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Xiu W, Gai R, Chen S, Ren C, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Nixon SL, Polya DA, Hou S, Guo H. Ammonium-Enhanced Arsenic Mobilization from Aquifer Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38317381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Ammonium-related pathways are important for groundwater arsenic (As) enrichment, especially via microbial Fe(III) reduction coupled with anaerobic ammonium oxidation; however, the key pathways (and microorganisms) underpinning ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction and their contributions to As mobilization in groundwater are still unknown. To address this gap, aquifer sediments hosting high As groundwater from the western Hetao Basin were incubated with 15N-labeled ammonium and external organic carbon sources (including glucose, lactate, and lactate/acetate). Decreases in ammonium concentrations were positively correlated with increases in the total produced Fe(II) (Fe(II)tot) and released As. The molar ratios of Fe(II)tot to oxidized ammonium ranged from 3.1 to 3.7 for all incubations, and the δ15N values of N2 from the headspace increased in 15N-labeled ammonium-treated series, suggesting N2 as the key end product of ammonium oxidation. The addition of ammonium increased the As release by 16.1% to 49.6%, which was more pronounced when copresented with organic electron donors. Genome-resolved metagenomic analyses (326 good-quality MAGs) suggested that ammonium-induced Fe(III) reduction in this system required syntrophic metabolic interactions between bacterial Fe(III) reduction and archaeal ammonium oxidation. The current results highlight the significance of syntrophic ammonium-stimulated Fe(III) reduction in driving As mobilization, which is underestimated in high As groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ruixuan Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Songze Chen
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 518049, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cui Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Shengwei Hou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Department of Ocean Science and Department of Ocean Science & Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
- MWR Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation and School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
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Feng F, Jiang Y, Jia Y, Lian X, Shang C, Zhao M. Exogenous-organic-matter-driven mobilization of groundwater arsenic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 15:100243. [PMID: 36896144 PMCID: PMC9989647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The potential release capacity of arsenic (As) from sediment was evaluated under a high level of exogenous organic matter (EOM) with both bioreactive and chemically reactive organic matters (OMs). The OMs were characterized by FI, HIX, BIX, and SUVA254 fluorescence indices showing the biological activities were kept at a high level during the experimental period. At the genus level, Fe/Mn/As-reducing bacteria (Geobacter, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Clostridium) and bacteria (Paenibacillus, Acidovorax, Delftia, and Sphingomonas) that can participate in metabolic transformation using EOM were identified. The reducing condition occurs which promoted As, Fe, and Mn releases at very high concentrations of OM. However, As release increased during the first 15-20 days, followed by a decline contributed by secondary iron precipitation. The degree of As release may be limited by the reactivity of Fe (hydro)oxides. The EOM infiltration enhances As and Mn releases in aqueous conditions causing the risk of groundwater pollution, which could occur in specific sites such as landfills, petrochemical sites, and managed aquifer recharge projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yonghai Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yongfeng Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Xinying Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Changjian Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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Zhang D, Ke T, Xiu W, Ren C, Chen G, Lloyd JR, Bassil NM, Richards LA, Polya DA, Wang G, Guo H. Quantifying sulfidization and non-sulfidization in long-term in-situ microbial colonized As(V)-ferrihydrite coated sand columns: Insights into As mobility. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160066. [PMID: 36356776 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sulfide-induced reduction (sulfidization) of arsenic (As)-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides may lead to As mobilization in aquifer systems. However, little is known about the relative contributions of sulfidization and non-sulfidization of Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides reduction to As mobilization. To address this issue, high As groundwater with low sulfide (LS) and high sulfide (HS) concentrations were pumped through As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite-coated sand columns (LS-column and HS-column, respectively) being settled within wells in the western Hetao Basin, China. Sulfidization of As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite was evidenced by the increase in dissolved Fe(II) and the presence of solid Fe(II) and elemental sulfur (S0) in both the columns. A conceptual model was built using accumulated S0 and Fe(II) produced in the columns to calculate the proportions of sulfidization-induced Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxide reduction and non-sulfidization-induced Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxide reduction. Fe(III) reduction via sulfidization occurred preferentially in the inlet ends (LS-column, 31 %; HS-column, 86 %), while Fe(III) reduction via non-sulfidization processes predominated in the outlet ends (LS-column, 96 %; HS-column, 86 %), and was attributed to the metabolism of genera associated with Fe(III) reduction (including Shewanella, Ferribacterium, and Desulfuromonas). Arsenic was mobilized in the columns via sulfidization and non-sulfidization processes. More As was released from the solid of the HS-column than that of the LS-column due to the higher intensity of sulfidization in the presence of higher concentrations of dissolved S(-II). Overall, this study highlights the sulfidization of As-bearing Fe(III) (oxyhydro)oxides as an important As-mobilizing pathway in complex As-Fe-S bio-hydrogeochemical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; Institute of Earth sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Cui Ren
