Association of hydrogeological factors in temporal variations of fluoride concentration in a crystalline aquifer in India

The major part of groundwater in India is found in granitic aquifers. Fluoride in groundwater from a crystalline aquifer in a semi-arid region of granitic rocks in India, known as Maheshwaram watershed, was analyzed for spatial and temporal variability during 1999–2002 to assess the effect of hydrogeological factors on fluoride concentration. Samples were collected from 32 representative wells in the area for the pre- and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for F content. The CHESS computer program was used to calculate ionic activities of aqueous species and the mineral saturation index (SI) for calcite and fluorite. The GARDENIA computer program was used to calculate the recharge values in the study area. The influences of dissolution kinetics of fluoride minerals and recharge from rainfall on fluoride concentration were of interest and results clearly indicate that fluoride content in groundwater depends on the interaction period of groundwater with host rock. Results could also be utilized for designing remedial measures particularly with dilution method in an optimal way.     

Review: Thermal water resources in carbonate rock aquifers

The current knowledge on thermal water resources in carbonate rock aquifers is presented in this review, which also discusses geochemical processes that create reservoir porosity and different types of utilisations of these resources such as thermal baths, geothermal energy and carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration. Carbonate aquifers probably constitute the most important thermal water resources outside of volcanic areas. Several processes contribute to the creation of porosity, summarised under the term hypogenic (or hypogene) speleogenesis, including retrograde calcite solubility, mixing corrosion induced by cross-formational flow, and dissolution by geogenic acids from deep sources. Thermal and mineral waters from karst aquifers supply spas all over the world such as the famous bath in Budapest, Hungary. Geothermal installations use these resources for electricity production, district heating or other purposes, with low CO₂ emissions and land consumption, e.g. Germany’s largest geothermal power plant at Unterhaching near Munich. Regional fault and fracture zones are often the most productive zones, but are sometimes difficult to locate, resulting in a relatively high exploration uncertainty. Geothermal installations in deep carbonate rocks could also be used for CO₂ sequestration (carbonate dissolution would partly neutralise this gas and increase reservoir porosity). The use of geothermal installations to this end should be further investigated.     

Hydrochemical characteristics and evaluation of the granite aquifer in the Alwadeen area,southwest Saudi Arabia

This study was carried out in the Alwadeen area of Khamis Mushayt district of southwestern Saudi Arabia to evaluate the hydrochemical characteristics of the shallow hard rock aquifers. These hard rock aquifers mostly comprise granites and contain significant quantities of groundwater that complement the available groundwater from the unconsolidated alluvial sediments in the nearby wadis. The field investigation indicates two main fracture sets which intersect each other and are oriented in the west-northwest and east-west directions. The granitic rocks in the area are intruded by coarse-grained and quartz-rich monzogranite and pegmatite veins. Hydrogeologically, the fracture systems are important since they facilitate the groundwater storage and assume the transmissive function during times of groundwater abstraction. Given the fact that groundwater in the fractured rock aquifers generally occurs at shallow depths, it may be exposed to contamination from surface and/or near-surface sources, and it is therefore important to evaluate its quality. To this end, a hydrochemical analysis was carried out on six groundwater samples collected from the area. The hydrochemistry revealed that the groundwater is fairly fresh, and facies analysis reveals mixed Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO₄ types. Overall, the results reveal that the groundwater is saturated with calcite and dolomite, but unsaturated with gypsum and halite. The degree of salinity increases in the direction of the groundwater flow due to increased rock-water interaction.     

