Diurnal variation of ozone flux over corn field in Northwestern Shandong Plain of China

High concentration ground-level ozone(O3)has adverse effects on plant growth and photosynthesis.Compared to the O3concentration-based index,the O3flux-based(especially stomatal O3uptake)index has been considered the better criterion for assessing the impact of ozone on vegetation and ecosystems.This paper reports on a study of O3flux using the eddy covariance technique over a corn field in the Northwestern Shandong Plain of China.Diurnal variation of atmospheric O3concentration,deposition velocity and flux,and their relationships to environmental factors are analyzed.The results show that:(1)During the observation period(9 August–28 September,2011),there was a strong diurnal variation of O3concentration,with low(16.5 nL L?1)and high(60.1 nL L?1)O3mean concentrations observed around 6:30 and 16:00,respectively.Mean O3concentrations during daytime(6:00–18:00)and nighttime(18:00–6:00)were 39.8±23.1 and 20.7±14.1 nL L?1(mean±std),respectively.The maximum observed concentration was 97.5 nL L?1.The concentration was mainly affected by solar radiation and air temperature.(2)Whether daytime or nighttime,ground-level O3flux is always downward.The diurnal course of mean deposition velocity was divided into 4 phases:a low and stable process during nighttime,fast increasing in early morning,relatively large and steady changes around noon,and quickly decreasing in later afternoon.Daytime and nighttime mean deposition velocities were 0.29 and 0.09 cm s?1,respectively.The maximum deposition velocity was 0.81 cm s?1.The magnitude of deposition velocity was influenced by the corn growth period,and its diurnal variation was significantly correlated with global radiation and relative humidity.(3)O3flux was affected by variations of both O3concentration and deposition velocity,with mean O3fluxes-317.7 and?70.2 ng m?2s?1during daytime and nighttime,respectively.There was strong correlation between O3flux and CO2flux or latent heat flux.By comparing the deposition velocities of daytime and nighttime,we infer that stomatal uptake was probably the main sink of ground-level O3.     

大型浅水湖泊水体对流混合速率分析

湖泊水体的对流混合是最基本的物理过程,其能显著影响湖泊生态系统温室气体等循环,但浅水湖泊水体对流混合的研究鲜有报道.本研究基于太湖(面积2400 km2,平均水深1.9 m)中尺度通量网的原位、高频、连续和多点的观测数据,分析该大型浅水湖泊水体对流混合速率w*的时空特征.结果表明太湖水体w*的均值为2.49 mm/s,因太湖的风速、水温和辐射等物理参数无空间变化,w*也无明显的空间变化.但是研究表明w*呈现显著的昼夜变化和季节变化,且昼夜变化幅度强于季节变化.总体上夜间w*是白天的4倍多,冬季w*(均值1.79 mm/s)明显低于春季(均值2.42 mm/s)、夏季(均值2.91 mm/s)和秋季(均值2.82 mm/s).太湖w*主要受风速和能量收支影响,白天风速是主要驱动因子,夜晚能量收支是主要驱动因子.     

Hydrological flowpaths and nitrate removal rates within a riparian floodplain along a fourth‐order stream in Brittany (France)

Three main reservoirs were identified that contribute to the shallow subsurface flow regime of a valley drained by a fourth‐order stream in Brittany (western France). (i) An upland flow that supplied a wetland area, mainly during the high‐water period. It has high N‐NO₃^? and average Cl^? concentrations. (ii) A deep confined aquifer characterized by low nitrate and low chloride concentrations that supplied the floodplain via flow upwelling. (iii) An unconfined aquifer under the riparian zone with high Cl^? and low N‐NO₃^? concentrations where biological processes removed groundwater nitrate. This aquifer collected the upland flow and supplied a relict channel that controlled drainage from the whole riparian zone. Patterns of N‐NO₃^? and Cl^? concentrations along riparian transects, together with calculated high nitrate removal, indicate that removal occurred mainly at the hillslope–riparian zone interface (i.e. first few metres of wetland), whereas dilution occurred in lower parts of the transects, especially during low‐water periods and at the beginning of recharge periods. Stream flow was modelled as a mixture of water from the three reservoirs. An estimation of these contributions revealed that the deep aquifer contribution to stream flow averaged 37% throughout the study period, while the contribution of the unconfined reservoir below the riparian zone and hillslope flow was more variable (from ca 6 to 85%) relative to rainfall events and the level of the riparian water table. At the entire riparian zone scale, NO₃^? removal (probably from denitrification) appeared most effective in winter, despite higher estimated upland NO₃^? fluxes entering the riparian zone during this period. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Semiannual velocity variations around the 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan Earthquake fault zone revealed by ambient noise and ACROSS active source data