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Guangyu Chen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A Richards
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Guangcai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
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Podgorski J, Araya D, Berg M. Geogenic manganese and iron in groundwater of Southeast Asia and Bangladesh - Machine learning spatial prediction modeling and comparison with arsenic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155131. [PMID: 35405246 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring, geogenic manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are frequently found dissolved in groundwater at concentrations that make the water difficult to use (deposits, unpleasant taste) or, in the case of Mn, a potential health hazard. Over 6000 groundwater measurements of Mn and Fe in Southeast Asia and Bangladesh were assembled and statistically examined with other physicochemical parameters. The machine learning methods random forest and generalized boosted regression modeling were used with spatially continuous environmental parameters (climate, geology, soil, topography) to model and map the probability of groundwater Mn > 400 μg/L and Fe > 0.3 mg/L for Southeast Asia and Bangladesh. The modeling indicated that drier climatic conditions are associated with a tendency of elevated Mn concentrations, whereas high Fe concentrations tend to be found in a more humid climate with elevated levels of soil organic carbon. The spatial distribution of Mn > 400 μg/L and Fe > 0.3 mg/L was compared and contrasted with that of the critical geogenic contaminant arsenic (As), confirming that high Fe concentrations are often associated with high As concentrations, whereas areas of high concentrations of Mn and As are frequently found adjacent to each other. The probability maps draw attention to areas prone to elevated concentrations of geogenic Mn and Fe in groundwater and can help direct efforts to mitigate their negative effects. The greatest Mn hazard is found in densely populated northwest Bangladesh and the Mekong, Red and Ma River Deltas of Cambodia and Vietnam. Widespread elevated Fe concentrations and their associated negative effects on water infrastructure pose challenges to water supply. The Mn and Fe prediction maps demonstrate the value of machine learning for the geospatial prediction modeling and mapping of groundwater contaminants as well as the potential for further constituents to be targeted by this novel approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Podgorski
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Dahyann Araya
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Michael Berg
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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Richards LA, Kumari R, Parashar N, Kumar A, Lu C, Wilson G, Lapworth D, Niasar VJ, Ghosh A, Chakravorty B, Krause S, Polya DA, Gooddy DC. Environmental tracers and groundwater residence time indicators reveal controls of arsenic accumulation rates beneath a rapidly developing urban area in Patna, India. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2022; 249:104043. [PMID: 35767908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.104043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater security is a pressing environmental and societal issue, particularly due to significantly increasing stressors on water resources, including rapid urbanization and climate change. Groundwater arsenic is a major water security and public health challenge impacting millions of people in the Gangetic Basin of India and elsewhere globally. In the rapidly developing city of Patna (Bihar) in northern India, we have studied the evolution of groundwater chemistry under the city following a three-dimensional sampling framework of multi-depth wells spanning the central urban zone in close proximity to the River Ganges (Ganga) and transition into peri-urban and rural areas outside city boundaries and further away from the river. Using inorganic geochemical tracers (including arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, sulfate, sulfide and others) and residence time indicators (CFCs and SF6), we have evaluated the dominant hydrogeochemical processes occurring and spatial patterns in redox conditions across the study area. The distribution of arsenic and other redox-sensitive parameters is spatially heterogenous, and elevated arsenic in some locations is consistent with arsenic mobilization via reductive dissolution of iron hydroxides. Residence time indicators evidence modern (<~60-70 years) groundwater and suggest important vertical and lateral flow controls across the study area, including an apparent seasonal reversal in flow regimes near the urban center. An overall arsenic accumulation rate is estimated to be ~0.003 ± 0.003 μM.yr-1 (equivalent to ~0.3 ± 0.2 μg.yr-1), based on an average of CFC-11, CFC-12 and SF6-derived models, with the highest rates of arsenic accumulation observed in shallow, near-river groundwaters also exhibiting elevated concentrations of nutrients including ammonium. Our findings have implications on groundwater management in Patna and other rapidly developing cities, including potential future increased groundwater vulnerability associated with surface-derived ingress from large-scale urban abstraction or in higher permeability zones of river-groundwater connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Richards
