Evaluation of petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation in shallow groundwater by hydrogeochemical indicators and C, S-isotopes

Biodegradation is one of the main natural attenuation processes in groundwater contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. In this work, preliminary studies have been carried out by analyzing the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dominant terminal electron accepters or donors, as well as δ ¹³C_DIC and δ ³⁴S_SO4, to reveal the biodegradation mechanism of petroleum hydrocarbons in a contaminated site. The results show that along groundwater flow in the central line of the plume, the concentrations of electron acceptors, pH, and E _h increased but TPH and DIC decreased. The δ ¹³C_DIC values of the contaminated groundwater were in the range of ?14.02 to ?22.28 ‰_PDB and ?7.71 to 8.36 ‰_PDB, which reflected a significant depletion and enrichment of ¹³C, respectively. The increase of DIC is believed to result from the non-methanogenic and methanogenic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon in groundwater. Meanwhile, from the contaminated source to the downgradient of the plume, the ³⁴S in the contaminated groundwater became more depleted. The Rayleigh model calculation confirmed the occurrence of bacterial sulfate reduction as a biodegradation pathway of the petroleum hydrocarbon in the contaminated aquifers. It was concluded that stable isotope measurements, combined with other biogeochemical measurements, can be a useful tool to prove the occurrence of the biodegradation process and to identify the dominant terminal electron-accepting process in contaminated aquifers.     

Deterioration of groundwater quality in the vicinity of an active open-tipping site in West Malaysia

There is an urgent need for characterization of leachate arising from waste disposal to ensure a corresponding effective leachate management policy. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of municipal landfill leachate on the underlying groundwater at a site in West Malaysia. The solid waste was disposed of directly onto an unprotected natural soil formation. This situation was made worse by the shallow water table. The hydrochemical composition of groundwater in the vicinity of the site (background) is a dilute mixed cation, bicarbonate water. The high ionic balance error of ~13.5% reveals that the groundwater body underneath the site was a highly contaminated leachate rather than contaminated groundwater. Elevated concentration of chloride (355.48 mg/L), nitrate (10.40 mg/L as NO₃), nitrite (14.59 mg/L), ammoniacal-N (11.61 mg/L), sodium (227.56 mg/L), iron (0.97 mg/L), and lead (0.32 mg/L) measured downgradient indicate that the contamination plume has migrated further away from the site. In most cases, the concentration of these contamination indicators, together with the ranges of sodium percentage (66.3–89.9%) and sodium adsorption ratio (10.1–19.7%), were found to be considerably higher than the limit values of safe water for both domestic and irrigation purposes, respectively.     

Recovery of groundwater in the Sanriku region contaminated by the tsunami inundation from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake

Many wells in the Sanriku region used as sources for water supply systems were heavily contaminated by the tsunami of the 2011 great Tohoku earthquake on March 11 in 2011. To better understand the nature of the groundwater contamination by the tsunami inundation and to clarify the recovery process of contaminated groundwater at the study wells, groundwater monitoring has been conducted once or twice yearly since early summer in 2011. High and abnormal values of electric conductivity (EC), chloride ion concentration (CIC), Na⁺, Ca⁺, heavy metal ions, and heavier isotopes of the contaminated groundwater were also obtained in April and June 2011. The chemical elements have rapidly and exponentially decreased as a result of effective pumping of the contaminated groundwater from the study wells and because of abundant rainfall in 2011. In April 2015 (about 4 years after the tsunami inundation), the CIC and EC of the contaminated groundwater of two study wells in Minamisanriku town had reached pre-inundation values. The estimated residence times of groundwater of the two study wells were 105–118 days in the full-day pumping stage and 910–1000 days in the daytime-only pumping stage.     

当地下水邂逅DNA:石油类有机污染及其生物降解

地下水科学与工程研究发展到今日,已经成为一门涉及多个领域的综合性学科。地下水污染的控制和修复研究更需要跨学科的技术和知识支持,而生物修复作为一种高效低耗修复的技术成为环境领域的研究热点。微生物因其自身特性及其对污染的降解主导特征对确定有机物污染场地的永续修复具有重要意义。简要地综述了地下水有机污染及其原位修复、有机污染物和地下环境微生物的交互作用,进一步聚焦生物降解机制、生物修复和细菌研究。在此基础上以某石油污染场地地下水为例,进行了地下水中分离微生物菌株及其降解特征的实验研究。结果表明:放线菌降解效果最好,细菌和真菌次之;两两组合降解效果好于单菌,表明存在协同作用;不同菌株混合降解率较低,表明具有拮抗作用。通过动力学实验得出对TPH的降解符合一级反应动力学方程及其降解速度和降解半衰期。就微生物对有机组分降解而言,烷烃和总石油烃降解规律相似;难降解组分降解率低,后期因烷烃转化使其浓度升高;苯浓度变化不大。微生物活性实验表明:活菌总数和脱氢酶活性与降解率呈正相关变化。运用生理生化及分子生物学方法鉴定得出了具体的菌种。     