We continuously monitor the long-term seismic velocity variation of one of the major ruptured faults of the devastating 2008 M _w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China from July 2009 to January 2012, jointly using accurately controlled routinely operated signal system active source and seismic noise-based monitoring technique. Our measurements show that the temporal velocity change is not homogeneous and highly localized in the damaged fault zone and the adjacent areas. Velocity variations from the active and passive methods are quite consistent, which both are characterized by ±0.2 % seasonal variation, with peak and trough at winter and summer, respectively. The periodic velocity variation within fault zone exhibits remarkably positive correlation with barometric pressure with stress sensitivity in the order of 10^?6 Pa^?1, suggesting that the plausible mechanism might be the crack density variation of the shallow subsurface medium of the damaged fault zone in response to the cyclic barometric pressure loading.     

Patterns of groundwater hydrochemistry in Apan-Tochac sub-basin,Mexico

Abstract

On the basis of the degree of mineralization, the groundwater of Apan-Tochac sub-basin may be considered as fresh (TDS < 500 ppm). However, chlorination is necessary to make it fit for human consumption. Major ion analyses of over 235 water samples reveal a striking relationship between hydrochemical evolution and the groundwater flow system. A high content of total dissolved solids, and low values of the Ca:Mg ratio are present in wells located on the plain (discharge zone), whereas opposite conditions are associated with wells located in higher regions (recharge zone). Statistical data analysis using the method of principal components allowed to differentiation of two hydrochemical families: (a) low mineralization corresponding to the recharge zone, and (b) high mineralization corresponding to the discharge zone. Waters of the Ca + Mg + HCO₃, and Na + Mg + HCO₃ hydrochemical fades are present and the former is dominant. The water is slightly alkaline, having slight problems of salinity during the year owing mainly to Ca²⁺HCO₃ ^? and Na⁺Cl^? salts. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater reflects the pattern of local groundwater flow for this sub-basin.     

Hydrology and nitrogen balance of a seasonally inundated Danish floodplain wetland

This paper characterizes a seasonally inundated Danish floodplain wetland in a state close to naturalness and includes an analysis of the major controls on the wetland water and nitrogen balances. The main inputs of water are precipitation and percolation during ponding and unsaturated conditions. Lateral saturated subsurface flow is low. The studied floodplain owes its wetland status to the hydraulic properties of its sediments: the low hydraulic conductivity of a silt–clay deposit on top of the floodplain maintains ponded water during winter, and parts of autumn and spring. A capillary fringe extends to the soil surface, and capillary rise from groundwater during summer maintains near‐saturated conditions in the root zone, and allows a permanently very high evapotranspiration rate. The average for the growing season of 1999 is 3·6 mm day^?1 and peak rate is 5·6 mm day^?1. In summer, the evapotranspiration is to a large degree supplied by subsurface storage in a confined peat layer underlying the silt–clay. The floodplain sediments are in a very reduced state as indicated by low sulphate concentrations. All nitrate transported into the wetland is thus denitrified. However, owing to modest water exchange with surrounding groundwater and surface water, denitrification is low; 71 kg NO₃–N ha^?1 during the study period of 1999. Reduction of nitrate diffusing into the sediments during water ponding accounts for 75% of nitrate removal. Biomass production and nitrogen uptake in above‐ground vegetation is high—8·56 t dry matter ha^?1 year^?1 and 103 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. Subsurface ammonium concentrations are high, and convective upward transport into the root zone driven by evapotranspiration amounted to 12·8 kg N ha^?1year^?1. The floodplain wetland sediments have a high nitrogen content, and conditions are very favourable for mineralization. Mineralization thus constitutes 72% of above‐ground plant uptake. The study demonstrates the necessity of identifying controlling factors, and to combine surface flow with vadose and groundwater flow processes in order to fully comprehend the flow and nitrogen dynamics of this type of wetland. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stream temperature,specific conductance and runoff process in mountain watersheds

