V.I. Vernadsky and main research avenues in modern hydrogeochemistry

The main research directions in modern hydrogeochemistry were analyzed in connection with the 75th anniversary of its foundation. It was shown that hydrogeochemistry has fruitfully developed on the basis of the scientific concepts of its founder, V.I. Vernadsky. Among these concepts are the mineralogy of water, evolution of the system of water-rock-gas-organic matter, dynamics of hydrogeochemical processes, isotopic and environmental hydrogeochemistry, geochemistry of free and capillary waters, ocean geochemistry, geological and biological role of water, physicochemical modeling, etc.     

水文地球化学反应-迁移-分异模型

为水资源水质评价和环境水化学研究奠定理论基础和科学依据 ,将理论化学与传统水文地球化学融合在一起 ,运用三相平衡原理 ,矿物溶解的偏平衡理论 ,建立了典型水文地质蓄水构造的水文地球化学反应 -迁移 -分异模型 ,研究了蓄水构造内不同区带的主要化学反应 -迁移 -分异特点 ,探讨了水文地球化学分带代表性矿物 ,化学指标和水化学类型分带特征。全面系统地论述了补给区—补给迳流区—迳流区—排泄区 ,地下水中物质成分的形成和演化规律 ,并提出矿物饱和指数的新意义。实例表明 ,该模型具有理论和应用价值。     

从水文地球化学角度研究鄂尔多斯盆地南区白垩系地下水的排泄途径

主要从水文地球化学的角度,以鄂尔多斯盆地白于山以南地区白垩系地下水的水化学水平分带和地表水基流水化学特征为主要依据,结合地质构造格局及岩相古地理条件,分析研究了该区白垩系地下水的补、径、排条件。认为该区白垩系地下水水化学场存在一个由东、北、西南向中部的水平分带,愈向盆地中部水质愈复杂、TDS愈高。马莲河基流水质的沿途变化规律反映出其接受东西两侧地下水的补给。说明鄂尔多斯盆地南区的东部地区和西南部地区为地下水补给区,而中心地带为地下水排泄区,最终经马莲河排出区外。天环向斜轴部和马莲河谷是南区汇集东西两侧地下水的排泄通道。     

Hydrodynamical changes and their consequences on groundwater hydrochemistry induced by three decades of intense exploitation in a Mediterranean Karst system

The Lez karst spring, located in the Mediterranean basin (southern France) supplies drinking water to the metropolitan area of Montpellier (France) since the nineteenth century. Since 1981, an intense pumping is being performed directly in the main conduit with a maximum exploitation flow rate of about 1,700 l/s. To improve the understanding of groundwater origins and circulation dynamic in this karst system, as well as the impact of three decades of intense water exploitation, groundwater samples have been collected during various hydrologic conditions since March 2006. A previous hydrochemical study on the Lez karst system had been carried out before the installation of the pumping plant. This dataset was compared to the present one to identify possible changes on groundwater hydrochemistry. The results of this analysis indicate the existence of historical changes in water hydrogeochemistry and evidence a decrease of the deep compartment participation to the Lez spring outflow. This change in spring water hydrogeochemistry may be attributed to the intense pumping of the karst system and, in the absence of noticeable climatic changes, expresses the direct consequences of anthropogenic forcing on the overall functioning of the aquifer. This study aims to analyze the differences, to understand the water chemistry changes and to better foresee the aquifer evolution for the future.     

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.     

蒙其古尔地区水文地球化学特征与铀成矿关系

介绍了蒙其古尔地区水动力条件及水文地球化学条件,运用铀水文地球化学理论,分析了铀在水中存在形式.按不同水质类型将该区地下水划分为4个带.利用水成铀矿理论对水文地球化学条件进行分析,为寻找层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿提供了水文地球化学依据.     