Hydrochemistry deducing basaltic trap thickness for groundwater resource mapping along the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) margin in India

It is hypothesized that hydrochemical parameters can be employed to deduce the basaltic trap thickness and that there exist diverse hydrochemical processes within the existing host rocks along the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) margin. Chemical imprints of aquifers, in various flows of flood basalt and fissured zones of granites, had been appraised using major ion chemistry of groundwater in a test site of 623 km² at the southern margin of the DVP in India. The wide ranging hydrochemical processes, obtained from empirical data, describe the predominance of carbonate, dolomite, calcite and anorthite weathering in basalts, and alkali feldspar (albite and orthoclase) in granites. Results showed that the elevated concentrations of alkaline earth elements in basaltic aquifers and alkali rich elements in granitic aquifers were useful in tracing the sources of host rock for dissolved mineral reactants. Further, a digital elevation model using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (90 m) elevation satellite data aided in deciphering trap thickness, vertical transition zone of trap and granitic basement comprising the well depths and hydrochemistry. The mapping of trap thickness is useful to explore the groundwater resources at the vertical transition zone between the basaltic trap and granitic base. The estimated thickness of the basaltic trap is varied from 4 to 98 m at the DVP southern margin, which is further verified with the help of exploratory well lithologs matched closely.     

Subterranean microorganisms and radioactive waste disposal in Sweden

In 1987, microbiology became a part of the Swedish scientific program for the safe disposal of high level nuclear waste (HLW). The goal of the microbiology program is to understand how subterranean microorganisms will interact with the performance of a future HLW repository. The Swedish research program on subterranean microbiology has mainly been performed at two sites in granitic rock aquifers at depths ranging from 70 m down to 1240 m, the Stripa research mine in the middle of Sweden and the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL) situated on the south eastern coast of Sweden. Some work has also been performed in cooperation with other national or international research groups in Sweden, Canada and at the natural analogue sites Oklo in Gabon and Maqarin in Jordan. The following conclusions are drawn. There is a very high probability of the existence of a deep subterranean biosphere in granitic rock. The documented presence of a deep biosphere implies that relevant microbial reactions should be included in the performance assessment for a HLW repository. A HLW repository will be situated in a subterranean biosphere that is independent of solar energy and photosynthetically produced organic carbon. The ultimate limitation for an active microbial life will be the availability of hydrogen as energy source over time, and hydrogen has indeed been found in most deep groundwaters. Sulphide producing microorganisms are active in environments typical for a Swedish HLW repository, and the potential for microbial corrosion of the copper canisters must be considered. The bentonite buffer around the copper canisters will be a hostile environment for most microbes due to the combination of radiation, heat and low water availability. Discrete microbial species can cope with each of these constraints, and it is theoretically possible that sulphide producing microbes may be active inside a buffer, although the experiments conducted thus far have shown the opposite. Microorganisms have the capability to enzymatically recombine radiolysis oxidants formed by radiation of water. It has earlier been concluded that the migration of radionuclides due to sorption on microorganisms can be neglected. The influence of microbially produced complexing agents remains to be studied at realistic conditions in deep groundwater. Microorganisms have been found in natural alkaline groundwaters, but it could not be conclusively demonstrated that they were in situ viable and growing, rather than just transported there from neutral groundwater. A possible hypothesis based on the obtained results from investigations of natural alkaline groundwaters is that fresh concrete may be a bit too extreme for active life even for the most adaptable microbe – but this remains to be demonstrated.     

川西含油气拗陷上三叠统含水系统和水文地质期的划分和定位

本文通过沉积环境、岩性组合、水化学、碳同位素等的论证,将川西拗陷上三叠统划分为须家河组须二段、四段、六段3个主要含水系统,须一段、三段、五段3个相对隔水系统;通过地壳运动、水动力条件、地球物理场等论证了各含水系统经历的水文地质期的次数和型式."统序"和"期序"的建立,从宏观上构建了深层水形成演化的模式,为深层水及其与聚气成藏之间规律性联系指示了研究的思路、途径和方向.     

