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Kypritidou Z, Kelepertzis E, Kritikos I, Kapaj E, Skoulika I, Kostakis M, Vassilakis E, Karavoltsos S, Boeckx P, Matiatos I. Geochemistry and origin of inorganic contaminants in soil, river sediment and surface water in a heavily urbanized river basin. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:172250. [PMID: 38599404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the geochemistry and contamination of rivers affected by anthropogenic activities is paramount to water resources management. The Asopos river basin in central Greece is facing environmental quality deterioration threats due to industrial, urban and agricultural activities. Here, the geochemistry of river sediments and adjacent soil in terms of major and trace elements (Al, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and the geochemical composition of surface water in terms of major ions, trace elements and nutrients along the Asopos river basin were determined. In addition, this study characterized potential nitrate sources through the analysis of stable isotope composition of NO3- (δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- and δ18Ο-ΝΟ3-). Results indicated that specific chemical constituents including nutrients (NO2-, NH4+, PO43-) and major ions (Na+, Cl-) were highest in the urban, industrialized and downstream areas. On the other hand, nitrate (NO3-) concentration in river water (median 7.9 mg/L) showed a decreasing trend from the upstream agricultural sites to the urban area and even more in the downstream of the urban area sites. Ionic ratios (NO3-/Cl-) and δ15Ν-ΝΟ3- values (range from +10.2 ‰ to +15.7 ‰), complemented with a Bayesian isotope mixing model, clearly showed the influence of organic wastes from septic systems and industries operating in the urban area on river nitrate geochemistry. The interpretation of geochemical data of soil and river sediment samples demonstrated the strong influence of local geology on Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni content, with isolated samples showing elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, mostly within the industrialized urban environment. The calculation of enrichment factors based on the national background concentrations provided limited insights into the origin of geogenic metals. Overall, this study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to assess the impact of the geological background and anthropogenic activities on river waters and sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharenia Kypritidou
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstratios Kelepertzis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Kritikos
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Emanuela Kapaj
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Iro Skoulika
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Kostakis
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Vassilakis
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Karavoltsos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84 Athens, Greece
| | - Pascal Boeckx
- Isotope Bioscience Laboratory-ISOFYS, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Ioannis Matiatos
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km of Athens-Sounio Ave., 19013 Anavissos, Attikis, Greece
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Abidi JH, Elzain HE, Sabarathinam C, El Fehri RM, Farhat B, Ben Mammou A, Waterloo MJ, Yassin MA, Senapathi V. Integrated approach to understand the multiple natural and anthropogenic stresses on intensively irrigated coastal aquifer in the Mediterranean region. Environ Res 2024; 252:118757. [PMID: 38537744 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the major factors influencing groundwater chemistry and its evolution in irrigation areas is crucial for efficient irrigation management. Major ions and isotopes (δD-H2O together with δ18O-H2O) were used to identify the natural and anthropogenic factors contributing to groundwater salinization in the shallow aquifer of the Wadi Guenniche Plain (WGP) in the Mediterranean region of Tunisia. A comprehensive geochemical investigation of groundwater was conducted during both the low irrigation season (L-IR) and the high irrigation season (H-IR). The results show that the variation range and average concentrations of almost all the ions in both the L-IR and H-IR seasons are high. The groundwater in both seasons is characterized by high electrical conductivity and CaMgCl/SO4 and NaCl types. The dissolution of halite and gypsum, the precipitation of calcite and dolomite, and Na-Ca exchange are the main chemical reactions in the geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Wadi Guenniche Shallow Aquifer (WGSA). Stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (δ18O-H2O and δD-H2O) indicate that groundwater in WGSA originated from local precipitation. In the H-IR season, the δ18O-H2O and δD-H2O values indicate that the groundwater experienced noticeable evaporation. The enriched isotopic signatures reveal that the WGSA's groundwater was influenced by irrigation return flow and seawater intrusion. The proportions of mixing with seawater were found to vary between 0.12% and 5.95%, and between 0.13% and 8.42% during the L-IR and H-IR seasons, respectively. Irrigation return flow and the associated evaporation increase the dissolved solids content in groundwater during the irrigation season. The long-term human activities (fertilization, irrigation, and septic waste infiltration) are the main drives of the high nitrate-N concentrations in groundwater. In coastal irrigation areas suffering from water scarcity, these results can help planners and policy makers understand the complexities of groundwater salinization to enable more sustainable management and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Hammami Abidi
- Laboratory of Mineral Resources and Environment, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hussam Eldin Elzain
- Water Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 50, AlKhoud 123, Oman.