Hydrogeochemical evolution of the shallow and deep basaltic aquifers in Tamborine Mountain,Queensland (Australia)

Tamborine Mountain, Queensland (Australia), is a prime example of a basalt fractured-rock aquifer. Yet very little is known about the hydrochemistry of this groundwater system. Both analytical (major ions and stable isotopes) and multivariate (hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis) analyses were used in this study to investigate the factors that interact within this aquifer system, in order to determine groundwater hydrogeochemistry. A new approach was applied to the data by classifying hydrographs by water type to clearly identify differing aquifer zones. Three distinct groundwater chemistry types were identified, and they were differentiated by variations in depth. Shallow bores were dominated by Na–Cl waters, deep bores were dominated by Na–HCO₃ and Ca–HCO₃ waters, and the two deepest bores were dominated by mixed water types. The evaluation of hydrogeochemical data has determined that both mineral weathering processes and groundwater/surface-water interaction had a strong influence on the hydrogeochemistry. Seasonal effects were minimal in the study area based on physicochemical parameters and ion chemistry. However, stable isotopic data show temporal trends. Increased rainfall events during the wet season produced a depletion in δ¹⁸O and increased d-excess values. The opposite is found during the dry season as a result of higher evaporation rates that are not hindered by intense rainfall events.

     

Assessing the hydrogeochemistry and water quality of the Aji-Chay River,northwest of Iran

Aji-Chay River is one of the most important surface reservoirs of northwest of Iran, because it passes through Tabriz city and discharges to Urmia Lake, one of the largest permanent salty lakes in the world. The main objectives of the present study are to evaluate its overall water quality and to explore its hydrogeochemical characteristics, including the potential contamination from heavy metals and metalloids such as Co, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Al and As. For this purpose, 12 water samples were collected from the main river body and its tributaries within Tabriz plain. The Piper diagram classified water samples mainly into Na–Cl and secondary into Ca–HCO₃ and mixed Ca–Mg–Cl types, denoting a profound salinization effect. The cross-plots showed that natural geochemical processes including dissolution of minerals (e.g., carbonates, evaporites and silicates), as well as ion exchange, are the predominant factors that contribute to fluvial hydrogeochemistry, while anthropogenic activities (industrial and agricultural) impose supplementary effects. Cluster analysis classified samples into two distinct clusters; samples of cluster B appear to have elevated electrical conductivity (EC) values and trace metals concentrations such as Co, Pb and Cd, while SiO₂ and Zn are low in comparison with the samples of the cluster A. The main processes controlling Aji-Chay River hydrogeochemistry and water quality were identified to be salinization and rock weathering. Both are related with geogenic sources which enrich river system with elevated values of Na⁺, Cl^?, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, SO₄ ^2? and EC as a direct effect of evaporites leaching and elevated values of Pb and Cd as an impact from the weathering process of volcanic formations. According to the US salinity diagram, all of the water samples are unsuitable for irrigation as having moderate to bad quality.     

Barite in the ocean – occurrence,geochemistry and palaeoceanographic applications

The mineral barite (BaSO₄) can precipitate in a variety of oceanic settings: in the water column, on the sea floor and within marine sediments. The geological setting where barite forms ultimately determines the geochemistry of the precipitated mineral and its usefulness for various applications. Specifically, the isotopic and elemental composition of major and trace elements in barite carry information about the solution(s) from which it precipitated. Barite precipitated in the water column (marine or pelagic barite) can be used as a recorder of changes in sea water chemistry through time. Barite formed within sediments or at the sea floor from pore water fluids (diagenetic or cold seeps barite) can aid in understanding fluid flow and sedimentary redox processes, and barite formed in association with hydrothermal activity (hydrothermal barite) provides information about conditions of crust alteration around hydrothermal vents. The accumulation rate of marine barite in oxic‐pelagic sediments can also be used to reconstruct past changes in ocean productivity. Some key areas for future work on the occurrence and origin of barite include: fully characterizing the mechanisms of precipitation of marine barite in the water column; understanding the role and potential significance of bacteria in barite precipitation; quantifying parameters controlling barite preservation in sediments; determining the influence of diagenesis on barite geochemistry; and investigating the utility of additional trace components in barite.     

Geochemical characterization of surface water and spring water in SE Kashmir Valley,western Himalaya: Implications to water–rock interaction

Water samples from precipitation, glacier melt, snow melt, glacial lake, streams and karst springs were collected across SE of Kashmir Valley, to understand the hydrogeochemical processes governing the evolution of the water in a natural and non-industrial area of western Himalayas. The time series data on solute chemistry suggest that the hydrochemical processes controlling the chemistry of spring waters is more complex than the surface water. This is attributed to more time available for infiltrating water to interact with the diverse host lithology. Total dissolved solids (TDS), in general, increases with decrease in altitude. However, high TDS of some streams at higher altitudes and low TDS of some springs at lower altitudes indicated contribution of high TDS waters from glacial lakes and low TDS waters from streams, respectively. The results show that some karst springs are recharged by surface water; Achabalnag by the Bringi stream and Andernag and Martandnag by the Liddar stream. Calcite dissolution, dedolomitization and silicate weathering were found to be the main processes controlling the chemistry of the spring waters and calcite dissolution as the dominant process in controlling the chemistry of the surface waters. The spring waters were undersaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite in most of the seasons except in November, which is attributed to the replenishment of the CO₂ by recharging waters during most of the seasons.     

