Radon in Himalayan springs: a geohydrological control

 This paper presents the results of radon measurements in springs of the Himalayan region by using radon emanometry technique. The radon was measured in different springs, draining from different geohydrological setups, and from stream water in order to find the geohydrological control over radon concentration in groundwater emanating in the form of spring. The radon values were found to vary from 0.4 Bq/l to 887 Bq/l, being observed lowest for a turbulent stream and highest for the spring. The radon values were recorded highest in the springs draining through gneiss, granite, mylonite, etc. Radon concentrations have been related with four spring types viz. fracture-joint related spring, fault-lineament related spring, fluvial related spring and colluvial related spring, showing geohydrological characteristics of the rocks through which they are emanating. The high radon concentration in fracture-joint and fault-lineament spring is related to increased ratio of rock surface area to water volume and uranium mineralisation in the shear zones present in the close vicinity of fault and thrust. The low concentration of radon in fluvial and colluvial springs is possibly because of high transmissivity and turbulent flow within such deposits leading to natural de-emanation of gases. Received: 6 January 1998 · Accepted 11 May 1999     

Combined tracer tests in the karst aquifer of the artesian mineral springs of Stuttgart,Germany

Chlorinated solvents have been detected at low concentrations in some of the mineral and medicinal springs (spas) of Stuttgart since 1984. These springs discharge from a confined karst aquifer. In order to investigate both the properties of the aquifer and the mechanisms of contaminant transport, two multi-tracer tests were carried out in 1998 and 1999. Both fluorescent tracers (naphthionate, eosin, pyranine) and particle tracers (clubmoss spores, microspheres) were used. All available wells and springs were sampled for at least 12 months. In these experiments naphthionate produced the best results. Maximum flow velocities were established to be within the range of 53 and 230 m/day. The breakthrough curves demonstrated a heterogeneous aquifer. The results identified flow to the springs from the west and south-west. It was possible to prove an assumed boundary between the northern zone of low mineralised water and the southern zone of highly mineralised water.     

Origin and evolution of tufa mounds related to artesian karstic springs in Isona area (Pyrenees,NE Spain)

This work analyses a suite of relict tufa mounds generated by artesian karstic springs in Isona area (Spanish Pyrenees). Geological and geophysical data (seismics and vertical electrical resistivity soundings) indicate that the location of the discharge area in which the spring mounds formed was controlled by (1) a bulge in the axial zone of the anticline that affects the Areny-Montsec aquifer, with the consequent thinning of the overlying confining unit and (2) N-S and E-W trending extensional faults. These uncommon meteogene mounds occur in two stepped morphostratigraphic units that constitute the caprock of a mesa 9 km2 in area. The upper tufa complex is 47 m thick and has yielded several U/Th dates of >350 ka. The obtained U/Th ages for the mounds of lower tufa complex, 10 m thick, range from >350 to 214 ± 11 ka. The sedimentological analysis of the scarce exposures and electrical resistivity profiles show the same morphological and depositional components as those described in geothermal springs: (1) Cylindrical vents; (2) Pools fed by the vents and dammed by annular tufa barriers; (3) Tufa barriers (rimstones) constructed by overflowing waters through vertical accretion and progradation. These rimstones may have overhanging upflow sides. (4) Slope tufa facies with terracettes and microgours.     

The algal community at an ecocline of a cold sulphidic spring (Sovra artesian borehole,Slovenia)

The physicochemical parameters of the sulphide spring water from a 500?m deep artesian borehole in Sovra Valley (Slovenia) are stable, with very little variation: temperature, 9.2 ± 0.0 °C; pH 7.70 ± 0.11; specific electrical conductivity, 777 ± 8 μS/cm; and dissolved oxygen, 0.19 ± 0.11 mg/l. The water from the borehole is hard, rich in sulphates, and has a notable concentration of sulphide, while it is low in chlorides. Communities of phototrophs were analysed at the oxygenic ecocline at the outflow from the borehole, and from further downstream. Caloneis tenuis, Frustulla vulgaris, Gomphonema sp., Navicula radiosa, Oscillatoria sp., and Tribonema vulgare successfully thrive exclusively at the outflow from the borehole under sub-optimum conditions for the majority of phototrophs. Downstream from the borehole, where the hydrogen sulphide degasses, autotrophic biofilms were dominated by different diatoms. The Bray–Curtis similarity index confirms the distinctive phototrophic communities along the oxygenic ecocline downstream from the sulphidic spring. The sulphidic ecocline downstream from the spring is indicative of the composition of phototrophic communities, as some species appear only downstream from the spring. An ecocline downstream from the borehole of the sulphidic spring was reflected also in the bacterial indicator groups. This study brings novel insights to the limited knowledge in the field of oxygenic phototrophy related to sulphidic springs.     

