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Xu N, Zhang F, Xu N, Li L, Liu L. Chemical and mineralogical variability of sediment in a Quaternary aquifer from Huaihe River Basin, China: Implications for groundwater arsenic source and its mobilization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:160864. [PMID: 36526174 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a conspicuous contaminant, and exposure to this element through contaminated drinking groundwater poses a significant challenge to public health. Geogenic groundwater arsenic is associated with sedimentary setting. This work concentrates on the investigation of lithology, elemental abundance and mineralogical compositions about the arsenic profile and its effect to the groundwater from Huaihe River Basin, China. There are 90 sediment samples from the borehole at the field monitoring sites were collected and analyzed. The results reveal that sedimentary concentrations of As, Fe, Mn, S, Al, N, organic carbon and mineralogical compositions vary across the Quaternary aquifer. Arsenic abundance of sediments is 10.63 ± 0.56 mg/kg, and peak As concentrations occur between 59.0 m and 64.8 m in fine particle sediments. The specific higher As concentrations in sedimentary aquifer are concordant with arsenic-rich groundwater around the investigated borehole. Fe, Mn, and Al depth profiles follow similar tendency to those of As. Sedimentary As concentrations are significantly correlated to Fe, Al, and Mn concentrations, but are not correlated to organic carbon and S concentrations. Arsenic probably exists in the form of non-crystalline colloids, and Fe, Al minerals are potential host minerals for arsenic. Under alkaline conditions, groundwater arsenic is released and enriched within the Quaternary aquifer by reductive dissolution of As-hosting Fe and Al minerals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naizheng Xu
- China Geological Survey Nanjing Center, Nanjing 210016, China; Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China.
| | - Fei Zhang
- China Geological Survey Nanjing Center, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Naicen Xu
- China Geological Survey Nanjing Center, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Liang Li
- China Geological Survey Nanjing Center, Nanjing 210016, China; Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Lin Liu
- China Geological Survey Nanjing Center, Nanjing 210016, China; Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China
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Hydrogeochemical Processes and Potential Exposure Risk of Arsenic-Rich Groundwater from Huaihe River Plain, China. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14050693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic poses a danger to environmental health, and arsenic-rich groundwater is a key exposure risk for humans. The distribution, migration, and enrichment of arsenic in groundwater is an important environmental and public health problem. Currently, the Huaihe River Basin is identified as a region of arsenic-rich groundwater in China. This study aims to assess arsenic-rich groundwater potential pollution risk, analyze the hydrogeochemical processes, and trace the ion source based on an analysis of groundwater hydrogeochemical data. The results show that arsenic is the main inorganic chemical substances affecting the water quality in the study area, which presents a high exposure risk for public health. The arsenic concentration of groundwater was f 5.75 ± 5.42 μg/L, and 23% of the considered samples exceeded the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization. The groundwater in the study area underwent evaporation, halite dissolution, and ion exchange processes. The total alkalinity (HCO3−) of the arsenic-rich groundwater mainly ranged between 400–700 mg/L, and the chemical type was mainly of HCO3-Na. In an alkaline environment, the oxidative dissolution and reductive dissolution of arsenic bearing minerals might be the formation mechanism of arsenic-rich groundwater.
