The use of geochemical indicator elements in the exploration for hot water sources within geothermal fields

Soils, rocks, altered rocks, hot and cold waters, and hot spring precipitates were sampled within and on the outskirts of geothermal fields in China. The contents of thirty trace elements in soils and rocks show that Hg, As, Sb, Bi, Li, Rb, Cs, Au, Ag, B, W, Sn, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni and Co can serve as direct and indirect indicators for geothermal field exploration. Large amounts of data indicate that Hg, As and Sb are the best indicators of hot water sources. Altered rocks contain higher Hg, As, Sb, Bi and Be than unaltered rocks. Based on their abundances in hot waters, it is suggested that the following elements may be used as hydrochemical indicators of high-temperature hot-water geothermal systems: K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO²⁻₄, HCO⁻₃, F⁻, Cl⁻, SiO₂, HBO₂, CO₂, pH, total dissolved solids and hydrochemical types, as well as Hg, As, Sb, Be, Li, Rb and Cs. Modern precipitates associated with hot springs have high contents of Ba, Be, Fe, Ti, Hg, As, Sb and Bi. Using these geochemical data, the authors have had much success in locating hot water drill sites within geothermal fields. Case histories are described for five geothermal areas.     

Migration and dispersion of trace elements in the rock–soil–plant system in areas underlain by black shales and slates of the Okchon Zone, Korea

The Okchon black shale in Korea provides a typical example of natural geological materials enriched with potentially toxic elements. The Chung-Joo, Duk-Pyung, Geum-Kwan, I-Won, Bo-Eun and Chu-Bu areas are underlain by these black shales and slates of the Guryongsan Formation or the Changri Formation, which are parts of the Okchon Group in the central part of the southern Korean Peninsula. In order to investigate the enrichment levels and dispersion patterns of potentially toxic elements in the rock–soil–plant system, environmental geochemical surveys were undertaken in the above six study areas in the Okchon Zone. After appropriate preparation, rock and soil samples were analyzed for potentially toxic elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and plant samples by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In particular, Ba, Cd, Mo, V and U in Okchon black shales are highly enriched, and their mean concentrations are significantly higher than those in black slates. These elements are geochemically associated, and might be enriched simultaneously. The highest mean concentrations of 42.0 μg g⁻¹ As, 2100 μg g⁻¹ Ba, 10.9 μg g⁻¹ Cd, 213 μg g⁻¹ Mo, 83 μg g⁻¹ U, 938 μg g⁻¹ V and 394 μg g⁻¹ Zn are found in black shales from the Duk-Pyung area. Mean concentrations of As, Mo and U in soils overlying black shales occurring in the Duk-Pyung area (30 μg g⁻¹ As, 24 μg g⁻¹ Mo and 50 μg g⁻¹ U) and Chu-Bu area (39 μg g⁻¹ As, 15 μg g⁻¹ Mo and 27 μg g⁻¹ U) are higher than the permissible level. Enrichment index values of the six study areas decrease in the order of Duk-Pyung > Chu-Bu > Bo-Eun > Chung-Joo > Geum-Kwan = I-Won areas. Relationships between trace element concentrations in soils and plants are significantly correlated, and the biological absorption coefficients (BAC) in plants are in the order of Cd > Zn = Cu > Pb, which suggests that Cd is more bioavailable to plants than the other elements. Cadmium concentrations in plant species decrease in the order of chinese cabbage > red pepper > soybean = sesame > rice stalk > corn > rice grain. From the result of sequential extraction analysis of soils, relatively high proportions of Cu, Pb and Zn are present as residual fractions, and that of Cd as non-residual fractions. Cadmium occurs predominantly as exchangeable/water-acid soluble phase in soils, and this is in agreement with the findings of high Cd concentrations in plants.     

