Geochemical assessement of actinide isolation in a German salt repository environment

A significant criterion in evaluating disposal strategies for high-level nuclear waste is the assessment of the isolation capacity for the most radiotoxic radionuclides, the actinides. Important processes pertinent to potential mobilization from the waste forms, retention in secondary phases and migration of actinides in the geochemical environment of the near field of disposal locations are summarized. Criteria are formulated for assessing engineered barrier performance as a geochemical barrier for actinide long-term retention.     

pH influence on sorption characteristics of heavy metal in the vadose zone

Sorption is an important process in the modelling and prediction of the movement of heavy metals in unsaturated clay barriers. This experimental study investigates the effect of pH changes in the acidic range on the sorption characteristics of heavy metals such as: lead, copper and zinc in an unsaturated soil. A series of one-dimensional coupled solute and moisture leaching column tests, using different heavy metal solutions, were conducted on an unsaturated illitic soil at varying pH values. Variations of volumetric water content (VWC) with distance were measured for different time durations, and concentrations of heavy metals in the liquid and solid phases were analysed. Partitioning coefficient profiles of contaminants along the soil column were determined for each individual layer in the soil.

Results from column leaching tests showed that the sorption characteristics of heavy metals are controlled by many factors which should be taken into consideration, i.e. the VWC, time of wetting, soil pH, and the influent heavy metal concentrations. Simplification of K_d as a constant and of the VWC as a linear function cannot be considered a good assumption and may lead to an improper evaluation of the sorption phenomena and also to serious errors in predicting contaminant transport through unsaturated soils.     

Heavy metals contents on beach and dune sediments from Espinho to Mondego Cape (Portugal)—influence of human activities

Following previous studies on beach and dune sediments from the Espinho–Mondego Cape coastal sector, geochemical studies have been done on the same sediments aiming to unravel the lithological from the anthropogenic geochemical signal. 129 samples have been collected from 45 profiles, in beach and dune sediments. Total Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Ca, Mg and Al concentrations were measured in the fine fractions of the sediments. The absence of relationship between the analysed heavy elements and Al and the exhibition of contents higher than the rocks outcropping in the hinterland, point to an additional source of heavy metals related to human activities. The available data allowed us to consider that inputs from Aveiro lagoon (natural and anthropogenic), Douro River and coastal erosion (by littoral drift or advective currents) are the main sources of heavy metals in this region.     

Geochemical signature of historical mining: Fowey Estuary, Cornwall, UK

Geochemical analyses of intertidal sediments from the northern part of the Fowey Estuary, Cornwall, UK, reveal a clear pulse in Sn concentration in sediments which predate 1880. Sn concentrations at the base of the cores increase rapidly to peak values of 1200 ppm and then decrease to values of 200 ppm at the present-day sediment surface. The mineralogy of the sediments is consistent with an origin from the release of mine waste from tin streaming and smelt products into the estuary. Further to the south, the down-core geochemistry of the estuary sediments is uniform with values of typically 400 ppm. This is interpreted as due to the natural reworking of the recognised pulse in particulate mine waste seen to the north.     

Geochemical factors controlling accumulation of major and trace elements in Greenland coastal and fjord sediments

 The major (Al, Ti, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Si) and trace element (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) concentrations in surficial (<20 cm) sediments from fjords and open coastal waters around Greenland have been determined. Regionally, high concentrations of Fe, Ti, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V occur in some west and east coast sediments, but they appear to be natural in origin, as there is no indication of anthropogenic influence. Chemical partition indicates that most of the heavy metals are structurally bound in various silicate, oxide, and sulfide minerals. These host minerals occur more or less equally in the coarse and fine sediment fractions (material >63 μm and <63 μm) and have accumulated at the same rate as other detrital clastic material. Provenance and glaciomarine deposition are the main factors controlling the abundance and distribution of the major and trace elements. The chemical composition reflects the mineralogical differences in the provenance of glacial marine material deposited by water and ice adjacent to Greenland. The main source of the sediments enriched in Ti, Fe, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V appears to be material derived from the volcanic rocks of the Mesozoic-Tertiary Provinces of Greenland by glacial erosion. Received: 26 June 1995 · Accepted: 11 August 1995     