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Rupa Kumari
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - Neha Parashar
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India; now at Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna 801106, Bihar, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - Chuanhe Lu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - George Wilson
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Dan Lapworth
- British Geological Survey, Maclean Building, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Vahid J Niasar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ashok Ghosh
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | | | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - David A Polya
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Daren C Gooddy
- British Geological Survey, Maclean Building, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
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Richards LA, Parashar N, Kumari R, Kumar A, Mondal D, Ghosh A, Polya DA. Household and community systems for groundwater remediation in Bihar, India: Arsenic and inorganic contaminant removal, controls and implications for remediation selection. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 830:154580. [PMID: 35302010 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The presence of arsenic (As) and other inorganic contaminants in groundwater is a key public health issue in India and many other parts of the world. Whilst a broad range of remediation technologies exist, performance can be highly variable, and appropriate selection and management of remediation approaches remains challenging. Here, we have identified and tested the performance of a range of small-scale remediation technologies (e.g. sand filters, multi-stage filtration and reverse osmosis (RO)-based systems; n = 38) which have been implemented in Bihar, India. We have undertaken spot-assessments of system performance under typical operating conditions in household and non-household (e.g. community, hospital, hostel/hotel) settings. The removal of As and other inorganic contaminants varied widely (ranging from ~0-100%), with some solutes generally more challenging to remove than others. We have evaluated the relative importance of technology type (e.g. RO-based versus non-RO systems), implementation setting (e.g. household versus non-household) and source water geochemistry (particularly concentrations and ratios of As, Fe, P, Si and Ca), as potential controls on remediation effectiveness. Source water composition, particularly the ratio ([Fe] - 1.8[P])/[As], is a statistically significant control on As removal (p < 0.01), with higher ratios associated with higher removal, regardless of technology type (under the site-specific conditions observed). This ratio provides a theoretical input which could be used to identify the extent to which natural groundwater composition may be geochemically compatible with higher levels of As removal. In Bihar, we illustrate how this ratio could be used to identify spatial patterns in theoretical geochemical compatibility for As removal, and to identify where additional Fe may theoretically facilitate improved remediation. This geochemical approach could be used to inform optimal selection of groundwater remediation approaches, when considered alongside other important considerations (e.g. technical, managerial and socio-economic) known to impact the effective implementation and sustainability of successful groundwater remediation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Richards
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Neha Parashar
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India; Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna 801106, Bihar, India
| | - Rupa Kumari
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - Arun Kumar
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - Debapriya Mondal
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Ashok Ghosh
- Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - David A Polya
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Pincetti-Zúniga GP, Richards LA, Daniele L, Boyce AJ, Polya DA. Hydrochemical characterization, spatial distribution, and geochemical controls on arsenic and boron in waters from arid Arica and Parinacota, northern Chile. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150206. [PMID: 34563905 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The livelihood of inhabitants from rural agricultural valleys in the arid Arica and Parinacota Region, northernmost Chile, strongly depends on water from high altitude rainfall and runoff to lower elevation areas. However, elevated arsenic, boron, and other potentially harmful elements compromise water quality, especially in rural areas. Samples (n = 90) of surface, underground, cold, geothermal springs, and treated and raw tap water were studied to assess water quality and to determine the main geochemical controls on water composition, origin, and geochemical evolution along dominant flowpaths. Water from major river basins across the region (Lluta, San Jose, Codpa-Chaca, Camarones and Altiplanicas) were collected for hydrogeochemical analysis of a suite of major and trace elements, δD and δ18O. Our new dataset was supplemented by hydrochemical data (n > 1500 data points) from secondary sources. Results show that 72% of the collected samples had As >10 μg/L (WHO drinking water provisional guideline) and affected 44% of the studied waters used for drinking (n = 32). Based on Chilean irrigation guidelines, elevated salinity (EC > 0.75 mS/cm) affected 80% of