Stream temperature ranged from 3 to 4°C at an experimental site during snowmelt on Hokkaido Island, Japan, which provided direct evidence of major contributions of subsurface water to stream water. In contrast, stream temperatures during rainstorms in summer decreased gradually after stream flow peaked, attaining a nearly constant temperature ranging from 9 to 11°C. During storm flow recession, stream temperatures during summer or snowmelt were similar to the soil temperature at 1·8 m below the land surface, suggesting that subsurface water contributions to stream flow are derived from this depth. The hygrographs during two rainstorms, August 1987 and September 1989, were separated using temperature. The stream temperature was assumed to depend on the mixing of surface flow, having a temperature ranging from that of rainfall to that of shallow (50 cm deep) soil water, and subsurface flow, having the temperature of the soil at 1·8 m below the land surface. Subsurface flow was estimated to contribute 85–90% of the total stream flow during each rainstorm. A two‐component hydrograph separation was also evaluated using specific conductance. Runoff contributions from the two sources for the temperature and specific conductance analysis were similar. Analysis of the temperature and conductance–discharge hysteresis loop, and of individual flow components for storm hygrographs, provide a general picture of the runoff process in the experimental basin. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using stable isotopes to identify major flow pathways in a permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope during summer rainfall period

Global warming has leaded to permafrost degradation, with potential impacts on the runoff generation processes of permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope. Stable isotopes have the potential to trace the complex runoff generation processes. In this study, precipitation, hillslope surface and subsurface runoff, stream water, and mobile soil water (MSW) at different hillslope positions and depths were collected during the summer rainfall period to analyse the major flow pathway based on stable isotopic signatures. The results indicated that (a) compared with precipitation, the δ²H values of MSW showed little temporal variation but strong heterogeneity with enriched isotopic ratios at lower hillslope positions and in deeper soil layers. (b) The δ²H values of middle-slope surface runoff and shallow subsurface flow were similar to those of precipitation and MSW of the same soil layer, respectively. (c) Middle-slope shallow subsurface flow was the major flow pathway of the permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope, which turned into surface runoff at the riparian zone before contributing to the streamflow. (d) The slight variation of δ²H values in stream water was shown to be related to mixing processes of new water (precipitation, 2%) and old water (middle-slope shallow subsurface flow, 98%) in the highly transmissive shallow thawed soil layers. It was inferred that supra-permafrost water levels would be lowered to a less conductive, deeper soil layer under further warming and thawing permafrost, which would result in a declined streamflow and delayed runoff peak. This study explained the “rapid mobilization of old water” paradox in permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope and improved our understanding of permafrost hillslope hydrology in alpine regions.     

Mangos shale-associated alluvium

Inquiry into the dissolution kinetics of naturally occurring geologic materials, rather than individual mineral species, has been relatively neglected. This is especially true of surface processes, the realm of surface water hydrology and geomorphology. This paper focuses attention at a laboratory study of the rate of such complex reactions. Functions defining the dissolution rates of saline (0.1–20 per cent salt content) Mancos Shale-associated alluvium in distilled water follow varying patterns. Dissolution is characterized by an initial (<5 min) high rate constant, by a following phase (20 min-57 h) where rates are reduced drastically, and by a final period of encroachment to equilibrium. Initial dissolution rates increase with increase in salt content and sediment: water ratio. The time necessary to approach equilibrium is, however, found to be directly proportional to the sediment; water ratio. The concentration of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SC^2?₄ and HCO^?₃, and the relative abundance of Ca²⁺ and HCO^?₃ increase continuously with contact time, indicating that the hydrated sodium and magnesium sulphate minerals provide most of the initial solutes, though not necessarily most of the total solute bulk. The results obtained in this study indicate that the high initial dissolution rate of soluble minerals from alluvium, and particularly from shales in contact with aqueous solutions, is too short-lived to account for most of the solutes occurring in heavily sediment-laden surface flow. Excluding input from slower, usually supersaturated subsurface flow, dissolution from sediment in transport should be a major source of solutes in originally undersaturated and kinetically unequilibrated surface water in semiarid and arid regions.     

