Stable isotope characterization of fluids from the Lake Chany complex,western Siberia,Russian Federation

The Lake Chany complex and nearby lakes in western Siberia (Russian Federation) were studied to constrain the S cycle in these terrestrial lake environments. Surface water chemistry was characterized by Na–SO₄–Cl composition, comparable to other inland basins in semi-arid climatic zones associated with marine evaporite-bearing formations at depth. Dissolved sulfates showed elevated δ³⁴S (up to +32.3‰). These values are quite distinct from those in similar saline lakes in northern Kazakhstan, the Aral Sea, Lake Barhashi, and a gypsum deposit in the Altai Mountains. The localized distribution of such a unique S isotopic signature in dissolved SO₄ negates both aeolian and catastrophic flooding hypotheses previously suggested for the genesis of the dissolved salts. The probable source of the dissolved SO₄ in Lake Chany basin is inherited from hidden saline groundwaters (whose location and origins remain unclear) from eastern Paleozoic ranges with Upper Devonian formations with heavy S isotope values. Post-depositional enrichment of heavy S in the dissolved SO₄ from saline sediments may be caused by local activity of SO₄-reducing bacteria under the ambient supply of electron donors (dissolved river load organic matter and decaying bacterial mats) in the lake complex. Such microbial processes can remove up to ca. 60% of SO₄ from the system. Extensive and intensive evaporation of lake fluids, ca. 40%, was indicated by the progressive enrichment of δ¹⁸O values in meteoric water samples collected along the river and lake system. This evaporation process compensates the microbial loss of SO₄ dissolved in the incoming river water.     

Environmental geochemistry and quality assessment of mine water of Jharia coalfield,India

A long mining history and unscientific exploitation of Jharia coalfield caused many environmental problems including water resource depletion and contamination. A geochemical study of mine water in the Jharia coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. For this purpose, 92 mine water samples collected from different mining areas of Jharia coalfield were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, NO₃ ⁻), dissolved silica (H₄SiO₄) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed mine water samples varied from 6.2 to 8.6, indicating mildly acidic to alkaline nature. Concentration of TDS varied from 437 to 1,593 mg L⁻¹ and spatial differences in TDS values reflect the variation in lithology, surface activities and hydrological regime prevailing in the region. SO₄ ²⁻ and HCO₃ ⁻ are dominant in the anion and Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the cation chemistry of mine water. High concentrations of SO₄ ²⁻ in the mine water of the area are attributed to the oxidative weathering of pyrites. Ca–Mg–SO₄ and Ca–Mg–HCO₃ are the dominant hydrochemical facies. The drinking water quality assessment indicates that number of mine water samples have high TDS, total hardness and SO₄ ²⁻ concentrations and needs treatment before its utilization. Concentrations of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) were also found to be above the desirable levels recommended for drinking water. The mine water is good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation in most cases. However, higher salinity, residual sodium carbonate and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at some sites.     

Modern carbon burial in Lake Qinghai,China

The quantification of carbon burial in lake sediments, and carbon fluxes derived from different origins are crucial to understand modern lacustrine carbon budgets, and to assess the role of lakes in the global carbon cycle. In this study, we estimated carbon burial in the sediment of Lake Qinghai, the largest inland lake in China, and the carbon fluxes derived from different origins. We find that: (1) The organic carbon burial rate in lake sediment is approximately 7.23 g m⁻² a⁻¹, which is comparable to rates documented in many large lakes worldwide. We determined that the flux of riverine particulate organic carbon (POC) is approximately 10 times higher than that of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Organic matter in lake sediments is primarily derived from POC in lake water, of which approximately 80% is of terrestrial origin. (2) The inorganic carbon burial rate in lake sediment is slightly higher than that of organic carbon. The flux of riverine dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is approximately 20 times that of DOC, and more than 70% of the riverine DIC is drawn directly and/or indirectly from atmospheric CO₂. (3) Both DIC and DOC are concentrated in lake water, suggesting that the lake serves as a sink for both organic and inorganic carbon over long term timescales. (4) Our analysis suggests that the carbon burial rates in Lake Qinghai would be much higher in warmer climatic periods than in cold ones, implying a growing role in the global carbon cycle under a continued global warming scenario.     