Regional hydrogeochemical patterns in ground water of Northwestern Ohio and their relation to Mississippi valley—type mineral occurrences

A cluster of minor Mississippi Valley-type deposits occurs in northwestern Ohio. The district, which forms a northeasterly trending belt that cuts across the Findlay Arch, extends from the Indiana border to the Lake Erie Islands. The minerals of the deposits — chiefly celestite, fluorite and sphalerite with lesser amounts of barite and galena — show variation in both geographic and stratigraphic distribution. Dolomites of Middle Silurian to Middle Devonian age, which are the host rocks, also form an important aquifer system. The deposits are of interest because they might be indicators of economic mineralization at depth.Through a reconnaissance study, one-hundred ground-water samples from shallow wells (less than 50 m deep) were collected across an area of approximately 19 000 km². Recharge takes place in the southern part of the area while ground-water flow is northward towards Lake Erie. The majority of the samples are high in sulfate with the source being evaporites within the carbonate sequence. The remainder of the water samples are rich in bicarbonate. Trend surface maps for the major constituents indicate that the ground-water chemistry for the region is established chiefly by the lithology and the flow system. Trend surface maps for F⁻, Sr and Ba reflect the geographic distribution of the minerals in the deposits. Correlations are weakened, however, due to the influence of geochemical barriers such as SO₄²⁻ on Ba and Sr, and Ca on F⁻. The map for Pb follows the trends of the major constituents instead of the mineralization.In a detailed study across northwestern Sandusky County, which lies near the center of the district, 46 samples were collected in an area of 78 km². Trend surface maps for Ca, Mg, SO₄²⁻ and total dissolved solids reflect the chemistry of the bedrock and display concentrations that increase along the local flow path. Maps for F⁻, Sr and Ba correlate with mineralization in the vicinity, the first of these displaying a local trend and the last two correlating with regional trends.     

Chemistry of rainwaters in the south Pacific area of Russia

On the south-eastern edge of Russia, the chemical composition of rainwater is controlled by sea salts, terrestrial material, as well as volcanic (Kuril islands volcanic area) and anthropogenic emissions, mostly in the southern part of the area. The predominant major ions of the Primorye, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands rainwaters were respectively HCO₃⁻–SO₄²⁻, Ca–Na, and of Cl–Na. Concentration of trace elements changes within 1–2 orders of magnitude but some difference in the distribution of the elements between continental and island rainwater is found. The concentration of the chemical elements in the particulate fraction varies from < 10% to 90% of the total concentration (dissolved + particulate) with the following distribution: Tl, Na, Ca, Sr, Zn, Cd (< 10%)–Be, Th, Bi, Rb, U, K, Sc (10–20%)–Cu, Mn, Mg, Mo, Se, Ba, Ni, As, Ag, Cs, Co, Y, Ga, V (20–50%)–Sb, Pb, Ge, Cr, Fe, Al (50–90%).The concentration of elements of the particulate fraction of the rainwater usually is significantly different from concentrations in the crust, including both higher and lower concentrations. The terrestrial contribution to dissolved elements was evaluated and follows the decreasing order: Fe > K, Mg, Ca > Ba, Sr > Na (65–1%). Close order was found for total (dissolved and solid) concentrations. Sea salt contribution to dissolved element concentration in the rainwater decrease in the following order: Cl, Mg > K, SO₄ > Ca > HCO₃⁻, Ba, Fe (78–0.1%). Calculation of anthropogenic and volcanic inputs for two ions (Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻) shows that anthropogenic inputs for the Vladivostok and Yuzno-Sakhalinsk cities can be evaluated as 15–20% of Cl⁻ and up to 80–90% of SO₄²⁻. Volcanic components in the Kuril Islands, where anthropogenic inputs are absent, can reach up to 76% of SO₄²⁻ and 36% of Cl⁻.     

Influence of geological setting on geochemical baselines of trace elements in soils. Application to soils of South–West Spain

A collection of 235 samples were taken from 115 sites (representing a density of 1 sampling site ca. 130 km²) on rural soils derived from the major rock types in the southern Iberian Massif. The geochemical baselines of selected trace elements (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined on the < 2 mm soil fraction. The sampling sites were not directly influenced by external pollution. Soil geochemical baseline and threshold values were calculated for each element in two geologically different zones: the Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) and the South-Portuguese Zone (SPZ).     

