Compound-specific carbon isotope study on the hydrocarbon biomarkers in lacustrine source rocks from Songliao Basin

Stable carbon isotopic composition of organic matter (δ¹³C_org) and compound-specific δ¹³C values of biomarkers from 15 lacustrine source rocks were analyzed to identify the original paleoenvironment and source organisms. The δ¹³C values of hopanes (δ¹³C_hop) ranged from −68.7‰ to −32‰ and exhibit strongly ¹³C-depleted values in the lower part of Member 1 of the Nenjiang Formation (K₂n¹, up to −68.7‰), suggesting an origin from predominantly methanotrophic bacteria. ¹³C-enriched δ¹³C_Ga values and significantly ¹³C-depleted δ¹³C_hop in K₂n¹, which coincide with water stratification and an intermittent anoxic photic zone, represents a shallow chemocline. The presence of an intermittent anoxic photic zone, which means that the anoxia expanded into the euphotic zone, is beneficial for OM preservation and results in high values of TOC and HI in this section. However, the absence of gammacerane and ¹³C-enrichment of δ¹³C_hop in Member 2 of Nenjiang Formation (K₂n²) reflect a deeper chemocline, corresponding to relatively oxidizing conditions and low values of TOC and HI. Moreover, the negative correlation of TOC vs δ¹³C_org and HI vs δ¹³C_org reflects the control of OM formation by sedimentary environments rather than productivity in the water column. Thus, the depth of the chemocline not only controls the abundance of OM but also affects the development of the microbial community, such as chemoautotrophic bacteria in the deep chemocline and chemoautotrophic and methanotrophic bacteria in the shallow chemocline. Moreover, δ¹³C_Ga and δ¹³C values for 4-methyl steranes are related to water salinity, with a higher salinity accompanied by ¹³C-enrichment in gammacerane and 4-methyl steranes.     

An integrated approach to assess the quality of groundwater in a coastal aquifer of Andhra Pradesh, India

The Narava basin in Visakhapatnam district situated on the east coast is a productive agricultural area, and is also one of the fastest growing urban areas in India. The agricultural and urban-industrialization activities have a lot of impact on this coastal aquifer water quality. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater was analyzed in the basin area with reference to drinking and agricultural purposes. The area is underlain by Precambrian rocks like khondalites, charnockites and migmatites. The water samples were collected from shallow wells for the year 2008. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater such as pH, total alkalinity (TA), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, F^? were determined. The analytical results revealed that the most of the groundwater found to be in polluted category. Geographical information system (GIS) was utilized to generate different spatial distribution maps of various chemical constituents in the study area. The analytical data were used to compute certain parameters such as salinity hazard, percent sodium (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), Kelley??s ratio (KR) and corrosivity ratio (CR) to determine the quality of water for agricultural purposes. The abundance of the major ions in the basin area was found to be in the following sequence: Na⁺?>?Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?K⁺:Cl^??>?HCO₃ ^??>?SO₄ ^2??>?NO₃ ^??>?F^?. According to Gibbs?? diagram most of the samples fall under rock dominance. As per Wilcox and USSL classification most of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation except few samples which are unsuitable due to the presence of high salinity and high sodium hazard. From the obtained data, it can be concluded that the water quality profile was good and useful for normal irrigation agriculture.     

Geochemistry of groundwater,Burdwan District,West Bengal,India

Hydrogeochemical investigations are carried out in the different blocks of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India in order to assess its suitability for drinking as well as irrigation water purpose. Altogether 49 representative groundwater samples are collected from bore wells and the water chemistry of various ions viz. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ are carried out. The chemical relationships in Piper and Gibbs diagram suggest that the groundwater mainly belongs to alkali type and Cl⁻ group and are controlled by rock dominance. A comparison of groundwater quality in relation to drinking water quality standards proves that most of the water samples are suitable for drinking water purpose whereas groundwater in some areas of the district has high salinity and high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), indicating unsuitability for irrigation water and needs adequate drainage.     

