Quantification of groundwater contamination in an urban area using integral pumping tests

In this paper, the integral groundwater investigation method is used for the quantification of PCE and TCE mass flow rates at an industrialized urban area in Linz, Austria. In this approach, pumping wells positioned along control planes perpendicular to the groundwater flow direction are operated for a time period on the order of days and sampled for contaminants. The concentration time series of the contaminants measured during operation of the pumping wells are then used to determine contaminant mass flow rates, mean concentrations and the plume shapes and positions at the control planes. The three control planes used in Linz were positioned downstream of a number of potential source zones, which are distributed over the field site. By use of the integral investigation method, it was possible to identify active contaminant sources, quantify the individual source strength in terms of mass flow rates at the control planes and estimate the contaminant plume position relative to the control planes. The source zones emitting the highest PCE and TCE mass flow rates could be determined, representing the areas where additional investigation and remediation activities will be needed. Additionally, large parts of the area investigated could be excluded from further investigation and remediation activities.     

Multivariate statistical evaluation of trace elements in groundwater in a coastal area in Shenzhen, China

Multivariate statistical techniques are efficient ways to display complex relationships among many objects. An attempt was made to study the data of trace elements in groundwater using multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), Q-mode factor analysis and cluster analysis. The original matrix consisted of 17 trace elements estimated from 55 groundwater samples colleted in 27 wells located in a coastal area in Shenzhen, China. PCA results show that trace elements of V, Cr, As, Mo, W, and U with greatest positive loadings typically occur as soluble oxyanions in oxidizing waters, while Mn and Co with greatest negative loadings are generally more soluble within oxygen depleted groundwater. Cluster analyses demonstrate that most groundwater samples collected from the same well in the study area during summer and winter still fall into the same group. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of multivariate statistical analysis in hydrochemical studies.     

Sulfate contamination in groundwater from a carbonate-hosted mine

Sulfide oxidation in a carbonate environment produces groundwater contamination with high sulfate making the water unsuitable for drinking supplies. The zinc-lead mines near Shullsburg, Wisconsin are located in the Galena-Platteville Formation, a carbonate aquifer that was dewatered during mining. Sulfate levels have reached as high as 40 nmol/l in some local wells and eleven wells were abandoned.Geochemical modeling of chemical reactions and isotope effects using the USGS computer program PHREEQE showed the importance of dolomite, calcite, CO₂, and siderite or iron hydroxide in controlling the water chemistry. The decrease in sulfate levels with time indicated that dilution by incoming recharge water was an ongoing process. The results of carbon isotope reaction modeling are consistent with dilution of contaminated water. The evidence for localization of contamination and dilution means that area farmers have seen the worst of the contamination. The mechanism of contamination was further examined by microbiological sampling and sulfur isotope determinations, which indicated that bacteria of the Thiobacillus species that thrive under neutral pH conditions may have catalyzed sulfide oxidation.Research into the chemical evolution of contamination in this environment not only explains how sulfide oxidation causes contamination despite buffering by carbonate rocks, but also suggests how oxidation is initiated in the case of acid mine drainage.     

Herbicide contamination of surficial groundwater in Northern Italy

Data on herbicide pollution in groundwater are rather scarce; monitoring data are based on single investigation, focussing on limited area and on few compounds of interest. The large number of approved active ingredients (approximately 600 chemicals) makes difficult to obtain an accurate and actual information on herbicide application in different countries, even if herbicides are the second most important class of pesticides used in the European Union. The results of a two-year monitoring campaign undertaken in two areas intensively cultivated at Lombardy, Northern Italy, showed a diffuse groundwater contamination due to active ingredients and their metabolites. More than 50% of samples overcame M.A.C. and the most common herbicides were Atrazine, Terbuthylazine and Metolachlor, while DEA and DET metabolites were often characterized by greater concentrations than their relative active principles.     

Survey of butyltin contamination in Portuguese coastal environments

Butyltin compounds (MBT, DBT and TBT) in intertidal sediments collected in four different Portuguese coastal environments have been measured in order to evaluate the extent of contamination. The sites chosen were the Rias of Aveiro and Faro, and the Sado and Tejo estuaries. These zones were traditional areas for shellfish production in the recent past, but the effects of industrial development have caused a deterioration of the environment. Specific contaminations were derived from the harbour (commercial and/or fisheries) and shipyard activities, resulting in a release of TBT and causing the oyster populations of the above mentioned estuaries to almost disappear. Results presented in this study give a survey of TBT contamination levels found in the four areas. The paper discusses the importance of the pollution in comparison with other European coastal areas.     