sampled waters, which were also impacted by high B (89% > 0.75 mg/L), and As (31% > 50 μg/L). Water composition was strongly controlled by geothermal water and freshwater mixing in high altitude areas. Magnitude and fate of As and B concentration was determined by the geothermal input type. Highest As (~21 mg/L) was associated with circum-neutral Na-Cl waters in Camarones basin, while lower As (~5 mg/L) with acid SO4 waters in Lluta basin. Additionally, evaporative concentration and sediment-water interactions were shown to control the level of As in surface and groundwaters downstream. This works provides a comprehensive analysis and a conceptual model of geochemical controls on regional water compositions, contributing to better understanding the geochemical processes underpinning the water quality challenges in northern Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- G P Pincetti-Zúniga
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - L A Richards
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - L Daniele
- Departamento de Geología, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Excelencia en Geotermia de Los Andes (CEGA), Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A J Boyce
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
| | - D A Polya
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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An Integrated Use of GIS, Geostatistical and Map Overlay Techniques for Spatio-Temporal Variability Analysis of Groundwater Quality and Level in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, South Asia. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12123555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The rapidly changing climatic scenario is demanding periodic evaluation of groundwater quality at the temporal and spatial scale in any region for its effectual management. The statistical, geographic information system (GIS), geostatistical, and map overlay approaches were applied for investigating the spatio-temporal variation in groundwater quality and level data of 242 monitoring wells in Punjab, Pakistan during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of the years 2015 and 2016. The analysis indicated the higher variation in data for both the seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon) as coefficient of variation (CV) values were found in the range of 84–175% for groundwater quality parameters. Based on the t-test values, the marginal improvement in groundwater electrical conductivity (EC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and decrease in groundwater level (GWL) were observed in 2016 as compared to 2015 (p = 0.05). The spatial distribution analysis of groundwater EC, SAR and RSC indicated that the groundwater quality was unfit for irrigation in the lower south-east part of the study area. The groundwater level (GWL) was also higher in that part of the study area during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in 2015 and 2016. The overlay analysis also indicated that the groundwater EC, RSC and GWL values were higher in south-east parts of the study area during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2015 and 2016. Hence, there is an instant need to apply groundwater management practices in the rest of the region (especially in the lower south-east part) to overcome the future degradation of groundwater quality.
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9
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Tweed S, Massuel S, Seidel JL, Chhuon K, Lun S, Eang KE, Venot JP, Belaud G, Babic M, Leblanc M. Seasonal influences on groundwater arsenic concentrations in the irrigated region of the Cambodian Mekong Delta. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 728:138598. [PMID: 32361578 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Similar to many southern and southeast Asian regions, the mobilisation of arsenic (As) from sediments has driven a widespread contamination problem for groundwater resources in the Cambodian Mekong Delta. For the first time, the seasonal changes in As concentrations and potential links to groundwater pumping for irrigation in shallow aquifers of the Cambodian Mekong Delta are investigated. Using environmental tracers (δ18O, δ2H, 3H, major/trace ions and rare earth elements) the natural and pumping-induced changes in hydrogeological processes are identified. Three conceptual models are proposed: Model 1, where there is limited local recharge or low recharge rates (3H mean residence time > 60 years) and groundwater has a large range in As concentrations (0.2 to 393.8 μg/L). In this semi-confined aquifer, only one of the six groundwater sites has As concentrations that increase (by 10.9 μg/L) potentially due to groundwater pumping and resultant mixing with high-As and low (Pr/Sm)NASC groundwater. However, data on groundwater extraction volumes is required to verify the link with irrigation practices. Model 2, where groundwater is recharged by evaporated surface waters (fractionated δ18O and δ2H). There are moderate As concentrations (64.1-106.1 μg/L) but no significant seasonal changes even though the recharging waters have relatively greater organic carbon contents during the dry season (reduced Ce/Ce*anomaly). Finally model 3, where groundwater is significantly recharged by wet season rainfall (~50% from δ18O data). There is a minor increase in As concentrations with recharge (by 6. μg/L). These combined results highlight an aquifer system in the irrigated region of the Cambodian Mekong Delta where As concentrations are largely impacted by natural rather than irrigation processes. Seasonal-scale recharge processes control As processes where the aquifer is not confined by shallow clay layers, and where the aquifer is semi-confined As concentrations largely reflect longer-term natural processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tweed
- UMR G-eau, IRD, SupAgro, Montpellier, France.