A preliminary investigation of boundary layer effects on daytime atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentrations at a mountaintop location in the Rocky Mountains

Observations of CO₂ concentration at a mountaintop in the Colorado Rockies in summer show a large diurnal variability with minimum CO₂ concentrations found between 10:00 and 18:00 MST. Simulations are performed with a mesoscale model to examine the effects of atmospheric structure and large-scale flows on the diurnal variability. In the simulations initialized without large-scale winds, the CO₂ minimum occurs earlier compared to the observations. Upslope flows play an important role in the presence of this early (pre-noon) minimum while the timing and magnitude of the minimum depend only weakly on the temperature structure. An increase in large-scale flow has a noticeable impact on the diurnal variability with a more gradual decrease in daytime CO₂ concentration, similar to summer-averaged observations. From the idealized simulations and a case study, it is concluded that multi-scale flows and their interactions have a large influence on the observed diurnal variability.     

Spatial and temporal variations in surface water nitrate concentrations in a mixed land use catchment under humid temperate climatic conditions

Streamwater nitrate (NO^―₃) concentrations along the main stream and at the outlet of several subcatchments within the 114\3 km² Zwalm watershed in Flanders, Belgium, have been monitored regularly since 1991. Land use within the Zwalm catchment is predominantly agricultural, with forested regions in the south and urban concentrations in the north‐east of the catchment. Streamwater NO^―₃ concentrations increased with increases in stream discharge rates, but in general, discharge rate explained only about 30% of the variation in NO^―₃ concentrations. The low R² values were attributed to the observed anticlockwise hysteresis in the NO^―₃ concentration – discharge relationship and to differences in NO^―₃ concentrations between both seasonal flow and various flow regimes, with winter flow explaining 51% of the variation in NO^―₃ concentrations, whereas summer flow explained only 28% of the variation. A hypothesis was formulated in which flow regime accounts for the seasonal variation in NO^―₃ export, postulating that the catchment seasonally alternates between two hydrological stages. The first stage occurs during wet winter periods, when the catchment drains as a single source area, whereas the second stage occurs during dry summer periods, when the groundwater store disconnects into separate subcatchments. This causes NO^―₃ concentration peaks to be more delayed during summer storm events compared with winter storm events. Regarding flow regimes, differences between high and low flow conditions and between increasing and stable/decreasing flow were not as pronounced a differences between seasons. In contrast to the estimation of NO^―₃ concentrations, discharge was a strong predictor (R²= 0\71) of the NO^―₃ flux within the tributaries of the Zwalm catchment. The NO^―₃ concentrations in the main stream increased with decreasing elevation, whereas the seasonal concentration patterns along the main channel were similar to those observed at the outlet. NO^―₃ concentrations varied considerably among catchments and showed a high variability over time, although in general, the variation in NO^―₃ concentration was higher between catchments than within catchments. The impact of land use is clearly reflected in the streamwater NO^―₃ concentrations, although NO^―₃ concentration patterns were also affected by topography and, to a lesser extent, by soil type. A gradual increase in NO^―₃ concentrations at the outlet of the Zwalm catchment could be observed throughout the 1991 – 1998 study period, providing evidence for the general trends of increase in Flanders, which are attributed to the intensification of agricultural activities. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of stream nitrate sources and flow pathways during stormflows on urban,forest and agricultural watersheds in central Pennsylvania,USA

Understanding the influence of storm events on nitrate (NO₃^?) dynamics is important for efficiently managing NO₃^? pollution. In this study, five sites representing a downstream progression of forested uplands underlain by resistant sandstone to karst lowlands with agricultural, urban and mixed land‐use were established in Spring Creek, a 201 km² mixed land‐use watershed in central Pennsylvania, USA. At each site, stream water was monitored during six storm events in 2005 to assess changes in stable isotopes of NO₃^? (δ¹⁵N‐NO₃^? and δ¹⁸O‐NO₃^?) and water (δ¹⁸O‐H₂O) from baseflow to peakflow. Peakflow fractions of event NO₃^? and event water were then computed using two‐component mixing models to elucidate NO₃^? flow pathway differences among the five sites. For the forested upland site, storm size appeared to affect NO₃^? sources and flow pathways. During small storms (<35 mm rainfall), greater event NO₃^? fractions than event water fractions indicated the prevalence of atmospheric NO₃^? source contributions at peakflow. During larger storms (>35 mm rainfall), event NO₃^? fractions were less than event water fractions at peakflow suggesting that NO₃^? was flushed from stored sources via shallow subsurface flow pathways. For the urbanized site, wash‐off of atmospheric NO₃^? was an important NO₃^? source at peakflow, especially during short‐duration storms where event water contributions indicated the prevalence of overland flow. In the karst lowlands, very low fractions of event water and even lower fractions of event NO₃^? at peakflow suggested the dominance of ground water flow pathways during storms. These ground water flow pathways likely flushed stored NO₃^? sources into the stream, while deep soils in the karst lowlands also may have promoted NO₃^? assimilation. The results of this study illustrated how NO₃^? isotopes and δ¹⁸O‐H₂O could be combined to show key differences in water and NO₃^? delivery between forested uplands, karst valleys and fully urbanized watersheds. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variation in carbon exchange and its ecological analysis over <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leymus chinensis</Emphasis> steppe in Inner Mongolia