Indications of a Devonian artesian basin in Kuzbass

It is suggested that recently discovered aquifers on the periphery of the Kuzbass basin are of artesian character and Fammenian age, from their facies-lithological characteristics, redistributions of Fe, Mn, Sr, Ba, stratigraphic positions, and paleogeographical relations.     

西昌市尔乌泉域泉水水文地球化学特征及成因

泉和泉群是川西南乡村居民首要的生活水源,对本区泉水水文地球化学特征及成因的研究具有重要的科学价值和指导意义。以尔乌泉域泉水和地表水为研究对象,通过分析泉水和地表水常规水化学组分、氢氧同位素和氚同位素,探讨了该泉域泉水水文地球化学特征及成因。结果显示:尔乌泉域泉水为中偏碱性低矿化水,其水化学类型为HCO3—Ca·Mg和HCO3·SO4—Ca·Mg型水。地表水因受泉水补给影响具有与泉水相似的组分特征。氢氧同位素分析显示尔乌泉水和地表水补给来源为大气降水,且未发生氧同位素漂移。氚同位素进一步确定泉水为非现代水,地下水经历较长的径流时间。受断裂带和褶皱构造的影响,入渗补给的大气降水与碎屑岩中碳酸盐岩、石膏等矿物发生水岩相互作用,后与第四系黏土物质发生阳离子交换反应,致使泉水水化学组分以Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO-3和SO2-4为主。此外,居民生活污水的排放和化学肥料的施用也对泉水中Na+和SO2-4组分产生影响。     

The vulnerability of karst springs—a case study of the Hubelj spring (SW Slovenia)

The hydraulic behaviour of the karst aquifer in the Hubelj spring catchment area (SW Slovenia) was studied by using an indirect research method based on natural tracers. The variations of natural tracers (in precipitation and in groundwater) during the storm event made possible the separation of the Hubelj spring storm hydrograph by the three-component separation technique. The results produced information on the aquifer recharge, storage and discharge processes, as well as on the mechanisms that affected them. They verified the so-called epikarst hypothesis presuming that an important part of a karst aquifer recharge reaches rapidly and intensively from the epikarst zone. It was demonstrated that epikarst water could occupy up to 50% of the spring discharge during precipitation events. This phenomenon could have important consequences on protection and management of the problems of karst aquifers, including engineering problems in karst areas. With this respect the results could give way to new engineering ideas.     

Nature of fluids and regional implications for Lesser Himalayan carbonates and associated mineralization

Fluid inclusion data are presented for the successive stages of limestone, dolomite, magnesite and sulphide-bearing quartz veins in Proterozoic carbonate rocks of the Lesser Himalaya. Subsurface fluids were H₂O–NaCl–KCl ± MgCl₂ ± CaCl₂ and showed successive increase in salinity and temperature. The salinity of the pore fluid during limestone diagenesis was in the range of 7.5–15 eq wt.% NaCl and the magnesite-forming fluids had a salinity of about 9 to 19 eq wt.% NaCl. This progressive rise in salinity is attributed to a more saline fluid in the deeper zones. The inverse relation between homogenization temperatures and final melting temperatures suggests mixing of the fluids during diagenesis, and highly depleted δ¹⁸O values rule out participation of magmatic fluid in the mixing. A late stage carbonic fluid is linked with talc formation. The low temperature of sulphide-forming epigenetic solutions, as obtained from fluid inclusions, is also substantiated by the chemical data from these sulphides. δ³⁴S values in galena infer that magmatic sulphur was probably not involved, and the sulphur of the galena is derived from an isotopically heavy source.     

