Assessment of potential hazards of fluoride contamination in drinking groundwater of an intensively cultivated district in West Bengal, India

We assessed the potential of fluoride (F) contamination in drinking groundwater of an intensively cultivated district in India as a function of its lithology and agricultural activities. Three hundred and eight groundwater samples were collected at different depths from various types of wells and analyzed for pH, EC, NO(3)-N load and F content. A typical litholog was constructed and database on fertilizer and pesticide uses were also recorded for the district. The water samples were almost neutral in reaction and non-saline in nature with low NO(3)-N content (0.02 to 4.56 microg mL(-1)). Fluoride content in water was also low (0.01 to 1.18 microg mL(-1)) with only 2.27% of them exceeding 1.0 microg mL(-1) posing a potential threat of fluorosis. On average, its content varied little spatially and along depth of sampling aquifers because of homogeneity in lithology of the district. The F content in these samples showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.12, P < or = 0.05) with the amount of phosphatic fertilizer (single super phosphate) used for agriculture but no such relation either with the anthropogenic activities of pesticide use or NO(3)-N content, pH and EC values of the samples was found. The results suggest that the use of phosphatic fertilizer may have some role to play in F enrichment of groundwater.     

Groundwater quality under the influence of spent mushroom substrate weathering

Nitrate and other solutes resulting from field-weathering of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) percolate into underlying soils and may migrate to groundwater. A field trial was conducted to investigate the potential influences of SMS weathering on groundwater quality. Spent mushroom substrate was deposited at 90 and 150 cm pile depths over a Typic Hapludult and weathered for 2 years. Eight casing wells were installed around the SMS piles to monitor the quality changes of groundwater with a high seasonal water table of 760 cm below the surface. Although leachate solutes had moved more than 200 cm deep in soil from the surface, no significant changes of groundwater quality caused by SMS weathering were observed even one year after removal of the SMS piles (3 years total). The groundwater had pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of 4.3-5.7, 0.2-0.3 dS m(-1) and 0.7-2.2 mg L(-1), respectively. The major inorganic ions were Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Na(+), Cl(-), SO(4)(2-) and NO(3)(-), with a concentration range of 2.5-68.3 mg L(-1). The results suggest that SMS leachate solutes migrated fairly slow in deep subsurface soils of the experimental field. Considering that leachate solutes may move several meters in soil through preferential flow channels, weathering of SMS in fields with a high seasonal groundwater table >or=5 m below the ground is recommended. Conservatively, SMS weathering should be conducted on compact surfaces and leachate be collected and reused as liquid fertilizers.     

Assessment of the potential hazards of nitrate contamination in surface and groundwater in a heavily fertilized and intensively cultivated district of India

We made an inventory of nitrate (NO3-N) enrichment in surface and groundwater systems in the Hooghly district of India owing to intensive farming with high fertilizer doses as a function of quantity of fertilizers use, soil characteristics, types of crop grown, depth of groundwater sampling and also N-load in soil profiles. Water samples were collected from different sources at 412 odd sites spread over in 17 blocks of the district along with representative soil profiles. On average, the study area had high clay and NO3-N in soil profiles with an increasing and decreasing trends along depth, respectively. The NO3-N content both in surface and groundwater varied from 0.01 microg mL(-1) to 4.56 microg mL(-1), being well below the threshold limit of 10 microg mL(-1) fixed by WHO for drinking purpose. The content decreased with increasing depth of wells (r = -0.39**) and clay content of soil profiles (r = -0.31**). It, however, increased with increasing rate of fertilizer application (r = 0.72**), NO3-N load in soil profiles (r = 0.85**) and was higher in areas where shallow--rather than deep-rooted crops are grown. Results indicated even under fairly high quantity of fertilizer use, groundwater of the study area is safe for drinking purpose.     

Influence of intermittent water releases on groundwater chemistry at the lower reaches of the Tarim River, China

Based on the data of the depths and the chemical properties of groundwater, salinity in the soil profile, and the basic information on each delivery of water collected from the years 2000 to 2006, the varied character of groundwater chemistry and related factors were studied. The results confirmed the three stages of the variations in groundwater chemistry influenced by the intermittent water deliveries. The factors that had close relations to the variations in groundwater chemistry were the distances of monitoring wells from the water channel, the depths of the groundwater, water flux in watercourse, and the salinities in soils. The relations between chemical variation and groundwater depths indicated that the water quality was the best with the groundwater varying from 5 to 6 m. In addition, the constructive species in the study area can survive well with the depth of groundwater varying from 5 to 6 m, so the rational depth of groundwater in the lower reaches of the Tarim River should be 5 m or so. The redistribution of salts in the soil profile and its relations to the chemical properties and depths of groundwater revealed the linear water delivery at present combining with surface water supply in proper sections would promote water quality optimized and speed up the pace of ecological restoration in the study area.     