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Gómez-Hernández A, Rodríguez R, Lara Del Río A, Ruiz-Huerta EA, Armienta MA, Dávila-Harris P, Sen-Gupta B, Delgado-Rodríguez O, Del Angel Ríos A, Martínez-Villegas N. Alluvial and gypsum karst geological transition favors spreading arsenic contamination in Matehuala, Mexico. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 707:135340. [PMID: 31869613 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic transport in alluvial aquifers is usually constrained due to arsenic adsorption on iron oxides. In karstic aquifers, however, arsenic contamination may spread to further extensions mainly due to favorable hydrogeochemical conditions. In this study, we i) determined the spatial and temporal behavior of arsenic in water in an alluvial-karstic geological setting using field and literature data, ii) established whether a contaminated aquifer exists using field and literature piezometric data and geophysical analysis, iii) studied the local geology and associated arsenic contaminated water sources to specific aquifers, iv) revealed and modeled subsoil stratigraphy, and v) established the extent of arsenic exposure to the population. We found arsenic contamination (up to 91.51 mg/l) in surface and shallow groundwater (<15 m), where water flows from west to east through a shallow aquifer, paleochannels and a qanat within an alluvial-karst transition that favors the spreading and transport of arsenic along 8 km as well as the increase of arsenic exposure to the population (up to 3.6 mgAs/kghair). Results from this study contribute to understanding arsenic transport in semi-arid, mining-metallurgical, and urban environments, where the presence of karst could favor arsenic transport to remote places and exacerbate arsenic exposure and impact in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gómez-Hernández
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Rodríguez
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Antonio Lara Del Río
- CIACYT, Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la Tecnológica, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ave. Sierra Leona 550, Col. Lomas 2a. Sec, C.P. 78210 San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Esther Aurora Ruiz-Huerta
- Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito de la investigación Científica s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán, Ciudad de México C.P. 04150, Mexico
| | - María Aurora Armienta
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Pablo Dávila-Harris
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Bhaskar Sen-Gupta
- Room 2.02A, William Arrol Building, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
| | - Omar Delgado-Rodríguez
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Andrés Del Angel Ríos
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Nadia Martínez-Villegas
- IPICYT, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, División de Geociencias Aplicadas, Camino a la Presa San José No. 2055, Col. Lomas 4(a) Sec., C.P. 78216 San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
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Yao Y, Mi N, He C, Yin L, Zhou D, Zhang Y, Sun H, Yang S, Li S, He H. Transport of arsenic loaded by ferric humate colloid in saturated porous media. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 240:124987. [PMID: 31726603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The transport behavior of arsenic (As(V)) loaded by ferric humate (HA-Fe) colloid, denoted as HA-Fe/As(V), moving in a saturated quartz sand column, was tested in the laboratory under varying pH values, ionic strengths, and HA and Fe(III) content. The time-fractional advection-dispersion equation (fADE) model was then employed to analyze the observed migration of HA-Fe/As(V). Results showed that the stability of the HA-Fe colloid exhibited an upward trend with an increasing pH and HA content. An increasing HA content led to a decrease in the particle size of the HA-Fe colloid. However, the effect of Fe(III) concentration on colloidal particle size exhibited the opposite phenomenon. The ability of the HA-Fe colloid to load As(V) gradually increased with the increase of the Fe(III) concentration. During the co-transport of the HA-Fe/As(V) colloid, transport of As(V) was promoted with increasing pH, increasing HA and Fe(III) content, and decreasing ionic strength in the saturated porous medium. The transport behavior of As(V) can be well fitted by the fADE model. The model analysis revealed that sub-diffusion of As(V) was weakened in the HA-Fe/As(V) colloid with high HA content. Sub-diffusion of As(V) in the low pH colloid was stronger than that of the high-pH colloid, and the molecular diffusion and mechanical dispersion were more weakened in the high-pH colloid than that of the low-pH colloid. When observing varying ionic strengths, As(V) exhibited stronger sub-diffusion in the HA-Fe/As(V) colloid with a higher ionic strength. As for the Fe(III) content, transport of As(V) was mainly affected by sub-diffusion in the HA-Fe/As(V) colloid with a low Fe(III) content. These findings provided direct and necessary insights into the effects of the HA-Fe colloid on the migration of As(V) throughout saturated porous media under different hydrochemical conditions found in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youru Yao
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Na Mi
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Cheng He
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Li Yin
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Dongbao Zhou
- College of Mechanics and Material, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Hongguang Sun
- College of Mechanics and Material, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaogui Yang
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shiyin Li
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Huan He