PCB contamination in farmed and wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) from a coastal wetland area in central Italy

Food consumption is by far the main exposure route for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the general population, and fish and fishery products seem to be the main contributors to the total dietary intake of these pollutants. In recent years some investigations have suggested that farmed fish may be more significantly contaminated than wild fish, because of polluted feed. This study measured the levels of PCBs in wild and farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), one of the most valuable and popular fish in the Italian diet, and assessed the exposure to these pollutants through fish intake. Concentrations of summation operator (Sigma59PCBs) and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs), as toxic equivalency (TEQ), in fish samples, ranged from 2.2 to 32ngg(-1) and from 0.1 to 4.0pg TEQ((2006) DL-PCBs)g(-1) whole weight, respectively. Farmed sea bass were as average two times more contaminated. Even if the concentrations of DL-PCBs were below the regulation limits, intake of these compounds from nine fish meals per month can in itself exceed the WHO Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI).     

Trace metal contamination in commercial fish and crustaceans collected from coastal area of Bangladesh and health risk assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Trace metals contamination in commercial fish and crustaceans have become a great problem in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to determine seven...     

Evaluation of groundwater flow patterns around a dual-screened groundwater circulation well

Dual-screened groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) can be used to remove contaminant mass and to mix reagents in situ. GCWs are so named because they force water in a circular pattern between injection and extraction screens. The radial extent, flux and direction of the effective flow of this circulation cell are difficult to measure or predict. The objective of this study is to develop a robust protocol for assessing GCW performance. To accomplish this, groundwater flow patterns surrounding a GCW are assessed using a suite of tools and data, including: hydraulic head, in situ flow velocity, measured hydraulic conductivity data from core samples, chemical tracer tests, contaminant distribution data, and numerical flow and transport models. The hydraulic head data show patterns that are consistent with pumping on a dual-screened well, however, many of the observed changes are smaller than expected. In situ thermal perturbation flow sensors successfully measured horizontal flow, but vertical flow could not be determined with sufficient accuracy to be useful in mapping flow patterns. Two types of chemical tracer tests were utilized at the site and showed that much of the flow occurs within a few meters of the GCW. Flow patterns were also assessed based on changes in contaminant (trichloroethylene, TCE) concentrations over time. The TCE data clearly showed treated water moving away from the GCW at shallow and intermediate depths, but the circulation of that water back to the well, except very close to the well, was less clear. Detailed vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivities were measured on 0.3 m-long sections from a continuous core from the GCW installation borehole. The measured vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivity data were used to construct numerical flow and transport models, the results of which were compared to the head, velocity and concentration data. Taken together, the field data and modeling present a fairly consistent picture of flow and transport around the GCW. However, the time and expense associated with conducting all of those tests would be prohibitive for most sites. As a consequence, a sequential protocol for GCW characterization is presented here in which the number of tools used can be adjusted to meet the needs of individual sites. While not perfect, we believe that this approach represents the most efficient means for evaluating GCW performance.     

Assessment of pesticide contamination in Akkar groundwater,northern Lebanon

According to its high production and value, Akkar is considered as the second agricultural region in Lebanon. Groundwater constitutes the principal source of water in Akkar including drinking water of local inhabitants in Akkar. As such, the contamination of groundwater by organic pollutants can impact directly the population health. In this study, we evaluated the contamination status of groundwater in this region. Three classes of pesticides including 19 organochlorine (OC) pesticides, 8 organophosphorus (OP) pesticides, and 6 organonitrogen (ON) pesticides were monitored in 15 groundwater samples collected from different villages on the Akkar plain. Samples were extracted by using solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed high contamination of Akkar groundwater by OCs with levels that can reach 58.9 μg/L. They were detected in the majority of the sample and represent 95–100% of ∑pesticides. Our results showed the recent use of these molecules with an average level of 0.3 and 0.39 μg/L for ∑HCHs and DDTs, respectively. Their concentrations were higher than those observed in the same region in 2014 and other regions elsewhere. OPs were also detected at high levels and among them, methylparathion was the predominant OP detected (44.6 μg/L). For ONs, lower levels were measured in all samples with a mean value of 5.6 μg/L. As a conclusion of this work, groundwater on the plain of Akkar was remarkably contaminated by the studied pesticides; indefinitely, more efforts should be taken to manage the pesticide use in this region, assess, and reduce their effects on human health. In the future, the application of organic farming can be a great solution to the groundwater contamination problem.     

