwater serves good irrigation quality in the area. Sixty percent (60%), 20% and 20% of the 67 data points used in this study fall within the medium salinity–low sodicity (C2–S1), low salinity–low sodicity (C1–S1) and high salinity–low sodicity (C3–S1) fields, which ascribe good irrigation quality to groundwater from this area. Salinities range from 28.1 to 1,956 μS/cm, whilst SAR values fall within the range 0–3. Extremely low sodicity waters of this kind, with salinities lower than 600 μS/cm, have the tendency to affect the dispersive properties of irrigation soils when used for irrigation. About 50% of the groundwater in the study area fall within this category and need prior treatment before usage.     

Phytoplankton index of biotic integrity for Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries

A Phytoplankton Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) was developed from data collected during 18 yr 91985–2002) of the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), orthophosphate (PO₄), and Secchi depth were used to characterize phytoplankton habitat conditions. Low DIN and PO₄ concentrations and high Secchi depths characterized least-impaire conditions. Thirty-eight phytoplankton metrics were tested for their ability to discriminate between impaired and least-impaired habitat conditions. Twelve discriminatory metrics were chosen, and different combinations of these twelve metrics were scored and used to create phytoplankton community indexes for spring and summer in the four salinity regimes in Chesapeake Bay. The scoring criteria for each metric were based on the distribution of the metric’s values in least-impaired conditions relative to the distribution in impaired conditions. An independent data set and jackknife validation procedure were used to examine P-IBI performance. The P-IBI correctly classified 70.0–84.4% of the impaired and least-impaired samples, grouped by season and salinity, in the calibration data set. The P-IBI is a management tool to assess phytoplankton community status relative to estuarine nutrient and light conditions.     

Correlation of hydraulic conductivity with stratigraphy in a fractured-dolomite aquifer, northeastern Wisconsin, USA

This study integrated surface and subsurface stratigraphic data with geophysical logs and hydrogeologic data in order to characterize the hydraulic properties of the Silurian dolomite in northeastern Wisconsin. Silurian stratigraphy consists of predictable alternations of characteristic facies associations. A vertical profile of hydraulic conductivity, obtained from short-interval packer tests in a core hole that penetrates a majority of the Silurian section, indicates that hydraulic conductivity ranges over five orders of magnitude (10^–1 to 10^–6 cm/s). Matrix conductivity is generally low and varies with texture; the finer-grained restricted-marine and transitional facies being less permeable than the coarser-grained open-marine facies. High-conductivity values are generally associated with bedding-plane fractures, and fracture frequency is greater in the restricted-marine facies. High-flow features in 16 wells were identified using fluid-temperature/resistivity and heat-pulse flowmeter logs. Natural-gamma logs were used to identify the stratigraphic position of flow features in each well and to correlate flow features to specific stratigraphic horizons. By combining stratigraphic, geophysical, and hydrogeologic data, 14 high-permeability zones within the Silurian aquifer have been identified and correlated in wells more than 16 km apart. These zones parallel bedding, appear most pronounced at contacts between contrasting lithologies, and are most abundant in restricted-marine lithologies. Electronic Publication