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Phosphate Induced Arsenic Mobilization as a Potentially Effective In-Situ Remediation Technique—Preliminary Column Tests. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11112364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is commonly remediated by pump and treat. However, this technique is difficult to apply or maintain efficiently because the mobility of arsenic varies depending on the geochemical aquifer conditions. Arsenic interacting with the sediment can cause strong retardation, which is counteracted by ions competing for sedimentary sorption sites like silica, bicarbonate and phosphate. Phosphate competes most effectively with arsenic for sorption sites due to its chemical similarity. To accelerate an ongoing but ineffective pump and treat remediation, we examined the competitive effect of increasing phosphate doses on contaminated aquifer material of different depths and thus under distinct geochemical conditions. In the columns with phosphate addition, significant amounts of arsenic were released rapidly under oxic and anoxic conditions. In all tests, the grade of leaching was higher under anoxic conditions than under oxic conditions. As(III) was the dominant species, in particular during the first release peaks and the anoxic tests. Higher amounts of phosphate did not trigger the arsenic release further and led to a shift of arsenic species. We suggest that the competitive surface complexation is the major process of arsenic release especially when higher amounts of phosphate are used. Commonly arsenic release is described at iron reducing conditions. In contrast, we observed that a change in prevailing redox potential towards manganese reducing conditions in the oxic tests and iron reducing conditions in the anoxic column took place later and thus independently of arsenic release. The reduction of As(V) to As(III) under both redox conditions is presumed to be an effect of microbial detoxification. A loss of sulphate in all columns with phosphate indicates an increased microbial activity, which might play a significant role in the process of arsenic release. Preliminary tests with sediment material from a contaminated site showed that phosphate additions did not change the pH value significantly. Therefore, a release of other metals is not likely. Our results indicate that in-situ application of phosphate amendments to arsenic-contaminated sites could accelerate and enhance arsenic mobility to improve the efficiency of pump and treat remediation without negative side effects. The novelty of this approach is the use of only small amounts of phosphate in order to stimulate microbial activity in addition to surface complexation. Therefore, this method might become an innovative and cost-effective remediation for arsenic contaminated sites.
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Liu T, Chen D, Li X, Li F. Microbially mediated coupling of nitrate reduction and Fe(II) oxidation under anoxic conditions. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 95:5371120. [DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tongxu Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment Pollution Integrated Control, Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental Science & Technology, Guangzhou 510650, P. R. China
| | - Dandan Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment Pollution Integrated Control, Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental Science & Technology, Guangzhou 510650, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- The Environmental Research Institute, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Fangbai Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environment Pollution Integrated Control, Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental Science & Technology, Guangzhou 510650, P. R. China
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7
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Maier MV, Isenbeck-Schröter M, Klose LB, Ritter SM, Scholz C. In Situ-mobilization of Arsenic in Groundwater – an Innovative Remediation Approach? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeps.2016.12.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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8
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Armah FA. Relationship Between Coliform Bacteria and Water Chemistry in Groundwater Within Gold Mining Environments in Ghana. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12403-014-0110-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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9
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Molinari A, Ayora C, Marcaccio M, Guadagnini L, Sanchez-Vila X, Guadagnini A. Geochemical modeling of arsenic release from a deep natural solid matrix under alternated redox conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:1628-1637. [PMID: 23949112 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved arsenic (As) concentrations detected in groundwater bodies of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) exhibit values which are above the regulation limit and could be related to the natural composition of the host porous matrix. To support this hypothesis, we present the results of a geochemical modeling study reproducing the main trends of the dynamics of As, Fe, and Mn concentrations as well as redox potential and pH observed during batch tests performed under alternating redox conditions. The tests were performed on a natural matrix extracted from a deep aquifer located in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy). The solid phases implemented in the model were selected from the results of selective sequential extractions performed on the tested matrix. The calibrated model showed that large As concentrations have to be expected in the solution for low crystallinity phases subject to dissolution. The role of Mn oxides on As concentration dynamics appears significant in strongly reducing environments, particularly for large water-solid matrix interaction times. Modeled data evidenced that As is released firstly from the outer surface of Fe oxihydroxides minerals exhibiting large concentrations in water when persistent reducing conditions trigger the dissolution of the crystalline structure of the binding minerals. The presence of organic matter was found to strongly affect pH and redox conditions, thus influencing As mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Molinari
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - C Ayora
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Marcaccio
- Arpa Emilia-Romagna, Largo Caduti del Lavoro 6, 40122, Bologna, Italy
| | - L Guadagnini
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - X Sanchez-Vila
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Guadagnini