Atmospheric deposition of organochlorine pesticides by precipitation in a coastal area

Wet deposition fluxes of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined for rain samples collected in a coastal area of Turkey. Seventeen precipitation samples were collected over a 1-year period from 2008 to 2009. Rainwater was accumulated at the beginning of rain events using real time monitoring. Atmospheric concentrations were also measured in parallel with deposition samples. Both atmospheric concentrations and deposition fluxes were determined as particle and gas phases. The particle phase and dissolved phase deposition fluxes were 794.26?±?756.70 ngm^?2 day^?1 and 800.77?±?672.63 ngm^?2 day^?1, respectively. The washout ratios for OCP compounds were calculated separately for the particle and dissolved phases using the atmospheric concentrations and rain concentrations. The minimum washout ratio for the particle phase was 2339.47 for Endrin aldehyde, whereas the maximum washout ratio was 497593.34 for Methoxychlor. The maximum washout ratio for the dissolved phase was 247523.89 for Endosulfan beta, whereas the minimum washout ratio was 10169.69 for p,p′-DDT. The dry deposition velocities ranged from 0.01 to 1.67 cms^?1. The partitioning of wet deposition between the particle and dissolved phases was 50 % in terms of total OCP deposition.     

On the nature of nitrate particles in a coastal urban area

Application of micro spot and electron microscopy techniques to individual particles in a coastal urban site revealed the following:

• 1.(a) sulfate particles, some of them mixed, dominated the sub-μm (0.3–0.8 μm) size range;
• 2.(b) nitrates were found mostly in the μm size range, in the form of NaNO₃.

The latter was verified by X-ray analysis of individual nitrates. Apparently the NaNO₃ particles were formed through heterogeneous reaction of gaseous HNO₃ with sea salt particles.     

某矿区土壤和地下水重金属污染调查与评价

为了解湘南某矿区土壤和地下水重金属污染状况,对该矿区东河流域附近重金属污染源进行了调查,同时,对地下水和土壤样品进行了采样分析,结果表明：（1）该矿区东河流域附近的主要污染源有18个,其中有色金属选厂、尾矿库、采矿场和冶炼厂是排放重金属较多的污染源;（2）20个采样点中土壤重金属Pb、Cd、Zn、As和Hg大部分超过国家土壤环境质量标准（GB15618-1995）,综合污染指数P综〉1,该矿区主要的重金属污染元素为Cd、As和Hg,且土壤中Cd、Zn和As的含量两两之间存在着极显著的正线性相关关系;（3）重金属元素在土壤中的纵向迁移不明显,该矿区附近20个采样点的地下水并未受到污染,综合污染指数P综〈1。20个采样点地下水Pb、Cd、Zn、As、Hg浓度均能达到地下水质量标准（GB／T14848．9）中的Ⅲ类标准。     

Characterization of contamination in and toxicities of a shipyard area in Hong Kong

This is the first integrated study on the contaminant characterization and toxicities of a shipyard area. This site in Hong Kong contained 3.6-33.4 mg kg(-1) dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and 5-79 g kg(-1) oil and grease. Other pollutants exceeding the Dutch intervention values were total polyaromatic hydrocarbons, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals Cu, Pb and Zn. These pollutants persisted partially owing to the poor fertility with <125 mg N kg(-1) and <530 mg P kg(-1) typical of coastal soil. Sediments collected within 100 m also showed contamination exceeding the China and Hong Kong intervention levels. The shipyard soil killed two bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and Acinetobacter sp. isolated from a clean coastal soil, inhibited germination of three exogenous plants Triticum aestivum, Brassica chinense and Lolium perenne, and inhibited proliferation of three indigenous bacteria: Methylobacterium sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. Thus, ex situ remediation was needed.     

Evaluating contamination of dredges and disposal criteria in Greek coastal areas

Sediments were collected from areas that were going to be dredged located at six small Greek ports, as well as from possible disposal areas. In order to assess the contamination level of dredged material, the samples were analysed for pH, organic matter, the metals Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and major organic compounds (PAHs, PCBs). The sediments' quality was evaluated by two approaches: (i) by classifying each area according to two sets of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and (ii) by calculating the contamination factors and degree for each area. The results showed that organic compounds were detected in trace amounts in 14% of the port samples belonging to the PAHs group. The characterization of the sediment samples was based on the metals' concentration showing that the majority of the areas to be dredged (80%) are classified as of medium-low contamination according to the SQGs. However, according to the contamination degree, only 30% of the areas are classified as of low contamination, while 40% as of moderate contamination and 30% of the areas as of considerable contamination. From the point of view of "no disturbance" of the ecosystem, decisions about dumping should be taken only after evaluating the material to be dredged. If the SQGs are exceeded, dumping must be forbidden. Otherwise, further evaluation is needed based on the comparison with the receiving area, i.e. by estimating the contamination degree. Dumping could be allowed if the contamination degree is found to be below moderate.     