Geochemical and flow modelling as tools in monitoring managed aquifer recharge

Due to a growing world population and the effects of anthropogenic climate change, access to clean water is a growing global concern. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a method that can help society's response to this increasing demand for pure water. In MAR, the groundwater resources are replenished and the quality of the recharged surface water is improved through effects such as the removal of organic matter. This removal occurs through mechanisms such as microbial decomposition, which can be monitored by studying the isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Nevertheless, the monitoring can be difficult when there are other factors, like dissolving calcite, affecting the isotopic composition of DIC.The aims of this study were to establish a method for monitoring the decomposition of organic matter (dissolved organic carbon – DOC) in cases where calcite dissolution adds another component to the DIC pool, and to use this method to monitor the beginning and amount of DOC decomposition on a MAR site at Virttaankangas, southwestern Finland. To achieve this, we calculated the mean residence times of infiltrated water in the aquifer and the fractions of this water reaching observation wells. We conducted geochemical modelling, using PHREEQC, to estimate the amount of DOC decomposition and the mineral reactions affecting the quality of the water.     

Geochemical fractionation of heavy metals in Chilka Lake (east coast of India)—a tropical coastal lagoon

Chilka lake, the largest coastal lagoon of Asia is one of the most dynamic ecosystems along the Indian coast. Historically the lagoon has undergone a considerable reduction in surface area due, in part, to input from natural processes but mostly due to human activities. The purpose of this investigation is to document the heavy metals' affinity for specific geochemical phases in the recently deposited sediments in the lagoon. Thirty-three samples were collected and analyzed for different geochemical phases of Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn utilizing a sequential extraction scheme. In the nonlithogenous fraction, the exchangeable fraction was not geochemically significant, having <2% of the total metal concentration for all the elements. However, the carbonate fraction contained the following percentages of the total concentration: <1% Fe, 13% Mn, 6% Cu, 4% Cr, 8% Ni, 13% Pb, and 12% Zn, suggesting the detrital origin of the sediments. Reducible and organic matter-bound fractions were the significant phases in the nonlithogenous fraction, containing 9% Fe, 16% Mn, 15% Cu, 16% Cr, 16% Ni, 14% Pb, and 14% Zn in the former and 4% Fe, 3% Mn, 17% Cu, 3% Cr, 14% Ni, 15% Pb, and 14% Zn in the latter. The phenomenon has been attributed to the scavenging affinity of Fe-Mn oxides and affinity for sorption into organic matter of the lagoon sediments. The lithogenous, residual fraction generally considered as a guide for natural background values was determined to contain 87% Fe, 67% Mn, 61% Cu, 77% Cr, 61.3% Ni, 56% Pb, and 60% Zn of the total concentrations.     

Geochemical and mineralogical study of a site severely polluted with heavy metals (Maatheide, Lommel, Belgium)

The former zinc smelter site ‘de Maatheide’ in Lommel (Belgium) was severely polluted with heavy metals and the pollution spread into the surroundings by rain water leaching and wind transportation. This study focuses on the processes of immobilization and natural attenuation that took place on the site. Three important factors were found. Firstly, the high pH values (pH 7–8) in the topsoil influence the mobility of heavy metals. Secondly, the spodic horizons below the polluted top layer seem to accumulate heavy metals, thereby slowing down their release into the environment. Finally, the glassy phases and iron oxi/hydroxides that are present can encapsulate heavy metals during their formation/recrystallization, thereby immobilizing them. An additional shielding effect results from the reaction rims of goethite around the contaminant phases, which partially inhibit the weathering process and release of contaminants. This shielding effect is an important factor to take into account when modelling contaminant release.     

小秦岭金矿田稀土元素地球化学特征

文章根椐小秦岭金矿田稀土分析结果,总结了各地层岩石单元、岩浆岩及矿床稀土元素地球化学特征及规律,对太华群主要变质岩进行了原岩恢复,分析了燕山期花岗岩文峪岩体和娘娘山岩体生成构造环境及其与成矿的关系.通过主要矿床稀土元素地球化学特征对比,指出区内大湖钼金矿床与其它金矿床的成矿差异,认为小秦岭金矿成矿物质来源为变质岩中的斜...     

