Influence of arsenic-bearing gold deposits on water quality in Zloty Stok mining area (SW Poland)

 The Sudety Mountains contain polymetallic deposits which have been exploited since the Middle Ages. Distinct concentrations of As, Hg, F, Cr in surface water near Zloty Stok suggested that groundwater in the area could also contain elevated metal concentrations. Water samples from 15 locations including Zloty Stream, mine adit discharges, and selected springs generally show low levels of dissolved components and near-neutral pH. However, arsenic concentrations range from 0.99 mg/l to 26.16 mg/l at all 15 sample locations. Mercury concentrations were locally as high as 0.011 mg/l. These high arsenic and mercury concentrations significantly exceed water quality standards and raise concerns for using Zloty Stream for potable water. Recieved: 21 December 1998 · Accepted: 8 June 1999     

Environmental impact of mining waste disposal on a tropical lowland river system: a case study on the Ok Tedi Mine, Papua New Guinea

The 1000 km long Ok Tedi/Fly River system receives about 66 Mt/year of mining waste from the Ok Tedi copper-gold porphyry mine. Mine input has increased the suspended sediment load of the Middle Fly River about 5–10 times over the natural background. A significant yet unknown amount of copper-rich material deposits unevenly in the extensive tropical lowland floodplain. Recent alluvial sediments of the Fly River floodplain have copper contents of 620 mg/kg (±1σ: 430–900), whereas the regional background is 40 mg/kg (±σ: 25–60). This pattern is mirrored and enhanced by the gold dispersal pattern with a 7 ppb Au background versus a 140–275 ppb population in mine-derived material. Very high deposition rates (around 4 cm/y) of mine-derived sediment were determined in locations close to the creeks and channels which link the Fly River with the outer floodplain. A thin layer of 1–5 cm of copper-rich material (400–900 mg/kg Cu) was usually found on the bottom of drowned (tributary) valley lakes. Average dissolved copper content in waters of the inner floodplain is around 9 μg/l (±1σ: 5–14) as compared to unpolluted water from the outer floodplain with < 2 μg/l Cu. The present Fly River water, about 600 km downstream of the mine site, has concentrations of 17 ± 3 μg/l dissolved Cu. Received: 30 June 1996 / Accepted: 9 January 1997     

Thermal waters of the Hornonitrianska kotlina depression and their utilization

 Slovakia has many areas rich in thermal waters one of which is the Hornonitrianska kotlina depression. At four localities three types of waters are found. The first belongs to the Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type with T.D.S. 0.7 g/l, the second to the Ca–Mg–SO₄ type with T.D.S. 1.37–2.01 g/l and the third to the Ca–Mg–SO₄–HCO₃ type with T.D.S. 0.97 g/l. Discharge at individual localities varies up to 30 l/s and temperatures of water reach 32.5–66.6  °C. The waters are predominantly used for healing, rehabilitation purposes, recreation and heating. Received: 8 March 1999 · Accepted: 7 June 1999     

Hydrogeochemical study of the Terme and Karakurt thermal and mineralized waters from Kirşehir Area,central Turkey

The Terme and Karakurt thermal resorts are located in the center of Kirşehir city in central Anatolia. Thermal waters with temperatures of 44–60°C are used for central heating and balneologic purposes. Paleozoic rocks of the Kirşehir Massif are the oldest units in the study area. The basement of the Massif comprises Paleozoic metamorphic schist and marbles which partly contain white quartzite layers of a few tens of cm thickness. The metamorphic schists which are cut by granites of Paleocene age are overlain by horizontally bedded conglomerate, sandstone, claystone, and limestone of upper Paleocene-Eocene age. Among the thermal and cold waters collected from the areas of Terme and Karakurt, those from thermal waters are enriched with Ca–HCO₃ and cold waters are of Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type waters. The pH values of samples are 6.31–7.04 for the thermal well waters, 6.41 for thermal spring, 7.25 and 7.29 for the cold waters, and 7.52 for the Hirla lake water. EC values are 917–2,295 μS/cm for the thermal well waters, 2,078 μS/cm for thermal spring, and 471 and 820 μS/cm for the cold springs. The lowest TDS content is from water of T10 thermal well in the Terme area (740.6 mg/l). The hot and cold waters of Terme show very similar ion contents while the Karakurt hot waters at western most parts are characterized by distinct chemical compositions. There is ion exchange in thermal waters from the T5 (5), T6 (6), T12 (7), and T1 (8) wells in the Terme area. The thermal waters show low concentrations of Fe, Mn, Ni, Al, As, Pb, Zn and Cu. Waters in the study area are of meteoric origin, and rainwater percolated downwards through faults and fractures, and are heated by the geothermal gradient, later rising to the surface along permeable zones. δ¹³C_VPDB values measured on dissolved inorganic carbon in samples range from −1.65 to +5.61‰ for thermal waters and from −11.81 to −10.15‰ for cold waters. Carbon in thermal waters is derived from marine carbonates or CO₂ of metamorphic origin while carbon in cold waters originates from freshwater carbonates.     

