Land subsidence and declining water resources in Quetta Valley, Pakistan

Extensive groundwater withdrawals in urban areas may cause water shortages, land subsidence, and water quality problems. The Quetta Valley is the largest population center in Balochistan province in western Pakistan. This area is arid and groundwater is the main water source for domestic and agricultural use. This work presents global positioning system (GPS) data and assessment of spatial and temporal variations in water levels. GPS data from two stations from mid-2006 to the beginning of 2009 show subsidence rate of 10 cm\year. Nine satellite images from 1975 to 2009 were classified and processed to quantify land cover and land use changes, which highlight an increase in agricultural areas in the central region of the Quetta Valley, as well as reduced vegetation on mountains. These data correspond to gradual temporal changes in water volumes in streams and lakes. Average temperatures have also increased and mean precipitation has decreased during this period. However, the greatest change in this area has been in population growth, which rose from 260,000 in 1975 to 1.2 million in 2010, mainly due to migration of refugees from war-torn neighboring Afghanistan. The Quetta Valley provides a good example for studying the impact of urbanization on water resources.     

Source partitioning of anthropogenic groundwater nitrogen in a mixed-use landscape,Tutuila, American Samoa

This study presents a modeling framework for quantifying human impacts and for partitioning the sources of contamination related to water quality in the mixed-use landscape of a small tropical volcanic island. On Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa, production wells in the most populated region (the Tafuna-Leone Plain) produce most of the island’s drinking water. However, much of this water has been deemed unsafe to drink since 2009. Tutuila has three predominant anthropogenic non-point-groundwater-pollution sources of concern: on-site disposal systems (OSDS), agricultural chemicals, and pig manure. These sources are broadly distributed throughout the landscape and are located near many drinking-water wells. Water quality analyses show a link between elevated levels of total dissolved groundwater nitrogen (TN) and areas with high non-point-source pollution density, suggesting that TN can be used as a tracer of groundwater contamination from these sources. The modeling framework used in this study integrates land-use information, hydrological data, and water quality analyses with nitrogen loading and transport models. The approach utilizes a numerical groundwater flow model, a nitrogen-loading model, and a multi-species contaminant transport model. Nitrogen from each source is modeled as an independent component in order to trace the impact from individual land-use activities. Model results are calibrated and validated with dissolved groundwater TN concentrations and inorganic δ¹⁵N values, respectively. Results indicate that OSDS contribute significantly more TN to Tutuila’s aquifers than other sources, and thus should be prioritized in future water-quality management efforts.     

Comparative analysis of bacterial contamination in tap and groundwater: A case study on water quality of Quetta City,an arid zone in Pakistan

Water is an essential element on earth, which provides human a variety of services in domestic use, agriculture, or industries. However, some serious health risks of drinking water are associated with microbial contamination, particularly with fecal matter. Therefore, microbial quality assessment is considered to be a necessary component of water quality assessment. This study investigates microbial contamination of water distributary system around the city by comparing groundwater (GW) and tap water (TW) quality in Quetta city. 31 GW samples and 31 TW samples were collected in the study area during the months of September, October, and November. Fecal coliform test was carried out in laboratory and their average total coliform contamination was computed. Results showed that the TW sample were all contaminated by coliform except for Chiltan town, hence are not considered suitable for drinking without any treatment according to WHO drinking water quality standards. The average coliform concentrations were 12 in Quetta main city, 11.6 in Jinnah town, 5.3 in Satallite town, 10 in Shahbaz town and 5 in Brewery town (0/100 mL CFU) and the TW samples from the three towns were even more contaminated with E.coli. Whereas among the GW, average microbial concentrations were 1.8 in Quetta main city, 2 in Satallite town, 1.4 in Shahbaz town, and 0.4 in Chiltan town (0/100 mL CFU), respectively, which shows that the contamination is occurring within the water distributary pipeline system when the water flows through the pipelines. Moreover, this research will be valuable for researchers and administrative authorities to conduct elaborative studies, and develop new policies to prevent further deterioration of drinking water in the water distribution system by pathogenic microorganisms and ensure safe drinking water to the public of Quetta city.     