Simulation on forecast and control for groundwater contamination of hazardous waste landfill

The groundwater flow and solute transport models were established by Visual Modflow, which was used to forecast the transport process of Cr⁶⁺ in groundwater and simulate the effects of three control measures of contaminants transport after percolation solution leakage happened in the impermeable layer of the landfill. The results showed that the contamination plume of Cr⁶⁺ would reach the pool’s boundary in 10 years, and the distance of contamination transport was 1,450 m. However, the contamination plume will not be obviously expanded between 10 and 20 years. While the ground was covered by hardened concrete, the contamination plume would not reach the pool’s boundary in 20 years. When the leakage-proof barrier was set in the bottom of an unconfined aquifer, the concentration of Cr⁶⁺ was higher than that of the leakage-proof barrier unset, but the result was opposite when setting the leakage-proof barrier in the bottom of confined aquifer. The range of the contamination plume was effectively controlled by setting drainage ditches in which water discharge was 2,298.05 m³ d^?1, which produced monitoring wells which are not contaminated in 20 years. In sum, combining ground hardening with drainage ditches could produce the best effect in controlling contaminants diffusion, and meanwhile, the drainage ditches daily discharge was reduced to 1,710.19 m³ d^?1.     

Reducing leachable petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in weathered fuel oil contaminated soil by chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide

Number 6 fuel oil is one of the most used energy sources for electricity generation. However, leaks can contaminate soil and also groundwater due to leaching. At old sites, the oil may have low toxicity but still contaminate groundwater with foul-tasting compounds even at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying H₂O₂ to reduce the leaching potential of a fuel oil contaminated soil. A silt-loam soil was collected from a contaminated thermal-electric plant with a hydrocarbon concentration of 3.2% in soil producing 4.3 mg/l in leachate. Hydrogen peroxide was applied (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2% dry weight basis), and petroleum hydrocarbons were measured in soil and leachate pre- and post-treatment (72 h). At first, the soil and leachate concentrations diminished linearly (24.4 and 27.3% in soil and leachate, respectively). This was followed by a phase in which the concentration in leachate diminished greatly (75.8%) although the concentration in soil was reduced only moderately (15.1%). Overall, hydrocarbons in leachates were reduced 82.4% even though concentrations in soil were only reduced 35.8%. Correlation analysis showed that at only 1.0% w/w H₂O₂ a concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in leachate safe for human consumption (≤ 1 mg/l) could be obtained even with a final hydrocarbon concentration in soil > 2%. Thus, this study presents an alternative strategy for remediation of fuel oil contaminated soils in urban environments that protects water sources by focusing on contamination in leachates, without spending extra financial resources to reduce the hydrocarbon concentration in low-toxicity soil.     

In situ infiltration test using a reclaimed abandoned river bed: managed aquifer recharge in Shijiazhuang City,China

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is necessary for water resources management in arid and semiarid regions. Infiltration rate is often a decisive limiting factor in site selection for MAR. In order to avoid scale effects in the application of infiltration rate parameters, the largest in situ infiltration test in China was undertaken between August 19 and August 30, 2009 to measure the infiltration rate of the field selected for MAR in Shijiazhuang City, China. The in situ test lasted for 10 days, and about 1.82 × 10⁷ m³ of water was introduced into the infiltration field. Groundwater level variations were monitored during the test. Monitoring showed that the infiltration rate of surface water was 1.5 m/day, which means that about 10–15 × 10⁸ m³/a of water could be injected into the target aquifer. Also, groundwater level variations showed that the northern part of the infiltration field had a higher infiltration rate, as predicted, and the test result supplied a sound foundation for validation of the groundwater numerical simulation, which will be of benefit for future predictions of the response of the groundwater level to artificial recharge engineering. Finally, an artificial recharge plan was proposed based on the infiltration test results and the water source conditions, which would be useful for the development of MAR programs and management of local water resources.     