The chemical composition of the surface system of Peneos river, Thessaly/Central Greece

 Peneos is the mainstream for the drainage of Thessaly's basin. It contributes significantly in recharging the aquifers, as well as to the direct irrigation water, since there is intense agricultural activity in the basin of Thessaly. The investigation of the hydrochemical conditions of the surface water system of Peneos showed that the chemical composition is related to the lithology of the aquifers of the basin, the anthropogenic influence and the biological activity. The chemical composition of this system changes in time and space. The salinity decreases during the winter period, in contrast to the summer period when it increases drastically. The lower values of TDS appear in the upstream part of the river (95–124 mg/l) whereas downstream, the values of TDS increase significantly (400–632 mg/l). The hydrochemical type Ca-Mg-HCO₃ dominates the largest part of the river while it changes to NA-Cl in the estuary. The concentrations of the dissolved species in the main Peneos river are higher than in the spring waters. Peneos is the most polluted river in Greece. The concentration of the pollutants is higher at the downstream part of the river, but is lower than the accepted upper limits. The use of the surface water of the system of Peneos river for irrigation purposes based on the SAR factor is acceptable because the absorption ratio for Na and salinity are low and medium respectively. Received: 27 October 1997 · Accepted: 21 September 1998     

Assessing variability of water quality in a groundwater-fed perennial lake of Kashmir Himalayas using linear geostatistics

This paper presents a study on Manasbal lake, which is one of the high altitude lakes in the Kashmir Valley, India. Eighteen water samples were analysed for major ions and trace elements to assess the variability of water quality of the lake for various purposes. Geostatistics, the theory of regionalized variables, was then used to enhance the dataset and estimate some missing spatial values. Results indicated that the concentration of major ions in the water samples in winter was higher than in summer. The scatter diagrams suggested the dominance of alkaline earths over the alkali elements. Three types of water were identified in the lake that are referred to as Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃ and hybrid types. The lake water was found to be controlled by rock–water interaction with carbonate lithology as a dominant source of the solutes. The major (Ca^2 +, Mg^2 +, Na⁺, K⁺, NO₃ and HCO₃^-{\rm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}, CO₃ and Cl) and trace elements of the lake water were within the World Health Organization standards, therefore the lake water was considered chemically safe for drinking purposes. Although NO₃ concentration (ranging from 1.72 to 2 mg/L), is within the permissible limit and not very alarming, the gradually increasing trend is not acceptable. It is however, important to guard its spatio-temporal variability as the water is used for domestic as well as agricultural purposes. This study is significant as hydrogeological information on such high altitude lakes in India is scanty.     

Improvement of groundwater quality due to fresh water ingress in Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India

Hydrochemical study had been carried out on the groundwater resources of Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed at 42 sites in December 2001 and October 2006. A comparative study of hydrochemical data indicates: groundwater is mildly alkaline with a pH of 7.0–8.2; electrical conductivity (EC) varies from 605 to 5,770 μS/cm in December 2001, and 652–5,310 μS/cm in October 2006. More than 62% of the groundwater samples in 2006 have TDS value <2,000 mg/l, which is within permissible limit of potable water, but 57% of the samples in 2001, are higher than the maximum permissible limit. Extremely low HCO₃/Cl and variable high Mg/Ca (molar ratios) had been indicated the transformation of the fresh groundwater aquifer systems to saline in 2001. Groundwater of this Island is mainly classified as Na–Cl and mixed types. A high percentage of Na–Cl type of these waters indicates the possibility of seawater ingression/intrusion process during 2001 and comparatively mixed water type indicates the dilution activities of groundwater. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater has caused the increase of saline water intrusion. Improvement of groundwater quality in this Island due to artificial recharge structures made by NGRI under RGNDWM project and affects of the flood due to heavy rainfall of the months of September–October 2005 are discussed in this paper.     