Aquifer disposal of acid gases: modelling of water–rock reactions for trapping of acid wastes

The pore space of deep saline aquifers in the Alberta (sedimentary) Basin offers a significant volume for waste storage by “hydrodynamic trapping”. Furthermore, given the slow regional fluid flow in these deep saline aquifers, ample time exists for waste-water/rock chemical reactions to take place. A geochemical computer model (PATHARC) was used to compute the interaction of industrial waste streams comprising CO₂, H₂SO₄ and H₂S with the minerals in typical carbonate and sandstone aquifers from the Alberta Basin. The results support the idea that these acids can be neutralized by such reactions and that new mineral products are formed, such as calcite, siderite, anhydrite/gypsum and pyrrhotite, thereby trapping the CO₃, SO₄ and S ions that are formed when the acid gases dissolve in the formation water. Siliciclastic aquifers appear to be a better host for “mineral trapping” than carbonate aquifers, especially with regard to CO₂. Carbonate aquifers may be more prone to leakage due to high CO₂ pressures generated by reaction with H₂SO₄ and H₂S. Even though permeability decreases are expected due to this “mineral trapping”, they can be partially controlled so that plugging of the aquifer does not occur.     

深部CO2泄漏对浅层地下水水质影响研究进展

由于盖层中存在的未知断层、裂隙或被废弃井穿透等原因,深部储存的CO₂可能会发生渗漏,并向上迁移进入浅部含水层,改变地下水中酸度和溶解组分的浓度分布。国外开展CO₂泄漏对浅层地下水水质影响相关研究尚处于起步阶段,且室内实验、野外试验和数值模拟等研究结果表明,CO₂泄漏对浅层地下水中pH和微量重金属组分浓度影响显著,虽浓度大多未超饮用水标准,但由于含水介质之间矿物组成的差异较大,有必要针对具体场地的地下水水质和矿物组分特征进行调查,研究CO₂侵入对地下水水质的影响,在总结已经达成共识和存在的问题基础上提出下一步研究趋势。     

东营凹陷古近系湖相细粒混积岩沉积成岩特征

东营凹陷古近系湖相细粒混合沉积岩相类型、沉积环境和成岩演化等方面有待深入研究,利用岩心观察、薄片、X衍射和碳氧同位素等分析手段,明确了细粒混积岩相类型和沉积成岩特征.研究认为:岩石矿物组分和古生物含量的纵向变化较好地反映了沉积环境的变化和混合沉积成因过程,可作为细粒沉积层序四级界面识别标志.泥晶和亮晶方解石经历过显著的碳氧同位素分馏,证实了混积岩中泥晶方解石主要隶属于与甲烷细菌活动生成生物气有关的碳酸盐,透镜状和纹层状亮晶方解石纹层源自脉体方解石充填微裂缝,微裂缝和方解石脉集中形成于早期次干气-生油阶段.阐述了从生烃增压、微裂缝形成、有机质热演化排出有机酸、溶蚀泥晶方解石、方解石重结晶和脉体形成,直至影响临近砂体胶结作用的整个同生演化过程,对中深层页岩油气成藏研究具有重要指导意义.      

鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系主要含水岩组沉积岩相古地理对地下水水化学场形成和水质分布的影响

通过典型水文钻孔和露头剖面沉积地质、水文地质调查、样品测试及综合研究表明,鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系含水层形成时,北部环河组、洛河组均广泛发育河流相沉积,而南部环河组湖泊相为主、洛河组沙漠沙丘相广泛分布的沉积古地理格局,这对含水岩石中长石、粘土矿物、方解石、石膏等重要矿物组成和易溶盐含量及其空间分布形成明显控制,也控制了含水层和隔水层空间分布,并显著影响了深层地下水循环交替条件的区域分布变化。在沉积-成岩环境条件下,影响地下水水化学场形成和水质分布变化的主要水-岩作用包括硫酸盐、碳酸盐及硅酸盐矿物的溶解溶滤和阳离子交换作用等水文地球化学作用。受含水层沉积岩相古地理、地下水循环及水岩作用等因素控制,环河组、洛河组地下水总体表现为盆地北区TDS低、淡水发育、以HCO3型为主,南区TDS高、微咸水和咸水发育、以HCO3.SO4型为主的分布规律,地下水水化学和水质分布在北区分布变化小、在南区上下含水层分布变化复杂。     

Retardation capacity of altered granitic rock distributed along fractured and faulted zones in the orogenic belt of Japan