Tracing subsurface migration of contaminants from an abandoned municipal landfill

This paper aims at determining of inorganic leachate contamination for a capped unsanitary landfill in the absence of hydrogeological data. The 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging, soil physicochemical characterization, and surface water analysis were used to determine contamination load and extent of selective heavy metal contamination underneath the landfill. The positions of the contaminated subsoil and groundwater were successfully delineated in terms of low resistivity leachate plumes of <10 Ωm. Leachate migration towards the reach of Kelang River could be clearly identified from the resistivity results and elevated concentrations of Fe in the river downslope toe of the site. Concentration of Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Pb was measured for the subsoil samples collected at the downslope (BKD), upslope (BKU), and the soil-waste interface (BKI), of the landfill. The concentration levels obtained for most of the analyzed heavy metals significantly exceed the normal range in typical municipal solid waste landfill sites. The measured heavy metal contamination load in the subsoil is in the following order Fe ? Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu. Taking into consideration poor physical and chemical characteristics of the local soil, these metals first seem to be attenuated naturally at near surface then remobilize unavoidably due to the soil acidic environment (pH 4.2-6.18) which in turn, may allow an easy washing of these metals in contact with the shallow groundwater table during the periodic fluctuation of the Kelang River. These heavy metals are believed to have originated from hazardous industrial waste that might have been illegally dumped at the site.     

Variations in the environmental characteristics of groundwater slightly contaminated with petroleum: effects of enhanced bioremediation in northeast China

The objective of this paper was to investigate a petroleum-contaminated groundwater site in northeast China. Based on the monitoring and analysis of environmental characteristics of groundwater slightly contaminated with petroleum, microbes were added into the petroleum-contaminated groundwater via single-well and multiple-well models to enhance bioremediation. The effect of enhanced bioremediation was monitored and analyzed, and variations in the environmental characteristics of groundwater containing total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were identified to provide a scientific basis for controlling and remediating petroleum-contaminated groundwater. Findings confirmed that this site was slightly contaminated and TPH levels exhibited a slight decreasing trend. After enhanced remediation, the microbial degradation effect was large, and the TPH concentration significantly reduced. In particular, near the wells treated by bioremediation, the amounts of electron acceptors, such as NO₃ ^?, Fe³⁺, and SO₄ ^2?, markedly decreased. The product of the microbial degradation process, HCO₃ ^?, gradually increased in the treated wells. Activities of the enzyme catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase decreased, while those of catalase increased. Reductions in pH, from 7.4 to 6.1, were recorded, and the groundwater environment became further deoxidized.     

Contamination of soil and groundwater at a former industrial site in Trondheim,Norway

This paper describes an investigation carried out in 1990 by the Geological Survey of Norway into the contamination of soils and groundwater at a former industrial site. The site covers an area of 0.5 ha and was used for a small plant generating gas for lighting purposes and from the middle of the last century for a small electrochemical facility (The Nidelven Brass and Iron Co. Est. 1843). The site is located immediately adjacent to the Nidelva river, in the central area of the city of Trondheim (pop. 150,000), Norway. Soil samples were obtained from 10 boreholes drilled to approximately 4 m depth. Analysis of the heavy metal content of these soil samples was subsequently undertaken. A subset of the samples was analysed for tar, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni and PAH in the soils are all below the maximum permissible levels recommended by the authorities. In certain localities, however, the concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn are higher than the action levels at which remediation is required. It is estimated that approximately 4400 m³ of soil are contaminated, but that the contaminants are bound so tightly to the soil that the risk of dispersion of the pollutants is negligible.Groundwater samples were also collected from 4 monitoring wells installed at the site. Analysis of these groundwaters indicated the presence of only slightly contaminated groundwater. With the exception of 1 sample with a slightly higher concentration of Cu, the concentrations of PAH and the trace metals Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Zn in the groundwater were below natural background values. This confirms the results from the soil analyses in which it was concluded that the dispersion of contaminants is negligible. A TCLP-extraction of 5 soil samples with high concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn showed that only Zn was released in amounts exceeding the water guidance levels requiring monitoring.This study therefore indicates that the contaminants found in the ground at the site are strongly bound to the soil and are unlikely to be mobilised. This, combined with a slow base-flow, causes an insignificant contamination contribution to the waters in the River Nidelv. It should be noted, however, that the leaching experiments were not undertaken on the samples containing the highest Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations.     