Hydrogeochemistry of Lake Turkana,Kenya: Mass balance and mineral reactions in an alkaline lake

Lake Turkana, in northwestern Kenya, is a closed-basin, alkaline (pH = 9.2) lake of moderate salinity (TDS = 2500 ppm). Principal ions are Na⁺, HCO^?₃ and CI^?. The lake is essentially polymictic in the northern basin and little compositional variation occurs in surface waters. The Omo River is the principal influent, providing some 80–90% of water input to the lake. Chloride has an apparent accumulation time of about 2500 years after accounting for burial of interstitial water.The bottom sediments are predominantly detrital and fine-grained, yet mineral-water reactions are very important for the geochcmical budget. Ca²⁺ is precipitated as calcite; Na⁺ is removed as an exchangeable cation on smectite; Mg²⁺ is probably incorporated into a Mg-silicate phase, most likely poorlycrystalline smectite, as it enters the lake water; K⁺ may be used in illite regradation. Cation exchange is a very important process in the mass balance of this lake. Over 40% of incoming Na is removed as an exchangeable cation. After cation exchange and interstitial water burial, Na has a response time of 2650 years, which compares favorably with that of chloride. These processes seem to occur rapidly within the water mass of the lake: other reactions may be important in regulating interstitial water compositions.Several changes occur in the upper 3m of sediment: interstitial-water pH drops to 8.3 and alkalinity increases slightly with depth, SO^2?₄ decreases slightly, and amorphous silica saturation is approached. These changes are a response to organic matter oxidation and the dissolution of unstable silicates rather than a reversal of reactions occurring in the lake water. High rates of sedimentation (up to 1 cm per year) may minimize the effects of diffusion between the interstitial waters and the lake water, although burial of interstitial water assumes considerable importance.     

Hydrochemistry and quality assessment of groundwater in part of NOIDA metropolitan city,Uttar Pradesh

An attempt has been made to study the groundwater geochemistry in part of the NOIDA metropolitan city and assessing the hydrogeochemical processes controlling the water composition and its suitability for drinking and irrigation uses. The analytical results show that Na and Ca are the major cations and HCO₃ and Cl are the major anions in this water. The higher ratios of Na+K/TZ⁺ (0.2–0.7), Ca+Mg/HCO₃ (0.8–6.1); good correlation between Ca-Mg (0.75), Ca-Na (0.77), Mg-Na (0.96); low ratio of Ca+Mg/Na+K (1.6), Ca/Na (1.03), Mg/Na (0.64), HCO₃/Na (1.05) along with negative correlation of HCO₃ with Ca and Mg signify silicate weathering with limited contribution from carbonate dissolution. The hydro-geochemical study of the area reveals that many parameters are exceeding the desirable limits and quality of the potable water has deteriorated to a large extent at many sites. High concentrations of TDS, Na, Cl, SO₄, Fe, Mn, Pb and Ni indicate anthropogenic impact on groundwater quality and demand regional water quality investigation and integrated water management strategy. SAR, %Na, PI and Mg-hazard values show that water is of good to permissible quality and can be used for irrigation. However, higher salinity and boron concentration restrict its suitability for irrigation uses at many sites.     

Hydrogeochemical assessment of surface and groundwater resources of Korba coalfield,Central India: environmental implications