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Lamborg CH, Kent DB, Swarr GJ, Munson KM, Kading T, O'Connor AE, Fairchild GM, Leblanc DR, Wiatrowski HA. Mercury speciation and mobilization in a wastewater-contaminated groundwater plume. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:13239-49. [PMID: 24187956 DOI: 10.1021/es402441d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We measured the concentration and speciation of mercury (Hg) in groundwater down-gradient from the site of wastewater infiltration beds operated by the Massachusetts Military Reservation, western Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Total mercury concentrations in oxic, mildly acidic, uncontaminated groundwater are 0.5-1 pM, and aquifer sediments have 0.5-1 ppb mercury. The plume of impacted groundwater created by the wastewater disposal is still evident, although inputs ceased in 1995, as indicated by anoxia extending at least 3 km down-gradient from the disposal site. Solutes indicative of a progression of anaerobic metabolisms are observed vertically and horizontally within the plume, with elevated nitrate concentrations and nitrate reduction surrounding a region with elevated iron concentrations indicating iron reduction. Mercury concentrations up to 800 pM were observed in shallow groundwater directly under the former infiltration beds, but concentrations decreased with depth and with distance down-gradient. Mercury speciation showed significant connections to the redox and metabolic state of the groundwater, with relatively little methylated Hg within the iron reducing sector of the plume, and dominance of this form within the higher nitrate/ammonium zone. Furthermore, substantial reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(0) within the core of the anoxic zone was observed when iron reduction was evident. These trends not only provide insight into the biogeochemical factors controlling the interplay of Hg species in natural waters, but also support hypotheses that anoxia and eutrophication in groundwater facilitate the mobilization of natural and anthropogenic Hg from watersheds/aquifers, which can be transported down-gradient to freshwaters and the coastal zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H Lamborg
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
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Singer DM, Fox PM, Guo H, Marcus MA, Davis JA. Sorption and redox reactions of As(III) and As(V) within secondary mineral coatings on aquifer sediment grains. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:11569-11576. [PMID: 24041305 DOI: 10.1021/es402754f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Important reactive phenomena that affect the transport and fate of many elements occur at the mineral-water interface (MWI), including sorption and redox reactions. Fundamental knowledge of these phenomena are often based on observations of ideal mineral-water systems, for example, studies of molecular scale reactions on single crystal faces or the surfaces of pure mineral powders. Much less is understood about MWI in natural environments, which typically have nanometer to micrometer scale secondary mineral coatings on the surfaces of primary mineral grains. We examined sediment grain coatings from a well-characterized field site to determine the causes of rate limitations for arsenic (As) sorption and redox processes within the coatings. Sediments were obtained from the USGS field research site on Cape Cod, MA, and exposed to synthetic contaminated groundwater solutions. Uptake of As(III) and As(V) into the coatings was studied with a combination of electron microscopy and synchrotron techniques to assess concentration gradients and reactive processes, including electron transfer reactions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microprobe (XMP) analyses indicated that As was primarily associated with micrometer- to submicrometer aggregates of Mn-bearing nanoparticulate goethite. As(III) oxidation by this phase was observed but limited by the extent of exposed surface area of the goethite grains to the exterior of the mineral coatings. Secondary mineral coatings are potentially both sinks and sources of contaminants depending on the history of a contaminated site, and may need to be included explicitly in reactive transport models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Singer
- Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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Mirecki JE, Bennett MW, López-Baláez MC. Arsenic control during aquifer storage recovery cycle tests in the Floridan Aquifer. GROUND WATER 2013; 51:539-549. [PMID: 23106789 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2012.01001.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Implementation of aquifer storage recovery (ASR) for water resource management in Florida is impeded by arsenic mobilization. Arsenic, released by pyrite oxidation during the recharge phase, sometimes results in groundwater concentrations that exceed the 10 µg/L criterion defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. ASR was proposed as a major storage component for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), in which excess surface water is stored during the wet season, and then distributed during the dry season for ecosystem restoration. To evaluate ASR system performance for CERP goals, three cycle tests were conducted, with extensive water-quality monitoring in the Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) at the Kissimmee River ASR (KRASR) pilot system. During each cycle test, redox evolution from sub-oxic to sulfate-reducing conditions occurs in the UFA storage zone, as indicated by decreasing Fe(2+) /H2 S mass ratios. Arsenic, released by pyrite oxidation during recharge, is sequestered during storage and recovery by co-precipitation with iron sulfide. Mineral saturation indices indicate that amorphous iron oxide (a sorption surface for arsenic) is stable only during oxic and sub-oxic conditions of the recharge phase, but iron sulfide (which co-precipitates arsenic) is stable during the sulfate-reducing conditions of the storage and recovery phases. Resultant arsenic concentrations in recovered water are below the 10 µg/L regulatory criterion during cycle tests 2 and 3. The arsenic sequestration process is appropriate for other ASR systems that recharge treated surface water into a sulfate-reducing aquifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- June E Mirecki
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA.