Redundancy analysis for characterizing the groundwater quality in coastal industrial areas

Groundwater quality in coastal area has been an issue of interest because of excessive groundwater extraction for human use, for example, industrialization, irrigation, which can lead to saltwater intrusion. The study develops an integrated data analysis procedure based on multivariate statistics principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA), to determine the effects of key environmental conditions on the formulation of groundwater pollutants. This proposed method was demonstrated by analyzing groundwater quality monitoring data collected between 2011 and 2014 from four coastal industrial areas in Changhua county of Taiwan, namely Chuansing, Xianxi, Lukang and Fangyuan industrial parks. First, different environmental conditions in each industrial region were explored by PCA. The spatial hierarchy and spatial distribution of pollutant categories were then identified using HCA with the kriging method. Finally, the effect of environmental conditions on constitutive pollutants were identified with RDA. The three environmental patterns identified from the analytical results in Chuansing, Lukang and Xianxi were the salination factor (including conductivity and general hardness (GH)), water level and redox condition (including dissolved oxygen and oxidation–reduction potential). Fangyuan industrial park had only two patterns, namely salination (including conductivity and GH) and oxygen content (including DO and depth). The pollutant category indicated high concentrations of all pollutants in Chuansing and Fangyuan, and higher concentration of SO₄^2?, TDS, Cl^? in Xianxi, and of NH₃-N, Mn, Fe and TOC in Lukang. According to RDA results, salination caused the high concentrations of NH₃N, Cl^?, TDS in Chuansing, and of Cl^?, TDS and SO₄^2? in Xianxi and Lukang. Additionally, salination caused high concentrations of Fe in both Lukang and Fangyuan industrial parks in combination with those three pollutants. The redox condition was linked to high content of NO₃^? in Chuansing and Lukang, and of TOC in Xianxi. In Fangyuan industrial park, NO₃^? was also linked to high oxygen concentration. In summary, the combination of PCA, HCA and RDA enables the analysis of monitoring data to support policy decision-making.     

A controlled field experiment on groundwater contamination by a multicomponent DNAPL: dissolved-plume retardation

A natural gradient emplaced-source (ES) controlled field experiment was conducted at the Borden aquifer research site, Ontario, to study the transport of dissolved plumes emanating from residual dense nonaqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) source zones. The specific objective of the work presented here is to determine the effects of solute and co-solute concentrations on sorption and retardation of dissolved chlorinated solvent-contaminant plumes. The ES field experiment comprised a controlled emplacement of a residual multicomponent DNAPL below the groundwater table and intensive monitoring of dissolved-phase plumes of trichloromethane (TCM), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE) plumes continuously generated in the aquifer down gradient from gradual source dissolution. Estimates of plume retardation (and dispersion) were obtained from 3-D numerical simulations that incorporated transient source input and flow regimes monitored during the test. PCE, the most retarded solute, surprisingly exhibited a retardation factor approximately 3 times lower than observed in a previous Borden tracer test by Mackay et al. [Water Resour. Res. 22 (1986) 2017] conducted approximately 150 m away. Also, an absence of temporal trend in PCE retardation contrasted with the previous Borden test. Supporting laboratory studies on ES site core indicated that sorption was nonlinear and competitive, i.e. reduced sorption of PCE was observed in the presence of TCE. Consideration of the effects of relatively high co-solute (TCE) concentration (competitive sorption) in addition to PCE concentration effects (nonlinear sorption) was necessary to yield laboratory-based PCE retardation estimates consistent with the field plume values. Concentration- and co-solute-based sorption and retardation analysis was also applied to the previous low-concentration pulse injection test of Mackay et al. [Water Resour. Res. 22 (1986) 2017] and was able to successfully predict the temporal field retardation trends observed in that test. While it is acknowledged that other "nonideal transport" effects may contribute, our analysis predicts differences in the PCE retardation magnitude and trend between the two experiments that are consistent with field observations based on the marked solute concentration differences that resulted from contrasting source conditions. Solute and co-solute concentration effects have heretofore received little attention, but may have wide significance in aquifers contaminated by point-source pollutants because many plumes contain mixed solutes over wide concentration ranges in strata that are likely subject to nonlinear sorption.     