The present study assesses the impact of coal mining on surface and groundwater resources of Korba Coalfield, Central India. Accordingly, water samples collected from various sources are analyzed for major ions, trace elements, and other mine effluent parameters. Results show that the groundwater samples are slightly acidic, whereas river water and mine water samples are mildly alkaline. Elevated concentrations of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, HCO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2? alongside the molar ratios (Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺)/(SO₄ ^2?+HCO₃ ^?) <1 and Na⁺/Cl^? >1 suggest that silicate weathering (water-rock interaction) coupled with ion exchange are dominant solute acquisition processes controlling the chemistry of groundwater in the study area. The overall hydrogeochemistry of the area is dominated by two major hydrogeochemical facies (i.e., Ca–Cl–SO₄ and Ca–HCO₃). Analysis of groundwater and river water quality index (GRWQI) elucidates that majority (82%) of samples are of “excellent” to “good” category, and the remaining 12% are of “poor” quality. Similarly, the effluent water quality index (EWQI) indicates that 6 out of 8 samples belong to excellent quality. Concentration of trace element constituents such as As, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd is found to be well within the stipulated limits for potable use, except for Fe, Mn, and Pb. Suitability of water samples for irrigation purpose, established using standard tools like Wilcox and USSL diagrams, reveal “excellent to permissible” category for majority of the samples. The present study also substantiates the effectiveness of the measures implemented for the treatment of mine effluent water.     

Major and trace element geochemistry of Lake Bogoria and Lake Nakuru,Kenya, during extreme draught

The physico-chemical properties of water samples from the two athalassic endorheic lakes Bogoria and Nakuru in Kenya were analysed. Surface water samples were taken between July 2008 and October 2009 in weekly intervals from each lake. The following parameters were determined: pH, salinity, electric conductivity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the major cations (FAAS and ICP-OES) and the major anions (IC), as well as certain trace elements (ICP-OES). Samples of superficial sediments were taken in October 2009 and examined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for their major and trace element content including rare earth elements (REE). Both lakes are highly alkaline with a dominance of Na > K > Si > Ca in cations and HCO₃ > CO₃ > Cl > F > SO₄ in anions. Both lakes also exhibited high concentrations of Mo, As and fluoride. Due to an extreme draught from March to October 2009, the water level of Lake Nakuru dropped significantly. This created drastic evapoconcentration, with the total salinity rising from about 20‰ up to 63‰. Most parameters (DOC, Na, K, Ca, F, Mo and As) increased with falling water levels. A clear change in the quality of DOC was observed, followed by an almost complete depletion of dissolved Fe from the water phase. In Lake Bogoria the evapoconcentration effects were less pronounced (total salinity changed from about 40‰ to 48‰). The distributions of REE in the superficial sediments of Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria are presented here for the first time. The results show a high abundance of the REE and a very distinct Eu depletion of Eu/Eu* = 0.33–0.45.     

Quality of spring water used for irrigation in the Almora District of Uttarakhand, India

This paper aims to propose a quality profile of springs of the study area for irrigation. In the present study, fifty-four springs in Almora have been identified from rural as well as urban localities for calculation of irriga- tional water quality parameters during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon, 2008. Spring water samples are collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Na+ , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , HCO3- , Cl- , and SO42- . Different irrigation quality parameters viz. salinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazards (MH) and permeability index (PI) are calculated for the evaluation of spring water quality for irrigation purposes. All springs are found excellent to good based on irrigation quality parameters. Based on Wilcox diagram, about 98% of the water resources are grouped as C1S1 (low-low) and C2S1 (medium-low) classes, so springs are suitable for normal irrigation.     

Evaluating the anthropogenic and geologic impacts on water quality of the Eğirdir Lake, Turkey

E?irdir Lake is the second largest fresh water lake with 482 km² surface area of Turkey. The lake is an indispensable water source for our country and region because of available water capacity and usage aims such as drinking-irrigation water, tourism, and fishing. However, especially contaminants located in the E?irdir Lake catchment affect the lake water quality negatively in times. Therefore, determination of the water quality of the lake has quite importance for region human health and sustainable usage of the lake. The major factors that control the quality of the E?irdir Lake water are agricultural activities in the basin, water–rock interaction, and domestic and industrial wastes. This study investigates the anthropogenic and geologic impact originated from pollution sources and water–rock interaction in the lake watershed basin to the E?irdir Lake water quality. For this purpose, geological, hydrogeological, and hydrological properties of the lake basin with point and nonpoint pollution sources were investigated. To determine the water quality of the lake, 48 water samples were collected especially from locations representing effects of pollutants in May and October 2009. The analysis results were compared with maximum permissible limit values recommended by World Health Organization and Turkish drinking water standards. The contents of all chemical and physical parameters are higher in dry periods than wet period, and water pollution was observed at discharge points of the streams into the lake. Also, pH, turbidity, potassium, chemical oxygen demand, ammonium, aluminum, iron, and lead concentrations were found to be above drinking water standards.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Surface‐Sediment Carbonate in Bosten Lake (Xinjiang,China) and its Controlling Factors