Tracing hydrothermal mineral thenardite in geysers/hot springs of North-western Himalayan belt,Ladakh Geothermal Province,India by hydrogeochemistry,fluid-mineral equilibria and isotopic studies

The present study highlights the first evidence of hydrothermal mineral Thenardite (Na₂SO₄) from Puga geothermal area, North-western Himalayan belt in Ladakh Geothermal Province, India, which is unequivocal evidence for the presence of high-temperature hydrothermal fluid activity from one of the thickest crust areas of the Earth. The Puga geothermal belt illustrates a fault-bounded hydrothermal system with a clearly defined conductive zone, coinciding with Kiagar Tso fault typically exemplifying a shallow-level medium enthalpic geothermal reservoir. The hydrogeochemistry suggests that thermal and non-thermal waters are of Na-Cl-HCO₃ and Ca-Mg-HCO₃ type, respectively, with neutral to near alkaline pH. The silica and cation geothermometry reveal sub-surface temperatures around 150 °C and 250 °C, respectively, at shallow depth; however, >250 °C is anticipated at the deepest levels (~3 km). Stable isotope (δD and δ¹⁸O) studies explicate depletion of isotopic content for thermal waters over Puga river water and radiogenic isotope (³H) suggests matured thermal waters with ongoing water-rock interactions. The recharge altitude estimation and physiographic studies put forth that geothermal reservoir is recharged with the ice masses located at an altitude of 6458 m above mean sea level (msl) in the west of Puga valley, probably from the highest peak of Polokong La mountain. The two key processes participating in regulation of proportions of the dissolved salts in the thermal waters are silicate weathering and ion-exchange kinetics. The powder X-ray diffraction study reveals a major occurrence of hydrothermal mineral thenardite in the hot spring deposits for the first time along with huge encrustations of trona, borax, calcite and elemental sulfur. The high-temperature fluids encounter thenardite, pyrite, and jarosite-bearing minerals in basement rock causing enrichment of SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻ in geothermal waters. The temperature-dependent speciation modelling (50 °C–200 °C) for major ion Na⁺ reveals the composition of the reservoir fluid (~150 °C): Na⁺ > NaCO₃⁻ > NaSO₄⁻ > NaHCO₃ > NaF > NaOH. A conceptual evolution model of thermal waters involving the recharge-deep circulation-mixing-discharge of thermal springs is hence put forth in the study using various hydrogeochemical insights.     

Magnesium isotopic behaviors between metamorphic rocks and their associated leucogranites,and implications for Himalayan orogenesis

Magnesium isotopic compositions, along with new Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data and elemental analyses, are reported for 12 Miocene tourmaline-bearing leucogranites, 15 Eocene two-mica granites and 40 metamorphic rocks to investigate magnesium isotopic behaviors during metamorphic processes and associated magmatism and constrain the tectonic-magmatic-metamorphic evolution of the Himalayan orogeny. The gneisses, granulites and amphibolites represent samples of the Indian lower crust and display large range in δ²⁶Mg from −0.44‰ to −0.09‰ in mafic granulites, −0.44‰ to −0.10‰ in amphibolites, and −0.70‰ to −0.03‰ in granitic gneisses. The average Mg isotopic compositions of the granitic gneisses (−0.19 ± 0.34‰), mafic granulites (−0.22 ± 0.17‰) and amphibolites (−0.25 ± 0.24‰) are similar, indicating the limited Mg isotope fractionation during prograde metamorphism from granitic gneisses to mafic granulites and retrograde metamorphism from mafic granulites to amphibolites. The Eocene two-mica granites and Miocene leucogranites are characterized by large variations in elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions. The leucogranites and two-mica granites have their corresponding (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i varying from 0.7282 to 0.7860 and 0.7163 to 0.7191, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i from 0.511888 to 0.512040 and 0.511953 to 0.512076, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 15.7215 to 15.7891 and 15.7031 to 15.7317, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 38.8521 to 39.5286 and 39.2710 to 39.4035, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 18.4748 to 19.0139 and 18.7834 to 18.9339. However, they have similar Mg isotopic compositions (−0.21‰ to +0.06‰ versus −0.24‰ to +0.09‰), which did not originate from fractional crystallization nor source heterogeneity. Based on hornblende/biotite/muscovite dehydration melting reaction and Mg isotopic variations in two-mica granites and leucogranites with the proceeding metamorphism, along with elemental discrimination diagrams, Eocene two-mica granites and Miocene leucogranites could be related to hornblende dehydration melting and muscovite dehydration melting, respectively. Mg isotopic compositions of Eocene two-mica granites become heavier compared to the source because of residues of isotopically light garnet in the source; while those of Miocene leucogranites become lighter because of entrainment of isotopically light garnet from the source region. Thus, a new model for crustal anatexis and Himalayan orogenesis was proposed based on the Mg isotope fractionation in the leucogranites and metamorphic rocks. This model emphasizes a successive process from Indian continental subduction to rapid exhumation of the Higher Himalayan Crystalline Series (HHCS). The former underwent high-temperature (HT) and high-pressure (HP) granulite-facies prograde metamorphism, which resulted in the hornblende dehydration melting and the formation of Eocene two-mica granites; while the latter experienced amphibolite-facies retrogression and decompression, which resulted in the muscovite dehydration melting and the formation of Miocene leucogranites.     

