Trace element distribution in waters of the northern catchment area of Lake Linneret,northern Israel

Waters of the northern watershed of Lake Kineret, sampled during the period 1978–1983, were analyzed for their major and trace element contents. The trace element concentrations of the major water sources of the watershed (the Dan and Banias springs) represent background values. After emergence, the waters are subjected to human activity. In crossing the populated and cultivated Hula Basin in man-made canals, the major and trace element contents increase. In comparison to the trace element concentrations, those of the major elements have narrow ranges and small temporal fluctuations. Trace element concentrations varied by 3 orders of magnitude, and temporal variations were large but not neccessarily seasonal. Point sources of trace elements were urban effluents, fish pond wastes, and peat soil drainage. The trace element concentrations decrease in the waters of the last segment of the Jordan River. All measured trace elements were below the criteria levels established by regulatory agencies. Several, however, were of the same order of magnitude. Addition of wastes from enhanced recycling, and morphologic modification of the final course of the Jordan River could result in increase in the trace element concentrations in the water.     

西藏搭格架高温热泉中钨的水文地球化学异常

西藏搭格架水热区的热泉含异常高浓度的钨,其钨/钼比也远高于常见天然水.开展了搭格架典型热泉的地球化学研究,发现中性热泉的钨浓度显著高于偏酸性热泉:前者是深部母地热流体经绝热冷却、传导冷却等过程后排出地表而形成,其中的钨主要来自岩浆水的贡献;而后者为中性地热水和蒸汽加热型强酸性水的混合产物,贫钨蒸汽加热型水的稀释使其钨浓度不同程度降低.在地热水中,钨与典型保守组分氯相似,不易自液相沉淀或被热储介质吸附;但地热水含硫化物时,钼则极易以辉钼矿的形式沉淀,导致搭格架热泉的钨/钼比偏高.虽然搭格架地热水中存在硫化物,但钨在水中主要以钨酸盐的形式存在,少量硫代钨酸盐的形成对钨的水文地球化学过程影响不大.      

Hydrogeochemical exploration for gold in the Osilo area,Sardinia, Italy

A study to test the use of hydrogeochemical methods for gold prospecting was carried out in the Osilo area, northern Sardinia. The study area, covering about 30 km² is characterised by Tertiary andesitic rocks. Gold concentrations up to several ppm, associated with abundant pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite, tetrahedrite and electrum, and subordinate galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite, are present in quartz veins associated with a polyphase, incipient and pervasive alteration of the andesitic rocks.Forty-eight water samples (17 streams, 29 springs and 2 boreholes) were analysed for Au and a wide range of major and trace elements, both in solution (< 0.4 μm) and in suspension. Background values for dissolved Au were below the detection limit of the methods used (between 0.3 and 0.5 ng L⁻¹ Au). Gold concentrations in solution up to 3 ng L⁻¹ were found in waters draining the mineralised vein system. The observed dispersion of Au in surface waters was restricted to about 500 m from the auriferous veins. Dissolved Au anomalies do not vary significantly in water samples, taken monthly over a one year period, suggesting that the dispersion of Au is unaffected by seasonal conditions in the Osilo area. For samples where Au was detected both in solution and in suspension, the Au content of the suspended matter was usually lower than that in solution.The best indicators of Au mineralisation, apart from Au itself, both in solution and in suspension, were As and Sb which showed a dispersion clearly related to the known auriferous veins.     

Radon-222 in medicinal groundwaters of Szczawno Zdrój (Sudety Mountains, SW Poland)

 Radon is a significant component of the groundwaters that discharge in the springs of Szczawno Zdrój and are recognized as medicinal. However, among the five exploited springs adjoining each other, it is only in Marta Spring that radon occurs in large concentrations (up to 325.6 Bq/dm³). Therefore, the authors have made an attempt to describe and clarify this fact. They found out from their own research and archival data that ²²²Rn dissolves in the waters of Marta Spring after acidulous waters of deep circulation have mixed with poorly mineralized shallow waters in their outflow zone. The genesis of the gas is determined by the content of its parent nuclide, ²²⁶Ra, in the sandstones in the vicinity of the intake. The volume of the rocks providing radon to the waters of this intake has been estimated at several hundred cubic metres. No seasonal fluctuations in radon concentration have been observed and ²²²Rn concentration changes do not seem to be influenced by changes in the concentration of other chemical components of the waters or by the discharge of the intake. The process of dissolving ²²²Rn in the medicinal groundwaters of Marta Spring is the last, the shortest, and the most local of the processes that form the chemical composition and the physical properties of these waters. Received: 7 January 2000 · Accepted: 12 August 2000     