The relationship of Kaschin-Beck and Keshan diseases with hydrogeochemistry

This article is based on the distribution of Kaschin-Beck and Keshan diseases, shows the close relationship between the diseases and hydrogeochemistry, successively demonstrates the principled opinion of the pathogeny, and finally discusses their basic control from a hydrogeological viewpoint. Regarding the hydrogeochemical features of Kaschin-Beck and Keshan Diseases, two hydrogeological types can be differentiated: (1) Related to acidic magmatic rocks; (2) Related to oil-bearing formations. The pathogenic groundwater in these areas has its own water qualities which distinguish it from normal fresh water. According to the common chemical properties of the water of the two types in disease areas and based on some foreign environmental medical reports, it is concluded that the principle pathogenic factor is the richer trace elements and low hardness (or calcium) water. Hydrogeologically, there are two ways to control Kaschin-Beck and Keshan diseases: one is to improve the water quality; the other is to change the water source.     

任丘油田开发过程中油田水水质演化特征研究

对任丘油田开发过程中油田水水质特征及演化规律进行了初步分析,探讨了人工注水对油田水质的演化影响,其结果表明,注入水对油田水泊稀释混合作用明显,破坏了油层内部水－岩作用平衡,改变了井下原来的水文地球化学环境,根据诺模图求得的一些离子含量与其实际值之间存在明显差异,表明机械混合与水－岩相互作用并存,这与实际情况是吻合的。     

生态系统营养离子循环及水化学演化的锶同位素示踪

综述了Ｓｒ同位素示踪生态系统离子循环和水化学演化的基本原理、主要内容和最新进展。着重介绍了Ｓｒ同位素在矿物风化速率研究、流域营养离子来源识别及其循环通量计算、地下水体化学成分演化机制的研究中的示踪应用;最后展望了Ｓｒ同位素在生物地球化学过程示踪上的潜在价值。     

生态系统营养离子循环及水化学演经的锶同位素示踪

综述了Ｓｒ同位素示踪生态系统离子循环水化学演化的基本原理、主要内容和最新进展。着重介绍了Ｓｒ同位素在矿物风化速率研究、流域营养离子来源识别及其循环通量计算、地下水体化学尬发演化机制的示踪应用;最后展望了Ｓｒ同位素在生物地球化学过程示踪上的潜在价值。     

Glacier meltwater hydrochemistry

Glacierised areas present an ideal environment in which to study water-rock interaction, since chemical weathering rates are high and anthropogenic impacts are often minimal. Detailed investigations of meltwater quality variations have suggested the importance of these environments in estimates of terrestrial chemical erosion and global biogeochemical cycles. Most notably, the role of meltwaters in CO₂ sequestration during episodes of deglaciation has attracted considerable attention, since this may impact on climate at glacial-interglacial timescales. However, there is still considerable uncertainty surrounding estimates of CO₂ drawdown by meltwaters which remains to be resolved. Water flow through glaciers exerts an important control on ice mass dynamics, and influences the quantity and quality of water delivered to environments downstream of glacierised basins. Thus, the study of the configuration and dynamics of subglacial drainage systems is important not only to enhance scientific understanding, but also to allow effective water resource utilisation in glacierised headwater catchments. Bulk meltwater quality characteristics draining terrestrial ice masses also offer the potential to provide unique information on hydrological and hydrochemical processes operating in the inaccessible subglacial environment. Here, significant advances have been made in understanding the controls on chemical weathering reactions, based on the identification of key dissolved indicator species. This has allowed water quality variations to be exploited as a tool for both subglacial hydrochemical and hydrological investigations. As a result, this area of glaciology has received considerable attention in recent years, utilising an increasing range of dissolved ions, and integrating field and laboratory studies. However, uncertainty still surrounds certain areas of meltwater quality science, including the role of microorganisms in a system which to date has largely been viewed as abiotic. A better understanding of the processes and rates of chemical weathering in glacierised environments has the potential to enhance our understanding of the environment, and to facilitate the exploitation of water quality variations for both scientific and applied objectives. In this paper the development and current state of meltwater quality science as a tool for investigating subglacial hydrology and geochemistry is detailed, and problems and future directions identified. This will hopefully stimulate wider interest in an important area of aquatic chemistry with significant applied implications.     