| | | | - Rihem Mejdoub El Fehri
- Laboratory of Geotechnical Engineering and Georisk, High National School of Engineering of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Boutheina Farhat
- Laboratory of Mineral Resources and Environment, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdallah Ben Mammou
- Laboratory of Mineral Resources and Environment, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Mohamed A Yassin
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security, KFUPM, 31261, Saudi Arabia; Department of Geosciences, College of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Venkatramanan Senapathi
- PG and Research Department of Geology, National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli - 620001, Tamil Nadu, India
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Boumaiza L, Ben Ammar S, Chesnaux R, Stotler RL, Mayer B, Huneau F, Johannesson KH, Levison J, Knöller K, Stumpp C. Nitrate sources and transformation processes in groundwater of a coastal area experiencing various environmental stressors. J Environ Manage 2023; 345:118803. [PMID: 37611515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
In coastal salinized groundwater systems, contamination from various nitrate (NO3) inputs combined with complex hydrogeochemical processes make it difficult to distinguish NO3 sources and identify potential NO3 transformtation processes. Effective field-based NO3 studies in coastal areas are needed to improve the understanding of NO3 contamination dynamics in groundwater of such complex coastal systems. This study focuses on a typical Mediterranean coastal agricultural area, located in Tunisia, experiencing substantial NO3 contamination from multiple anthropogenic sources. Here, multiple isotopic tracers (δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O, δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3, and δ11B) combined with a Bayesian isotope MixSIAR model are used (i) to identify the major NO3 sources and their contributions, and (ii) to describe the potential NO3 transformation processes. The measured NO3 concentrations in groundwater are above the natural baseline threshold, suggesting anthropogenic influence. The measured isotopic composition of NO3 indicates that manure, soil organic matter, and sewage are the potential sources of NO3, while δ11B values constrain the NO3 contamination to manure; a finding that is supported by the results of MixSIAR model revealing that manure-derived NO3 dominates over other likely sources. Nitrate derived from manure in the study area is attributed to organic fertilizers used to promote crop growth, and livestock that deposit manure directly on the ground surface. Evidence for ongoing denitrification in groundwaters of the study area is supported by an enrichment in both 15N and 18O in the remaining NO3, although isotopic mass balances between the measured and the theoretical δ18ONO3 values also suggest the occurrence of nitrification. The simultaneous occurrence of these biogeochemical processes with heterogeneous distribution across the study area reflect the complexity of interactions within the investigated coastal aquifer. The multiple isotopic tracer approach used here can identify the effect of multiple NO3 anthropogenic activities in coastal environments, which is fundamental for sustainable groundwater resources management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamine Boumaiza
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario, N2T 0A4, Canada.
| | - Safouan Ben Ammar
- Université de Carthage, Institut Supérieur des Technologies de L'Environnement de L'Urbanisme et de Bâtiment, Tunis, 2035, Tunisia
| | - Romain Chesnaux
- Université Du Québec à Chicoutimi, Département des Sciences Appliquées, Saguenay, Québec, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Randy L Stotler
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario, N2T 0A4, Canada
| | - Bernhard Mayer
- University of Calgary, Department of Geoscience, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Frédéric Huneau
- Université de Corse, CNRS UMR 6134 SPE, Département d'Hydrogéologie, Campus Grimaldi BP52, Corte, 20250, France
| | - Karen H Johannesson
- University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Jana Levison
- University of Guelph, School of Engineering, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kay Knöller
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Catchment Hydrology, Halle, Saale, 06120, Germany
| | - Christine Stumpp
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Soil Physics and Rural Water Management, Vienna, 1190, Austria
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Wang Z, Xiong H, Ma C, Zhang F, Li X. Assessment of groundwater vulnerability by applying the improved DRASTIC model: a case in Guyuan City, Ningxia, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:59062-59075. [PMID: 37002526 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26763-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is the main source of production and living in most arid and semi-arid areas, and it plays an increasingly critical role in achieving local urban development. There is a serious issue regarding the contradiction between urban development and groundwater protection. In this study, we used three different models to assess the groundwater vulnerability of Guyuan City, including DRASTIC model, analytical hierarchy process-DRASTIC model (AHP-DRASTIC) and variable weight theory-DRASTIC model (VW-DRASTIC). The groundwater vulnerability index (GVI) of the study area was calculated in ArcGIS. Based on the magnitude of GVI, the groundwater vulnerability was classified into five classes: very high, high, medium, low, and very low using the natural breakpoint method, and the groundwater vulnerability map (GVM) of the study area was drawn. In order to validate the accuracy of groundwater vulnerability, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used, and the results showed that the VW-DRASTIC model performed best among the three models (ρ=0.83). The improved VW-DRASTIC model shows that the variable weight model effectively improves the accuracy of the DRASTIC model, which is more suitable for the study area. Finally, based on the results of GVM combined with the distribution of F- and urban development planning, suggestions were proposed for further sustainable groundwater management. This study provides a scientific basis for groundwater management in Guyuan City, which can be an example for similar areas, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiye Wang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hanxiang Xiong