Formation of mineral and thermal waters of some artesian basins in Russia

Artesian basins contain the largest mineral water resources of the world. There are several types of mineral therapeutic water: sulfate, chloride, radon-rich, iron-rich waters, etc. Artesian basins occupy very large areas in Russia. However, genesis of water and brines is still not very clear. This is one of the most important hydrogeological problems that is being attempted to solve for many years. Most of the Russian hydrogeologists traditionally consider that these waters are of sedimentary origin. However, higher concentrations of bromine, iodine, iron, radon and other balneologically active components can be of different origin, for example, of infiltration or juvenile water. As an example, two areas will be considered – West-Siberian basin and East-European artesian area.West-Siberian artesian basin has very distinct latitudinal and vertical zonation. Latitudinal zonation is caused by climate changes from north to south. As for the vertical zonation, mineralization and chemical composition change in the vertical cross-section and from the periphery to the center within the same aquifer. The main mineral water resources of West-Siberian artesian basin are concentrated in Mesozoic rocks. Brackish waters and low-saturated brines without specific components are used for medical purposes. The most well-known spa is Karachi, which exploits chloride-hydrocarbonate brackish water. Sodium chloride bromine and iodine-bromine waters are used at other health resorts. It is possible to organize extraction of iodine from brines of Tcherkashinsko-Tobolskoe occurrence in Tumen region.East-European artesian area occupies most of the Russian Platform. The most widespread types of mineral water within the Russian Platform are sodium-chloride and magnesium-sulfate waters and brines. Such well-known spas, like Moscow mineral waters, Krainka, Staraya Russa and many others, belong to this type. Resources of these waters are definitely connected with sedimentogenic processes. The upper hydrodynamic zone contains iron-rich, hydrogen sulfide, and sometimes radon-rich water. Their formation is caused by the interaction between waters of infiltration and sedimentary genesis, or between infiltration waters and host rocks. One of the examples is Polustrovo iron-rich water. There are industrially valuable waters containing bromine and iodine.The resources of therapeutic water of sedimentary basins allow to increase balneological potential of spas in Russia.     

Sediment transfer in the glaciofluvial environment — a Himalayan perspective

The Alaknanda river, a major Himalayan proglacial stream, and its tributaries have been studied to evaluate sediment sources, production mechanisms, and transport pathways in the Alaknanda river basin. The study is based on a single-time sampling of the river and its tributaries and gives an insight into the suspended load pattern of the river from its source to its confluence with the other major Himalayan proglacial stream, the Bhagirathi. It is tentatively concluded that the suspended load of the Alaknanda is primarily due to natural processes and events and does not reflect the effects of human intervention.     

泉域地下水数值模拟及泉流量动态变化预测

本文对位于岩溶地区的小南海泉泉域地下水进行了数值模拟和水平衡分析,全面分析了降雨、河、渠、库地表水系入渗对地下水动态变化的影响,模拟了泉流量动态变化与区域地下水关系.在此基础上,分析了不同气候条件和开采方案对泉流量的影响.模型计算结果表明,小南海泉流量多年平均相对变化率与降雨量多年平均变化率基本一致,减少泉域地下水开采量,特别是矿坑排水可有效地增加枯期泉流量.     