| | - S Massuel
- UMR G-eau, IRD, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - J L Seidel
- UMR HSM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - S Lun
- ITC, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - J P Venot
- UMR G-eau, IRD, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - G Belaud
- UMR G-eau, IRD, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - M Babic
- UMR EMMAH, Hydrogeology Laboratory, University of Avignon, France
| | - M Leblanc
- UMR EMMAH, Hydrogeology Laboratory, University of Avignon, France
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10
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Stopelli E, Duyen VT, Mai TT, Trang PTK, Viet PH, Lightfoot A, Kipfer R, Schneider M, Eiche E, Kontny A, Neumann T, Glodowska M, Patzner M, Kappler A, Kleindienst S, Rathi B, Cirpka O, Bostick B, Prommer H, Winkel LHE, Berg M. Spatial and temporal evolution of groundwater arsenic contamination in the Red River delta, Vietnam: Interplay of mobilisation and retardation processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137143. [PMID: 32062264 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Geogenic arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater poses a major threat to global health, particularly in Asia. To mitigate this exposure, groundwater is increasingly extracted from low-As Pleistocene aquifers. This, however, disturbs groundwater flow and potentially draws high-As groundwater into low-As aquifers. Here we report a detailed characterisation of the Van Phuc aquifer in the Red River Delta region, Vietnam, where high-As groundwater from a Holocene aquifer is being drawn into a low-As Pleistocene aquifer. This study includes data from eight years (2010-2017) of groundwater observations to develop an understanding of the spatial and temporal evolution of the redox status and groundwater hydrochemistry. Arsenic concentrations were highly variable (0.5-510 μg/L) over spatial scales of <200 m. Five hydro(geo)chemical zones (indicated as A to E) were identified in the aquifer, each associated with specific As mobilisation and retardation processes. At the riverbank (zone A), As is mobilised from freshly deposited sediments where Fe(III)-reducing conditions occur. Arsenic is then transported across the Holocene aquifer (zone B), where the vertical intrusion of evaporative water, likely enriched in dissolved organic matter, promotes methanogenic conditions and further release of As (zone C). In the redox transition zone at the boundary of the two aquifers (zone D), groundwater arsenic concentrations decrease by sorption and incorporations onto Fe(II) carbonates and Fe(II)/Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides under reducing conditions. The sorption/incorporation of As onto Fe(III) minerals at the redox transition and in the Mn(IV)-reducing Pleistocene aquifer (zone E) has consistently kept As concentrations below 10 μg/L for the studied period of 2010-2017, and the location of the redox transition zone does not appear to have propagated significantly. Yet, the largest temporal hydrochemical changes were found in the Pleistocene aquifer caused by groundwater advection from the Holocene aquifer. This is critical and calls for detailed investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Stopelli
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Vu T Duyen
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tran T Mai
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham T K Trang
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham H Viet
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Alexandra Lightfoot
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Kipfer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Magnus Schneider
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Eiche
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Agnes Kontny
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Thomas Neumann
- Applied Geochemistry, Institute for Applied Geosciences, Technical University Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martyna Glodowska
- Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Microbial Ecology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monique Patzner
- Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kappler
- Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Kleindienst
- Microbial Ecology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bhasker Rathi
- Hydrogeology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Cirpka
- Hydrogeology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Bostick
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, 10964, NY, USA
| | - Henning Prommer
- CSIRO Land and Water, 6014 Floreat, Western Australia, Australia; School of Earth Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lenny H E Winkel
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Berg
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; UNESCO Chair on Groundwater Arsenic Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Southern Queensland, QLD 4350, Australia.
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11
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Distribution and Geochemical Controls of Arsenic and Uranium in Groundwater-Derived Drinking Water in Bihar, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072500. [PMID: 32268538 PMCID: PMC7177302 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to groundwater containing elevated concentrations of geogenic contaminants such as arsenic (As) and uranium (U) can lead to detrimental health impacts. In this study, we have undertaken a groundwater survey of representative sites across all districts of the State of Bihar, in the Middle Gangetic Plain of north-eastern India. The aim is to characterize the inorganic major and trace element aqueous geochemistry in groundwater sources widely used for drinking in Bihar, with a particular focus on the spatial distribution and associated geochemical controls on groundwater As and U. Concentrations of As and U are highly heterogeneous across Bihar, exceeding (provisional) guideline values in ~16% and 7% of samples (n = 273), respectively. The strongly inverse correlation between As and U is consistent with the contrasting redox controls on As and U mobility. High As is associated with Fe, Mn, lower Eh and is depth-dependent; in contrast, high U is associated with HCO3−, NO3− and higher Eh. The improved understanding of the distribution and geochemical controls on As and U in Bihar has important implications on remediation priorities and selection, and may contribute to informing further monitoring and/or representative characterization efforts in Bihar and elsewhere in India.