Water quality in pit lakes in disseminated gold deposits compared to two natural, terminal lakes in Nevada

 Within the next 10–15 years, over 35 mines in Nevada will have a lake in their open pit mines after dewatering and cessation of mining. Of the ten past or existing pit lakes at eight different gold mines for which temporal data are available, most had near neutral pH, yet most had at least one constituent (e.g., As, SO₄, TDS) that exceeded drinking water standards for at least one sampling event. Most samples from pit lakes had TDS exceeding drinking water standards, but lower than that in the natural Pyramid (TDS≈5,500 mg/l) and Walker (TDS≈14,000 mg/l) Lakes. In the past century, salinity increased in both natural, terminal lakes, in part due to irrigation withdrawals and evapoconcentration. The salinity in the pit lakes may also increase through time via evapoconcentration. However, water balance models indicate that up to 132% (Walker Lake) of the total yearly inflow evaporates from the terminal lakes, whereas steady-state may be reached in the pit lakes modelled, where evaporative losses account for only ≈6% of the total pit lake volume annually and ≈100% of the net inflow (groundwater inflow minus outflow, precipitation and runoff into the lake). The effects of evapoconcentration are expected to be less significant at most pit lakes than at the natural, terminal lakes because (1) evaporation rates are lower at many pit lakes because they are located at higher elevations than the terminal lakes, and (2) the surface area to depth ratio of the pit lakes is >1000 times smaller than that of the terminal lakes. Received: 1 March 1999 · Accepted: 13 April 1999     

Yangtze Delta, China: Taihu lake-level variation since the 1950s, response to sea-level rise and human impact

 Hydrological records collected from water gauge stations since the 1950s demonstrate that the Taihu lake level is rising. The average rate of the lake-level rise is 0.4–1.1 mm/year during the non-flood season, resulting directly from a rise in sea level. High rates of 3.0–5.0 mm/year of rise are even recorded during the wet season. This indicates increasing human activities such as reclamation, sluicing and embanking, which significantly hinder the expulsion of extra lake water to the coast shortly after a rainfall. Generally, the lake level of the western inlet is higher than that of the eastern outlet. However, the lake-level difference between the west and east has been diminished annually from ∼10–15 cm in the 1950s to <3 cm at the present time. During non-flood seasons, the lake-level difference even appears to be reversed, indicating a retrogression of the lake flow from east to west. It is predicted that the Taihu drainage basin will lose much of its natural water-expelling ability in the next 50 years as the sea level continues to rise, and retrogression will likely occur during the flood season in the near future. Received: 13 March 1998 · Accepted: 21 July 1998     

Arsenic in mine waters: an international study

 Hydrochemical data are presented for arsenic (As) in the mine waters of 34 gold and base-metal mining localities in seven countries of south-east Asia, Africa and Latin America, encompassing contrasting climatic settings and at least eight discrete styles of primary mineralization. Peak dissolved As concentrations at these sites range from 0.005–72 mg/l, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) potable water threshold of 50 μg/l exceeded in 25 cases. Arsenate (As⁵⁺) constitutes the dominant species at over 80% of sites. Very high dissolved As concentrations (>1 mg/l) show no systematic between-site relationship with mine water pH/Eh regime. Important determinants of mine water As fluxes include iron hydrochemistry, the presence of cyanic ore processing effluents, site geology, the paragenetic sequence that follows sulphide oxidation, climate and mine management. Human toxicological impacts of As contamination have been recognized at only one case-study site, with a further four considered to warrant more detailed risk assessment. Received: 2 November 1999 · Accepted: 21 March 2000     