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Zhang S, Kent DB, Elbert DC, Shi Z, Davis JA, Veblen DR. Mineralogy, morphology, and textural relationships in coatings on quartz grains in sediments in a quartz-sand aquifer. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2011; 124:57-67. [PMID: 21458880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Mineralogical studies of coatings on quartz grains and bulk sediments from an aquifer on Western Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA were carried out using a variety of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Previous studies demonstrated that coatings on quartz grains control the adsorption properties of these sediments. Samples for TEM characterization were made by a gentle mechanical grinding method and focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The former method can make abundant electron-transparent coating assemblages for comprehensive and quantitative X-ray analysis and the latter technique protects the coating texture from being destroyed. Characterization of the samples from both a pristine area and an area heavily impacted by wastewater discharge shows similar coating textures and chemical compositions. Major constituents of the coating include Al-substituted goethite and illite/chlorite clays. Goethite is aggregated into well-crystallized domains through oriented attachment resulting in increased porosity. Illite/chlorite clays with various chemical compositions were observed to be mixed with goethite aggregates and aligned sub-parallel to the associated quartz surface. The uniform spatial distribution of wastewater-derived phosphorus throughout the coating from the wastewater-contaminated site suggests that all of the coating constituents, including those adjacent to the quartz surface, are accessible to groundwater solutes. Both TEM characterization and chemical extraction results indicate there is a significantly greater amount of amorphous iron oxide in samples from wastewater discharge area compared to those from the pristine region, which might reflect the impact of redox cycling of iron under the wastewater-discharge area. Coating compositions are consistent with the moderate metal and oxy-metalloid adsorption capacities, low but significant cation exchange capacities, and control of iron(III) solubility by goethite observed in reactive transport experimental and modeling studies conducted at the site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouliang Zhang
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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Barringer JL, Szabo Z, Wilson TP, Bonin JL, Kratzer T, Cenno K, Romagna T, Alebus M, Hirst B. Distribution and seasonal dynamics of arsenic in a shallow lake in northwestern New Jersey, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2011; 33:1-22. [PMID: 20405171 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-010-9289-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2009] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) occurred during warm months in water from the outlet of Lake Mohawk in northwestern New Jersey. The shallow manmade lake is surrounded by residential development and used for recreation. Eutrophic conditions are addressed by alum and copper sulfate applications and aerators operating in the summer. In September 2005, arsenite was dominant in hypoxic to anoxic bottom water. Filterable As concentrations were about 1.6-2 times higher than those in the upper water column (23-25 μg/L, mostly arsenate). Hypoxic/anoxic and near-neutral bottom conditions formed during the summer, but became more oxic and alkaline as winter approached. Acid-leachable As concentrations in lake-bed sediments ranged up to 694 mg/kg in highly organic material from the tops of sediment cores but were <15 mg/kg in geologic substrate. During warm months, reduced As from the sediment diffuses into the water column and is oxidized; mixing by aerators, wind, and boat traffic spreads arsenate and metals, some in particulate form, throughout the water column. Similar levels of As in sediments of lakes treated with arsenic pesticides indicate that most of the As in Lake Mohawk probably derives from past use of arsenical pesticides, although records of applications are lacking. The annual loss of As at the lake outlet is only about 0.01% of the As calculated to be in the sediments, indicating that elevated levels of As in the lake will persist for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L Barringer
- US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Research Center, 810 Bear Tavern Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA.