Roles of hydrogeochemical evaluations in estimating protection zones of Koçpınar springs in Aksaray, central Anatolia, Turkey

The present study indicates estimation of protection zones of KoçpLnar springs in Aksaray area by means of hydrogeochemical methods. Relevant hydrogeochemical studies were carried out to achieve this objective. KoçpLnar springs emerge on strike-slip Hasanda<L fault set (HFS) along the Tuzgölü (Salt Lake) fault zone (TFZ) in central Anatolia. The outcrops of volcanic origin exhibit different hydrogeological properties in the study area. The hydrogeochemical evaluations of KoçpLnar springs represent good results about the available main groundwater flow systems that exist in this area. Marbles of Palaeozoic age form the main aquifer that recharges KoçpLnar springs. The CO₂ gas content of the spring waters is significantly high. Based on the ion concentrations, the water of this spring has mainly two hydrochemical facies: Ca-Mg-HCO₃ and Na-HCO₃. Although, the hydrochemical analyses showed that waters of these springs meet the drinking and irrigation water standards, the area around the springs is continuously being contaminated by both domestic and agricultural wastes. Therefore, detailed hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic investigations were carried out to accurately estimate the protection zones of KoçpLnar springs. These studies showed that three main protection zones could be proposed against external pollution effects around the spring's area.     

Seasonal variation in nature and chemical compositions of spring water in Cuihua Mountain,Shaanxi Province,central China

Two springs (Cuihua Spring, Shuiqiuchi Spring) in Cuihua Mountain of the Qinling Mountains were observed and sampled monthly during 2004 and 2005 to trace their physical properties and chemical compositions with seasons. Although both pH values and cation (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺) contents of Cuihua Spring are higher than those of Shuiqiuchi Spring, seasonal variations in both springs are obvious. The pH values of both spring waters are between 5.69 and 6.98, lower than that of rainwater during summer and autumn. From January to November, the pH values of both springs similarly vary from high to low and then to high again. Variations in electric conductivities of two spring waters are contrary, although their electric conductivities are positively correlative with the cation content respectively. This can be attributed to different water sources of the two springs or different acidic rocks they passed. The contents of HCO₃ ⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ are low, indicating a low silicate weathering that the strata in this district are mainly composed of granite and schist of quartz and mica. Differing from change in spring water in karst regions of South China where abundant precipitation and dilution of rainwater cause low pH and electric conductivity in summer and autumn, the seasonal variations in the pH values and the electric conductivities of two springs in Qinling Mountains are attributed to seasonal changes in CO₂ produced by microorganisms’ activity in soil within respective year, rather than rainfall. The microorganisms’ activity in soil produces more CO₂ during summer and autumn. Therefore, the water nature of springs in silicate regions chiefly reflects the seasonal changes of CO₂ produced by the microorganisms in soil.     

Effects of groundwater extraction from crystalline hard rock on water chemistry in an acid forested catchment at Gårdsjön,Sweden

Atmospheric deposition of S in Sweden has decreased by some 80% over the last 15 a, resulting in a general reduction of SO₄ concentrations in ground and surface water. This project, however, shows that artificial hydrological alteration in an acid wetland can reverse this trend and increase acidity and SO₄ concentrations. The experiment involved the monitoring of two catchments in relatively virgin conditions. In one of the catchments, an experiment with intensive groundwater extraction from the bedrock was carried out. During the experiment, the runoff from the catchment decreased by 50%. Furthermore, the extraction of groundwater resulted in increased seasonal aeration of the centrally located wetland, leading to oxidation of reduced S bound to the soil layers of the wetland. The S changed to solute SO₄, with a subsequent SO₄ surge. Thus, the experiment resulted in an induced acidification of the wetland and runoff waters. The extraction of groundwater significantly increased the recharge of water from the overburden, glacial till and organic soils to groundwater in the bedrock, which in turn reduced the retention time in the bedrock aquifer. These changes resulted in the chemical signature of the groundwater in the bedrock becoming similar to those of the wetland. The findings revealed deterioration in the water quality in the bedrock due to increased concentrations of dissolved organic C and SO₄, as well as a decrease in pH.     