Assessment of trace element contamination in soils around Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India

Concentrations of trace elements such as As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr were studied in soils to understand metal contamination due to agriculture and geogenic activities in Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India. This area is affected by the geogenic fluoride contamination. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor and degree of contamination. Forty-four soil samples were collected from the agricultural field from the study area from top 10–50 cm layer of soil. Soil samples were analyzed for trace elements using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Data revealed that soils in the study area are significantly contaminated, showing high level of toxic elements than normal distribution. The ranges of concentration of Ba (370–1,710 mg/kg), Cr (8.7–543 mg/kg), Cu (7.7–96.6 mg/kg), Ni (5.4–168 mg/kg), Rb (29.6–223 mg/kg), Sr (134–438 mg/kg), Zr (141.2–8,232 mg/kg) and Zn (29–478 mg/kg). The concentration of other elements was similar to the levels in the earth’s crust or pointed to metal depletion in the soil (EF < 1). The high EFs for some trace elements obtained in soil samples show that there is a considerable heavy metal pollution, which could be due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides used for agricultural or may be due to natural geogenic processes in the area. Comparative study has been made with other soil-polluted heavy metal areas and its mobility in soil and groundwater has been discussed. A contamination site poses significant environmental hazards for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are important sources of pollution and may result in ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems.     

Assessment of the geological and hydrogeological environment at a site of government-level conflict in Incheon, Korea

 The natural environment of an environmental conflict site in Incheon, Korea was assessed with a focus on the hydrogeological environment. Residents had made claims against a company because of health problems, including skin tumors. More specifically, the residents suspected that their drinking groundwater had been contaminated by glass fibers which had caused the health problems. Air, soil, and groundwater samples were analyzed to estimate whether environmental pollution could have caused the problems claimed by the residents. No specific evidence was found from this study to support the groundwater contamination by glass fibers, but groundwater contamination by leaked fuel oils was confirmed in the course of evaluating the glass fiber problem. Received: 16 May 1997 · Accepted: 18 August 1997     

Impact of liquid waste disposal on potable groundwater resources near Perth,Western Australia

 Drilling of 15 boreholes at a disused liquid waste disposal site near Perth, Western Australia, has indicated that a contamination plume extends about 1000 m in a southerly direction from the site in the direction of groundwater flow. The plume is up to 600 m wide and 5–40 m thick. Chemical and microbiological analyses have indicated that contaminated groundwater contains high concentrations of ammonia, iron, and bacteria at levels that commonly exceed national drinking water guidelines. It is likely that a proposed water supply production well in the path of the contamination plume will have to be abandoned, and additional wells may have to be abandoned if the plume continues to extend in the direction of groundwater flow. There is currently insufficient information to indicate whether the plume is continuing to expand, but studies on similar plumes in the Perth metropolitan area have indicated that contaminated groundwater can move at rates up to 100 m yr^–1. Several other liquid waste disposal sites are now located in residential areas of Perth where wells are used for garden irrigation. Further work is required to ensure that there is no potential impact of groundwater contamination on public health in these areas. Received: 31 July 1995 · Accepted: 18 September 1995     

Degradation of carbon disulphide (CS2) in soils and groundwater from a CS2-contaminated site

This study is the first investigation of biodegradation of carbon disulphide (CS₂) in soil that provides estimates of degradation rates and identifies intermediate degradation products and carbon isotope signatures of degradation. Microcosm studies were undertaken under anaerobic conditions using soil and groundwater recovered from CS₂-contaminated sites. Proposed degradation mechanisms were validated using equilibrium speciation modelling of concentrations and carbon isotope ratios. A first-order degradation rate constant of 1.25 × 10^?2 h^?1 was obtained for biological degradation with soil. Carbonyl sulphide (COS) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) were found to be intermediates of degradation, but did not accumulate in vials. A ¹³C/¹²C enrichment factor of ?7.5 ± 0.8 ‰ was obtained for degradation within microcosms with both soil and groundwater whereas a ¹³C/¹²C enrichment factor of ?23.0 ± 2.1 ‰ was obtained for degradation with site groundwater alone. It can be concluded that biological degradation of both CS₂-contaminated soil and groundwater is likely to occur in the field suggesting that natural attenuation may be an appropriate remedial tool at some sites. The presence of biodegradation by-products including COS and H₂S indicates that biodegradation of CS₂ is occurring and stable carbon isotopes are a promising tool to quantify CS₂ degradation.     