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes: a case study of Peddavanka watershed, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India

In India, the quantity and quality of water available for irrigation is variable from place to place. Assessment of water quality has been carried out to determine the sources of dissolved ions in groundwater. Quality of groundwater in a 398 km² Peddavanka watershed of a semi-arid region of south India is evaluated for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The middle Proterozoic Cuddapah Supergroup and Kurnool Group of rocks underlie most of the watershed. The main lithologic units consist chiefly of quartzite, limestone, and shale. Seventy-six water samples were collected from open-wells and bore-holes. Water samples were collected representative of the post-monsoon (winter) and pre-monsoon (summer). The quality assessment is made through the estimation of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, total hardness as CaCO₃, TDS, EC, and pH. Based on these analyses, parameters like sodium adsorption ratio, % sodium, residual sodium carbonate, non-carbonate hardness, potential salinity, Kelley’s ratio, magnesium ratio, index of base exchange and permeability index were calculated. According to Gibbs‘ ratio samples in both seasons fall in the rock dominance field. The overall quality of waters in the study area in post-monsoon season is high for all constituents ruling out pollution from extraneous sources.     

Hydrogeochemical characterization and groundwater quality assessment in Al-Hasa,Saudi Arabia

Fifty groundwater samples were collected from Al-Hasa to analyze the pH, electrical conductivity (EC, dS m^?1), total dissolved solids (TDS), major anions (HCO₃^?, CO₃^2?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?, and NO₃^?), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺), and total hardness. The analyzed data plotted in the Piper, Gibbs, and Durov diagrams, and water quality index (WQI) were calculated to evaluate the groundwater geochemistry and its water quality. The results reveal that most of the investigated samples are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄^2?, Cl^? and Na⁺, and HCO₃^? water types using the Piper diagram. Na⁺?>?Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺ are the dominant cations, while Cl^??>?HCO₃^??>?SO₄^2??>?CO₃^2? are the dominant anions. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values varied from 0.79 to 10; however, the Kelly ratio (KR) ranged between 0.1 and 2.2. The permeability index (PI) showed that well water is suitable for irrigation purposes with 75% or more of maximum permeability. The US salinity diagram revealed that the water quality classes of studied waters were CIII-SI, CIII-SII, and CIV-SII, representing height hazards of salinity and medium- to low-sodium hazard. The water quality index (WQI) results indicated that total dissolved solids are out of the drinking water standard limits in Saudi Arabia. The WQI revealed that 38% of the studied wells were considered as poor water (class III), 52% are found as very poor water class (IV), and 10% are unsuitable water for drinking class (V).     

Quality of spring water used for irrigation in the Almora District of Uttarakhand, India

This paper aims to propose a quality profile of springs of the study area for irrigation. In the present study, fifty-four springs in Almora have been identified from rural as well as urban localities for calculation of irriga- tional water quality parameters during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon, 2008. Spring water samples are collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , HCO3- , Cl- , and SO42- . Different irrigation quality parameters viz. salinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazards (MH) and permeability index (PI) are calculated for the evaluation of spring water quality for irrigation purposes. All springs are found excellent to good based on irrigation quality parameters. Based on Wilcox diagram, about 98% of the water resources are grouped as C1S1 (low-low) and C2S1 (medium-low) classes, so springs are suitable for normal irrigation.     

Genesis,distribution, and hydrocarbon implications of ostracod-bearing beds in the Songliao Basin (NE China)

The Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (K₂qn) and Nenjiang Formation (K₂n) in the Songliao Basin (SLB), China, contain discrete ostracod-bearing deposits. The ostracod-bearing layers range in thickness from 5 to 380 cm. Based on integrated analysis of seismic, drilling, core and logging data, the sedimentary characteristics, distribution patterns and hydrocarbon implications of the ostracod-bearing beds have been studied. Compared with mudstone and sandstone in lacustrine settings, ostracod-bearing beds have distinctive characteristics in terms of seismic response and logging features. Three types of depositional pattern of ostracod-bearing beds are recognised in different facies: mixed siliciclastic–ostracod deposits in the delta front, sheeted ostracod deposits, and dotted ostracod deposits in shallow or semi-deep lacustrine settings. In plan view, ostracod-bearing beds mainly occur in the Daqing area, the Longhupao–Honggang terraces and the Heidimiao depression, and are relatively less developed in the east of the SLB. Shallow and semi-deep lacustrine settings were favourable environments for the survival of ostracods. In the stratigraphic succession, ostracod-bearing beds mainly occur in the upper K₂qn¹, K₂qn², lower K₂qn³ and K₂n¹ units. High-frequency sequence cycles controlled ostracod reproduction and death, and mass mortalities of ostracods commonly occurred during periods in which the lake base-level fell, leading to water shallowing, increasing salinity and sand intrusion into the shore-shallow lakes. Ostracod mortality was not associated with expansion of the lake area, marine transgression or volcanic eruptions. The ostracod-bearing beds were widely formed in shallow and semi-deep lacustrine settings in the SLB. Tight oil/gas reservoirs can be developed in thick ostracod-bearing beds. In addition, areas containing ostracod can be regarded as sweet spots for mud or shale oil/gas exploration, because extensive ostracods can improve the content of brittle minerals in mudstone.     