Hydrogeochemical controls on shallow alluvial groundwater under agricultural land: case study in central Portugal

A hydrogeochemical study employing graphical, multivariate statistical, and modeling tools was conducted in an area of alluvial deposits in the Mondego river basin, to determine the factors and processes controlling the shallow groundwater chemistry. Groundwater was collected from 29 observation wells in six sampling campaigns, between March 2001 and September 2002. Samples were analyzed for basic physicochemical parameters, major ions and some minor ions. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to the data set, including both the spatial and temporal monitoring data and resulted in the definition of eight distinct water types. With the aid of hydrochemical (and physicochemical) scatter plots, it was possible to identify the main processes controlling the groundwater chemistry: (1) evapotranspiration and recharge; (2) calcium and magnesium carbonate and CO₂ dissolution; (3) nitrate leaching from agriculture; (4) oxidation and reduction; and (5) cation exchange. These processes are frequently common to more than one water type but unique in combination and/or extent, in space and/or time. Geochemical modeling of the water types (using PHREEQC) allowed the validation and, to a certain extent, quantification of the processes that affect the shallow groundwater evolution. These tools can provide an essential support for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to contamination and for the elaboration of groundwater resource management strategies.     

Aquatic geochemistry of small lakes: Effects of environment changes

This paper reports the results of an extensive investigation of water chemistry in the small lakes of European Russia and Western Siberia along a climatic gradient. It was demonstrated that small lakes unaffected by any direct contamination can be used as indicators of natural geochemical conditions of water formation, as well as global and regional fluxes of airborne pollution and climate warming. A novel concept was developed for within- and between-zone variability in water chemistry over vast areas of tundra, taiga, forest, and steppe, and contributions of natural and anthropogenic factors to its formation under present-day conditions were estimated. A proposed predictive scenario showed that climate warming will result in an increase in water salinity in southern regions and ubiquitous phosphorus enrichment in terrestrial waters; the hydrologic and geochemical conditions of water formation in northern Siberia will change significantly in response to permafrost thawing. Zonal features in the development of anthropogenically-induced processes in terrestrial surface waters (acidification, eutrophication, and metal enrichment) were determined. It was demonstrated that, in addition to naturally acidified lakes with high contents of humic acids, acid lakes of anthropogenic origin occur over the whole humid region discussed here, and acidification processes were characterized for each subregion. The trophic status of lakes and limitation of their bioproductivity with respect to nutrients were estimated. The concentrations and distribution of trace elements were analyzed in terrestrial waters from various climatic zones of European Russia and Western Siberia, and the first estimates were obtained for the mean concentrations and coefficients of migration of a wide range of elements in terrestrial freshwaters. We distinguished a group of metal (Mo, As, U, Bi, Sb, Cd, Ag, Se, Re, Pb, Cd, W, etc.) the enrichment of which in natural waters results from their global dispersion in the environment. Experimental results and natural observations are presented on the processes of metal ion complexation with humus substances, and sequences of their increasing activity in competing for organic ligands were derived. Data are presented on the speciation of metals depending on natural water chemistry in the tundra, taiga, and steppe zones. The pioneering investigations on the geochemistry of natural waters allowed us to substantiate new regional norms for water quality.     

Geochemical characterization of surface waters and groundwater resources in the Managua area (Nicaragua,Central America)