Evaluation of organic contamination in urban groundwater surrounding a municipal landfill, Zhoukou, China

This paper investigates the organic pollution status of shallow aquifer sediments and groundwater around Zhoukou landfill. Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, monocylic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and other pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in some water samples. Among the detected eleven PAHs, phenanthrene, fluorine, and fluoranthene are the three dominant in most of the groundwater samples. Analysis of groundwater samples around the landfill revealed concentrations of PAHs ranging from not detected to 2.19 μg/L. The results show that sediments below the waste dump were low in pollution, and the shallow aquifer, at a depth of 18–30 m, was heavily contaminated, particularly during the wet season. An oval-shaped pollution halo has formed, spanning 3 km from west to east and 2 km from south to north, and mainly occurs in groundwater depths of 2–4 m. For PAH source identification, both diagnostic ratios of selected PAHs and principal component analysis were studied, suggesting mixed sources of pyro- and petrogenic derived PAHs in the Zhoukou landfill. Groundwater table fluctuations play an important role in the distribution of organic pollutants within the shallow aquifer. A conceptual model of leachate migration in the Quaternary aquifers surrounding the Zhoukou landfill has been developed to describe the contamination processes based on the major contaminant (PAHs). The groundwater zone contaminated by leachate has been identified surrounding the landfill.     

Monitoring and validating spatio-temporal dynamics of biogeochemical properties in Mersin Bay (Turkey) using Landsat ETM+

The objective of this study was to devise and validate simple models for estimating spatio-temporal dynamics of seven optically (in)active biogeochemical properties in Mersin Bay using Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data and GIS. Spatio-temporal dynamics of Secchi depth (S (depth)), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrite nitrogen (NO(2)-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO?-N), silicate (SiO?), 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were estimated using best-fit multiple linear regression (MLR) models as a function of Landsat 7 ETM+ and ground data in 2007 and 2008, latitude, longitude, and day of year. Validation of the MLR models against Landsat and ground data in 2005 led to r values ranging from 0.39 for NO?-N (P?=?0.008) to 0.79 for S (depth) (P?相似文献   

Integrated approach for demarcating subsurface pollution and saline water intrusion zones in SIPCOT area: a case study from Cuddalore in Southern India

This paper deals with a systematic hydrogeological, geophysical, and hydrochemical investigations carried out in SIPCOT area in Southern India to demarcate groundwater pollution and saline intrusion through Uppanar River, which flows parallel to sea coast with high salinity (average TDS 28, 870 mg/l) due to back waters as well as discharge of industrial and domestic effluents. Hydrogeological and geophysical investigations comprising topographic survey, self-potential, multi-electrode resistivity imaging, and water quality monitoring were found the extent of saline water intrusion in the south and pockets of subsurface pollution in the north of the study area. Since the area is beset with highly permeable unconfined quaternary alluvium forming potential aquifer at shallow depth, long-term excessive pumping and influence of the River have led to lowering of the water table and degradation of water quality through increased salinity there by generating reversal of hydraulic gradient in the south. The improper management of industrial wastes and left over chemicals by closed industries has led surface and subsurface pollution in the north of the study area.     

Arsenic-safe alternate aquifers and their hydraulic characteristics in contaminated areas of Middle Ganga Plain, Eastern India

Arsenic groundwater contamination exceeding 0.05 mg/l affecting the Newer Alluvial tracts of Patna and Bhojpur, the two worst affected districts located in the Middle Ganga Plain in the Bihar state, has been studied The area is underlain by two-tier Quaternary aquifer systems within a depth of 300 m below ground level, separated by a 15?C32-m-thick clay/sandy clay aquitard. The upper part (<50 m depth) of the shallow aquifer system is arsenic-contaminated. The deeper aquifer system (lying below 120?C130 m depth) exhibits low arsenic load (max 0.0035 mg/l), having hydraulic conductivity between 64.88 and 82.04 m/day. Groundwater in the deeper aquifer occurs under semi-confined to confined condition due to poor hydraulic conductivity of the middle clay (4.7 × 10^???2???7.2 × 10^???3 m/day). Hydraulic head of the deeper aquifer remains close to the surface than the shallow aquifer. The two aquifer systems in the Newer Alluvium are replaced by a thick single aquifer system in the adjoining Older Alluvium, within a depth of 330 m below ground. In the arsenic-contaminated area, deeper aquifer is protected by a middle clay, which may be developed for community drinking water supply by deep tube wells having a yield capacity of 150 m³/h.     