The structural role and homogeneous redox equilibria of iron in peraluminous,metaluminous and peralkaline silicate melts

The compositional dependence of the redox ratio (FeO/FeO_1.5) has been experimentally determined in K₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-Fe₂O₃-FeO (KASFF) and K₂O-CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-Fe₂O₃-FeO (KCASFF) silicate melts. Compositions were equilibrated at 1,450° C in air, with 78 mol % SiO₂. KASFF melts have from 1 to 5 mol % Fe₂O₃ and include both peraluminous (K₂O2O₃) and peralkaline (K₂O>Al₂O₃) compositions. KCASFF melts have 1 mol % Fe₂O₃ encompassing peraluminous, metaluminous (CaO+K₂O>Al₂O₃) and peralkaline compositions. Peralkaline KASFF melts with 1 mol % Fe₂O₃ have low and constant values for the redox ratio, whereas in peraluminous melts the redox ratio increases with increasing (K₂O/Al₂O₃). Increasing total iron concentration increases the redox ratio in peraluminous melts and slightly decreases the redox ratio in peralkaline melts. Substituting CaO for K₂O at fixed total iron (1 mol %) increases the redox ratio in both peraluminous and metaluminous KCASFF melts; however, the redox ratio in peralkaline KCASFF melts is not affected by this exchange. These data indicate that Fe³⁺ is in four-fold coordination, with K⁺ or Ca²⁺ providing local charge balance. The tetrahedral ferric species is most stable in peralkaline melts and least stable in peraluminous melts, due to the competition between Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ for charge balancing cations in the latter melt. Tetrahedral Fe³⁺ is also less stable when Ca²⁺ provides local charge balance. The data are consistent with a network modifying role for Fe²⁺ in the melt.The data are interpreted to reflect the effects of melt composition on the partitioning of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ and Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ between various species in the melt. These relationships are discussed in terms of homogeneous equilibria between various iron-bearing and iron-free melt species. The results also reflect the effect of liquid composition on the exchange potentials Fe³⁺ Al_–1 and Ca_0.5K_–1. The exchange potentials are relatively constant in peralkaline melts, but decrease in metaluminous and peraluminous melts as both (CaO+K₂O)/(CaO+K₂O+Al₂O₃) and K₂O/CaO decrease. These qualitative observations imply that minerals exhibiting these exchanges will also be similarly affected as liquid composition changes. Present address: Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA     

Assessment of groundwater quality and hydrochemical characteristics in Farashband plain,Iran

Groundwater in Farashband plain, Southern Iran, is the main source of water for domestic and agricultural uses. This study was carried out to assess the overall water quality and identify major variables affecting the groundwater quality in Farashband plain. The hydrochemical study was undertaken by randomly collecting 84 groundwater samples from observation wells located in 13 different stations covering the entire plain in order to assess the quality of the groundwater through analysis of major ions. The water samples were analyzed for various physicochemical attributes. Groundwater is slightly alkaline and largely varies in chemical composition; e.g., electrical conductivity (EC) ranges from 2314 to 12,678 μS/cm. All the samples have total dissolved solid values above the desirable limit and belong to a very hard type. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Ma²⁺ > K⁺ and Cl^? > SO₄ ^2– > HCO₃ ^?. Interpretation of analytical data shows three major hydrochemical facies (Ca–Cl, Na–Cl, and mixed Ca–Mg–Cl) in the study area. Salinity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, and sodium percentage (Na%) indicate that most of the groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation as well as for domestic purposes and far from drinking water standard. A comparison of groundwater quality in relation to drinking water standards showed that most of the water samples are not suitable for drinking purposes. Based on the US salinity diagram, most of samples belong to high salinity and low to very high sodium type.     