This paper reports new geochemical data on dissolved major and minor constituents in surface waters and ground waters collected in the Managua region (Nicaragua), and provides a preliminary characterization of the hydrogeochemical processes governing the natural water evolution in this area. The peculiar geological features of the study site, an active tectonic region (Nicaragua Depression) characterized by active volcanism and thermalism, combined with significant anthropogenic pressure, contribute to a complex evolution of water chemistry, which results from the simultaneous action of several geochemical processes such as evaporation, rock leaching, mixing with saline brines of natural or anthropogenic origin. The effect of active thermalism on both surface waters (e.g., saline volcanic lakes) and groundwaters, as a result of mixing with variable proportions of hyper-saline geothermal Na–Cl brines (e.g., Momotombo geothermal plant), accounts for the high salinities and high concentrations of many environmentally-relevant trace elements (As, B, Fe and Mn) in the waters. At the same time the active extensional tectonics of the Managua area favour the interaction with acidic, reduced thermal fluids, followed by extensive leaching of the host rock and the groundwater release of toxic metals (e.g., Ni, Cu). The significant pollution in the area, deriving principally from urban and industrial waste-water, probably also contributes to the aquatic cycling of many trace elements, which attain concentrations above the WHO recommended limits for the elements Ni (∼40 μg/l) and Cu (∼10 μg/l) limiting the potential utilisation of Lake Xolotlan for nearby Managua.     

Hydrogeochemical characterization and appraisal of groundwater quality for industrial purpose using a novel industrial water quality index (IndWQI) in the Guanzhong Basin,China

Life and the sustainable growth of socioeconomic sectors such as agriculture and industry depend on groundwater, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where surface water resources are limited. The objectives of the current study are to characterize groundwater chemistry and assess its suitability for industrial usage in the Guanzhong Basin located in the semi-arid region of northwest China. To better understand the hydrogeochemistry in the study area, statistical analysis, ionic plots and Pearson's correlation analysis were conjunctively used. Finally, a novel industrial water quality index (IndWQI) model was developed in this paper to determine the overall industrial water quality based on scaling, corrosion, and foaming coefficients as well as some physicochemical parameters. The contribution of each parameter to the overall industrial water quality was determined using multivariate statistical analysis approaches. The findings reveal that dissolution of minerals such as calcite, dolomite, anhydrite and gypsum regulate the groundwater geochemistry in the study area. In addition, human activities influence the groundwater quality in the study area. According to the novel IndWQI approach, 78.95 % of the confined water samples and 74.51 % of the phreatic water samples have excellent or good quality, and can be safely used for industrial boilers. The geospatial analysis shows that the most contaminated groundwater samples are mainly located in northeast Xi'an and the northeast region of the Guanzhong Basin. The IndWQI model is trustworthy, as it can combine several water quality indices and give an instantaneous impression of the whole groundwater quality for industrial uses. It can serve as a benchmark for other areas across the world with a comparable climate.     

Statistical and geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in Teboursouk area (Northwestern Tunisian Atlas)

Teboursouk region, Northwestern Tunisia, is characterized by the diversity of its natural resources (petroleum, groundwater and minerals). It constitutes a particular site widely studied, especially from a tectonic stand point as it exhibits a complex architecture dominated by multi-scale synclinals and Triassic extrusions. It has typical karst landform that constitutes important water resources devoted for human consumption and agriculture activities, besides to the exploitation of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary aquifer (MPQ). Thus, hydrogeological investigations play a significant role in the assessment of groundwater mineralization and the evaluation of the used water quality for different purposes. Hence, the current study based on a combined geochemical–statistical investigation of 50 groundwater samples from the multilayered aquifer system in the study area give crucial information about the principal factors and processes influencing groundwater chemistry. The chemical analysis of the water samples showed that Teboursouk groundwater is dominantly of Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ water type with little contribution of Ca–Mg–HCO₃, Na–K–Cl–SO₄ and Na–K–HCO₃. The total dissolved solids (TDS) values range from 0.37 to 3.58 g/l. The highest values are located near the Triassic outcrops. Furthermore, the hydrogeochemistry of the studied system was linked with various processes such as carbonates weathering, evaporites dissolution of Triassic outcrops and anthropogenic activities (nitrate contamination). Additionally, the main processes controlling Teboursouk water system were examined by means of multivariate statistical analysis (PCA and HCA) applied in this study based on 10 physicochemical parameters (TDS, pH, SO₄, HCO₃, pCO₂, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl and NO₃). Two principal components were extracted from PCA accounting 61% of total variance and revealing that the chemical characteristics of groundwater in the region were acquired through carbonates and evaporite dissolution besides to nitrate contamination. Similarly, according to Cluster analysis using Ward’s method and squared Euclidean distance, groundwater from the studied basin belongs to five different groups suggesting that the geochemical evolution of Teboursouk groundwater is controlled by dissolution of carbonates minerals, chemical weathering of Triassic evaporite outcrops, cation exchange and anthropogenic activities (nitrate contamination).