Groundwater mixing in a sand-island freshwater lens: density-dependent flow and stratigraphic controls

This paper focuses on a small back-barrier sand-island on the southeast coast of Queensland. The freshwater lens in the study area exhibits anomalously high short-range salinity gradients at shallow depths, which cannot be explained using a standard seawater intrusion model. The island groundwater system consists of two aquifers: a semiconfined aquifer hosting saline to hypersaline groundwater and an overlying unconfined freshwater aquifer. The deeper aquifer is semiconfined within an incised paleovalley, and groundwater flow is restricted to an east – west direction. Tidal response observations show that the tidal signal propagates far more rapidly and is of much higher magnitude in the semiconfined aquifer than the unconfined aquifer. The tidal wave-pulse amplitude is also subject to greater attenuation in the unconfined aquifer. A conceptual hydrogeological model illustrates how upwelling of hypersaline groundwater, induced by density-dependent flow and tidal pumping, has contaminated the shallow groundwater resource. Salinisation at shallow depths is restricted to an area proximal to the paleovalley aquifer. The spatial distribution of lithological heterogeneity is an initial limiting control on the movement of the upwelling saline plume. The extent of shallow groundwater contamination is also limited by the presence of a baroclinic field, resulting from lateral variations in fluid density. Hydrochemical signatures have been used to support the model hypothesis and link the salinisation of fresh groundwater with the semiconfined aquifer as opposed to the surrounding estuarine surface water. The geometry and thickness of the freshwater lens are further controlled by the presence of the largely impermeable bedrock paleosurface between 9 and 12 m depth. The combination of hypersaline groundwater and hydraulically restrictive lithology at shallow depths has produced excessive thinning of the freshwater lens, demonstrating that the application of a model such as the Dupuit – Ghyben – Herzberg relationship would grossly overestimate the available groundwater resource.     

Distribution of total petroleum hydrocarbons in Dezful aquifer,Southwest of Iran

Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon distribution (TPH) in groundwater of Dezful aquifer was the main purpose of this study. The study area, which is located between latitudes 32°00′ and 32°35′?N and longitudes 48°10′ and 49°35′?E, covers about 1,920 km² in the north of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Hydrocarbon pollutants in the area were being released into the aquifer, from a variety of sources. An oil pipe crash accident, which occurred on 19 Feb. 2009 in the vicinity of the northern part of the study area, released about 6,000 barrels of crude oil to the Karkhe River. Other possible sources of TPH in the region are asphalt factories, gas stations, and the Sabzab oil pump station. Since the main source of drinking water in the Dezful area is groundwater reservoirs, this study would be very crucial, especially when there is considerable agricultural activity in the area as well. In order to determine the presence of TPH and heavy metals in the groundwater, samples were taken from wells with different usage within two periods, i.e., in Nov. 2008 and May 2009. The second sampling operation was carried out to determine the effect of the accident in the water resources. In situ groundwater parameter measurements including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and electrical conductivity were also carried out in the field. Based on the results, there are four zones in the study area which were contaminated with TPH from different origins: (1) southeast of Dezful City, which was contaminated by Shokati gas station; (2) southeast of Shush City, which was contaminated by an asphalt factory; (3) southwest of Dezful City, which was contaminated by Sabzab oil pump station; and (4) the shores of Karkhe River which were contaminated due to the pipeline crash accident. This could be a serious threat to the environment and human health because TPH concentration was higher than the EPA standard in the study area. Heavy metals were not distributed in a uniform pattern in the aquifer. The concentrations were lower than the contamination level based on the EPA drinking standard, and there was no meaningful relation between concentrations of TPH and the heavy metals. It was recommended that a monitoring network should be designed to monitor oil contaminants in the ground and surface water monthly because of importance of the water resources and presence of potential oil contaminant sources.     