A graphic expression of salinization and pollution of groundwater The case of Israel's groundwater

 Anthropogenic activities create various contaminated leachate, which can migrate downward from the vadose zone to groundwater, transferring contaminants, including some hazardous ones. When these various sources of contamination influence the groundwater aquifer simultaneously, the effects of contamination are enhanced. The major concern of this study has been to determine whether the shape of a groundwater chlorograph might be the result of such deterministic effects as accumulation of one or more particular processes of groundwater contamination, and how this might relate to specific hydrological situations. This study proposes a classification of groundwater contamination on the basis of properties of the main components of groundwater quality graphs and the corresponding hydrogeological/environmental situation. The study further suggests that contamination of groundwater in any hydrogeological situation (e.g. sea water) may be graphically expressed. A variety of chlorographs and nitrographs, representative of various groundwater aquifers sampled from a number of wells throughout Israel attest to this. The study thus indicates that groundwater quality graphs may be considered as a complementary tool for groundwater quality control and better understanding aquifer situations.     

The changes of groundwater chemistry of semi-confined buried valley aquifer during one decade of water exploitation

This article presents the analysis of the temporal changes in water chemistry in a semi-confined aquifer (Wielkopolska Buried Valley aquifer, Poland) during one decade of water exploitation. It is shown that the groundwater contamination, as documented in a previous work, still persists and has lead to steady groundwater quality deterioration. The most intensive changes in water chemistry due to contamination are observed in the regions recognized earlier as the most vulnerable parts of the aquifer. The influence of contamination is effective despite implementation of groundwater protection activities. The travails of groundwater quality protection of the confined or semi-confined aquifers were accented.     

Groundwater vulnerability assessment in shallow aquifer of Kathmandu Valley using GIS-based DRASTIC model

In this paper, groundwater aquifer vulnerability map has been developed by incorporating the major geological and hydro-geological factors that affect and control the groundwater contamination using GIS based DRASTIC model. This work demonstrates the potential of GIS to derive a map by overlying various spatially referenced digital data layers that portrays cumulative aquifer sensitivity ratings across the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, providing a relative indication of groundwater vulnerability to contamination. In fact, the groundwater is the major natural resources in Kathmandu for drinking purpose. The decline in groundwater levels due to the over exploitation and thus extracted water from shallow aquifer has been contaminated by the infiltration of pollutants from polluted river and land surface is continuous and serious. As the demand for water for human and industrial use has escalated and at the same time, the engineering and environmental costs are much higher for new water supplies than maintaining the existing sources already in use. Management of groundwater source and protecting its quality is therefore essential to increase efficient use of existing water supplies. Aquifer vulnerability maps developed in this study are valuable tools for environmental planning and predictive groundwater management. Further, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to evaluate the influence of single parameters on aquifer vulnerability assessment such that some subjectivity can be reduced to some extent and then new weights have been computed for each DRASTIC parameters.     

Drinking water quality in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley: a survey and assessment of selected controlling site characteristics

Water was sampled from over 100 sources in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, including municipal taps, dug wells, shallow-aquifer tube wells, deep-aquifer tube wells, and dhunge dharas (or stone spouts, public water sources that capture groundwater or surface water). Information was gathered on user preference and site and well characteristics, and water was examined for indicators of contamination from sewage, agriculture, or industry. Most problematic were total coliform and Escherichia coli bacteria, which were present in 94 and 72% of all the water samples, respectively. Contamination by nitrate, ammonia and heavy metals was more limited; nitrate and ammonia exceeded Nepali guidelines in 11 and 45% of the samples, respectively. Arsenic and mercury exceeded WHO guidelines in 7 and 10% of the samples, respectively, but arsenic never exceeded the less strict Nepali guideline. Significant differences existed in contamination levels between types of sources; dug wells and dhunge dharas, being the shallowest, were the most contaminated by bacteria and nitrate; deep-aquifer tube wells were the most contaminated by arsenic. Whereas E. coli concentrations decreased with depth, iron and ammonia concentrations increased with depth. These relationships account for people choosing to drink water with higher levels of bacterial contamination based on its superior (non-metallic) taste and appearance.     