Stream water, an ideal medium for rapidly locating polymetallic mineralization in forest-swamp terrain: a case study in the Da Hinggan Mts., northern Heilongjiang, China

A forest-bog landscape is developed in an area of moderate to low topography in northeastern China. Bogs are widespread along U- and V-shaped valleys (200–2000 m wide) and in depressions. Due to the cold climate, it was initially thought that chemical weathering would be slight in the area. However, a study of the geochemistry of surface water showed that, although most elements occur in relatively low concentrations compared to average contents in world river water, a number of mobile elements are dispersed over long distances. Marked Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and SO²⁻₄ anomalies, and relatively weak Ni, Co, Be, Pb and F anomalies form in stream water in the vicinity of known mineralization. Concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn in suspensates show no marked variations between background and anomalous streams whereas Ag exhibits a marked increase in suspensates near the mineralization. The pH of stream water near the mineralization is considerably lower than the 5 to 6.5 values recorded for background water. It can be concluded that water plays an important role in transporting elements chemically and stream water is a useful medium to sample in follow-up geochemical surveys for base and precious metals (Ag) in this landscape.     

Multivariate analysis of contamination in the mining district of Linares (Jaén, Spain)

Historically, a significant level of mining activity has taken place in the batholite-related metalogenic enclave of Linares (Jaén province, Spain), associated with Pb–Ag, Cu, Zn and Fe sulphides and Ba sulphate mineralization, though mining here has now been abandoned. Additionally, the area features a significant amount of urban, industrial and agricultural activities. These considerations, taken together, explain the need to assess the levels of concentration of trace elements and to determine their relationship with geogenic and anthropogenic factors. For geochemical characterisation of the soil, the region has been divided into 126 grid squares with an area of 1 km². For each grid square, 32 trace elements have been analysed. Elemental concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, As and Mn have been included in statistical analyses. According to the reference levels established by the Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía), soils in a large part of the study area require amendment applications. The comparison of the mean content for each grid square with the reference levels reveals a significant degree of contamination of the soil by Cu (719 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (22,964 mg kg⁻¹) and As (100 mg kg⁻¹) in those grid squares affected by metallurgic activities. By means of factor analysis, four scores have been identified which together account for 80% of the variance observed. The first score is highly correlated with the logarithms of the variables Fe, Th, La, Ti, Al, Na, K, Zr, Y, Nb, Be and Sc. It is a “natural” factor that indicates the type of soil matrix (fundamentally granites and, to a lesser degree, Triassic materials). The second score shows high correlation with the logarithms of the variables Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Co, Mn, As, Cd, Sb, Ba, W and Sn, and is the “metallization” factor related to the mineralization that has been exploited. The third score is mainly determined by the logarithms of the variables Sr, Ca and Mg. This is a “natural” factor that indicates a type of carbonate soil matrix (Miocene). Finally, the fourth factor groups the logarithms of the variables Ni, V and Cr, elements that are associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. Analysis of the patterns of each of the factors identified enabled achieving a global characterisation of the study area. Cluster analysis of the observations showed there to be five clusters relating to the grid squares, differentiated by lithologies and degrees of contamination. These clusters are used to determine the background of granite and to calculate the anomalous load.     

Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications

Total concentrations of chemical elements in soils may not be enough to understand the mobility and bioavailability of the elements. It is important to characterise the degree of association of chemical elements in different physical and chemical phases of soil. Another geochemical characterisation methodology is to apply sequential selective chemical extraction techniques. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the mobility and retention behaviour of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Bi, Sn, W, Ag, As and U in specific physical–chemical and mineral phases in mine tailings and soils in the surroundings of the abandoned Ervedosa mine. The soil geochemical data show anomalies associated with mineralised veins or influenced by mining. Beyond the tailings, the highest recorded concentrations for most elements are in soils situated in mineralised areas or under the influence of tailings. The application of principal components analysis allowed recognition of (a) element associations according to their geochemical behaviour and (b) distinction between samples representing local geochemical background and samples representing contamination. Some metal cations (Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni) showed important enrichment in the most mobilisable and bioavailable (i.e., water-soluble and exchangeable) fractions due likely to the acidic conditions in the area. In contrast, oxy-anions such as Mo and As showed lower mobility because of adsorption to Fe oxy-hydroxides. The residual fraction comprised largest proportions of Sn and Al and to a lesser extent Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Bi, W, and Ag, which are also present at low concentrations in the bioavailable fractions. The elements in secondary mineral phases (mainly Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Bi, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, As and U) as well as in organic matter and sulphides are temporarily withheld, suggesting that they may be released to the environment by changes in physico-chemical conditions.     