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Barringer JL, Mumford A, Young LY, Reilly PA, Bonin JL, Rosman R. Pathways for arsenic from sediments to groundwater to streams: biogeochemical processes in the Inner Coastal Plain, New Jersey, USA. WATER RESEARCH 2010; 44:5532-5544. [PMID: 20580401 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments that underlie the Inner Coastal Plain of New Jersey contain the arsenic-rich mineral glauconite. Streambed sediments in two Inner Coastal Plain streams (Crosswicks and Raccoon Creeks) that traverse these glauconitic deposits are enriched in arsenic (15-25mg/kg), and groundwater discharging to the streams contains elevated levels of arsenic (>80μg/L at a site on Crosswicks Creek) with arsenite generally the dominant species. Low dissolved oxygen, low or undetectable levels of nitrate and sulfate, detectable sulfide concentrations, and high concentrations of iron and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the groundwater indicate that reducing environments are present beneath the streambeds and that microbial activity, fueled by the DOC, is involved in releasing arsenic and iron from the geologic materials. In groundwater with the highest arsenic concentrations at Crosswicks Creek, arsenic respiratory reductase gene (arrA) indicated the presence of arsenic-reducing microbes. From extracted DNA, 16s rRNA gene sequences indicate the microbial community may include arsenic-reducing bacteria that have not yet been described. Once in the stream, iron is oxidized and precipitates as hydroxide coatings on the sediments. Arsenite also is oxidized and co-precipitates with or is sorbed to the iron hydroxides. Consequently, dissolved arsenic concentrations are lower in streamwater than in the groundwater, but the arsenic contributed by groundwater becomes part of the arsenic load in the stream when sediments are suspended during high flow. A strong positive relation between concentrations of arsenic and DOC in the groundwater samples indicates that any process-natural or anthropogenic-that increases the organic carbon concentration in the groundwater could stimulate microbial activity and thus increase the amount of arsenic that is released from the geologic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L Barringer
- US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 810 Bear Tavern Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA.
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Fox PM, Kent DB, Davis JA. Redox transformations and transport of cesium and iodine (-1, 0, +5) in oxidizing and reducing zones of a sand and gravel aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2010; 44:1940-1946. [PMID: 20170159 DOI: 10.1021/es902865s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Tracer tests were performed in distinct biogeochemical zones of a sand and gravel aquifer in Cape Cod, MA, to study the redox chemistry (I) and transport (Cs, I) of cesium and iodine in a field setting. Injection of iodide (I(-)) into an oxic zone of the aquifer resulted in oxidation of I(-) to molecular iodine (I(2)) and iodate (10(3)(-)) over transport distances of several meters. Oxidation is attributed to Mn-oxides present in the sediment Transport of injected 10(3)(-) and Cs(+) was retarded in the mildly acidic oxic zone, with retardation factors of 1.6-1.8 for 10(3)(-) and 2.3-4.4 for Cs. Cs retardation was likely due to cation exchange reactions. Injection of 10(3)(-) into a Fe-reducing zone of the aquifer resulted in rapid and complete reduction to I(-) within 3 m of transport. Then on conservative behavior of Cs and I observed during the tracer tests underscores the necessity of taking the redox chemistry of I as well as sorption properties of I species and Cs into account when predicting transport of radionuclides (e.g., (129)I and (137)Cs) in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Fox
- U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 496, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
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Xie X, Wang Y, Duan M, Liu H. Sediment geochemistry and arsenic mobilization in shallow aquifers of the Datong basin, northern China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2009; 31:493-502. [PMID: 18763040 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-008-9204-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2007] [Accepted: 08/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of arsenic (As) mobilization from sediments to groundwater is important for water quality management in areas of endemic arsenic poisoning, such as the Datong basin in northern China. The bulk geochemistry analysis of sediment samples from three 50-m boreholes drilled specifically for this study at As-contaminated aquifers, the groundwaters of which have an As concentration up to 1060 microg/l, revealed that the average bulk concentrations of major and trace elements of the samples are similar to those of the average upper continental crust. The average As content of the sediment samples (18.7 mg/kg) is higher than that of modern unconsolidated sediments (5-10 mg/kg). Moreover, the abundance of elements varied with grain size, with higher concentrations in finer fractions of the sediments, such as silt and clay. The concentration of NH(2)OH-HCl-extracted iron (Fe) strongly correlated with that of extracted As, suggesting that Fe oxyhydroxides may be the major sink of As in the aquifer. The results of microcosm experiments showed that As mobilization from sediments to groundwater is probably mainly related to changes in the redox conditions, with moderately reducing conditions being favorable for As release from sediments into groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