Impact of past mining activity on the quality of groundwater in SW Sardinia (Italy)

Hydrogeochemical surveys were carried out in SW Sardinia (Italy) to investigate the impact of past mining activities on the quality of groundwater. The chemistry of waters from flooded galleries, adits and dumps has been compared with that of springs and wells in the same area at sites relatively far from any mine legacy. A feature, common to all waters, is the circumneutral pH, since the carbonate formations in the area neutralise the acidity produced by the oxidation of Fe-bearing sulphide minerals in the mine impacted water. However, groundwater interacting with mine workings is degraded in quality; it shows high dissolved SO₄, Zn, Cd and Pb contents. In some cases groundwater exceeds the limit established by the guidelines of the World Health Organization for Pb content in drinking water, so that groundwater is mixed before entering the local aqueducts. Results from this study suggest that more attention needs to be paid to the impact on the streams from contaminated water flowing out from some mine areas because during the dry season these streams are only fed by mine groundwater. We recommend focusing efforts to reduce the chemical contamination prior to discharge.     

Monotoring shallow groundwater quality in agricultural watersheds in Denmark

Monitoring of shallow groundwater quality is part of the Danish Agricultural Watershed Monitoring Programme. The monitoring program provides fast and field-related information on impacts of changes in agricultural practices on a watershed scale. The monitoring concept described is carried out in six well-defined hydrological basins and includes new types of groundwater nests and soil water stations. Results from the first three years are presented through examples from the clayey till watershed Lillebæk and the sandy watershed Barslund Bæk. By averaging concentrations of solutes in groundwater sampled at the same depth on a monthly basis, it is possible to evaluate trends in the overall impact of climate and different agricultural practices in a watershed on the groundwater quality. Characteristic seasonal variations in nitrate concentrations related to water level fluctuations was observed. The monitoring has demonstrated significantly higher nitrate concentrations in groundwater sampled downgradient of fields receiving manure than in groundwater sampled downgradient of fertilized fields. Significant vertical nitrate reduction downgradient of manured fields was observed in both the sandy and the clayey watershed though above the redoxcline. In the clayey till watershed fast vertical transport and insignificant nitrate reduction was observed downgradient of fertilized fields probably due to fracture and macro-pore flow.     

Geothermometry and circulation depth of groundwater in Semnan thermal springs,Northern Iran

Semnan thermal springs with high TDS and moderate temperature are located northwest of Semnan, the northern part of Iran. The spatial and temporal variations of physicochemical characteristics of the thermal and cold springs were investigated for the recognition of origin and dominant hydrogeochemical processes. Results show that the thermal springs have the same origin, but due to different ascending flow paths and different conductive cooling mechanism, their temperatures vary. The chemical composition of thermal waters is controlled by dolomite, halite and sulfate minerals dissolution and calcite precipitation and bacterial sulfate reduction. The concentration of major and trace elements in the thermal springs does not change in wet and dry seasons notably because they are derived from old groundwater with deep circulation and high temperature. Seasonal change in the concentration of some trace elements is due to the seasonal variation of pH, Eh, temperature and dilution by shallow waters. Decreasing SO₄ and carbonate saturation index and increasing Na/Cl ratios and Ca content in the dry season show dilution effect caused by the previous heavy rainfall events. The temperature of the heating reservoir based on K–Mg, chalcedony, quartz and chemical equilibrium approach was approximately estimated in the range of 60–80 °C. Hydrogeologically, a conceptual model was suggested for the thermal springs. The general groundwater flow direction is probably from the dolomite Lar Formation in Chenaran anticline toward the adjacent syncline in a confined condition, and then a thrust fault acts as a conduit and redirects the thermal water to the emerging springs at the surface.     

The Coastal Springs of Southern Kerala,SW India – Hydrology and Water Quality Assessment

Spring water is a reliable source of potable water in many parts of the world. Uplifted coasts of the Southern Kerala host many high yielding cold water springs which emerge from the sand - clay interface of the Neogene outcrops. Lack of adequate studies on the hydrological and water quality aspects of these springs is challenging the wise use and management of these springs. Therefore, an attempt has been made to map the locations and study the water quality of the free-falling type of springs emerging from the Neogene outcrops exposed on the cliffed coasts of Southern Kerala, especially falling within the jurisdiction of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. A total of 31 springs from four distinct geomorphic settings has been located in our survey conducted in 2008–2009 period. But, our recent survey carried out in March 2017 revealed that about 10 % of the springs were dried out due to various reasons. The total spring water discharge during 2017 was about 450 liters/minute against the total discharge of 800 liters/minute in 2007–08 period. In general, the hydrochemistry of spring waters is dominated by alkali and strong acids, i.e. alkali-chloride type. Most of the hydrochemical parameters exhibit a great degree of seasonal and spatial variations and are well within the permissible limits (with the exception of pH) for all four groups of springs. The low mineral contents may be attributed to minimal weathering from silicate-rich rocks and insignificant leaching from soil due to infiltration from anthropogenic activities. The spring water quality in all the four groups of the study area is bacteriologically contaminated and therefore proper disinfection is required before human consumption. Most of the spring water samples are classified to be “excellent to good” for irrigation and is not expected to cause any salinity hazard.     