Assessing the vulnerability of over-exploited volcanic aquifer systems using multi-parameter analysis,Toluca Basin,Mexico

The potential for contamination of groundwater in an over-exploited system led to this investigation on aspects of aquifer vulnerability in the Toluca Basin, Mexico. This study involved the use of various hydrogeological, geochemical and isotopic tools to better understand the susceptibility to contamination where heavy groundwater extraction along with industrial extensive development is concentrated. Geochemical and isotopic analyses of groundwater from production wells along the mountain boundary show little evidence of contamination at present time. Radiocarbon and tritium data collected in piezometers and wells penetrating the Lower basalt aquifer indicate that the groundwater is of varying age and quality. These data, in addition to stable isotope and chemical data also indicate evidence of contamination in the Lower aquifer; which could be associated with fast recharge in the mountains or injection of waste water by illegal wells. Evidence found in this study of low downward gradients in the valley fill sediments and the presence of low permeability aquitard deposits suggest that the aquifer system is currently not highly threatened by surface sources of contamination. However, where urban and industrial development occurs, in the centre of the valley and along the flanks of the Basin, the vulnerability of the aquifer system increases significantly.     

Groundwater modeling applied to production well management in a contaminated aquifer

A study was conducted to evaluate production strategies for a well field system near a source of groundwater contamination. Numerical modeling of groundwater flow was employed to generate hydraulic head configurations for different production scenarios. For a given scenario, an evaluation of contamination susceptibility was made by comparing head distributions in two aquifer units to the positions of the contaminant source and discharging water supply wells. The results of this study suggest that groundwater flow modeling can be a useful technique for planning the production of water supply wells in aquifers at risk of contamination from anthropogenic pollution sources.     

Geological impacts on groundwater pollution: a case study in Khuzestan Province

The main aims of this study were to examine the sources of pollution with an emphasis on geogenic sources and to predict the groundwater quality with reasonable accuracy. For this purpose, factor analysis/principal component analysis and partial least squares regression were used to analyze a data set of groundwater quality containing 17 parameters measured at 45 different sampling wells in Andimeshk Aquifer during 2006–2013 time period. Factor analysis identified three factors, which were responsible for the data structure explaining 78.3 % of the total variance of the data set. There were various sources of groundwater contamination, based on factor analysis, in which geological formations next to agricultural activities had the most influential effects. Partial least squares regression could predict the quality of groundwater according to the value of water quality index. The amounts of R-squared (0.79) and MSE (0.21) using seven PLS components showed that this method has been successful in the prediction of water quality in the study area.     

Evaluation of the health risk from water contamination in the city of Tandil, Argentina

The paper focuses on the concentration of nitrates detected in superficial waters (lake and streams) and groundwater (wells) used as sources of water supply. It attempts to determine the level of risk due to the presence of urban industrial uses and correlate it with the quality of urban life, in order to determine social vulnerability to the risk of industrial contamination. A geographic information system (GIS) was constructed with layers for various census data, topographic and landuse features and the location of water samples. An index of quality of life was developed using selected variables. This was then compared to the essential services provision data and the results of the water sample analyses. The concentration of nitrates (mg/l or ppm) in the water samples was determined. These values were translated into maps of contaminants, which were then correlated with their possible sources and with the quality of life of the population affected. The concentration of nitrates in wells has been considered alarming, but more concern has been expressed about concentrations in the public water supply network. Spatial correlation between areas with high risk of contaminated water and areas with the worst quality of life, indicates the importance of controlling chemical contamination, and demands improvements in the public water supply network and revision of the theory of social vulnerability.     