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Jung HB, Charette MA, Zheng Y. Field, laboratory, and modeling study of reactive transport of groundwater arsenic in a coastal aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:5333-8. [PMID: 19708362 PMCID: PMC2746402 DOI: 10.1021/es900080q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A field, laboratory, and modeling study of As in groundwater discharging to Waquoit Bay, MA, shed light on coupled control of chemistry and hydrology on reactive transport of As in a coastal aquifer. Dissolved Fe(III) and As(III) in a reducing groundwater plume bracketed by an upper and a lower redox interface are oxidized as water flows toward the bay. This results in precipitation of Fe(III) oxides, along with oxidation and adsorption of As to sediment at the redox interfaces where concentrations of sedimentary HCl-leachable Fe (80-90% Fe(III)) are 734 +/- 232 mg kg(-1) and sedimentary phosphate-extractable As (90-100% As(VI) are 316 +/- 111 microg kg(-1) and are linearly correlated. Batch adsorption of As(III) onto orange, brown, and gray sediments follows Langmuir isotherms and can be fitted by a surface complexation model (SCM) assuming a diffuse layer for ferrihydrite. The sorption capacity and distribution coefficient for As increase with decreasing sediment Fe(II)/Fe. To allow accumulation of the amount of sediment As, similar hydrogeochemical conditions would have been operating for thousands of years at Waquoit Bay. The SCM simulated the observed dissolved As concentration better than a parametric approach based on Kd. Site-specific isotherms should be established for Kd- or SCM-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hun Bok Jung
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College and the Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States
| | - Matthew A. Charette
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States
| | - Yan Zheng
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College and the Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, United States
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Xie X, Ellis A, Wang Y, Xie Z, Duan M, Su C. Geochemistry of redox-sensitive elements and sulfur isotopes in the high arsenic groundwater system of Datong Basin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2009; 407:3823-35. [PMID: 19344934 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2008] [Revised: 01/19/2009] [Accepted: 01/19/2009] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
High arsenic groundwater in the Quaternary aquifers of Datong Basin, northern China contain As up to 1820 microg/L and the high concentration plume is located in the slow flowing central parts of the basin. In this study we used hydrochemical data and sulfur isotope ratios of sulfate to better understand the conditions that are likely to control arsenic mobilization. Groundwater and spring samples were collected along two flow paths from the west and east margins of the basin and a third set along the basin flow path. Arsenic concentrations range from 68 to 670 microg/L in the basin and from 3.1 to 44 microg/L in the western and eastern margins. The margins have relatively oxidized waters with low contents of arsenic, relatively high proportions of As(V) among As species, and high contents of sulfate and uranium. By contrast, the central parts of the basin are reducing with high contents of arsenic in groundwater, commonly with high proportions of As(III) among As species, and low contents of sulfate and uranium. No statistical correlations were observed between arsenic and Eh, sulfate, Fe, Mn, Mo and U. While the mobility of sulfate, uranium and molybdenum is possibly controlled by the change in redox conditions as the groundwater flows towards central parts of the basin, the reducing conditions alone cannot account for the occurrence of high arsenic groundwater in the basin but it does explain the characteristics of arsenic speciation. With one exception, all the groundwaters with As(III) as the major As species have low Eh and those with As(V) have high Eh. Reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides or reduction of As(V) are consistent with the observations, however no increase in dissolved Fe concentration was noted. Furthermore, water from the well with the highest arsenic was relatively oxidizing and contained mostly As(V). From previous work Fe-oxyhydroxides are speculated to exist as coatings rather