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chuanming Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Fawang Zhang
- Center for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Baoding, 071051, China
| | - Xuan Li
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Boumaiza L, Walter J, Chesnaux R, Huneau F, Garel É, Erostate M, Johannesson KH, Vystavna Y, Bougherira N, Bordeleau G, Stotler RL, Blarasin M, Gutiérrez M, Knöller K, Stumpp C. Multi-tracer approach to understand nitrate contamination and groundwater-surface water interactions in the Mediterranean coastal area of Guerbes-Senhadja, Algeria. J Contam Hydrol 2022; 251:104098. [PMID: 36404424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.104098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Implementing sustainable groundwater resources management in coastal areas is challenging due to the negative impacts of anthropogenic stressors and various interactions between groundwater and surface water. This study focuses on nitrate contamination and transport via groundwater-surface water exchange in a Mediterranean coastal area (Guerbes-Senhadja region, Algeria) that is heavily affected by anthropogenic activities. A multi-tracer approach, integrating hydrogeochemical and isotopic tracers (δ2HH2O, δ18OH2O, 3H, δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3), is combined with a Bayesian isotope mixing model (MixSIAR) to (i) elucidate the nitrate sources and their apportionments in water systems, and (ii) describe potential interactions between groundwater and surface water. Results from nitrate isotopic composition and the MixSIAR model show that nitrate concentrations mainly originate from sewage and manure sources. Nitrate derived from the sewage is attributed to urban and rural wastewater discharge, whereas nitrate derived from the manure is related to animal manure used to fertilise agricultural areas. High apportionments of nitrate-based atmospheric precipitation are identified in groundwater and surface water; a finding that is specific to this study. The multi-origin stresses combined with evidence of interactions between surface water and groundwater contribute to negatively impacting large parts of the study coastal area. The outcomes of this study are expected to contribute to sustainable management of coastal ecosystems by drawing more attention towards groundwater use and protection. Furthermore, this study may improve scientists' ability to predict the behavior of anthropogenically impacted coastal ecosystems and help decision-makers elsewhere to prepare suitable environmental strategies for other coastal ecosystems currently undergoing an early stage of groundwater resources deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamine Boumaiza
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario N2T 0A4, Canada.
| | - Julien Walter
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Département des Sciences Appliquées, Saguenay, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada; Centre d'études sur les ressources minérales, Groupe de recherche Risque Ressource Eau, Saguenay, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Romain Chesnaux
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Département des Sciences Appliquées, Saguenay, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada; Centre d'études sur les ressources minérales, Groupe de recherche Risque Ressource Eau, Saguenay, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Frédéric Huneau
- Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Département d'Hydrogéologie, Campus Grimaldi, Corte 20250, France; CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Corte 20250, France
| | - Émilie Garel
- Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Département d'Hydrogéologie, Campus Grimaldi, Corte 20250, France; CNRS, UMR 6134 SPE, Corte 20250, France
| | - Mélanie Erostate
- Université de Corse Pascal Paoli, Département d'Hydrogéologie, Campus Grimaldi, Corte 20250, France; Institution Adour, Service gestion intégrée - Mission nappes profondes, Mont-de-Marsan 40000, France
| | - Karen H Johannesson
- University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Yuliya Vystavna
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Isotope Hydrology Section, Vienna 1400, Austria
| | - Nabil Bougherira
- Université Badji Mokhtar, Département de Géologie, Campus de Sidi-Amar, Annaba 23005, Algeria
| | - Geneviève Bordeleau
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec, Québec G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Randy L Stotler
- University of Waterloo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario N2T 0A4, Canada
| | - Mónica Blarasin
- Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Departamento de Geología, Río Cuarto, Córdoba X5804BYA, Argentina
| | - Mélida Gutiérrez
- Missouri State University, Department of Geography, Geology and Planning, Springfield, MO 65897, USA
| | - Kay Knöller
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Catchment Hydrology, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany
| | - Christine Stumpp
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Soil Physics and Rural Water Management, Vienna 1190, Austria
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