Heavy metal abundances in the Kandy lake—An environmental case study from Sri Lanka

The Kandy lake, situated in the heart of Sri Lanka's second largest city with a population of nearly 120,000, has been monitored to probe the extent of heavy metal pollution. Although the lake is a source of drinking water to the city, a large number of effluent canals drain into the lake carrying a continuous flow of industrial and domestic waste matter. A total of 66 surface water samples were analyzed for their Fe²⁺, total Fe, total V, SO ₄ ²⁻ , Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ contents. Pb and Cd were found in high concentrations averaging 150 μg/l and 77 μg/l, respectively, and exhibit a marked positive correlation with each other (r=+0.94). Vehicular emissions and industrial waste matter contribute largely to the Pb and Cd contents of the lake, the anthropogenic influence outweighing the contributions made by geological materials. All field observations and laboratory experiments indicate a tendency of the Kandy Lake towards eutrophicity.     

Groundwater salinization in Pico Island (Azores, Portugal): origin and mechanisms

 A hydrogeochemical survey was conducted on Pico Island (Azores archipelago) in order to evaluate the groundwater chemistry patterns and the main mineralization processes. Samples were from cold waters and corresponded mainly to sodium chloride type. Conductivity measurements were ∼82–9790 μS/cm and suggest the existence of highly mineralized waters. In fact, 18% had a conductivity >5130 μS/cm and the total dissolved solid (TDS) value for two of the wells was from the brackish water range. The changes in groundwater composition are because of two main processes: (1) silicate mineral dissolution, especially in a few springs located at high altitude and (2) water salinization in the coastal area, as a result of saltwater intrusion and sea-salt spraying. The salinization process corresponds to a binary mixing system, as suggested by the chloride and δ¹⁸O data, and explains the sharp concentration increase in major and minor species detected in several wells. Received: 23 July 1999 · Accepted: 8 December 1999     

Biogeochemistry of Major Redox Elements and Mercury in a Tropical Reservoir Lake (Petit Saut,French Guiana)

The hydroelectric reservoir of Petit Saut, French Guiana, was created in 1994–1995 by flooding 350 km² of tropical forest. When sampled in 1999, the lake exhibited a permanent stratification separating the 3–5 m thick, oxygenated epilimnion from the anoxic hypolimnion. The rate of anaerobic organic carbon mineralization below the oxycline was on the order of 1 μmol C m⁻² s⁻¹ and did not show a pronounced difference between wet and dry seasons. Methanogenesis accounted for 76–83% of anaerobic carbon mineralization, with lesser contributions of sulfate reduction and dissimilatory iron reduction. Upward mixing of reduced inorganic solutes explained 90% of the water column O ₂ demand during the dry season, while most O ₂ consumption during the wet season was coupled to aerobic respiration of organic matter synthesized in the surface waters. Inorganic mercury species represented 10–40% of total dissolved mercury in the epilimnion, but were of relatively minor importance (≤10%) in the anoxic portion of the water column. Net production of soluble organic mercury compounds in the flooded soils and anoxic water column did not vary significantly between wet and dry seasons. Methylmercury accounted for about 15% of total dissolved mercury below the oxycline. Its estimated net production rate, 0.04 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹, is of the same order of magnitude as values reported for contaminated lakes and flooded terrestrial ecosystems.     

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigation of the Bursa-Oylat thermal waters, Turkey