than primary minerals. The wide range of delta(34)S([SO4]) values (from -2.5 to +36.1 per thousand) in the basin relative to the margins (from +8 per thousand to +15 per thousand) indicate that sulfur is undergoing redox cycling. The highly enriched values point to sulfate reduction that was probably mediated by bacteria. The presence of monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) is also evidence of microbial reactions. The depleted signatures indicate that some oxidation of depleted sulfide occurred in the basin. It must be noted that the samples with depleted sulfur isotope values have very low sulfate concentrations and therefore even a small amount of sulfide oxidation will bias the ratio. No significant correlation was observed between delta(34)S([SO4]) values and total arsenic contents when all the samples were considered. However, the wells in the central basin do appear to become enriched in delta(34)S([SO4]) as arsenic concentration increases. Although there is evidence for sulfate reduction, it is clear that sulfate reduction does not co-precipitate or sequester arsenic. The one sample with high arsenic that is oxidizing cannot be explained by oxidation of pyrite and is likely an indication that there are multiple redox zones that control arsenic speciation but not necessarily its mobilization and contradict the possibility that Fe-oxyhydroxides sorb appreciable amounts of arsenic in this study area. It is evident that this basin like other two young sedimentary basins (Huhhot and Hetao in Inner Mongolia) of northern China with high arsenic groundwater is transporting arsenic at a very slow rate. The data are consistent with the possibility that the traditional models of arsenic mobilization, namely reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides, reduction of As(V) to more mobile As(III), and bacteria mediated reactions, are active to varying degrees. It is also likely that different processes control arsenic mobilization at different locations of the basin and more detailed studies along major flow paths upgradient of the high arsenic aquifers will shed more light on the mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjun Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
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Peters SC. Arsenic in groundwaters in the Northern Appalachian Mountain belt: a review of patterns and processes. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2008; 99:8-21. [PMID: 18571283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2008.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2007] [Revised: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/04/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring arsenic in the bedrock of the Northern Appalachian Mountain belt was first recognized in the late 19th century. The knowledge of the behavior of arsenic in groundwater in this region has lagged behind nearly a century, with the popular press reporting on local studies in the early 1980s, and most peer-reviewed research articles on regional patterns conducted and written in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Research reports have shown that within this high arsenic region, between 6% and 22% of households using private drinking water wells contain arsenic in excess of 10 microg/L, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level. In nearly all reports, arsenic in drinking water was derived from naturally occurring geologic sources, typically arsenopyrite, substituted sulfides such as arsenian pyrite, and nanoscale minerals such as westerveldite. In most studies, arsenic concentrations in groundwater were controlled by pH dependent adsorption to mineral surfaces, most commonly iron oxide minerals. In some cases, reductive dissolution of iron minerals has been shown to increase arsenic concentrations in groundwater, more commonly associated with anthropogenic activities such as landfills. Evidence of nitrate reduction promoting the presence of arsenic(V) and iron(III) minerals in anoxic environments has been shown to occur in surface waters, and in this manuscript we show this process perhaps applies to groundwater. The geologic explanation for the high arsenic region in the Northern Appalachian Mountain belt is most likely the crustal recycling of arsenic as an incompatible element during tectonic activity. Accretion of multiple terranes, in particular Avalonia and the Central Maine Terrane of New England appear to be connected to the presence of high concentrations of arsenic. Continued tectonic activity and recycling of these older terranes may also be responsible for the high arsenic observed in the Triassic rift basins, e.g. the Newark Basin. There are only two well-known cases of anthropogenic contamination of the environment in the northern Appalachian Mountain belt, both of which are industrial sites with surface contamination at that infiltrated the local groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Peters
- Lehigh University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
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