Plant species as indicators of geochemical anomalies: Experiences onIlex aquifolium (holly)

The distribution of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu, in plants growing in mineralized and sterile areas of Tuscany has been studied to verify if and to what extent metalaccumulating species represent evidence of geochemical anomalies in soils. Samples of leaves and twigs from trees were collected, and analyzed by means of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Hollies, brambles, and Holm oaks in particular were considered in the mineralized area of Bottino, and the special aptitude of hollies in concentrating Cd with respect to the other metals has been verified. Cadmium has been previously recognized as a pathfinder for zinc ore bodies; the results of this investigation appear to point out the relevance of holly as a bioindicator of geochemical zinc anomalies. Lower metal concentration characterizes the same species from other mineralized and sterile zones, with the exception of the urbanized area of Florence, where relatively higher Zn concentrations in hollies appear to be due to atmospheric pollution.     

Geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in vicinity of Bhalswa landfill,Delhi, India,using graphical and multivariate statistical methods

A geochemical assessment of groundwater quality and possible contamination in the vicinity of the Bhalswa landfill site was carried out by using a hydrochemical approach with graphical and multivariate statistical methods with the objective of identifying the occurrence of various geochemical processes and understanding the impact of landfill leachates on groundwater quality. Results indicate that nitrate, fluoride and heavy-metal pollution are in an alarming state with respect to the use of groundwater for drinking purposes. Various graphical plots and statistical analyses have been applied to the chemical data based on the ionic constituents, water types, and hydrochemical facies to infer the impact of the landfill on groundwater quality. The statistical analysis and spatial and temporal variations indicate the leaching of contaminants from the landfill to the groundwater aquifer system. The concentrations of heavy metals in the landfill leachates are as follows: Fe (22 mg/l), Mn (~20 mg/l), Cu (~10 mg/l), Pb (~2 mg/l), Ni (0.25 mg/l), Zn (~10 mg/l), Cd (~0.2 mg/l), Cl⁻ (~4,000 mg/l), SO₄²⁻ (~3,320 mg/l), PO₄³⁻ (~4 mg/l), NO₃⁻ (30 mg/l) and fluoride (~50 mg/l); all were much higher than the standards. The study reveals that the landfill is in a depleted phase and is affecting groundwater quality in its vicinity and the surrounding area due to leaching of contaminants.     

Pozzolanic fly ash as a hydraulic barrier in land fills

The liner plays an important role in controlling migration of contaminants present in the leachate in waste containment systems such as land fills and impoundments. Although questions have been raised about the performance of clay liners, they are increasingly used singly or as double liners in disposal sites. Though the clay liners possess many advantages such as low permeability and large attenuative capacity, they also possess high shrinkage potential and hence can crack under unsaturated conditions causing instability and increase in leakage rates. Further, the permeability of the clay linear can increase due to clay–pollutant interaction. This study examines the potential of pozzolanic fly ash as a hydraulic barrier in land fill. The behaviour of three different types of fly ashes, showing a range of physical properties and chemical composition from three different sources are reported in the study. Geotechnical properties, needed to evaluate the use of fly ashes as barriers, such as shrinkage, compaction, permeability, consolidation and strength characteristics are reported. The results show that fly ashes possess low shrinkage and hence do not crack. Compacted fly ashes undergo very little volume changes. They also show that pozzolanic fly ashes develop good strength properties with time. Pozzolanic fly ashes containing sufficient lime develop strength even without addition of lime. Non-pozzolanic fly ashes do not develop strength even on addition of lime. Fly ashes generally consist of silt size particles and consequently possess high permeability. However, pozzolanic fly ashes with lime exhibit low permeability on curing because of the formation of gelatinous compounds which block the pores. Thus, pozzolanic fly ashes appear to be promising for construction of liners to contain alkaline leachate.     