There are wide areas of granitic rocks in the Japanese orogenic belt. These granitic bodies inevitably contain fracture and fault systems associated with alteration zones. However, relatively little attention has been given to the possible influence of such widely distributed alteration zones on the migration of radionuclides from any radioactive waste repository that might in future be sited within granitic rock. In particular, the influences of alteration products and micro-fractures, due to chemical sorption and/or physical retardation require further consideration. In order to understand the retardation capacity of the altered deep granitic rocks, detailed geometrical characterization of pores, geochemical analysis, and batch sorption and flow-through experiments have been carried out. Those results show that the altered granite has a large volume of accessible pores, particularly in potassium-feldspar grains, which would influence nuclide retardation more than the accessible porosity in other minerals present, such as biotite. The distribution coefficients, Kd estimated from batch sorption tests and flow-through experiments suggest that altered granite has a high capability to retard the migration of nuclides. The retardation would probably be due to sorption on altered minerals such as sericite and iron hydroxides formed along grain boundaries and in pores created by dissolution, in addition to sorption on primary sorptive minerals. These results provide confidence that even altered and fractured parts of any granitic rock that might be encountered in a site for the disposal of high level radioactive waste may still retard radionuclide migration and thereby help the geosphere to function as a barrier.     

东胜地区直罗组含铀砂岩中方解石的碳氧同位素组成及铀成矿意义

方解石是东胜地区直罗组含铀砂岩中重要的胶结物类型,同时碳酸盐化与铀成矿作用关系密切。通过方解石胶结物岩石学、矿物学、碳氧同位素分析,研究了含铀砂岩中方解石碳氧同位素组成、沉淀机制及铀成矿意义。研究表明,东胜地区砂岩类型为长石岩屑砂岩、岩屑砂岩和石英砂岩,粘土矿物主要由蒙皂石、伊利石、高岭石和绿泥石组成,方解石类型以含铁矿方解石为主,其次为铁方解石。方解石δ~(13)C_(PDB)为-15.7‰~-1.6‰,平均-9.08‰,δ~(18)O_(PDB)为-15.6‰~-10‰,平均-12.4‰,显示其形成与有机酸脱羧作用有关,碳来源为有机碳。碳氧同位素分析数据计算表明,与方解石平衡的水相氧同位素组成变化范围较宽,为-7.66%-9.71‰,推测较轻的同位素组成具有封存大气降水的特征,而较重同位素组成则反映成岩成矿过程中深部富含油气低温热流体的加入。综合分析认为,东胜地区直罗组砂岩中方解石是地表水和深部油气共同作用的结果:早期有机酸促使长石类骨架颗粒溶蚀,形成石英颗粒次生加大边,并伴随着自生高岭石沉淀;后期随着大量烃类注入砂岩中,成岩成矿环境由酸性向碱性转变,还原性增强,介质水中的CO_2与Ca~(2+)圾Fe~(2+)结合形成含铁为特征的方解石,沉淀在原生粒间孔和各类次生溶蚀孔隙中。整个过程都伴随有铀元素运移和沉淀,暗示东胜铀矿床是地表水和深部油气混合作用形成的。     

增强地热系统热储层-盐水-CO2相互作用

增强型地热系统(EGS)是采用人工形成地热储层的方法,从低渗透性岩体中经济地采出深层热能的人工地热系统。以CO₂为载热流体的增强地热能系统(CO₂-EGS)是实现CO₂减排和深部地热资源开发的有效手段,系统运行时的水-岩-气相互作用对热储层孔渗特征有着重要影响,最终会影响储层的产热能力。笔者利用高温高压反应釜模拟CO₂-EGS高温下的热储层-盐水-CO₂的相互作用,通过对实验中反应液离子成分变化和岩样扫描电镜进行分析,结果表明:实验后的钾长石和方解石出现溶解现象,且方解石溶蚀剧烈;岩样表面出现极少量次生方解石和钠长石,并有新矿物析出,其主要组成元素为C、O、Si、Fe,为菱铁矿的中间产物。通过TOUGHREACT建立反应性溶质运移模型,模拟上述实验的化学反应过程,模拟结果和实验数据拟合较好。该研究可为CO₂-EGS的水-岩-气作用机制提供地球化学数据。     