Detecting groundwater contamination of a river in Georgia, USA using baseflow sampling

Algal blooms and fish kills were reported on a river in coastal Georgia (USA) downstream of a poultry-processing plant, prompting officials to conclude the problems resulted from overland flow associated with over-application of wastewater at the plant’s land application system (LAS). An investigation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that contaminated groundwater was also playing a significant role. Weekly samples were collected over a 12-month period along an 18 km reach of the river and key tributaries. Results showed elevated nitrogen concentrations in tributaries draining the plant and a tenfold increase in nitrate in the river between the tributary inputs. Because ammonia concentrations were low in this reach, it was concluded that nitrate was entering via groundwater discharge. Data from detailed river sampling and direct groundwater samples from springs and boreholes were used to isolate the entry point of the contaminant plume. Analysis showed two separate plumes, one associated with the plant’s unlined wastewater lagoon and another with its LAS spray fields. The continuous discharge of contaminated groundwater during summer low-flow conditions was found to have a more profound impact on river-water quality than periodic inputs by overland flow and tributary runoff.     

Characterization of fresh and weathered petroleum for potential impacts to soil fertility

In many petroleum-producing regions, there are not adequate controls to prevent pipeline breaks and spills, and thus soil is frequently contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Different petroleum oil compounds may produce negative impacts on soil fertility. In this study, four fresh crudes, a weathered petroleum, and oils from bioremediated and burned sites were investigated (specific gravities 0.83–1.27). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed three predominant polar functional groups to be more plentiful in the heavier crudes. The relative abundance of these groups was used to calculate an index that was directly correlated with specific gravity (R ² = 0.9960) and the percent of asphaltene plus (polars + resins) fractions in the oil (R ² = 0.9643). This index correlated exponentially to the water repellency caused by petroleum in an alluvial soil (R ² = 0.9928). Furthermore, extra-heavy oil at a concentration of 10,000 ppm, the maximum allowable oil concentration in the soil that is within regulatory norms in many US states and other countries, and with a specific gravity >1.002, showed severe water repellency. This study presents an alternative for determining soil remediation criteria based on the API gravity of the oil rather than the C-range of the hydrocarbon mixtures, simplifying analytical methods and systematically studying the interaction between the kinds of petroleum mixtures and potential impacts to soil fertility.     

Characterization of the hydrogeologic environment at a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated site in Korea

The hydrogeologic environment of a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated site in Korea is characterized by hydrogeologic field work and chemical analyses of groundwater. Quaternary alluvium is the main aquifer contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, mainly TEX (toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes). Contamination at this site was derived from the leaking of petroleum storage tanks. The aquifer is highly permeable, but vertically heterogeneous. Water-table fluctuations reach up to 2 m during heavy rains. Contaminants migrated to the northwest along the main groundwater-flow direction. The concentration of hydrocarbons in groundwater is particularly high downgradient from the source area. The ubiquitous distribution of TEX was caused by the heterogeneity of the aquifer material and the significant fluctuation of the water-table. Chemical properties of the contaminated groundwater and field parameters indicate that intrinsic biodegradation, including aerobic respiration, nitrate reduction, iron reduction, manganese reduction, and sulfate reduction, occurs at this site. The dilution and mixing due to new groundwater recharge from rainfall is also identified as one of the major attenuation processes of TEX.     

Contamination of water and soil by the Erdenet copper–molybdenum mine in Mongolia

As one of the largest copper–molybdenum (Cu–Mo) mines in the world, the Erdenet Mine in Mongolia has been active since 1978 and is expected to continue operations for at least another 30 years. In this study, the potential impacts of mining activities on the soil and water environments have been evaluated. Water samples showed high concentrations of sulfate, calcium, magnesium, Mo, and arsenic, and high pH values in the order of high to low as follows: tailing water > Khangal River > groundwater. Statistical analysis and the δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of water samples indicate that the tailing water directly affects the stream water and indirectly affects groundwater through recharge processes. Soil and stream sediments are highly contaminated with Cu and Mo, which are major elements of ore minerals. Based on the contamination factor (CF), the pollution load index (PLI), and the degree of contamination (C_d), soil appears to be less contaminated than stream sediments. The soil particle size is similar to that of tailing materials, but stream sediments have much coarser particles, implying that the materials have different origins. Contamination levels in stream sediments display a tendency to decrease with distance from the mine, but no such changes are found in soil. Consequently, soil contamination by metals is attributable to wind-blown dusts from the tailing materials, and stream sediment contamination is caused by discharges from uncontained subgrade ore stock materials. Considering the evident impact on the soil and water environment, and the human health risk from the Erdenet Mine, measures to mitigate its environmental impact should be taken immediately including source control, the establishment of a systematic and continuous monitoring system, and a comprehensive risk assessment.