The influence of redox processes on trace element mobility in a sandy aquifer—an experimental approach

This study is concerned with the geochemical behavior of Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ba, La and Ce under the reducing conditions of a bank infiltration system. To identify and interpret individual processes laboratory experiments were performed on columns containing sandy sediments of an anoxic pleistocene aquifer from the Ruhr valley (western Germany). The flow rate being the key variable was varied from 0.21 to 0.46 and 0.82 m/d (meters per day), whereas the concentration of the reducing agent (acetate) remained constant. A second experiment lasting 80 weeks was carried out at a flow rate of 0.80 m/d, in order to characterize interactions between the pore water and solid phase. The results of these experiments show that the geochemistry of the trace elements involved can be explained to a large extent by the major redox processes of manganese, iron and sulfate turnover. The trace elements As, Mo, Ce and La were released into the pore water as a result of the reduction of Mn- and Fe-(hydr)oxides within the zone of major redox processes. Cu and Zn were removed from the infiltrating water within the first centimeters of the column by sulfide (co)precipitation, whereas the mobility of Mo was controlled by sulfidic fixation further down the flow path. As a result of the decreasing S²⁻-concentrations along the flow path, dissolved As(III) was re-oxidized (E_H>− 250 mV) and precipitated as As(V) in a barium–arsenate-phase.     

Monitoring and modelling of the solid-solution partitioning of metals and As in a river floodplain redox sequence

For a period of 2 a, pore water composition in a heavily contaminated river floodplain soil was monitored in situ. Pore water samples were collected 12 times over all seasons in a profile ranging from aerobic to sulphidic redox conditions, and As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ca, Cl, SO₄, DOC, IOC and pH were determined. The variability of pH, IOC, DOC and Ca was found to be rather small during the year and within the profile (rsd < 0.04, 0.16, 0.24 and 0.22, respectively). The temporal variability of the metal and As concentrations was small, too, whereas changes with depth were distinct. Under sulphidic conditions, concentrations were below 1 μg L⁻¹ (Cd, Cu, Pb) or 10 μg L⁻¹ (Zn, As). The data set was compared with results from a geochemical model that was fully parameterised from literature data and included equilibrium speciation, sorption and mineral dissolution. The general pattern of the solid–solution partitioning of Cd, Cu, Zn and As in the profile was predicted well by mechanistic geochemical modelling on the basis of solid phase composition. Metals strongly bound to organic matter such as Cd and Cu were predicted better than metals mainly present within a mineral. Detailed information regarding the presence of colloidal Fe and Mn in pore water might improve the prediction of the solid–solution partitioning of a number of metals. The study also indicates that the chemical behaviour of Pb is still not understood sufficiently.     

Groundwater of the Gaza Strip: is it drinkable?

Groundwater from 73 municipal and 21 private wells were analyzed for Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn over a 3 year monitoring program in the Gaza Strip. The results show that the trace elements of the groundwater of the Gaza Strip do not generally pose any health or environmental hazard. In spite of that, only 10% of the municipal wells meet the WHO standards. Cl^-, NO ₃ ⁻ and F^- concentrations exceeded 2–9 times the WHO standards in 90% of the wells tested with maximum concentrations of 3,000, 450 and 1.6 mg/l, respectively. Several private wells should not be used for drinking purposes as the average of Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe and As was 58, 30, 270, 468 and 10 μg/l, respectively. A severe water dilemma will appear in the near future from both quality and quantity aspects.     

Groundwater contamination in parts of Nalgonda district,Telangana, India as revealed by trace elemental studies