Mixing processes in hydrothermal spring systems and implications for interpreting geochemical data: a case study in the Cappadocia region of Turkey

Mixing is a dominant hydrogeological process in the hydrothermal spring system in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. All springs emerge along faults, which have the potential to transmit waters rapidly from great depths. However, mixing with shallow meteoric waters within the flow system results in uncertainty in the interpretation of geochemical results. The chemical compositions of cold and warm springs and geothermal waters are varied, but overall there is a trend from Ca–HCO₃ dominated to Na–Cl dominated. There is little difference in the seasonal ionic compositions of the hot springs, suggesting the waters are sourced from a well-mixed reservoir. Based on δ¹⁸O and δ²H concentrations, all waters are of meteoric origin with evidence of temperature equilibration with carbonate rocks and evaporation. Seasonal isotopic variability indicates that only a small proportion of late spring and summer precipitation forms recharge and that fresh meteoric waters move rapidly into the flow system and mix with thermal waters at depth. ³H and percent modern carbon (pmC) values reflect progressively longer groundwater pathways from cold to geothermal waters; however, mixing processes and the very high dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of the water samples preclude the use of either isotope to gain any insight on actual groundwater ages.     

Anaerobic Carbon Mineralisation Through Sulphate Reduction in the Inner Shelf Sediments of Eastern Arabian Sea

Monsoon-induced coastal upwelling, land run-off, benthic and atmospheric inputs make the western Indian shelf waters biologically productive that is expected to lead to high rates of mineralisation of organic matter (OM) in the sediments. Dissimilatory sulphate reduction (SR) is a major pathway of OM mineralisation in near-shore marine sediments owing to depletion of other energetically more profitable electron acceptors (O₂, NO₃ ^?, Mn and Fe oxides) within few millimetres of the sediment-water interface. We carried out first ever study to quantify SR rates in the inner shelf sediments off Goa (central west coast of India) using the ³⁵S radiotracer technique. The highest rates were recorded in the upper 10 cm of the sediment cores and decreased gradually thereafter below detection. Despite significant SR activity in the upper ～12 to 21 cm at most of the sites, pore water sulphate concentrations generally did not show much variation with depth. The depth integrated SR rate (0.066–0.46 mol m^?2 year^?1) decreased with increasing water depth. Free sulphide was present in low concentrations (0–3 μM) in pore waters at shallow stations (depth <30 m). However, high build-up of sulphide (100–600 μM) in pore waters was observed at two deeper stations (depths 39 and 48 m), 7–11 cm below the sediment-water interface. The total iron content of the sediment decreased from ～7 to 5 % from the shallowest to the deepest station. The high pyrite content indicates that the shelf sediments act as a sink for sulphide accounting for the low free sulphide levels in pore water. In the moderately organic rich (2–3.5 %) sediments off Goa, the measured SR rates are much lower than those reported from other upwelling areas, especially off Namibia and Peru. The amount of organic carbon remineralised via sulphate reduction was ～0.52 mol m^?2 year^?1. With an estimated average organic carbon accumulation rate of ～5.6 (±0.5) mol m^?2 year^?1, it appears that the bulk of organic matter gets preserved in sediments in the study region.     

Geochemical records of decadal variations in terrestrial input and recent anthropogenic eutrophication in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters

Increasing eutrophication and seasonal anoxia in bottom water in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters has progressed in recent decades, caused by elevated anthropogenic N and P input. Sedimentary biogenic elements were investigated to determine whether the biogenic proxies could be used in paleoenvironmental studies in an energetic estuary, as well as to reconstruct the histories of environmental changes in the East China Sea (ECS). Two ²¹⁰Pb-dated cores from the coastal and offshore waters were analyzed for organic C (TOC) and its stable isotope (δ¹³C), total N (TN), biogenic Si (BSi), total P (TP) and P species. In coastal sediment, the variations of P species, especially Fe-P, Al-P and detrital apatite P (Det-P), reflected the dry–wet oscillations in the Changjiang River for the past century, which has influenced the sediment grain size and terrestrial material input. Much lower BSi content (0.756%) at 16–22 cm likely recorded the pronounced decrease in silicate flux in the Changjiang River and its lower flow in the late 1980s. In offshore sediment, higher concentrations of TOC, TN, BSi, Ex-P, Fe-P and Lea-OP indicated higher primary productivity in response to the strong winter monsoons during the 1960s–1980s, and their 20-a fluctuations were in agreement with the decadal variations of the winter monsoon. Low contents and little variations of Al-P and Det-P indicated the slight influence of the terrestrial sediment input in offshore waters. The influence of human activities on the environment in recent decades has also been recorded in coastal sediment. Grain-size normalized concentrations of TOC, TN, TP, Ex-P, Fe-P and Lea-OP increased by 24%, 23%, 15%, 13% and 51% in the upper 16 cm of coastal sediment, indicating elevated P and N load and primary productivity since the 1990s. Elevated TN/TP ratios and decreased BSi/TOC recorded the changed nutrient structure and the decrease in the proportion of the diatom to phytoplankton community. However, the sediment record indicated that the eutrophication might actually have started from the end of the 20th century rather than the reported middle of 20th century. In contrast, biogenic elements in offshore sediment did not reflect disturbance by human activities. This study revealed that multi-nutrient proxies in sediment in the ECS could indicate natural environmental changes including runoff and the winter monsoon over the past century, as well as the influence of human activities in recent decades. Phosphorus species with distinct origins and biogeochemical behaviors could effectively reflect different aspects of past environmental conditions.     

Rise and fall of road salt contamination of water-supply springs

A storage pile of de-icing agent consisting principally of sodium chloride was placed in the recharge area of two springs, and remained there for 2 years. Water flow is through fractures in rocks with low matrix permeability, along a hydraulic gradient developed along fracture zones. Salt contamination in the springs was noticed about 1 year after the salt was placed. When the salt was removed 1 year later, chloride concentrations in the springs exceeded 500 mg/L. Monitoring for the following 5 years showed salt contamination rising for the first year, but receding to normal background after 5 years. Chloride to sodium ratios of the spring waters indicated that some sodium was initially sequestered, probably by ion exchange on clay minerals, in the early part of the monitoring period, and released during the latter part; thereby extending the period of contamination.Richard S. diPretoro: deceased     

Sources of nitrate contamination and age of water in large karstic springs of Florida

In response to concerns about the steady increase in nitrate concentrations over the past several decades in many of Floridas first magnitude spring waters (discharge 2.8 m³/s), multiple isotopic and other chemical tracers were analyzed in water samples from 12 large springs to assess sources and timescales of nitrate contamination. Nitrate-N concentrations in spring waters ranged from 0.50 to 4.2 mg/L, and ¹⁵N values of nitrate in spring waters ranged from 2.6 to 7.9 per mil. Most ¹⁵N values were below 6 per mil indicating that inorganic fertilizers were the dominant source of nitrogen in these waters. Apparent ages of groundwater discharging from springs ranged from 5 to about 35 years, based on multi-tracer analyses (CFC-12, CFC-113, SF₆, ³H/³He) and a piston flow assumption; however, apparent tracer ages generally were not concordant. The most reliable spring-water ages appear to be based on tritium and ³He data, because concentrations of CFCs and SF₆ in several spring waters were much higher than would be expected from equilibration with modern atmospheric concentrations. Data for all tracers were most consistent with output curves for exponential and binary mixing models that represent mixtures of water in the Upper Floridan aquifer recharged since the early 1960s. Given that groundwater transit times are on the order of decades and are related to the prolonged input of nitrogen from multiple sources to the aquifer, nitrate could persist in groundwater that flows toward springs for several decades due to slow transport of solutes through the aquifer matrix.     

Groundwater changes in relation to seismic activity: a case study from Eskipazar (Karabuk, Turkey)

The reported study contributes to research on earthquake prediction. Between 2007 and 2009, changes were observed in two geothermal and mineral springs located in Eskipazar (～3–5 km to the north of the North Anatolian Fault Zone) in Turkey, in relation to small-magnitude earthquakes. During pre-seismic and post-seismic activities, variations were observed in the hydrogeological parameters of the spring waters. Temperature increases of 0.4–1°C were measured in one of the springs prior to three different earthquakes. There was a slight increase in the spring discharge with respect to the first earthquake, which occurred closest to the spring. This led to a reduction in electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca, HCO₃, δ¹³C, Al, Mn, and Fe concentrations in the spring water, whereas tritium and Se values increased. Several days before the third earthquake, which occurred at a shallower depth, a decrease was observed in the discharge, which led to a reduction in tritium, δ¹³C and Si concentrations. These variations could be explained by changes in the mixing ratio of waters of different genesis, depending on changes in permeability, pore pressure, and flow paths of the aquifer due to regional stress changes.     