The Oylat spa is located 80 km southeast of Bursa and 30 km south of Ineg?l in the Marmara region. With temperature of 40°C and discharge of 45 l/s, the Oylat main spring is the most important hot water spring of the area. Southeast of the spa the Forest Management spring has a temperature of 39.4°C and discharge of 2 l/s. The G?z spring 2 km north of the spa, which is used for therapy of eye disease, and cold waters of the Saadet village springs with an acidic character are the further important water sources of the area. EC values of Main spring and Forest Management hot spring (750–780 μS/cm) are lower than those of Saadet and G?z spring waters (2,070–1,280 μS/cm) and ionic abundances are Ca > Na + K > Mg and SO₄ > HCO₃ > Cl. The Oylat and Sızı springs have low Na and K contents but high Ca and HCO₃ concentrations. According to AIH classification, these are Ca–SO₄–HCO₃ waters. Based on the results of δ¹⁸O, ²H and ³H isotope analyses, the thermal waters have a meteoric origin. The meteoric water infiltrates along fractures and faults, gets heated, and then returns to surface through hydrothermal conduits. Oylat waters do not have high reservoir temperatures. They are deep, circulating recharge waters from higher enhanced elevations. δ¹³C_DIC values of the Main spring and Forest Management hot spring are −6.31 and −4.45‰, respectively, indicating that δ¹³C is derived from dissolution of limestones. The neutral pH thermal waters are about +18.7‰ in δ³⁴S while the sulfate in the cold waters is about +17‰ (practically identical to the value for the neutral pH thermal waters). However, the G?z and Saadet springs (acid sulfate waters) have much lower δ³⁴S values (~+4‰).     

Human impacts in Antarctica: trace-element geochemistry of freshwater lakes in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica

Fresh water lakes are found in basement rock basins in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, during the summer months. These lakes constitute a relatively simple natural laboratory to investigate the effects of recent and well-documented anthropogenic impact on a “pristine” environment. Larsemann Hills freshwaters have extremely low salinity (typically <1‰), and contain very low concentrations of trace elements of environmental significance such as Pb, U, and Zn. Typical Pb concentrations range from less than 5 ppt to 250 ppt. Although trace metal concentrations appear to be higher in lakes situated in the vicinity of stations, they are consistently lower (by several orders of magnitude, for some elements) than Standard International Drinking Water Guidelines. The chemistry of the lake waters is dominated by sea-spray input. Consequently, it is primarily a function of geographical factors, such as distance from the shore and exposure to winds. Shallow-level groundwater and surface water also contribute to the lake chemistry. No evidence was found for contamination from global air circulation. Although contamination resulting from activities at the research stations is generally near or below detection levels, very low levels of trace metal anthropogenic contamination were found in the vicinity of some research stations. Received: 13 November 1998 · Revised: 23 March 1999 Accepted: 12 April 1999     

Heavy metals in sediments of a large, turbid tropical lake affected by anthropogenic discharges

 Bottom-water data and trace metal concentration of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, and organic matter in surficial sediment samples from 13 sampling stations of Lake Chapala in Mexico were studied. The lake is turbid with a great amount of flocculated sediments as a result of wind mixing, sediment re-suspension, and Lerma River discharges. Al distribution pattern in sediments was used as an indicator of the Lerma River discharges into Lake Chapala. The highest values of Cu (33.27 ppm), Cr (81.94 ppm), Pb (99.8 ppm), and Zn (149.7 ppm) were detected in sediments near the lake outlet. The bioavailable metal fraction is low for all metals except Pb, which shows 65–93% of the total metal concentration in bioavailable form. The minimum energy zone in the lake was related to organic matter concentration and was located in the SE part of the lake. An analysis of the studied parameters shows two zones: eastern zone (fluvio-deltaic) and central-western zone (lacustrine). Received: 9 September 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Water quality assessment in Akpabuyo, Cross River basin, South-Eastern Nigeria

 A baseline study involving analyses of surface and subsurface water samples from the Akpabuyo area was carried out in order to assess their suitability for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes. Study results show that the waters are acidic (3.41≤pH≤6.28), soft (hardness 2.09–10.68 mg/l as CaCO₃), fresh (conductivity <1400 μs/cm) and characterised by low sodium adsorption ratio, SAR (0.08–0.59). In addition, the mean values of the major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and anions (SO₄ ^2–, Cl^–, HCO₃ ^–) are all within the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Taking all this into consideration (except pH), the waters may be regarded as excellent for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes. On the basis of regression equations, the major cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg) correlate well with conductivity. Finally, results also show that four chemical facies are delineated. These include Ca-Cl, Na-Cl, Ca-SO₄ and Ca-HCO₃. Received: 19 June 1996 / Accepted: 15 April 1997     

The first deep Quaternary groundwater capture in Switzerland: combined use and environmental benefits