Geochemical data as indicators of environmental change and human impact in sediments derived from downstream marshes of an ephemeral river,Northeast China

Recent sedimentary history of natural environmental change and anthropogenic influence in an ephemeral river catchment has been reconstructed using selected major and trace elements, element ratios, and their different geochemical phases (Tessier sequential extraction methods), pollen, and grain size combined with ²¹⁰Pb- and ¹³⁷Cs-dating method in marsh sedimentary cores. Attempts were made to use selected element ratios with different geochemical phases—residual phase of Ti, Al, V, Cr, Ni, Rb, K, Sr, and Ba; mobile Sr and Ba—combined with ²¹⁰Pb- and ¹³⁷Cs-chronology to interpret certain time information of environmental changes saved within the marsh sediments. Results indicate that there were two marked humid periods during 1850–1860 ad and 1890–1920 ad, and sand storm activities prevailed during 1920–1930 ad. After about 1900 ad, soil erosion has increased with the extensive agricultural activities in the Huolin River catchments, and further intensified after 1950s. After 1980, soil erosion has become even more intense, which is consistent with the reinforcement of human activities, the drastic loss of vegetation cover in the upstream lands, especially, the exploitation of the open cast coalmine in the upstream of Huolin River at that time. Influenced by the inundation of the Huolin River, the heavy metal pollution historical trends in Xianghai marsh wetland could be roughly divided into three periods by analysis of sediment enrichment factor (K_SEF) and the index of geoaccumulation (I _geo):1760–1880 ad, 1880–1980 ad, and 1980–now. Human activities accelerate the inputs of heavy metal, which leads to degradation of the marsh. This study also investigated on source of marsh sediments (by Ti/Al), redox condition [by V/Cr and V/(V + Ni)], and salinization indicators (by Sr/Ba and Rb/K). The results demonstrate that sources of sediments and redox conditions were partly similar for both riparian and depressional marshes. Besides, some differences in degree of salinization between two types of marsh were also identified, especially after 1880.     

Vertical variability of PCE sorption in the lacustrine clays of Mexico City

 A surficial clay aquitard extends through the urban area where Mexico City is located. It has been assumed to function as a protective layer to the underlying aquifer that provides 42 m³/s out of 63 m³/s of water used by 18 million inhabitants. To provide such protection, the aquitard must be impermeable to water flow and, ideally, have a significant capacity to sorb contaminants. The latter aspect was addressed, studying the vertical variability of sorption of perchloroethylene (PCE), a widely used organic compound considered to pose health risks in groundwater. Batch sorption tests were used and the clay-rich strata in the depth interval from 8 to 75 m were studied. The results suggest that sorption depends mainly on the fraction of organic carbon (f_oc) present in the clayey materials. The sorption data were fit to the linear and Freundlich models; many strata could be fit well by either model, while some strata were distinctly non-linear. The linear isotherms showed a mean value of 32.8 ml/g, and the Freundlich isotherm 96.6 ml/g, confirming that the clay-rich media have significant sorption capacity for PCE. From the environmental perspective the clay-rich materials are serving as protection to the groundwater system. Received: 2 November 1998 · Accepted: 15 February 1999     

Advances in Geochemical Study of Phytolith Occluded Carbon

Phytoliths, also called amorphous silica particles, have a great geochemical stability and could occlude a certain amount of organic carbon during the forming process. At present, phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) is recognized as one of long-term stable carbon sequestration mechanisms and has significant influence on regulating global climate change. At the same time, PhytOC isotope research has great value for paleo-environment, paleo-climate reconstruction and other fields. Therefore, more scholars pay attention to the PhytOC geochemical research. Based on the current research status, we summarized the current state of understading about phytolith forming process, elemental composition, geochemical stability, PhytOC sink and PhytOC isotope application for paleo-environment reconstruction. We also summarized the main problems of geochemical research on phytolith and PhytOC, which will make great contribution to further research on phytolith geochemical research.     

隐伏矿床勘查地球化学新进展

近年来,隐伏矿床的勘查日益受到重视,随着成矿理论和分析技术的发展,形成了众多新的地球化学勘查方法,在隐伏矿床勘查中发挥着越来越重要的作用。当前,以金属活动态测量法、地球气纳微金属测量法、电地球化学方法、活动金属离子法等一系列偏提取技术为代表的深穿透地球化学方法,能够获取深部矿体的直接信息,是隐伏矿床勘查技术上的一项重大...     