Evaluation of redox versus thermal maturity controls on δ15N in organic rich shales: A case study of the Woodford Shale,Anadarko Basin,Oklahoma, USA

Bulk sedimentary nitrogen isotopes (δ¹⁵N_bulk) have been primarily used to identify bottom water redox states during deposition in sedimentary environments that have not undergone significant diagenetic or catagenetic alteration. Recently, the utility of sedimentary δ¹⁵N_bulk as a paleoredox proxy in hydrocarbon-bearing shale intervals was demonstrated by qualitatively correlating the δ¹⁵N_bulk profiles from shale units to their depositional redox conditions. However, the effect of thermal maturity on the δ¹⁵N_bulk signal remains unknown. We analyzed samples from three cores from the Devonian–Mississippian age Woodford Shale in the Anadarko Basin with vitrinite reflectance values ranging from the oil window to the gas window in order to investigate how depositional redox conditions and thermal maturation affect the bulk sedimentary δ¹⁵N signals. Our results indicate that the δ¹⁵N_bulk values for the Woodford do not correlate with thermal maturity. Instead, the δ¹⁵N_bulk values primarily reflect the depositional redox conditions, which are supported by trace metal concentrations and depositional features such as burrow abundance and lamination. The expected relationship between δ¹⁵N_bulk and paleoredox conditions was observed both within each core and between cores on a basin wide scale, with samples deposited under suboxic bottom water conditions having higher δ¹⁵N_bulk values than those deposited under anoxic bottom water conditions. Our data also indicate that redox bottom water column conditions in the Anadarko Basin varied spatially and temporally during the deposition of the Woodford Shale.     

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊-贝尔坳陷隆起带类型及对油气成藏控制作用

海拉尔盆地为典型的小型断陷湖盆,具有"下断上凹"的二元结构,"洼槽控油、隆起带控油"特征明显。本文在系统研究构造演化特征的基础上,分析了不同类型隆起带形成演化历史及对油气的控制作用。研究表明,海拉尔盆地构造演化历经了5个阶段:即铜钵庙组山间盆地、南一段和南二段被动裂陷盆地、南三段和南四段主动裂陷盆地、大磨拐河组-伊敏组断-坳转化盆地和青元岗组坳陷盆地。经历了3期强烈变形和2期强烈改造,被动裂陷的走滑作用导致反向断层及其下盘翘倾隆起,形成"长期淋滤造储、近洼不整合输导、反向断层遮挡" 的成藏有利条件,最终成为被动裂陷层序有利油气富集区带。主动裂陷伸展作用形成小型滚动背斜和中央隆起带,小型滚动背斜带形成"小而肥"构造油藏,而中央隆起带形成典型的复式油气聚集带。南屯组沉积末期构造反转,导致部分中央背斜带隆升剥蚀,断裂切割破碎,进而导致大气水下渗淋滤,有效改造基岩潜山储层,成为基岩潜山油藏的富集带。伊敏组沉积末期,形成正反转断层和反转期活动的正断层两种调整型断层,将早期聚集在断陷构造层的油气调整到大磨拐河组,聚集在反转构造及其边部,形成次生油气聚集带。     

Redox equilibria and the structural role of iron in alumino-silicate melts

The relationship between the redox ratio Fe⁺²/(Fe⁺²+Fe⁺³) and the K₂O/(K₂O + Al₂O₃) ratio (K₂O^*) were experimentally investigated in silicate melts with 78 mol% SiO₂ in the system SiO₂-Al₂O₃-K₂O-FeO-Fe₂O₃, in air at 1,400° C. Quenched glass compositions were analyzed by electron microprobe and wet chemical microtitration techniques. Minimum values of the redox ratio were obtained at K₂O^*0.5. The redox ratio in peralkaline melts (K₂O^*>0.5) increases slightly with K₂O^* whereas this ratio increases dramatically in peraluminous melts (K₂O^*<0.5) as K₂O is replaced by Al₂O₃. These data indicate that all Fe⁺³ (and Al⁺³) occur as tetrahedral species charge balanced with K⁺ in peralkaline melts. In peraluminous melts, Fe⁺³ (and Al⁺³) probably occur as both tetrahedral species using Fe⁺² as a charge-balancing cation and as network-modifying cations associated with non-bridging oxygen.     