 Foresighted and determined local authorities, purposeful exploration (i.e. by seismic reflection) and extensive testing led to the discovery of a substantial groundwater resource near the community of Seon (Switzerland) at a depth of 268–305 m. Production tests revealed a hydraulic conductivity of ∼5.10–5 m/s, transmissivity of ∼5.10–4 m²/s and a storage coefficient of ∼2% in the aquifer. Pumping up to 1500 l/min is sustainable; the water quality complies chemically and bacteriologically with drinking-water requirements. The residence time of several 10³ years, determined by isotope techniques, guarantees protection from surface contamination. The elevated temperature of 19.5  °C of the produced water enables combined use for drinking water and space heating. The environmental benefits are substantial: the emission reduction amounts up to 780 tons/year CO₂ and 1 ton/year SO₂. Received: 21 September 1998 · Accepted: 10 February 1999     

CO2-rich thermomineral groundwater in the Betic Cordilleras, southeastern Spain: Genesis and tectonic implications

The CO₂-rich thermal groundwater in the Betic Cordilleras in Spain has been studied with regard to the geological and hydrogeological setting, physical and chemical characteristics, and ¹³C-isotope content. The study area is about 60 km northeast of Almería city, in southeastern Spain. The thermomineral waters are plentiful and are related to regional geothermal anomalies. Temperatures of 20 −41°C, high bicarbonate concentrations (183–1824 mg/L), and high amounts of PCO₂ (<1.1 bar) characterize the groundwater. CO₂ spatial variations are related to proximity to the Carboneras, Palomares, and Guadalentín fault systems, which may be the surface representation of the zone of crustal thinning and magmatism. δ ¹³C values probably indicate a deep source for the CO₂, either the mantle or perhaps carbonate rocks in the metamorphic substratum. The high amount of CO₂ in the groundwater causes problems in wells and severely restricts water usage. The hydrothermal features of this area are probably related to neotectonic activity. Received, September 1998/Revised, June 1999, September 1999/Accepted, December 1999     

Reservoir sediments – a witness of mining and industrial development (Malter Reservoir, eastern Erzgebirge, Germany)

The Malter Reservoir is situated about 30 km south of Dresden (eastern Germany) in a historical mining area of the eastern Erzgebirge. It was built in 1913 for the protection from floodwaters, droughts and for generating electricity. The river Rote Wei?eritz is the main source of clastic input into the lake. Geochemical and sedimentological data of gravity-and piston-cores, recovered from the deepest point of the lake, document the environmental history of the drainage area since 1963. ¹³⁷Cs dating gives an average sedimentation rate of ∼2.9 cm/year. Within the whole core, heavy metals are strongly enriched (parentheses refer to enrichment factors as compared with average shale): cadmium (290), silver (140), bismuth (90), antimony (25), lead (21), zinc (14), tin (13), uranium (9), tungsten (9), molybdenum (5), copper (4), thallium (3) and chromium (2). Enrichments are detectable for the whole registered time-period of 81 years. Peaks of up to 27 mg/kg silver, 37 mg/kg bismuth, 91 mg/kg cadmium, 410 mg/kg chromium, 240 mg/kg copper, 20 mg/kg molybdenum, 14000 mg/kg phosphorus, 740 mg/kg lead, 6,5 mg/kg antimony, 74 mg/kg tin, 52 mg/kg tungsten and 1900 mg/kg zinc reflect local events caused by human impact. Inputs from different pollution sources at different times are represented by highly variable elemental concentrations and ratios within the core. High pH values within the water and the sediment column, the large adsorption capacity of the fine-grained C_org.-rich sediment, and the presence of low Eh-values and sulphide ions in the sediment prevent the remobilisation of the toxic elements. Erosion of these contaminated sediments during floods, channel flows or resuspension during removal of the sediments may lead to a downstream transfer of pollutants. Contents of P and C_org., as well as diatom abundance, indicate a change from oligotrophic to eutrophic conditions in the lake during ∼1940–1950. This was mainly caused by high agricultural activity in the drainage area. Reduced contents of Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr since the reunification of East and West Germany are obviously caused by increasing environmental protection measures, such as wastewater purification and especially the closing of contaminating industries. Revision received: 23 September 1999 · Accepted: 17 December 1999