贵州东部镇远金堡铅锌矿床地球化学特征研究

对贵州黔东镇远金堡铅锌矿床碳—氧、硫同位素及流体包裹体温度、盐度地球化学特征研究,方解石和白云石碳同位素在-5.7‰-6.9‰,落在典型的火成碳酸岩区域(-5‰-7‰);氧同位素在11.2‰12.2‰之间,略高于火成碳酸岩。闪锌矿硫同位素分布集中,在11.5‰14.2‰之间,结合该区域的碳同位素,暗示成矿物质来自于深部地幔或岩浆作用。流体包裹体均一温度在106 238℃之间,冰点温度在-1.8-24℃之间,对应的盐度为2.926.1 wt%NaCl eq.,判断该矿床成矿流体属中低温、中高盐度的成矿流体。从闪锌矿流体包裹体均一温度-盐度变化趋势分析,成矿温度及盐度范围变化较大,成矿流体经历了不混溶过程,可能是岩浆热液在降温减压的过程中发生不混溶现象而形成的。结合区域地质条件及矿床地质特征分析研究,认为镇远金堡铅锌矿床成矿热液来源及其可能与岩浆热液有关。     

贵州西部玄武岩地球化学特征及有关成矿作用分析

贵州玄武岩属稳定地块裂陷阶段—二叠纪非造山期产物,以海相喷溢和陆相喷溢为主,通过取样分析,得出贵州玄武岩的地球化学特征,化学成分以SiO2为主,化学成分因取样区域不同含量也不相同,大部分样品进行拉丝实验成功.稀土元素分析数据表明取样玄武岩属轻稀土富集型,微量元素实验显示相容元素Cr、Co、Ni和不相容元素V、Mn、Ti...     

Geochemical correlation of Ordovician flow tuffs in North Wales

Ordovician rhyolitic tuffs in North Wales are correlated on the basis of their whole-rock trace element composition. Multivariate statistics verify that major ignimbrite sheets are chemically unique, with Zr, Y and Nb being the most useful elements to characterize individual deposits. Fractionation processes during transport and emplacement of the pyroclastic flows results in little lateral variation in the whole-rock geochemistry of deposits; different diagenetic histories in subaerial and subaqueous environments did not mask recognition of primary ignimbrite units. A partially welded vitric ash flow tuff is correlated with the Pitts Head Tuff ash flow sheet, and a tuff horizon previously assumed to be reworked Pitts Head Tuff is shown to be chemically most similar to the fourth member of the Capel Curig Volcanic Formation. Validity of these correlations is upheld by biostratigraphic and sedimentological evidence. The new correlations necessitate a revision of the stratigraphy in North Wales and indicate a significant lapse of time (perhaps one million years) between emplacement of the Pitts Head Tuff and eruption of the Lower Rhyolitic Tuff of the overlying Snowdon Volcanic Group.     

A study of heavy metal pollution in the Tinto-Odiel estuary in southwestern Spain using factor analysis

The estuary of Odiel and Tinto rivers, located on the southwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, receives acidic fluvial water discharges with high concentrations of sulphates and heavy metals from these rivers. In addition, a big industrial complex which efflues directly on the system is located in the same estuary. The effluents induce the presence in the estuary of high concentrations of heavy metals and phospates (nutrients). The application of factorial analysis techniques on the nutrients and heavy metal concentrations in 46 water samples taken from 32 different sampling stations located along the estuary, allows three groups of elements and compounds with a distinct origin to be determinated. So, Cu and Zn have a clear fluvial provenance, whereas PO₄ and As are clearly industrial wastes and Cl, K, Ca, Li, Rb and Sr come from the sea. From the factorial analyses we can deduce the existence of two agents controlling the behavior of the analyzed elements, which are: the tidal exchange with the open sea and the fluvial supply. Received: 20 November 1998 · Accepted: 11 August 1999