Eddy covariance technique was used to measure carbon flux during two growing seasons in 2003 and 2004 over typical steppe in the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China. The results showed that there were two different CO₂ flux diurnal patterns at the grassland ecosystem. One had a dual peak in diurnal course of CO₂ fluxes with a depression of CO₂ flux after noon, and the other had a single peak. In 2003, the maximum diurnal uptake and emitting value of CO₂ were ?7.4 and 5.4 g·m^?2·d^?1 respectively and both occurred in July. While in 2004, the maximum diurnal uptake and release of CO₂ were ?12.8 and 5.8 g·m^?2·d^?1 and occurred both in August. The grassland fixed 294.66 and 467.46 g CO₂·m^?2 in 2003 and 2004, and released 333.14 and 437.17 g CO₂·m^?2 in 2003 and 2004, respectively from May to September. Water availability and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) are two important factors of controlling CO₂ flux. Consecutive precipitation can cause reduction in the ability of ecosystem carbon exchange. Under favorable soil water conditions, daytime CO₂ flux is dependent on PAR. CO₂ flux, under soil water stress conditions, is obviously less than those under favorable soil water conditions, and there is a light saturation phenomena at PAR=1200 μmol·m^?2·s^?1. Soil respiration was temperature dependent when there was no soil water stress; otherwise, this response became accumulatively decoupled from soil temperature.     

Epigenetic salt accumulation and water movement in the active layer of central Yakutia in eastern Siberia

Observations of soil moisture and salt content were conducted from May to August at Neleger station in eastern Siberia. Seasonal changes of salt and soil moisture distribution in the active layer of larch forest (undisturbed) and a thermokarst depression known as an alas (disturbed) were studied. Electric conductivity EC_e of the intact forest revealed higher concentrations that increased with depth from the soil surface into the active layer and the underlying permafrost: 1 mS cm^?1 at 1·1 m, to 2·6 mS cm^?1 at 160 cm depth in the permafrost. However, a maximum value of 5·4 mS cm^?1 at 0·6 m depth was found in the dry area of the alas. The concentration of ions, especially Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SO₄^2? and HCO₃^? in the upper layers of this long‐term disturbed site, indicates the upward movement of ions together with water. A higher concentration of solutes was found in profiles with deeper seasonal thawing. The accumulation of salts in the alas occurs from spring through into the growing season. The low concentration of salt in the surface soil layers appears to be linked to leaching of salts by rainfall. There are substantial differences between water content and electric conductivity of soil in the forest and alas. Modern salinization of the active layer in the alas is epigenetic, and it happens in summer as a result of spring water collection and high summer evaporation; the gradual salt accumulation in the alas in comparison with the forest is controlled by the annual balance of water and salts in the active layer. Present climatic trends point to continuous permafrost degradation in eastern Siberia increasing the risk of surface salinization, which has already contributed to changing the landscape by hindering the growth of forest. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of variable‐density groundwater flow on nitrate flux to coastal waters