Bosten Lake is a mid-latitude lake with water mainly supplied by melting ice and snow in the Tianshan Mountains. The depositional environment of the lake is spatially not uniform due to the proximity of the major inlet and the single outlet in the western part of the lake. The analytical results show that the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of recent lake sediments is related to this specific lacustrine depositional environment and to the resulting carbonate mineralogy. In the southwestern lake region between the Kaidu River inlet and the Kongqi River outlet, carbon isotope composition (δ13C) values of the carbonate sediment (?1‰ to ?2‰) have no relation to the oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate (δ18O) values (?7‰ to ?8‰), with both isotopes showing a low variability. The carbonate content is low (<20%). Carbonate minerals analyzed by X-ray diffraction are mainly composed of calcite, while aragonite was not recorded. The salinity of the lake water is low in the estuary region as a result of the Kaidu River inflow. In comparison, the carbon and oxygen isotope values are higher in the middle and eastern parts of the lake, with δ13C values between approximately +0.5‰ and +3‰, and δ18O values between ?1‰ and ?5‰. There is a moderate correlation between the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, with a coefficient of correlation r of approximately 0.63. This implies that the lake water has a relatively short residence time. Carbonate minerals constitute calcite and aragonite in the middle and eastern region of the lake. Aragonite and Mg–calcite are formed at higher lake water salinity and temperatures, and larger evaporation effects. More saline lake water in the middle and eastern region of the lake and the enhanced isotopic equilibrium between water and atmospheric CO2 cause the correlating carbon and oxygen isotope values determined for aragonite and Mg–calcite. Evaporation and biological processes are the main reasons for the salinity and carbonate mineralogy influence of the surface-sediment carbonate in Bosten Lake. The lake water residence time and the CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the water body control the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate sediment. In addition, organic matter pollution and decomposition result in the abnormally low carbon isotope values of the lake surface-sediment carbonate.     

室温条件下青海湖水中镁离子浓度对沉淀碳酸钙同质多像类型的调控

青海湖是我国唯一报道过的现代湖底沉积物中白云石、方解石和文石等多种碳酸盐矿物共存的高原内陆咸水湖泊.以青海湖水和除菌青海湖水作为载体,以CaCl2和MgCl2·6 H2O作为反应原料,在实验室常温条件下采取控制变量法制备出不同浓度Mg2+参与下的钙质沉淀物,探讨Mg2+浓度对沉淀物类型的影响.仅添加CaCl2时,青海湖...     

A study on hydrochemical characteristics of surface and sub-surface water in and around Perumal Lake,Cuddalore district,Tamil Nadu,South India

Hydrogeochemical investigations are carried out in and around Perumal Lake, Cuddalore district, South India in order to assess its suitability in relation to domestic and agricultural uses. The water samples (surface water = 16; groundwater = 12) were analyzed for various physicochemical attributes like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃ ⁻), sulfate (SO₄ ²⁻), phosphate (PO₄), silica (H₄SiO₄) and total dissolved solids (TDS). Major hydrochemical facies were identified using Piper trilinear diagram. Hydrogeochemical processes controlling the water chemistry are water–rock interaction rather than evaporation and precipitation. Interpretation of isotopic signatures reveals that groundwater samples recharged by meteoric water with few water–rock interactions. A comparison of water quality in relation to drinking water quality standard proves that the surface water samples are suitable for drinking purpose, whereas groundwater in some areas exceeds the permissible limit. Various determinants such as sodium absorption ratio (SAR), percent sodium (Na%), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and permeability index (PI) revealed that most of the samples are suitable for irrigation.     