Using non-conservative tracers to characterise karstification processes in the Merinos-Colorado-Carrasco carbonate aquifer system (southern Spain)

The systematic sampling of the chemical composition of the groundwater from five karst springs (including an overflow spring) and one outflowing borehole have permitted to determine distinctive chemical changes in the waters that reflect the geochemical processes occurring in a carbonate aquifer system from southern Spain. The analysis of the dissolution parameters revealed that geochemical evolution of the karst waters basically depends on the availability of the minerals forming aquifer rocks and the residence time within the aquifers. In the three proposed scenarios in the aquifers, which include the preferential flow routines, the more important geochemical processes taking place during the groundwater flow from the recharge to the discharge zones are: CO₂ dissolution and exsolution (outgassing), calcite net dissolution, calcite and dolomite sequential dissolution, gypsum/anhydrite and halite dissolution, de-dolomitization and calcite precipitation. A detailed analysis of the hydrochemical data set, saturation indices of the minerals and partial pressure of CO₂ in the waters joined to the application of geochemical modelling methods allowed the elaboration of a hydrogeochemical model of the studied aquifers. The developed approach contributes to a better understanding of the karstification processes and the hydrogeological functioning of carbonate aquifers, the latter being a crucial aspect for the suitable management of the water resources.     

新疆东天山白山钼矿深部岩体地球化学特征及成因意义

白山钼矿深部钻探表明矿体下部存在着矿化花岗斑岩体,所获岩芯显示其岩性主要为似斑状钾长花岗岩、黑云母斜长花岗岩和花岗斑岩.该岩体具有高Al、Na和Sr,低Mg、Y和Yb,以及高Sr/Y和La/Yb比值等特点,类似于埃达克质岩的地球化学特征,暗示来源于较深的含石榴子石的源区;岩石形成时代和地球化学构造判别图解表明,岩体形成于造山后的构造环境.因此,白山钼矿岩体可能为加厚下地壳熔融的产物.白山钼矿床的成矿作用可能与埃达克质岩浆活动有关,其成矿过程得益于高Mo丰度的地壳源区、成岩过程中提供流体和岩浆高氧逸度环境等.     

Experimental and numerical simulation study of the mineral sequestration mechanism of the Shiqianfeng saline aquifers in the Ordos Basin,Northwest China

This study focused on typical injection layers of deep saline aquifers in the Shiqianfeng Formation used in the Carbon Capture and Sequestration Demonstration Projects in the Ordos Basin, Northwest China. The study employed experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the mechanism of CO₂ mineral sequestration in these deep saline aquifers. The experimental results showed that the dissolved minerals are plagioclase, hematite, illite–smectite mixed layer clay and illite, whereas the precipitated minerals are quartz (at 55, and 70 °C) and kaolinite (at 70 °C). There are rare carbonate mineral precipitations at the experimental time scale, while the precipitation of quartz as a product of the dissolution of silicate minerals and some intermediate minerals rich in K and Mg that transform to clay minerals, reveals the possibility of carbonate precipitation at the longer time scale. These results are consistent with some results previously reported in the literature. We calibrated the kinetic parameters of mineral dissolution and precipitation by these experimental results and then simulated the CO₂ mineral sequestration under deep saline aquifer conditions. The simulation results showed that the dissolved minerals are albite, anorthite and minor hematite, whereas the precipitated minerals are calcite, kaolinite and smectite at 55 and 70 °C. The geochemical reaction of illite is more complex. At 55 °C, illite is dissolved at the relatively lag time and transformed to dawsonite; at 70 °C, illite is precipitated in the early reaction period and then transformed to kaolinite. Based on this research, sequestrated CO₂ minerals, which are mainly related to the temperature of deep saline aquifers in Shiqianfeng Fm., are calcite and dawsonite at lower temperature, and calcite at higher temperature. The simulation results also establish that calcite could precipitate over a time scale of thousands of years, and the higher the temperature the sooner such a process would occur due to increased reaction rates. These characteristics are conducive, not only to the earlier occurrence of mineral sequestration, but also increase the sequestration capacity of the same mineral components. For a sequestration period of 10,000 years, we determined that the mineral sequestration capacity is 0.786 kg/m³ at 55 °C, and 2.180 kg/m³ at 70 °C. Furthermore, the occurrence of mineral sequestration indirectly increases the solubility of CO₂ in the early reaction period, but this decreases with the increase in temperature.     