A two‐dimensional variable‐density groundwater flow and transport model was developed to provide a conceptual understanding of past and future conditions of nitrate (NO₃) transport and estimate groundwater nitrate flux to the Gulf of Mexico. Simulation results show that contaminant discharge to the coast decreases as the extent of saltwater intrusion increases. Other natural and/or artificial surface waters such as navigation channels may serve as major sinks for contaminant loading and act to alter expected transport pathways discharging contaminants to other areas. Concentrations of NO₃ in the saturated zone were estimated to range between 30 and 160 mg?L^?1 as NO₃. Relatively high hydraulic vertical gradients and mixing likely play a significant role in the transport processes, enhancing dilution and contaminant migration to depth. Residence times of NO₃ in the deeper aquifers vary from 100 (locally) to about 300 years through the investigated aquifer system. NO₃ mass fluxes from the shallow aquifers (0 to 5.7 × 10⁴ mg?m^?2?day^?1) were primarily directed towards the navigation channel, which intersects and captures a portion of the shallow groundwater flow/discharge. Direct NO₃ discharge to the sea (i.e. Gulf of Mexico) from the shallow aquifer was very low (0 to 9.0 × 10¹ mg · m^?2?day^?1) compared with discharge from the deeper aquifer system (0 to 8.2 × 10³ mg?m^?2?day^?1). Both model‐calibrated and radiocarbon tracer‐determined contaminant flux estimates reveal similar discharge trends, validating the use of the model for density‐dependent flow conditions. The modelling approach shows promise to evaluate contaminant and nutrient loading for similar coastal regions worldwide. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hypolimnetic density currents traced by sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

The artificial tracer sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) has been used to study the density-driven deep water exchange between two sill-separated basins of Lake Lucerne, Gersauersee and Urnersee. The sources of the density gradients between the two basins are (1) salinity differences between the major inlets due to the different geology of their drainage areas, and (2) temperature differences due to spatial variation of wind forcing. Wind speeds are generally larger in Urnersee, especially in spring during the so-called Föhn events, when winds blow from the south. In contrast, Gersauersee is protected form these winds. In spring 1989, a total of 630 g of SF₆ was released at 80 to 120 m depth in the small Treib Basin located between Urnersee and Gersauersee. During about 100 days the distribution of SF₆ in the lake was determined by gaschromatography. Two models are used to quantify the exchange flow, (1) a one-box mass balance model for SF₆ in the deep part of Treib Basin, and (2) a one-dimensional diffusion/advection model describing the temporal and vertical temperature variation in Urnersee. According to the first model, the flow into the deep hypolimnion of Urnersee, decreases from 21·10⁶ m³·d^?1 at the end of March to about 8·10⁶ m³·d^?1 in late April. The second model yields similar flow rates. The decrease of the flow rate during spring, confirmed by both approaches, is consistent (1) with the decreasing strength of the density gradient above the sill during spring and early summer, and (2) with hydrographic information collected in Lake Lucerne during other years.     

Groundwater potential of the Egbe-Mopa basement area,central Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation on the groundwater potentials of the Egbe-Mopa area in central Nigeria, underlain by the Basement Complex, is presented. The investigation involved mapping of the subsurface by use of vertical electrical soundings; measurement of depth to groundwater; and evaluation of hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and yield by means of pumping test interpretation. The results indicate subsurface units that range from three to five resistivity layers; depth to groundwater of 0–10 m; overburden thickness of 3–16 m; hydraulic conductivity of 6.2?×?10^?6 to 3.4?×?10^?4 m/s; transmissivity of 4.3?×?10^?7 to 2?×?10^?3 m²/s; and groundwater yield of 0.2–2.5 L/s. The hydraulic head assessments revealed a general northward groundwater flow direction. The study identified three aquifer potential types, of high, medium and low productivity, respectively. Based on the longitudinal conductance of the overburden units, four distinct Aquifer Protective Capacity zones were delineated, namely, poor, weak, moderate and good.

Citation Okogbue, C.O. and Omonona, O.V., 2013. Groundwater potential of Egbe-Mopa basement area, central Nigeria. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (4), 826–840.     