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12
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Xiu W, Lloyd J, Guo H, Dai W, Nixon S, Bassil NM, Ren C, Zhang C, Ke T, Polya D. Linking microbial community composition to hydrogeochemistry in the western Hetao Basin: Potential importance of ammonium as an electron donor during arsenic mobilization. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105489. [PMID: 31991235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Various functional groups of microorganisms and related biogeochemical processes are likely to control arsenic (As) mobilization in groundwater systems. However, spatially-dependent correlations between microbial community composition and geochemical zonation along groundwater flow paths are not fully understood, especially with respect to arsenic mobility. The western Hetao Basin was selected as the study area to address this limitation, where groundwater flows from a proximal fan (geochemical-group I: low As, oxidizing), through a transition area (geochemical-group II: moderate As, moderately-reducing) and then to a flat plain (geochemical-group III: high As, reducing). High-throughput Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the microbial community structure in the proximal fan included bacteria affiliated with organic carbon degradation and nitrate-reduction or even nitrate-dependant Fe(II)-oxidation, mainly resulting in As immobilization. In contrast, for the flat plain, high As groundwater contained Fe(III)- and As(V)-reducing bacteria, consistent with current models on As mobilization driven via reductive dissolution of Fe(III)/As(V) mineral assemblages. However, Spearman correlations between hydrogeochemical data and microbial community compositions indicated that ammonium as a possible electron donor induced reduction of Fe oxide minerals, suggesting a wider range of metabolic pathways (including ammonium oxidation coupled with Fe(III) reduction) driving As mobilization in high As groundwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jonathan Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Huaming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Sophie Nixon
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Naji M Bassil
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Cui Ren
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Chaoran Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tiantian Ke
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - David Polya
- Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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13
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Kim H, Høyer AS, Jakobsen R, Thorling L, Aamand J, Maurya PK, Christiansen AV, Hansen B. 3D characterization of the subsurface redox architecture in complex geological settings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 693:133583. [PMID: 31635011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) leaching caused by agricultural activities is one of the major threats to the aquatic ecosystems and public health. Moving from the agricultural soils through the subsurface and reemerging to the surface water, N undergoes various biogeochemical reactions along pathways in the subsurface, which occur heterogeneously in space and time. Thus to improve our understanding on the fate and distribution of N in the aquatic environment, detailed knowledge about the subsurface hydrogeological and biogeochemical conditions, especially the redox conditions, are essential. In this study, 3D information of the redox conditions termed the redox architecture was investigated in two Danish catchments with intensive agriculture underlain by glacial deposits. Towed transient electromagnetic (tTEM) resistivity was interpreted which reveals the subsurface geological structures at a few hectare scale. These geophysical data were integrated with sediment and water chemistry for the redox architecture interpretations. The top soils of both catchments are characterized as clay-till, but the tTEM showed that the subsurface hydrogeological structures are distinctively different. We identified three types of redox architectures in the studied catchments: 1) a planar redox architecture with a single redox interface; 2) a geological-window redox architecture with local complexity; and 3) a glaciotectonic-thrusted redox architecture with high complexity. The baseflow N load at the catchment outlets reflect the contributions of N via oxic pathways through the complex redox architectures of the subsurface. We conclude that in some landscapes, the redox architecture cannot be simplified as a single interface that roughly follows the terrain; hence, thorough investigations of the structural heterogeneity of the local redox architectures will be necessary to improve simulations of N evolution along pathways and quantifications of N attenuation under various mitigation scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojin Kim
- Department of Quaternary and Groundwater mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), C.F. Møllers Allé 8, Building 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus, C, Denmark.