Investigation of water pollution in the Yalvac basin into Egirdir Lake,Turkey

The aim of this study is to understand the effects of pollution of anthropogenic origin on water quality in Yalvac Basin, part of the Egirdir Lake catchment. Surface discharge from the basin to the lake is 63 m³/year and underground discharge is 114 m³/year. Possible water pollution is categorized into domestic, industrial and agricultural origin. Domestic and industrial wastewaters, including effluents from leather tanneries are discharged, without being purified, into Yalvac Stream, which flows into Egirdir Lake directly or via the drainage canal. Surface waters flowing into the lake are used in winter for irrigation of agricultural areas. In agricultural areas natural and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used extensively. Lake Egirdir is used as a source of drinking water. Sampling sites were established for surface and underground waters, taking into account the known point sources of pollution. These sites were sampled in May and October of 2002, and analysed chemically. Cr³⁺ and Pb²⁺ concentrations exceed standard limits, meaning that pollution caused by effluent from the tanneries is adversely affecting the water quality in the lake.     

Hydrogeochemical investigation and qualitative assessment of surface water resources in West Bokaro coalfield,India

A hydrogeochemical study of surface water of the West Bokaro coalfield has been undertaken to assess its quality and suitability for drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes. For this purpose, fourteen samples collected from rivers and ponds of the coalfield were analysed for pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), major anions (HCO₃^-, F^-, Cl^-, SO₄^2- and NO₃^-) and trace metals. The pH of the analysed water samples varied from 7.3 to 8.2, indicating slightly alkaline in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) value varied from 93 μs cm^-1 to 906 μs cm^-1 while the TDS varied from 76 mg L^-1 to 658 mg L^-1. HCO₃^- and SO₄^2- are the dominant anion and Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ the cation in the surface water. The concentration of alkaline earth metals (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) exceed the alkali metals (Na⁺ + K⁺) and HCO₃^- dominates over SO₄^2- + Cl^- concentrations in the majority of the surface water samples. Ca²⁺ -Mg²⁺ -HCO₃^- and Ca²⁺ -Mg²⁺ -Cl^- are the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in the surface water of the area. The water chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering with secondary contribution from anthropogenic sources. For quality assessment, analyzed water parameter values compared with Indian and WHO water quality standard. In majority of the samples, the analyzed parameters are well within the desirable limits and water is potable for drinking purposes. However, concentrations of TDS, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Fe are exceeding the desirable limits in some water samples and needs treatment before its utilization. The calculated parameters such as sodium absorption ration, percent sodium, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index and magnesium hazard revealed good to permissible quality and suitable for irrigation purposes, however, higher salinity, permeability index and Mg-ratio restrict its suitability for irrigation at few sites.     

Holocene carbonate sedimentation in Lake Manitoba, Canada

The carbonate mineral suite of the modern offshore bottom sediment of the South Basin of Lake Manitoba consists mainly of high magnesian calcite and dolomite with minor amounts of low-Mg calcite and aragonite. The high-Mg calcite is derived from inorganic precipitation within the water column in response to supersaturation brought about by high levels of organic productivity in the basin. Both dolomite and pure calcite are detrital in origin, derived from erosion of the surrounding carbonate-rich glacial deposits. Aragonite, present only in trace amounts in the offshore sediments, is bioclastic in origin. The upward increase in the amount of magnesian calcite in the post-glacial sediment record is attributed to increasing photosynthetic utilization of CO₂ in the lake. Stratigraphic variation in the amount of magnesium incorporated into the calcite lattice is interpreted as reflecting a variable magnesium input to the lake from ground water and surface runoff, and possibly variable calcium removal in the precipitating lake water. The effects of long-term chemical weathering at the source and size segregation explain the changes in dolomite content throughout the section.     