The present paper deals with major and trace elements geochemistry of the groundwater from Nalgonda district, Telangana. The study area is very important in terms of anthropogenic activity like rapid industrial, urban development, pesticides, pharmaceutical, granite polishing and agro based industries. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) was employed to determine the concentration of trace elements in collected groundwater samples (bore well). These probe elements were further categorized as toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, and V), alkaline earths (Sr and Ba), alkali metals (Li, Rb), transition metals (Cr, Mo and Ni), metallic elements (Cu, Fe, Zn, Al, Co), and other non-metallic elements (Se and Si). The groundwater quality was examined in perspective of Indian as well as World Health Organization drinking water standards. Based on the analytical results, groundwater in the study area is found to be slightly alkaline in nature and very hard, the average abundance of the major cations and anions is in the order of Ca⁺<Na⁺<Mg⁺<K⁺ and Cl^-<HCO₃ ^?<CO₃ ^?<SO₄ ^?<NO₃ ^?<F^– respectively. The dominant hydro chemical facies of groundwater is Na⁺ - HCO ₃ ^– – Cl^– and Na⁺ - Cl^– – HCO^– ₃ types.The results of trace elements shows that concentration of Pb, As, Cd, V in collected samples exceeding the desirable limits, and in the case of alkaline, alkali, transition, non-metallic elements, seventy per cent of the samples crossed the desirable limits, but all metallic elements viz. Cu, Fe, Zn, Al, Co is within the limits as per Indian as well as World Health Organizations drinking water standards. Factor analysis results shows that seven factors emerged as a significant contributor to the groundwater contamination is about 65.32 per cent. The spatial variation maps decipher trace elemental concentrations both geogenic and anthropogenic origin, by three zones i.e. ‘low’, ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ of the study area based on environment using Arc-GIS. High concentrations of trace elements are indicative of phenomenal rise in chemical composition and likely to have its origin from silicate weathering reactions and dissolution/precipitation processes supported by rainfall and anthropogenic activities, indiscriminate use of fertilizers/pesticides, and disposal of waste and sewage, release of reactive pollutants into the atmosphere by industries. Hence, this work is of immense societal benefit in terms of prevailing human health hazards in the study area with a direct relevance to such industrially populated regions elsewhere.     

Prediction of the long-term performance of abandoned lead zinc mine tailings in a Welsh catchment

In this study we investigated the sulphidic mine tailings from Frongoch and Grogwynion, two abandoned lead zinc mines in mid-Wales, UK. Despite falling within the same ore field the mine waste characterisation has identified differences in the tailings from the two sites. Bulk concentrations range from 10 to 52 g kg^− 1 for Pb, 1.1 to 2.9 g kg^− 1 for Zn in Grogwynion and from 1.0 to 130 g kg^− 1 for Pb, 11 to 110 g kg^− 1 for Zn in Frongoch. An experimental (European standard leaching tests TS 14429 and TS 14405) and geochemical modelling approach was used to study the leaching composition as a function of pH and liquid/solid ratio. There was little correlation between the tailings bulk metal concentrations and the leachate composition, but variations in Pb and Zn concentrations were found to be consistent with control of dissolved Pb and Zn by secondary minerals and the mechanisms of dissolution/precipitation/sorption involving them. Specifically, the Grogwynion mine tailings with near-neutral pH have predominantly lead and zinc carbonates controlling Pb and Zn solubility in the leachates, whereas the Pb and Zn concentrations in Frongoch leachates are best modelled with a surface complexation model for metal sorption to oxyhydroxides. The different speciation results in a greater sensitivity of Grogwynion tailings to acidification with a potential release of Pb in solution up to 10 times higher than in Frongoch, despite similar bulk Pb concentrations. At acid pH, Zn is similarly dissolved to a greater extent in Grogwynion than in Frongoch tailings. There was no evidence of sulphide oxidation during the batch and column leaching tests and the suitability of using these European leaching standards for the characterisation of sulphidic mine waste materials for waste management purposes has been considered.     

Carte Métallogénique de la Bulgarie

Résumé On peut, en résumé, caractériser ainsi les principales provinces de la Bulgarie: — les Rhodopes constituent une zone typiquement polymétallique avec une prépondérance soulignée de Pb, Zn; le F, Cr, Ni, y existent en quantité subordonnée; en traces viennent encore: le Ba, Mn, Cd, Sb, W, Mo, Bi, As, Au, Ag, V; — la Sredna Gora est caractérisée comme une zone de cuivre typique, avec la présence de Fe, Mn, et en quantitée subordonnée de Pb, Zn, Mo, Ti, V, Au. — les Balkans portent les particularités d'une zone polymétallique (Pb, Zn, Cu) avec fer. On y remarque souvent des gîtes individualisés de cuivre, polymétallique avec fer, argent, ainsi que des gîtes complexes. Le Mn, Ba, Au, Ag, Co, Mo, As, Hg, V, W viennent en quantité subordonnée; — la zone des Kraistides, analogue à la précédente, se caractérise par des gisements polymétalliques pauvres et des gîtes à or et scheelite. Les éléments principaux sont: Au, Ba et secondaires: Pb, Zn, Cu, V et en partie du Fe et Hg; — la plateforme mésique, outre le gaz, se caractérise par le manganèse de la dépression de Varna.