Case history of one of the few successful Superfund remediation sites: A site at Salinas, California, USA

In 1985, a former tire manufacturing plant surrounded by agricultural fields in the Salinas Valley was designated a Superfund Site by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The plant had been operating for seventeen years, from 1963 until 1980. When dismantling of the plant was started, it was determined that toxic hydrocarbon solvents and oils from the plant had contaminated soil and groundwater in alluvial deposits alongside the plant. It was determined later that the groundwater contamination also lay beneath the agricultural fields in a narrow groundwater plume that extends about 4.3 km downgradient from the plant. Because of the complex architecture of the aquifer system, the gradient, and extensive pumping of agricultural wells, the contaminants migrated northwestward and downward to deeper levels away from the plant.

The agricultural fields are underlain by an unconfined shallow aquifer and by a system of confined aquifers that extend to more than 180 m below surface. Aquifers are discontinuous beds of channel sand and gravel; confining beds are overbank clay and silt, and estuarine clay.

Geophysical data, logs of existing agricultural and other wells, and careful consideration of the stratigraphic architecture of the depositional environment provided the basis for a conceptual hydrogeologic model and for locating characterization wells for detailed visual and geophysical logging and hydrologic testing. Successive refinements of the characterization by sequential installation of wells indicated optimal locations for installation of extraction and monitoring wells. Validity of the concept of the hydrogeologic regime was verified by close match of predictions made by modeling with the later results of pumping from the extraction wells in a pump-and-treat system.

Successful remediation was accomplished by analyzing data from 110 agricultural wells, the few domestic water wells, nearly 200 sequentially installed stratigraphic-characterization and monitoring wells, 25 extraction wells, and by close cooperation among federal, state and local agencies, and the ranchers and growers.

Total contaminants recovered from activated-charcoal strippers of the treatment system totalled < 230 kg. Large quantities were harmlessly volatilized and dispersed into the atmosphere by air strippers and by agricultural sprinkling systems spraying water onto the fields. Crop testing showed no contamination of food crops. The activity has taken seven years and has cost more than US$22 million.     

The influence of a heavily polluted urban river on the adjacent aquifer systems

 Ankara Creek is often subjected to overflowing of sewage caused by rainfall or direct discharge of raw sewage. Alluvial aquifers adjacent to Ankara Creek and its tributaries have considerable groundwater potential. The present status of groundwater quality is far from drinking water standards. Groundwater contamination in Ankara is suspected to be caused by Ankara Creek which is heavily polluted by raw sewage discharge, surface runoff and other common sources. In order to investigate the influence of heavily polluted Ankara Creek on the groundwater contamination in the adjacent alluvial aquifers, five sampling stations on Ankara Creek and 25 water wells were monitored during 1996. At five different sampling periods, water samples were collected from both surface water and groundwater. Chemical analyses of basic ions, pollution parameters and heavy metals in natural waters were carried out. The organic pollution prevails in Ankara Creek whereas total dissolved solids (TDS) and heavy metal concentrations are considerably low. Starting from the idea that Ankara Creek somewhat influences the groundwater quality and the contaminants in groundwater should attenuate with respect to distance, a series of water wells in a certain area, each having different distance from the creek, were examined using four pollution parameters. It is concluded that Ankara Creek barely influences the aquifer systems in connection. This is attributed to two reasons: rapid attenuation of contaminants due to dilution in groundwater and a blanket of very fine sized materials covering the bottom of Ankara Creek. Received: 28. April 1997 · Accepted: 23. February 1998     

Arsenic contamination of ground and pond water and water purification system using pond water in Bangladesh

This paper, firstly, shows the distribution of arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Samta village. This village, which is in Jessore district in Bangladesh, was chosen as a model village for investigating the mechanism of groundwater contamination. 90% of the tube wells in this village had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mg/l. Tube wells with arsenic concentrations of over 0.50 mg/l were distributed in the southern part of the village with a belt-like shape from east to west. Secondly, groundwater distribution is discussed with respect to its flow and the high arsenic zone (As≥0.50 mg/l) agrees well with the drifting zone of the groundwater. Furthermore, arsenic-free water supply systems suitable for a small area in the village have been developed. A pond sand filter (PSF) system which purifies pond water is discussed in this paper. Prior to the construction of the PSF, the water quality in ponds was examined for arsenic levels. The inflow of drainage from the tube wells was found to be the major cause of arsenic contamination of pond water. The PSF installed in Samta is working very well and produces a good quality of treated water.     