Hydromagnesite replacement of biomineralized aragonite in a new location of Holocene stromatolites, Lake Walyungup, Western Australia

Holocene stromatolites are described from Lake Walyungup, a coastal hyposaline lake in south-western Australia. At summer low water, this groundwater-fed depression comprises two permanent shallow water bodies and an ephemeral southern pool, set within an areally extensive littoral zone of variably cemented carbonate crust. Up to 5 m of organic-rich carbonate mud has been deposited within each of these basins in less than 7000 years. Stromatolites rim the water bodies with individual columns up to 2 m tall. Stromatolite-capped tepee structures in subparallel alignment are widespread in the littoral crust, suggesting a linkage between stromatolite growth and zones of groundwater discharge. Lake Walyungup stromatolites, regardless of external morphology and setting, are coarsely laminated and have aragonitic mesoclot microfabrics. These microfabrics are similar to those from lithified portions of active thrombolitic microbialites from nearby Lake Clifton. Hydromagnesite is a minor to subdominant phase (up to 47 wt%) of the carbonate mineral assemblage in Lake Walyungup. It occurs mainly in the littoral zone as a diagenetic replacement of precursor aragonite, particularly within the mesoclot fabric of stromatolites, but also in sediments (strandline and dune sand, crusts) derived mainly from erosion of stromatolites. In contrast with nonreplaced and impermeable inorganic aragonitic cements, stromatolite mesoclots are microper- meable. Micropermeability is inferred to facilitate hydromagnesite diagenesis. Dolomite is also present in minor amounts as a pore fill in stromatolites, and as a subdominant to dominant (up to 100 wt%) phase in thin, mudcracked micrite layers within the crust package. The layered dolomite may be precipitated directly from the lake water. Major element abundance of the lake water is: Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ » K⁺ > Ca²⁺ for cations, and Cl^? » SO₄^2? ≈ HCO₃^? > CO₃^2? for anions. Compared to other nearby coastal lakes, Lake Walyungup has a high pH (> 9·0), and an extremely high molar Mg/Ca ratio of > 90. Groundwater in the area has a Mg/Ca ratio generally less than 1. The unusual Mg/Ca ratio in Lake Walyungup is partially a result of in-lake processes with additional minor contribution of Mg²⁺ sourced from basal marine sand because no Mg-rich bedrock source has been found in the region.     

The influence of sulfur deposition rates on sulfate retention patterns and mechanisms in aerated forest soils

Stable isotope ratios were used as a tracer for S flow and transformations in an irrigation experiment with 5 different German forest soils. Seventy-five lysimeters constructed from soil cores, 15 from each site, were irrigated over 20 months with SO₄-rich artificial canopy throughfall, simulating 3 different S input levels: 35 kg S ha⁻¹ in treatment I, 63 kg S ha⁻¹ in treatment II, and 131 kg S ha⁻¹ in treatment III. The δ³⁴S value of the irrigation SO₄ was more than 22‰ higher than those of total S in the untreated soils. Mass and isotope balances for different soil S compounds were used to assess the patterns and mechanisms of S retention in individual soil horizons and their dependence on S deposition levels. Independent of the S deposition level, on average 12±5 kg ha⁻¹ of the applied S were bound organically by the microbial biomass in all soils. Immobilization of irrigation SO₄ occurred predominantly in the topsoil horizons with the formation of C-bonded S being more prevalent than the synthesis of organic sulfates. Tracer retention via formation of organic soil S compounds accounted for up to 50% of the irrigation SO₄ in treatment I, from 16 to 25% in treatment II, and less than 20% in treatment III. The dominant process of inorganic S retention in the soils appeared to be adsorption of SO₄, but precipitation of aluminum hydroxy sulfate minerals constituted a second potential inorganic retention process in some soils. Sulfate adsorption increased with increasing sesquioxide content of the soils and with increasing S deposition rates. In soils with high sesquioxide contents, typically more than 70% of the irrigated S was retained inorganically, whereas in the soil with the lowest sesquioxide content, generally less than 50% of the labeled irrigation S was detected in inorganic form. In the latter soil, the sesquioxide content was not high enough to fully adsorb the elevated SO₄ inputs in treatments II and III. Consequently, increased tracer S export with the seepage water SO₄ was observed in the experimental variants with elevated SO₄ deposition rates. In soils with high sesquioxide contents, the elevated SO₄ inputs in treatments II and III were fully retained in the soil horizons in inorganic form during the 20 months of the experiment and thus increased seepage water export of labeled SO₄ was not observed. The ability to inorganically retain tracer S in the mineral soil horizons was identified as the major factor regulating the extent of tracer S export with the seepage water at 60 cm depth. The high retention of labeled S in all soils combined with the comparatively low recovery of irrigation SO₄ with the seepage water implies that the mean transit time of S in the uppermost 60 cm of the acid forest soils varies between several years and many decades, much longer than previously thought.     