Melt structural control on olivine/melt element partitioning of Ca and Mn

Relationships between mineral/silicate melt partition coefficients and melt structure have been examined by combining Ca and Mn olivine/melt partitioning data with available melt structure information. Compositions were chosen so that melts with olivine on their liquidii range in degree of polymerization, NBO/T, from ∼0.5 to ∼2.5 under near isothermal conditions (1350-1400°C). Olivine/melt Ca-Mn exchange coefficients, Ca(olivine)/CaO(melt)/MnO(olivine)/MnO(melt) (K_{D Ca-Mn}^olivine/melt), as a function of melt NBO/T have a parabolic shape with a minimum K_{D Ca-Mn}^olivine/melt-value at NBO/T near 1. Notably, published K_{D Fe2⁺-Mg}^olivine/melt versus NBO/T functions are also parabolic with a maximum in K_{D Fe2⁺-Mg}^olivine/melt near 1 (Kushiro and Mysen, 2002).The olivine/melt partitioning data are modeled in terms of structural units (Qⁿ-species) in the melt. The NBO/T-value corresponding to the minimum K_{D Ca-Mn}^olivine/melt is near that where the abundance ratio of Qⁿ-species, X_Q3/X_Q2, has its largest value. Therefore, the activity coefficient ratio in the melt, γ_Ca2⁺(melt)/γ_Mn2⁺(melt), attains a minimum where the abundance ratio of X_Q3/X_Q2 is at maximum. It is inferred from this relationship that Ca²⁺ in the melts is dominantly bonded to nonbridging oxygen (Ca-NBO) in Q³-species, whereas Mn²⁺ is bonded to nonbridging oxygen (Mn-NBO) in less polymerized Qⁿ-species such as Q².     

Positive correlation between salinity and n-alkane δ13C values in the mangrove Avicennia marina

Carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C) values of lipid biomarkers from plants can be used to assess water use efficiency and to reconstruct environmental conditions in the past. We assessed the effect of salinity on the δ¹³C values for leaf wax n-C₃₁ and n-C₃₃ alkanes, bulk leaf matter and leaf total lipid extracts from Avicennia marina (gray mangrove) trees growing along the Brisbane River estuary in Queensland, Australia. We observed an increase in 0.19 ± 0.053‰ (R² 0.61, p 0.008) and 0.16 ± 0.052‰ (R² 0.55, p 0.01) per salinity unit for the two n-alkanes, respectively, and of 0.087 ± 0.028‰ (R² 0.41, p 0.009) for whole leaves per salinity unit, indicating that water use efficiency of A. marina increased with the salt content of water. There was no correlation between δ¹³C values of total lipid extracts and salinity, perhaps because of a decrease in lipid concentration at higher salinity or because of varying contributions of different lipid classes to the extract. The robust relationship between salinity and δ¹³C values of leaf wax lipids provides a means of quantitatively reconstructing past salinity from carbon isotope ratios of mangrove lipid biomarkers in sediments. When paired with measurements of the hydrogen isotope ratio values of the same compounds, the approach should facilitate quantitative reconstruction of the hydrogen isotope composition of environmental water. In order for the method to successfully reconstruct past salinity and water isotopes, a mangrove source for leaf wax would need to be confirmed by palynological or other evidence, or the isotopic composition of a more source specific biomarker, such as taraxerol, would need to be measured.     

Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes using hydrochemical studies in Nalbari district of Assam,India

The present work was carried out in Nalbari district of Assam (India) with an objective to assess the quality of groundwater and to check its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Groundwater samples were collected from 50 different locations during pre- and post-monsoon seasons of 2016. Results of chemical analysis revealed that mean concentration of cations varied in the order Ca²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?K⁺, while for anions the order was HCO₃ ^??>?Cl^??>?SO₄^2??>?NO₃^2??>?F^? during both pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The suitability of groundwater samples for drinking purpose was assessed by comparing the results of physico-chemical analysis of groundwater with Indian Standards. Further, its suitability for irrigation purpose was assessed by evaluating several parameters like sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), magnesium ratio, Kelly’s ratio and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). The SAR values obtained for all the samples were plotted against EC values in the US Salinity Laboratory diagram, and it was revealed that the most of the samples fall under water type C2-S1 indicating medium salinity and low SAR. Further, it was found that the majority of the samples belong to Ca–Mg–HCO₃ hydrochemical facies followed by Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄, whereas only a few samples belong to Na–K–HCO₃ hydrochemical facies.     

Surface and groundwater quality characterization of Deoria District,Ganga Plain,India

A water quality investigation was carried out in the Deoria district, Ganga plain, to assess the suitability of surface and groundwaters for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. As much as 50 representative samples from river and groundwater were collected from various stations to monitor the water chemistry of various ions, comprising Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻, F⁻, and trace metals, such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb. The results showed that electrical conductance (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), HCO₃ ⁻, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and total hardness (TH) are above the maximum desirable limit, and apart from Fe and Mn all other trace metals are within the maximum permissible limit for drinking water. The calculated values for sodium absorption ratio (SAR), salinity, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and permeability index (PI) indicate well to permissible use of water for irrigation. High values of Na%, RSC, and Mg-hazard (MH) at some stations restrict its use for agricultural purpose. Anthropogenic activities affect the spatial variation of water quality. Economic and social developments of the study area is closely associated with the characteristics of the hydrological network.     

Hydrogeochemical processes and quality assessment of groundwater in Dumka and Jamtara districts, Jharkhand, India

The hydrogeochemical study of groundwater in Dumka and Jamtara districts has been carried out to assess the major ion chemistry, hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Thirty groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, anions (F^?, Cl^?, NO₃ ^?, HCO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?) and cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺). The analytical results show the faintly alkaline nature of water and dominance of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in cationic and HCO₃ ^? and Cl^? in anionic abundance. The concentrations of alkaline earth metals (Ca²⁺?+?Mg²⁺) exceed the alkali metals (Na⁺?+?K⁺) and HCO₃ ^? dominates over SO₄ ^2??+?Cl^? concentrations in the majority of the groundwater samples. Ca?CMg?CHCO₃ is the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in 60?% of the groundwater samples, while 33?% samples occur as a mixed chemical character of Ca?CMg?CCl hydrogeochemical facies. The water chemistry is largely controlled by rock weathering and ion exchange processes with secondary contribution from anthropogenic sources. The inter-elemental correlations and factor and cluster analysis of hydro-geochemical database suggest combined influence of carbonate and silicate weathering on solute acquisition processes. For quality assessment, analyzed parameter values were compared with Indian and WHO water quality standards. In majority of the samples, the analyzed parameters are well within the desirable limits and water is potable for drinking purposes. Total hardness and concentrations of TDS, Cl^?, NO₃ ^? _, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ exceed the desirable limits at a few sites, however, except NO₃ ^? all these values were below the highest permissible limits. The calculated parameters such as sodium adsorption ratio, percent sodium (%Na) and residual sodium carbonate revealed excellent to good quality of groundwater for agricultural purposes, except at few sites where salinity and magnesium hazard (MH) values exceeds the prescribed limits and demands special management.     