乌鲁木齐河流域地下水水质监测网设计

文章运用地下水易污性编图及污染源分布图法进行了乌鲁木齐河流域地下水水质监测网设计。共设计了130监测孔,现有46个监测孔,另需要84个新的监测孔。按监测类型分为面源监测点22个,点源监测点87个,重点水源地与泉水监测点21个。按监测运行分长期监测点55个,流域普查监测点75个。普查监测点监测频率为1次/5年,长期监测点监测频率为1次/年。首期有针对性地在污染严重的柴窝堡新化厂排污区、乌鲁木齐河谷老排污区、米泉污灌区、米泉工业污染区、老龙河污染区取了25个污染水样测试分析,结果显示地下水已经受到严重污染。     

Risk assessment of groundwater pollution using sensitivity analysis and a worst-case scenario analysis

This paper illustrates how sensitivity analysis and a worst-case scenario analysis can be useful tools in risk assessment of groundwater pollution. The approach is applied to a study area in Hungary with several known groundwater pollution sources and nearby drinking water production wells. The main concern is whether the contamination sources threaten the drinking water wells of the area. A groundwater flow and transport model is set up to answer this question. Due to limited data availability, the results of this model are associated with large uncertainty. Sensitivity analysis and a worst-case scenario analysis are applied to estimate this uncertainty and build confidence in the model results.     

Assessing the impacts of uncontrolled artesian flows on the management of groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley

The deep wells drilled along the eastern escarpment of the Jordan Valley penetrate confined aquifers that produce thermal and mineralized artesian water. Uncontrolled flows from poorly constructed and uncapped artesian wells over the last 30 years have caused the deterioration of the quality of shallow groundwater and surface water. They also have been accelerating the discharge of saline water from deep aquifers and have caused the loss of shallow fresh groundwater resources through the downward percolation of fresh water to replace the extracted deep salty groundwater. A lack of adequate controls on the construction and maintenance of artesian wells is leading to widespread water quality problems in the region, which limits the ability of future generations to access high-quality water, a clear breach of the principle of intergenerational equity.     

太湖流域某地区浅层地下水有机污染特征

对太湖流域某地区浅层地下水有机污染特征进行了总结，并就污染来源、污染途径和典型污染源附近浅层地下水有机污染特征等问题进行了研究。研究结果表明，该地区浅层地下水中各组分的检出率较高，但检出浓度较低，除苯在个别采样点处超出美国环保局（EPA）饮用水标准外，其余卤代烃和单环芳烃组分均没有超标；平面分布上，卤代烃和单环芳烃各组分的浓度高值点大都集中于该地区东南部的工业区内，这种空间分布特征与工业区的分布具有明显的一致性；垂向上有浅部地下水的污染程度相对较重、深部地下水较轻的特点；典型污染源周边浅层地下水的污染程度较重，但随着采样点远离污染源，地下水中各有机污染组分的浓度迅速衰减。     

Groundwater quality Management in China

Groundwater quality is of vital importance in groundwater safety especially for the purpose of water supply, its management becomes more and more necessary as groundwater contamination has threaten its safe use in China. The article analyzed the contamination sources of groundwater and impact of contamination on human health and water supply, the knowledge gaps were pointed and recommendations were made for groundwater quality management in China.     

河南省新密市豫鑫煤矿矿井水源分析和评价

采用大型抽水试验法分析评价了新密市豫鑫煤矿突水矿井的供水能力,揭示了矿井水来源和矿井水水质特征及变化趋势,评价结果可作为矿井水资源评价和开发利用的依据.