| | - Anne-Sophie Høyer
- Department of Quaternary and Groundwater mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), C.F. Møllers Allé 8, Building 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus, C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Jakobsen
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Lærke Thorling
- Department of Quaternary and Groundwater mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), C.F. Møllers Allé 8, Building 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus, C, Denmark
| | - Jens Aamand
- Department of Geochemistry, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Pradip Kumar Maurya
- Aarhus University, HydroGeophysics Group, Department of Geoscience, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Birgitte Hansen
- Department of Quaternary and Groundwater mapping, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), C.F. Møllers Allé 8, Building 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus, C, Denmark
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14
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Richards LA, Magnone D, Sültenfuß J, Chambers L, Bryant C, Boyce AJ, van Dongen BE, Ballentine CJ, Sovann C, Uhlemann S, Kuras O, Gooddy DC, Polya DA. Dual in-aquifer and near surface processes drive arsenic mobilization in Cambodian groundwaters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 659:699-714. [PMID: 31096400 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Millions of people globally, and particularly in South and Southeast Asia, face chronic exposure to arsenic from reducing groundwaters in which. Arsenic release to is widely attributed largely to reductive dissolution of arsenic-bearing iron minerals, driven by metal reducing bacteria using bioavailable organic matter as an electron donor. However, the nature of the organic matter implicated in arsenic mobilization, and the location within the subsurface where these processes occur, remains debated. In a high resolution study of a largely pristine, shallow aquifer in Kandal Province, Cambodia, we have used a complementary suite of geochemical tracers (including 14C, 3H, 3He, 4He, Ne, δ18O, δD, CFCs and SF6) to study the evolution in arsenic-prone shallow reducing groundwaters along dominant flow paths. The observation of widespread apparent 3H-3He ages of <55years fundamentally challenges some previous models which concluded that groundwater residence times were on the order of hundreds of years. Surface-derived organic matter is transported to depths of >30m, and the relationships between age-related tracers and arsenic suggest that this surface-derived organic matter is likely to contribute to in-aquifer arsenic mobilization. A strong relationship between 3H-3He age and depth suggests the dominance of a vertical hydrological control with an overall vertical flow velocity of ~0.4±0.1m·yr-1 across the field area. A calculated overall groundwater arsenic accumulation rate of ~0.08±0.03μM·yr-1 is broadly comparable to previous estimates from other researchers for similar reducing aquifers in Bangladesh. Although apparent arsenic groundwater accumulation rates varied significantly with site (e.g. between sand versus clay dominated sequences), rates are generally highest near the surface, perhaps reflecting the proximity to the redox cline and/or depth-dependent characteristics of the OM pool, and confounded by localized processes such as continued in-aquifer mobilization, sorption/desorption, and methanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Richards
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Daniel Magnone
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jürgen Sültenfuß
- Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | - Lee Chambers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Charlotte Bryant
- NERC Radiocarbon Facility, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
| | - Adrian J Boyce
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
| | - Bart E van Dongen
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher J Ballentine
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Chansopheaktra Sovann
- Department of Environmental Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sebastian Uhlemann
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Oliver Kuras
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Daren C Gooddy
- British Geological Survey, Maclean Building, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
| | - David A Polya
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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15
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Preziosi E, Frollini E, Zoppini A, Ghergo S, Melita M, Parrone D, Rossi D, Amalfitano S. Disentangling natural and anthropogenic impacts on groundwater by hydrogeochemical, isotopic and microbiological data: Hints from a municipal solid waste landfill. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 84:245-255. [PMID: 30691899 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Within human-impacted areas, high levels of inorganic compounds in groundwater are broadly and preventively attributed to local anthropogenic pollution, thoroughly disregarding geogenic natural background levels. Particularly in landfills, a proper evaluation of the significant adverse environmental effects should be completed through a detailed groundwater characterization, and appropriate reference values established prior to landfill onset. However, the monitoring network may lack a full hydrogeological representativeness of the site and of the background conditions of groundwater. This study aimed at disentangling natural and anthropogenic impacts through a synoptic analysis of hydrogeochemical, isotopic and microbiological characteristics of groundwaters from a municipal solid waste landfill area in Central Italy. Samples were collected during four seasonal monitoring surveys from the mostly anoxic aquifer underlying the target area. Field parameters, inorganic and organic compounds, environmental isotopes, faecal contamination, and microbial community characteristics were determined, along with a detailed hydrogeological conceptual model. Key inorganic contaminants (As, Fe and Mn) exceeded the local threshold values in most of the sampling points, while organic contamination was generally very low. Stable isotopes suggested that groundwater originated mainly from local rainfall, except at one monitoring points where tritium levels might indicate moderate impact. Microbiological data and the microbial community characterization, assessed by flow cytometry and BIOLOG assays, provided further supportive information, also highlighting fundamental effects of groundwater quality alterations. Overall, an integrated multi-parametric approach proved suitable to distinguish geogenic and anthropogenic impacts, thus improving strategies and schemes for protection and management of groundwaters in landfills and waste related industrial areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Preziosi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Eleonora Frollini