河南省卢氏县蔡家花岗伟晶岩型锂矿地质特征及矿床成因分析

为进一步研究东秦岭地区稀有金属矿产特征,指导河南省卢氏县蔡家锂矿的勘查工作,本文通过对蔡家锂矿野外地质调查、岩心及薄片观察和地球化学分析,结合区域花岗伟晶岩成矿作用规律,对蔡家锂矿的地质特征和矿床成因进行了分析。结果表明,该矿床成因类型属于花岗伟晶岩型;矿石类型为微斜长石-钠长石型、锂辉石-钠长石型、锂云母-钠长石型;矿石矿物以锂辉石、锂云母为主,其次为磷锂铝石、铌锰矿、钽锰矿、铌钽铁矿、绿柱石等。在此基础上,对该区花岗伟晶岩矿脉的母岩和花岗伟晶岩密集区的形成机理进行探讨,表明研究区花岗伟晶岩母岩为桃坪花岗岩体,具有高级分异特征,主要赋存在背斜带次级构造内。     

Laboratory simulation of an oxidizing perturbation in a deep granite environment

An experiment designed to study oxidizing perturbations in deep crystalline rock, a potential host for nuclear waste disposal, was conducted. This experiment simulated a fracture surface in contact with circulating groundwater, in which dissolved oxygen was injected periodically. Major physicochemical and biological parameters were monitored during this 1-yr experiment. Modeling of the results indicates that the kinetics of oxygen uptake may be represented by a simple steady-state rate law combining enzymatic catalysis (Monod) and a first-order rate law. Combined chemical and biological data demonstrate the coupling of organic/inorganic processes during the uptake of dissolved oxygen and the progressive return to reducing conditions. Timescales for these stages are discussed. Experimental results also suggest that iron-reducing bacteria, which are robust and well-adapted microorganisms, play a key role in these interfacial processes. These results show that an operational definition of the “redox buffering capacity” in a granitic medium cannot ignore the effect of bacteria and therefore the controls on bacterial substrates (organic carbon, H₂, CH₄, CO₂).     

东天山卡瓦布拉克喀拉塔格南岩群地质特征

卡瓦布拉克大断裂北晚太古宙喀拉塔格南岩群,为灰色片麻岩系(TTG岩系)及二长-钾长花岗片麻岩系组成的高级变质区,后者常呈脉状或不规则状分布在TTG岩系中,构成灰、红相间的景观特征.岩石具高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相变质特征,发育中深层次的塑性流变变形,变质矿物有反条纹长石、钾长石、角闪石、铁铝榴石等,区域上还可见蓝石英、紫苏辉石、硅线石.经岩石化学研究,组成该岩群的片麻岩具英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩-花岗闪长岩(TTG岩系)组合特征.该套变质岩系可与库鲁克塔格、尾亚、阿尔金等地太古宙中深变质岩系对比,时代厘定为晚太古代较恰当,构造属性为塔里木地块的前震旦纪结晶基底.     

花岗岩地区碳汇计算及影响因素研究

基于对泉水水化学特征(pH、t、Ca2 、Mg2 、K 、Na 、HCO3-、HCO3-、SO2-4)的观测,探讨了云南维西孔隙水、浅部裂隙水、深部构造裂隙水、花岗岩与灰岩接触带水、花岗岩与第四系堆积物接触带水风化碳汇规律及影响因素.并在全国花岗岩分区的基础上,选取云南维西、广西新寨、湖南郴州和北京怀柔为代表点进行区域对比,并初步计算了全国花岗岩碳汇量.