Transport of dissolved organic nitrogen in Mississippi River plume and Texas-Louisiana continental shelf near-surface waters

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in near-surface (<20 m depth) waters of the Texas-Louisiana continental shelf is the predominant form of total dissolved nitrogen that is advected by the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River plume. Relatively high DON concentrations associated with low-salinity (<33 psu) waters throughout the year can be traced within the plume along the Texas-Louisiana inner shelf. DON concentrations throughout the shelf were significantly higher near the Mississippi-Atchafalaya outflow region relative to downstream inner Gulf shelf locations. Significant intercruise variations were also evident, with the highest concentrations during May 1992 and lower values in October 1992. At a fixed location off the Mississippi River outflow region DON concentration covaried inversely with salinity on time scales of hours to months, confirming that source water is a determining factor for variations of bulk DON concentrations in the region. Similar variations in upper water DON concentrations at different locations and seasons occurred in both plume and nonplume waters, which resembled the seasonal concentration changes of riverine nitrogen, and show that this pool is useful in tracing the influence of riverine-derived nitrogen on the overall nitrogen balance of the NW Gulf of Mexico’s continental shelf. Plume and nonplume DON concentrations deviated from mixing lines between riverine and oceanic endmembers, suggesting that plume waters may be a sink and nonplume waters may be a source of a labile fraction of DON in the region.     

Long-term spatio-temporal hydrochemical and 222Rn tracing to investigate groundwater flow and water–rock interaction in the Gran Sasso (central Italy) carbonate aquifer

In the Gran Sasso fissured carbonate aquifer (central Italy), a long-term (2001–2007) spatio-temporal hydrochemical and ²²²Rn tracing survey was performed with the goal to investigate groundwater flow and water–rock interaction. Analyses of the physico-chemical parameters, and comparisons of multichemical and characteristic ratios in space and time, and subsequent statistical analyses, permitted a characterisation of the hydrogeology. At the regional scale, groundwater flows from recharge areas to the springs located at the aquifer boundaries, with a gradual increase of mineralisation and temperature along its flowpaths. However, the parameters of each group of springs may significantly deviate from the regional trend owing to fast flows and to the geological setting of the discharge spring areas, as corroborated by statistical data. Along regional flowpaths, the effects of seasonal recharge and lowering of the water table clearly cause changes in ion concentrations over time. This conceptual model was validated by an analysis of the ²²²Rn content in groundwater. ²²²Rn content, for which temporal variability depends on seasonal fluctuations of the water table, local lithology and the fracture network at the spring discharge areas, was considered as a tracer of the final stages of groundwater flowpaths.     

Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of a tropical estuary

Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of the Cochin estuary situated along the southwest coast of India was studied by applying sequential chemical extraction. The different forms of phosphorus were estimated seasonally (premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon) under eight different schemes. The major forms of phosphorus analyzed were exchangeable P, anion exchangeable P, carbonate-bound P, labile and resistant organic P, Fe and Al P, calcium-bound P, and hydrolyzable surplus P. Quantitatively, the above fractions in isolation or in combination vary in content due to chemoestuarine variability and seasonal fluctuations. Changes in speciation have been noted in association with salinity variations in the waterway, especially following enhanced river runoff during the monsoon. The chemical forms of the sediment-bound phosphorus in the northern parts of this estuary have been shown to be modified by nonpoint sources. Sediment P fractionation defines the role of chemical speciation of phosphates (as nutrients) and is indicative of the processes controlling the pathways of P into the coastal waters. The changes in the exchangeable P, together with marked regional variations in calcium-bound P, exemplify the complex estuarine variability of phosphorus. Enhanced amounts of exchangeable P mark its appearence in high saline waters, signifying the presence of biologically available nutrient phosphorus. The calcium-bound P and hydrolyzable surplus P show significant relation with sediment organic carbon and Fe whereas other forms do not exhibit any marked covariation. The Ca and Na NTA extraction scheme is very specific in its selectivity.