Hydrogeochemistry and quality of groundwater of coastal unconfined aquifer in Amol–Ghaemshahr plain,Mazandaran Province,Northern Iran

Groundwater of the unconfined aquifer (1,100 sq. km) of a two-tier coastal aquifer located in the Amol–Ghaemshahr plain, Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran, is classified into fresh and brackish water types. Fresh groundwater (FGW) samples (n = 36) are characterized by Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃ ^? > Cl^? > SO₄ ^2? > NO₃ ^?. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient matrices, factor analysis data, values of the C-ratio (av. = 0.89) and CAI and values of the molar ratios of Ca²⁺/HCO₃ ^?, Ca²⁺/SO₄ ^2?, Mg²⁺/HCO₃ ^? and Mg²⁺/SO₄ ^2? indicate that the ionic load in the FGW is derived essentially from carbonic acid-aided weathering of carbonates and aluminosilicates, saline/sea water trapped in the aquifer sediments (now admixed with the groundwater) and ion exchange reactions. Values of the CAI and Na⁺/Cl^? molar ratio suggest that the part of the Ca²⁺ (±Mg²⁺) content in 23 FGW samples is derived from clay minerals of the aquifer matrix, and part of the Na⁺ content in 20, 12, and 3 FGW samples is derived, respectively, from alkali feldspar weathering, clay minerals of the aquifer matrix and rain water and/or halite. Brackish groundwater (BGW) samples (n = 4) contain Cl^? as the dominant anion and their average total ionic concentration (38.65 meq/L) is 1.79 times higher than that of the FGW samples (21.50 meq/L). BGW pockets were generated by non-conservative mixing of FGW with the upconed saline water from the underlying saline groundwater zone of the semi-confined aquifer along bore wells involved in excessive extraction of groundwater from the unconfined aquifer. Groundwater belongs essentially to “high salinity, low sodium” irrigation water class.     

Evaluation of groundwater quality with emphasis on fluoride concentration in Nalbari district,Assam, Northeast India

This study was carried out to analyze groundwater quality in selected villages of Nalbari district, Assam, India, where groundwater is the main source of drinking water. 40 groundwater samples collected from hand pumps and analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, Cl⁻ and F⁻. Chemical analysis of the groundwater showed that mean concentration of cations in (mg/L) is in the order Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ while for anions it is HCO₃ ⁻ > Cl⁻ > SO₄ ²⁻ > F⁻. Fluoride concentration was recorded in the range of 0.02–1.56 mg/L. As per the desirable and maximum permissible limits for fluoride in drinking water recommended by WHO and by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is 1.5 mg/L, the groundwater of about 97% of the samples were found to be suitable for drinking purpose. The suitability of the groundwater for irrigation purpose was investigated by some determining factors such as sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, Kelly’s ratio and electrical conductivity. The value of the sodium absorption ratio and electrical conductivity of the groundwater samples were plotted in the US Salinity laboratory diagram for irrigation water. Most of the groundwater samples fall in the field of C2S1 and C3S1 indicating medium to high salinity and low sodium water, which can be used for irrigation on almost all types of soil with little doubt of exchangeable sodium. The hydrochemical facies shows that the groundwater is Ca-HCO₃ type.     

Evidence of deep-water inflow in a tectonic window of the northern Apennines (Italy)

Water samples from the river network and from some shallow and brackish springs located in a tectonic window of the northern Apennines of Italy were studied in the frame of a comprehensive hydrogeological investigation in order to better understand the origin and the mixing processes between the two water types noticed also in previous studies (Ca–HCO₃ and Na–Cl). A sampling campaign covering the drought period during year 2010 was planned to gather electric conductivity, temperature and redox potential data along the river network and on groundwater occurrences located inside the tectonic structure. Additionally, eight water samples were collected for hydrochemical (major anions and cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2? and trace ion B_tot) and isotopic (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, ³H) analyses and compared with other eighteen samples from shallow and brackish springs collected near the study site during the period 2005–2012. Moreover, river discharge and water balance estimations were carried out. Results confirmed the presence of old Na–Cl water with salinity progressively increasing up to 5.5 g l^?1 at the northern termination of the tectonic window. These values are in agreement with the ions contents of the most mineralized spring (Macognano spring: salinity of 7.6 g l^?1), which has been considered as having the deepest and longest flow-path. Stable isotopes and trace ions contents are consistent with rainfall and snowmelt water mixed with brines associated with a hydrocarbon reservoir hosted at depth. Considering as end-member the more mineralized Na–Cl water, a cumulate inflow in the range of 12.9 ± 5.9 l s^?1 has been estimated. This aliquot is released into the river network with different mixing proportions by the groundwater occurrences discharging from the autochthonous flysch unit.