Replenishment conditions and regimen of underground waters in Carboniferous deposits of Moscow artesian basin

There are seven principal aquifers in the Carboniferous rocks of the Moscow basin. These are replenished by 1) precipitation on the outcrops, 2) water-bearing horizons in the overlying Mesozoic and Quaternary, and 3) directly from lakes and rivers in favorable situations. Total exchange time (time for complete recharge) is estimated at 85 years, which is remarkably short for a basin of that size and capacity. Water from these aquifers has been used for almost 100 years. Cones of depression in the Upper and Middle Carboniferous are 65–90 km across, with lowering of 25–50 m of the water table; in the Lower Carboniferous, 150–180 km in diameter, with lowering up to 70 m. In areas of direct recharge from a stream the cone of depression is very small and shallow. The authors believe that because of the favorable recharge situation water yield of the basin can be greatly increased. -- E. Ingerson.     

Differential behaviour of a Lesser Himalayan watershed in extreme rainfall regimes

Climatic extremes including precipitation are bound to intensify in the global warming environment. The present study intends to understand the response of the Tons sub-watershed in Lesser Himalaya, in 3 years with entirely different hydrological conditions (July 2008–June 2011) in terms of discharge, sediment flux and denudation rates. Within an uncertainty limit of ±20%, the mean interannual discharge (5.74 ± 1.44 m ³ s ^?1) (±SE), was found highly variable (CV: 151%; 0.8–38 m ³ s ^?1). In a normal rainfall year (2008–2009; ～1550 mm), the discharge was 5.12 ± 1.75 m ³ s ^?1, whereas in a drought year (2009–2010), it reduced by 30% with the reduction in ～23% rainfall (CV: 85%). In an excessive rainfall year (once-in-a-century event) (2010–2011; ～3050 mm), discharge as well as total solid load was ～200% higher. Monsoon months (July–September) accounted for more than 90% of the annual solid load transport. The ratio of dissolved to suspended solid (C/P ratio) was consistently low (<1) during monsoon months and higher (1–7) during the rest of the dry period. C/P ratio was inversely (R ²=0.49), but significantly (P <0.001) related to the rainfall. The average mechanical erosion rate in the three different rainfall years was 0.24, 0.19 and 1.03 mmyr ^?1, whereas the chemical erosion was estimated at 0.12, 0.11 and 0.46 mmyr ^?1, respectively. Thus, the average denudation rate of the Tons sub-watershed has been estimated at 0.33 mmyr ^?1 (excluding extreme rainfall year: 1.5 mmyr ^?1). Our results have implications to understand the hydrological behaviour of the Lesser Himalayan watersheds and will be valuable for the proposed and several upcoming small hydropower plants in the region in the context of regional ecology and natural resource management.     

Soil erosion modeling of a Himalayan watershed using RS and GIS

Employing the remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS), an assessment of sediment yield from Dikrong river basin of Arunachal Pradesh (India) has been presented in this paper. For prediction of soil erosion, the Morgan-Morgan and Finney (MMF) model and the universal soil loss equation (USLE) have been utilized at a spatial grid scale of 100 m × 100 m, an operational unit. The average annual soil loss from the Dikrong river basin is estimated as 75.66 and 57.06 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ using MMF and USLE models, respectively. The watershed area falling under the identified very high, severe, and very severe zones of soil erosion need immediate attention for soil conservation.     

基于深部自流井涌水试验管损的计算分析

在抽水或涌水试验管道流中,管损是普遍存在的,管损的研究对水文地质试验具有重要意义。利用黑河流域勘探孔HQ2自流井开展多落程涌水试验,并首次应用地调局水环中心自研发的九恒探头技术对不同流量自流井内长158 175 m、内径160 mm钢管的管损值进行测试。结果表明:涌水量为31 44 L/s、25 72 L/s、16 84 L/s时两探头间距长度管损值分别为2 67 m、1 70 m、0 81 m,分别占近出水口测得降深值的50 85%、48 29%、42 85%。将测试结果与经验公式计算结果进行对比分析,提出了经验公式可利用条件。