Hydrogeochemistry and quality of groundwater in a part of Damodar Valley,Eastern India: an integrated geochemical and statistical approach

The influence of geochemical processes and quality of groundwater in a rural tract of Damodar Valley region were investigated. The study has distinguished the groundwater as fresh, soft to moderately hard and mainly CaHCO₃ type. The paired samples student’s t test shows the significant seasonal variations of pH, HCO₃^?, and Fe. Amphoteric exchange has lessened HCO₃^? concentration in post-monsoon which subsequently has caused to drop pH. Quite the reverse, the monsoon precipitation has triggered the additional release of Fe from iron-bearing sediments. The contaminant Cl^? is from the domestic wastewater as is evidenced by field observations. The inter-variable relations, cation and anion mechanisms, and mineral saturation indices reveal that the dissolutions of silicate and carbonate minerals are the primary sources of major ions in groundwater. The chloro-alkaline indices showed the role of ion exchange too in water chemistry. The R-mode factor analysis also successfully identified two dominant processes regulating water chemistry—geogenic sources (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and HCO₃^?) and anthropogenic inputs (mainly Cl^?). The groundwater is found unsuitable for drinking at 82 and 93% of wells in pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively mainly due to elevated Fe content. The water from more than 90% of wells is appropriate for irrigation uses. The study recommends the proper treatment of contaminated water for consumption and measures to protect the groundwater from the waste water infiltration.     

Origin and chemical and isotopic evolution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater of the Okavango Delta,Botswana

The origin and the chemical and isotopic evolution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in groundwater of the Okavango Delta in semi-arid Botswana were investigated using DIC and major ion concentrations and stable oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotopes (δD, δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C_DIC). The δD and δ¹⁸O indicated that groundwater was recharged by evaporated river water and unevaporated rain. The river water and shallow (<10 m) groundwater are Ca–Na–HCO₃ type and the deep (≥10 m) groundwater is Na–K–HCO₃ to HCO₃–Cl–SO₄ to Cl–SO₄–HCO₃. Compared to river water, the mean DIC concentrations were 2 times higher in shallow groundwater, 7 times higher in deep groundwater and 24 times higher in island groundwater. The δ¹³C_DIC indicate that DIC production in groundwater is from organic matter oxidation and in island groundwater from organic matter oxidation and dissolution of sodium carbonate salts. The ionic and isotopic evolution of the groundwater relative to evaporated river water indicates two independent pools of DIC.     

Hydrochemical behaviour of dissolved nitrogen and carbon in a headwater stream of the Canadian Shield: relevance of antecedent soil moisture conditions

This paper examines the impact of contrasting antecedent soil moisture conditions on the hydrochemical response, here the changes in dissolved nitrogen (NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON)) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, of a first‐order stream during hydrological events. The study was performed in the Hermine, a 5 ha forested watershed of the Canadian Shield. It focused on a series of eight precipitation events (spring, summer and fall) sampled every 2 or 3 h and showing contrasted antecedent moisture conditions. The partition of the eight events between two groups (dry or wet) of antecedent moisture conditions was conducted using a principal component analysis (PCA). The partition was controlled (first axis explained 86% of the variability) by the antecedent streamflow, the streamflow to precipitation ratio Q/P and by the antecedent groundwater depth. The mean H⁺, NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, total dissolved nitrogen and DOC concentrations and electrical conductivity values in the stream were significantly higher following dry antecedent conditions than after wetter conditions had prevailed in the Hermine, although the temporal variability was high (17 to 138%). At the event scale, a significantly higher proportion of the changes in DON, NO₃^?, and DOC concentrations in the stream was explained by temporal variations in discharge compared with the seasonal and annual scales. Two of the key hydrochemical features of the dry events were the synchronous changes in DOC and flow and the frequent negative relationships between discharge and NO₃^?. The DON concentrations were much less responsive than DOC to changes in discharge, whereas NH was not in phase with streamflow. During wet events, the synchronicity between streamflow and DON or NO₃^? was higher than during dry events and discharge and NO₃^? were generally positively linked. Based on these observations, the hydrological behaviour of the Hermine is conceptually compatible with a two‐component model of shallow (DON and DOC rich; variable NO₃^?) and deep (DON and DOC poor; variable NO₃^?) subsurface flow. The high NO₃^? and DOC levels measured at the early stages of dry events reflected the contribution from NO₃^?‐rich groundwaters. The contribution of rapid surface flow on water‐repellent soil materials located close to the stream channel is hypothesized to explain the DOC levels. An understanding of the complex interactions between antecedent soil moisture conditions, the presence of soil nutrients available for leaching and the dynamics of soil water flow paths during storms is essential to explain the fluxes of dissolved nitrogen and carbon in streams of forested watersheds. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.