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Zoppini
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Ghergo
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Melita
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Daniele Parrone
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - David Rossi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
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16
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Luong VT, Cañas Kurz EE, Hellriegel U, Luu TL, Hoinkis J, Bundschuh J. Iron-based subsurface arsenic removal technologies by aeration: A review of the current state and future prospects. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 133:110-122. [PMID: 29367047 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a critical issue and one that raises great concern around the world as the cause of many negative health impacts on the human body, including internal and external cancers. There are many ways to remove or immobilize arsenic, including membrane technologies, adsorption, sand filtration, ion exchange, and capacitive deionization. These exhibit many different advantages and disadvantages. Among these methods, in-situ subsurface arsenic immobilization by aeration and the subsequent removal of arsenic from the aqueous phase has shown to be very a promising, convenient technology with high treatment efficiency. In contrast to most of other As remediation technologies, in-situ subsurface immobilization offers the advantage of negligible waste production and hence has the potential of being a sustainable treatment option. This paper reviews the application of subsurface arsenic removal (SAR) technologies as well as current modeling approaches. Unlike subsurface iron removal (SIR), which has proven to be technically feasible in a variety of hydrogeochemical settings for many years, SAR is not yet an established solution since it shows vulnerability to diverse geochemical conditions such as pH, Fe:As ratio, and the presence of co-ions. In some situations, this makes it difficult to comply with the stringent guideline value for drinking water recommended by the WHO (10 μg L-1). In order to overcome its limitations, more theoretical and experimental studies are needed to show long-term application achievements and help the development of SAR processes into state-of-the-art technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu T Luong
- Vietnamese-German University, Le Lai Street, Hoa Phu Ward, Thu Dau Mot City 822096, Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam
| | - Edgardo E Cañas Kurz
- Center of Applied Research, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Moltkestr. 30, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hellriegel
- Center of Applied Research, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Moltkestr. 30, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tran L Luu
- Vietnamese-German University, Le Lai Street, Hoa Phu Ward, Thu Dau Mot City 822096, Binh Duong Province, Viet Nam
| | - Jan Hoinkis
- Center of Applied Research, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Moltkestr. 30, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Jochen Bundschuh
- Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West St, Darling Heights, 4350 Toowoomba, Australia
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17
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Magnone D, Richards LA, Polya DA, Bryant C, Jones M, van Dongen BE. Biomarker-indicated extent of oxidation of plant-derived organic carbon (OC) in relation to geomorphology in an arsenic contaminated Holocene aquifer, Cambodia. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13093. [PMID: 29026193 PMCID: PMC5638849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The poisoning of rural populations in South and Southeast Asia due to high groundwater arsenic concentrations is one of the world’s largest ongoing natural disasters. It is important to consider environmental processes related to the release of geogenic arsenic, including geomorphological and organic geochemical processes. Arsenic is released from sediments when iron-oxide minerals, onto which arsenic is adsorbed or incorporated, react with organic carbon (OC) and the OC is oxidised. In this study we build a new geomorphological framework for Kandal Province, a highly studied arsenic affected region of Cambodia, and tie this into wider regional environmental change throughout the Holocene. Analyses shows that the concentration of OC in the sediments is strongly inversely correlated to grainsize. Furthermore, the type of OC is also related to grain size with the clay containing mostly (immature) plant derived OC and sand containing mostly thermally mature derived OC. Finally, analyses indicate that within the plant derived OC relative oxidation is strongly grouped by stratigraphy with the older bound OC more oxidised than younger OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Magnone
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.,Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.,School of Geography, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
| | - Laura A Richards
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.,Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A Polya
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.,Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Bryant
- NERC Radiocarbon Facility, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue, East Kilbride, G75 OQF, United Kingdom
| | - Merren Jones
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Bart E van Dongen
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. .,Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
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