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The metallogenic map of Bulgaria displays the following four major and distinct provinces: The Rhodopes as a typically polymetallic zone, mainly with Pb and Zn, but also with F, Cr and Ni, and minor or trace amounts of Ba, Mn, Cd, Sb, Mo, Bi, As, Au, Ag, V. The Sredna-gora is a distinct copper zone, with Fe and Mn, and minor amounts of Pb, Zn, Mo, Ti, V, Au. The Balkan is again a polymetallic zone of Pb, Zn and Cu with Fe; but Cu-Fe-Ag-deposits also occur. The other elements are present in minor quantities only. The Kraiste-Zone resembles the previous one and contains low grade polymetallic and scheelite deposits. The main elements are Au, Ba, and minor quantities of Pb, Zn, Cu, V and in part Fe and Hg. The zone of the Mésie platform contains only the manganese deposits of the Varna depression, in addition to natural gas.

     

Distribution of some elements in surface soil over the Kavadarci region,Republic of Macedonia

The results of a first systematic study of spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil over of the Kavadarci region, Republic of Macedonia, known for its nickel industrial activity are reported. The investigated region (360 km²) is covered by a sampling grid of 2 × 2 km²; whereas the sampling grid of 1 × 1 km² was applied in the urban zone and around the ferronickel smelter plant (117 km²). In total 344 soil samples from 172 locations were collected. At each sampling point soil samples were collected at two depths, topsoil (0–5 cm) and bottom soil (20–30 cm). Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for the determination of 36 elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mn, Na, Mg, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Tl, Ti, U, V, W and Zn). Data analysis and construction of maps were performed using the Paradox (ver. 9), Statistica (ver. 6.1), AutoDesk Map (ver. 2008) and Surfer (ver. 8.09) software. Four geogenic and three anthropogenic geochemical associations were established. Within the research, natural and anthropogenic enrichment with heavy metals was determined. Principally, the natural enrichment is related especially to Ni. Pollution by As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb and Zn is basically insignificant.     

Trace elements and ions in Italian bottled mineral waters: Identification of anomalous values and human health related effects

Microbiological studies have always had an important role in the evaluation of drinking water quality. However, since geological processes are the most important factors controlling the source and distribution of chemical elements in natural waters, the importance of geochemical data must not be underestimated. This study presents data on pH, conductivity and concentrations of 69 elements and ions (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr, Br⁻, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, F⁻, NH₄⁺, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, SiO₂) from 186 bottled mineral waters of 158 different Italian name brands. Analyses show a large range in concentrations for most of these elements, with variations up to four orders of magnitude. Our data demonstrate that some elements (such as Be), generally considered unlikely to occur, can instead reach surprisingly high levels in drinking water, and also how packaging can release some trace elements to the bottled water. Data analysis shows that the implementation of an international database of bottled water geochemistry and of potential toxicological effects is of paramount importance to provide a robust data set which would be useful to set international action levels and guidelines to secure bottled water quality, whose consumption has steadily increased in the recent years. A new formula to calculate nitrate and nitrite tolerable concentration levels in waters intended for human consumption is proposed, to take into account that about 5% of dietary nitrate in humans is converted to nitrite.     

Analysis of a weathered profile on sulfide mineralization at Mugga Mugga, Western Australia

The mineralogy and geochemistry of the massive pyrite-pyrrhotite mineralization, which contains minor magnetite, sphalerite and galena, the weathered profile and surface gossan at Mugga Mugga in Western Australia have been examined. Reactions between amphibolite wall rocks and acid waters from the oxidation of the iron sulfides have resulted in distinct mineralogical zonation of the weathered profile which is further modified near the surface by lateritization. At the base of the weathered zone an opaline chert (Opal-CT) has been precipitated from fluctuations of the water table. A gossanous zone from 25.14–68.80 m with boxworks after massive pyrite is modified by abundant kaolinite, dickite and an alunite-type mineral derived from amphibolite wall rocks, while above 25.14 m both plinthite and mottled clay zones of a laterite profile are evident. Some characteristics of a mature gossan profile – sulfate-phosphate-arsenate near the base, a carbonate zone higher in the profile, and an oxide zone near the surface – overprint the gross zonation.At the interface between sulfide and weathered rock Mg, Ca, K, S, Zn, Cd, Hg, Ba are depleted, As, Sb, Mo, Cr and V contents increase and in the weathered zone, SiO₂, TiO₂, P₂O₅, SO₃, Pb, Zn, Hg, Sb, Co, Ni, W, Ba, Sr and Zr decrease up the profile whilst Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CO₂, Cu and As increase. Of the elements associated with the massive pyrite (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag, As, Cd, Hg, Sb, Co, Ni) anomalous concentrations of Pb, Cu, Ag, As and Sb occur in the surface gossan despite the possibility of complete leaching by highly acidic solutions. These anomalies are similar to those found in gossans over pyrite mineralization elsewhere in the Yilgarn Block.     