Joint propagation of variability and imprecision in assessing the risk of groundwater contamination

Estimating risks of groundwater contamination often require schemes for representing and propagating uncertainties relative to model input parameters. The most popular method is the Monte Carlo method whereby cumulative probability distributions are randomly sampled in an iterative fashion. The shortcoming of the approach, however, arises when probability distributions are arbitrarily selected in situations where available information is incomplete or imprecise. In such situations, alternative modes of information representation can be used, for example the nested intervals known as “possibility distributions”. In practical situations of groundwater risk assessment, it is common that certain model parameters may be represented by single probability distributions (representing variability) because there are data to justify these distributions, while others are more faithfully represented by possibility distributions (representing imprecision) due to the partial nature of available information. This paper applies two recent methods, designed for the joint-propagation of variability and imprecision, to a groundwater contamination risk assessment. Results of the joint-propagation methods are compared to those obtained using both interval analysis and the Monte Carlo method with a hypothesis of stochastic independence between model parameters. The two joint-propagation methods provide results in the form of families of cumulative distributions of the probability of exceeding a certain value of groundwater concentration. These families are delimited by an upper cumulative distribution and a lower distribution respectively called Plausibility and Belief after evidence theory. Slight differences between the results of the two joint-propagation methods are explained by the different assumptions regarding parameter dependencies. Results highlight the point that non-conservative results may be obtained if single cumulative probability distributions are arbitrarily selected for model parameters in the face of imprecise information and the Monte Carlo method is used under the assumption of stochastic independence. The proposed joint-propagation methods provide upper and lower bounds for the probability of exceeding a tolerance threshold. As this may seem impractical in a risk-management context, it is proposed to introduce “a-posteriori subjectivity” (as opposed to the “a-priori subjectivity” introduced by the arbitrary selection of single probability distributions) by defining a single indicator of evidence as a weighted average of Plausibility and Belief, with weights to be defined according to the specific context.     

Evaluation of groundwater dynamic regime with groundwater depth evaluation indexes

An accurate quantitative evaluation of anthropogenic effects on regional groundwater dynamics is critical to the rational planning, management, and use of such resources and in maintaining the sustainability of groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Based on groundwater dynamics, a series of groundwater depth evaluation indexes were created to quantitatively evaluate the effects of anthropogenic activities on the groundwater system. These indexes were based on mathematical relationships relating groundwater depth to surface runoff (gammat), precipitation (rhot), and extraction (deltat). The anthropogenic effects on these relationships were evaluated statistically, with respect to both temporal and spatial variation. The anthropogenic effects on groundwater dynamics within the arid Zhangye Basin, located in the middle reaches of northwest China's Heihe River, were investigated. River valley plains in the western portion of the basin excepted, anthropogenic activities have, since 1995, dramatically altered the basin's groundwater dynamics; in particular, in the mid-upper and lower portions of alluvial-diluvial fans and in localized northerly fine-soil plains regions, the relationship of groundwater to surface runoff and atmospheric precipitation has shifted. This and other changes indicate that anthropogenic effects on groundwater systems in this region show clear spatiotemporal variation.     

Health risk assessment of groundwater nitrate contamination: a case study of a typical karst hydrogeological unit in East China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nitrate pollution in rivers, lakes, shallow groundwater, and even deep groundwater occurs in many parts of the world. And, it’s essential to...     

Assessment of groundwater contamination from fertilizers in the Delhi area based on 0, N03 and K composition

Increasing application of nitrogen fertilizers in the irrigated lands of the studied area is likely to create a blanket non-point source of nitrate. Groundwater contamination from fertilizers, in this context, has been reported as derived from N0₃⁻, K⁺ and ¹⁸0 composition of groundwater. The data suggest both point and non-point sources of groundwater pollution. Thirty-three percent of the groundwater samples showed nitrate contents exceeding the general acceptable limit of 20 p.p.m. and 15% of the samples crossed the maximum permissible limit of 45 p.p.m. High nitrate levels are associated with high δ¹⁸O values, clearly indicating that significant quantities of evaporated (isotopically enriched) irrigation water infiltrate along with fertilizer nitrate to the groundwater system. Different δ¹⁸O---N0₃⁻ trends suggest isotopically distinct, non-point source origins which vary spatially and temporally, due to different degrees of evaporation/recharge and amounts of fertilizer applied. A scatter diagram of N0₃⁻ vs K⁺ suggests a common source of these ions when the concentration is less than 40 p.p.m. The investigation indicates that a combination of isotope (¹⁸0) and hydrochemical data can clearly characterize the impact of fertilizer on groundwater. Application of high nitrate, high potassium groundwater irrigation can minimize the requirement for inorganic fertilizers and bring down the cost of cultivation considerably, through appropriate management of fertilizer and water and modifications in agronomic practices and strategies on crops grown. Such practices will help protect groundwater from further degradation.