The Correlation of Inorganic C,O Isotopic Values for Lake Chenghai Sediments and Its Environmental Implications

As one of the lakes on the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, Lake Chenghai, which is a typical closed lake with the precipitation accounting for one-third or more of the annual water input, has a high total salinity (almost like a saline lake). The inorganic C, O isotopic composition of lake sediments bears much sensitive information about environmental change in the catchment, while their correlations revealed the hydrological conditions under which the lake was closed. Their compositional variations are controlled by temperature, precipitation, photosynthesis, dissolving equilibrium of the carbonate system and hydrological condition. According to our research on inorganic C, O isotopic composition of Lake Chenghai sediments, we investigated the environmental change of this catchment several decades ago. The results showed that Lake Chenghai has kept good hydrological closing conditions in the past several decades, as indicated by the good correlation of inorganic C, O isotopic composition of sediments; and that the environmental change in this catchment shows a tendency of periodical evolution on a 10⁻¹¹-years scale, although the signal noise is relatively high at the bottom of the sediment core. And we also can extend C, O isotopes, a sensitive environmental indicator, to nearly saline lake environments with a high degree of mineralization.     

Geochemical characterization of groundwater from shallow aquifer surrounding Fetzara Lake N. E. Algeria

Hydrogeochemical investigations were carried out around Fetzara Lake, Northeast Algeria, to assess the quality of groundwater for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by the water?Crock interactions, but also influenced by other processes such as evapotranspiration and ion exchange. Groundwater samples collected, during two periods (1993 and 2007) from wells in the area were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, CO ₃ ^2? , HCO ₃ ^? , Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? , and NO ₃ ^? . The chemical relationships in Piper??s diagram and Gibbs??s diagram suggest that groundwaters mainly belong to noncarbonate alkali type and Cl^? group and are controlled by evaporation dominance, respectively, due to the sluggish drainage conditions, greater water?Crock interaction, and anthropogenic activities. A comparison of the groundwater quality in relation to drinking water quality standards proves that most of the water samples are not suitable for drinking. US Salinity Laboratory??s and Wilcox??s diagrams and %Na⁺ used for evaluating the water quality for irrigation suggest that the majority of the groundwater samples are not good for irrigation.     

Weathering and anthropogenic influences on the water and sediment chemistry of Wular Lake,Kashmir Himalaya

This paper presents a study on the Wular Lake which is the largest fresh water tectonic lake of Kashmir Valley, India. One hundred and ninety-six (196) water samples and hundred (100) sediment samples (n = 296) have been collected to assess the weathering and Anthropogenic impact on water and sediment chemistry of the lake. The results showed a significant seasonal variability in average concentration of major ions being highest in summer and spring and lower in winter and autumn seasons. The study revealed that lake water is alkaline in nature characterised by medium total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. The concentration of the major ion towards the lake central showed a decreasing trend from the shore line. The order of major cations and anions was Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃ ^? > SO₄ ^2? > Cl^?, respectively. The geochemical processes suggested that the chemical composition lake water is mostly influenced by the lithology of the basin (carbonates, silicates and sulphates) which had played a significant role in modifying the hydrogeochemical facies in the form of Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃ and hybrid type. Chemical index of alteration values of Wular Lake sediments reflect moderate weathering of the catchment area. Compared to upper continental crust and the post-Archean Shale, the sediments have higher Si, Ti, Mg and Ca contents and lower Al, Fe, Na, K, P, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu content. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and US Environmental Protection Agency sediment quality standards indicated that there is no pollution effect of heavy metals (Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni and Co).The study also suggested that Wular Lake is characterised by both natural and anthropogenic influences.