云南澜沧县三岔河坝子勘查区土壤地球化学特征

选择云南省澜沧县三岔河坝子铅锌矿勘查区的西部,在前期1︰25 000土壤地球化学勘查的基础上,按100m×40m网度开展1︰10 000土壤地球化学测量。分析Au,Ag,As,Co,Cr,Cu,Ni,Pb,Zn,Mo,Mn 11个元素,选取主要指示元素Pb,Zn,Ag,Cu,Mo异常区进行分析后,划分了10个组合元素异常区,圈定出9个靶区,包括1个A类靶区,5个B类靶区和3个C类靶区。     

Geochemical characteristics of particulate matter in the atmosphere surrounding a ceramic industrialized area

Total suspended particulate samples (TSP) were collected and concentrations measured during seventeen months in the vicinity of a ceramic industrial area. A method of fractionating was applied to the samples in order to obtain two fractions corresponding to mineral particulate coming from dust emissions (Upper-F fraction) and to amorphous matter (carbon plus small amounts of S, Ca, Fe, etc) coming mainly from traffic and other combustion processes. Also for TSP samples several element concentrations were measured following two previous treatments: extraction of elements mainly associated with the soluble fraction of the samples (B, Fe, P, As, NO^2–, NH⁴⁺, Cl^–, F) and acid digestion for trace metals and elements mainly associated with the non-soluble fractions of the samples (Fe, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn Ca). Seasonal differences and the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind conditions) on the air pollution levels, particles as well as ions, were studied.Results show different seasonal and weekly evolution for mineral and amorphous carbonaceous particles because of the different origins in dust emissions or combustion processes respectively, and the different physical properties such as size grain. Of the ions analyzed Fe, Ca and Zn were clearly associated to mineral phases and consequently related to dust emissions, and NO^2–, NH4+, P, Cl^– were related to amorphous matter coming from combustion. Ni and Cd show lower levels than those reported as guideline values and the source is mainly related to the enrichment of these elements in clay materials. B and As content result in elevated concentrations, with the tendency to increase during cold months. The emission of these elements was associated with vaporization or volatilization during high temperature ceramic processes. The original gaseous state is influenced by temperature. In the winter the content for B and As is higher due to enhanced condensation of gas-phase boron onto particles, while in the summer the increase of air temperature results in elevated evaporation.     

Heavy metal pollution of coastal river sediments, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia: lead isotope and chemical evidence

 Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations within stream-estuary sediments (<180-μm size fraction) in north-eastern New South Wales largely represent natural background values. However, element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) of Hunter River sediments within the heavily industrialized and urbanized Newcastle region exceed upstream background values by up to one order of magnitude. High element concentrations have been found within sediments of the Newcastle Harbour and Throsby Creek which drains into urbanized and light industry areas. Observed Pb enrichments and low ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are likely caused by atmospheric deposition of Pb additives from petrol and subsequent Pb transport by road run-off waters into the local drainage system. Sediments of the Richmond River and lower Manning, Macleay, Clarence, Brunswick and Tweed River generally display no evidence for anthropogenic heavy metal and metalloid contamination (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn). However, the rivers and their tributaries possess localized sedimentary traps with elevated heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn). Lead isotope data indicate that anthropogenic Pb provides a detectable contribution to investigated sediments. Such contributions are evident at sample sites close to sewage outlets and in the vicinity of the Pacific Highway. In addition, As concentrations of Richmond River sediments gradually increase downstream. This geochemical trend may be the result of As mobilization from numerous cattle-dip sites within the region into the drainage system and subsequent accumulation of As in downstream river and estuary sediments. Received: 5 September 1997 · Accepted: 4 November 1997