Land Cover Changes as a Result of Environmental Restrictions on Nitrate Leaching in Dairy Farming

Nitrate leaching forms an important environmental problem because it causes pollution of groundwater and surface water, and adds to already problematic eutrophication. This study analyses the impact of reductions in nitrate leaching on land cover decisions of dairy farms, of which the activities make an important contribution to nitrate leaching. As the level of nitrate leaching depends on groundwater depth as well as on the supply of nitrogen, spatial variation in groundwater levels will cause a spatial variation in land cover under restrictions on nitrate leaching. A non-linear partial optimisation model for the economic and ecological aspects of the problem were used to show how land cover and dairy farms' financial balances change when nitrate losses are reduced. The model is spatially explicit, and describes nitrate leakage and yields of maize and grass as a function of groundwater depth, including the effects of various grazing systems. The model analyses the decisions of a risk neutral agent who minimises costs under the following constraints: (i) production, feed requirements and mass balances for fodder; (ii) constraints for nitrate leaching. Economic costs are attributed to increased costs of fodder and processing of manure when nitrate restrictions are tightened. An important result of the study is the variation in compliance costs and land cover for maize and grass production brought about by spatial variation in groundwater depth. While the effects are negligible for some shallow groundwater classes, it is extremely difficult in other classes – if not impossible – to obtain the EU standard of maximum admissible losses of 34 kg N ha^–1 at low costs. The study shows an important reduction in land cover by maize.     

A pragmatic approach to study the groundwater quality suitability for domestic and agricultural usage,Saq aquifer,northwest of Saudi Arabia

The present study deals with detailed hydrochemical assessment of groundwater within the Saq aquifer. The Saq aquifer which extends through the NW part of Saudi Arabia is one of the major sources of groundwater supply. Groundwater samples were collected from about 295 groundwater wells and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, CO₃ ^?, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, SO₄ ^2?, and NO₃ ^?. Groundwater in the area is slightly alkaline and hard in nature. Electrical conductivity (EC) varies between 284 and 9,902?μS/cm with an average value of 1,599.4 μS/cm. The groundwater is highly mineralized with approximately 30 % of the samples having major ion concentrations above the WHO permissible limits. The NO₃ ^? concentration varies between 0.4 and 318.2 mg/l. The depth distribution of NO₃ ^? concentration shows higher concentration at shallow depths with a gradual decrease at deeper depths. As far as drinking water quality criteria are concerned, study shows that about 33 % of samples are unfit for use. A detailed assessment of groundwater quality in relation to agriculture use reveals that 21 % samples are unsuitable for irrigation. Using Piper’s classification, groundwater was classified into five different groups. Majority of the samples show Mix-Cl-SO₄- and Na-Cl-types water. The abundances of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ over alkalis infer mixed type of groundwater facies and reverse exchange reactions. The groundwater has acquired unique chemical characteristics through prolonged rock-water interactions, percolation of irrigation return water, and reactions at vadose zone.     

Spatial and seasonal distribution of nitrate-N in groundwater beneath the rice�Cwheat cropping system of India: a geospatial analysis

Increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the intensively cultivated rice (Oryza sativa)?Cwheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system (covers a 13.5-ha m area in South Asia) has led to the concentration of nitrates (NO₃-N) in the groundwater (GW) in Haryana State of India. Six districts from the freshwater zone were selected to identify factors affecting NO₃-N enrichment in GW. Water and soil samples were collected from 1,580 locations and analyzed for their chemical properties. About 3% (26,796, and 10,588 ha) of the area was estimated to be under moderately high (7.5?C10 mg l^???1) and high (>10 mg l^???1) risk categories, respectively. The results revealed that NO₃-N was 10?C50% higher during the pre-monsoon season than in the monsoon season. Nitrate-N decreased with the increase in aquifer depth (r ²?=?0.99). Spatial and proximity analyses using ArcGIS (9.2) revealed that (1) clay material in surface and sub-surface texture restricts N leaching, (2) piedmont and rolling plains act as an N sink, and (3) perennial rivers bring a dilution effect whereas seasonal rivers provide favorable conditions for NO₃ ^? enrichment. The study concludes that chemical N fertilizers applied in agro-ecosystems are not the sole factor determining the NO₃ in groundwater; rather, it is an integrated process governed by several other factors including physical and chemical properties of soils, proximity and type of river, and geomorphologic and geographical aspects. Therefore, future studies should adopt larger area (at least watershed scale) to understand the mechanistic pathways of NO₃ enrichment in groundwater and interactive role of the natural drainage system and surrounding physical features. In addition, the study also presents a conceptual framework to describe the process of nitrate formation and leaching in piedmont plains and its transportation to the mid-plain zone.     

长江口南通地区农村集中式饮用水源水质状况调查

对南通市24座乡镇地表水厂以及199座乡镇地下水厂的水源水质状况进行了调查.结果表明,地表水水源地中有14座水厂达标,其取水量占地表水取水总量62.8%.水体中主要污染物是NH3-N、石油类、Imn.全市乡镇地下水厂饮用水源水质达标水厂为56座,其取水量占地下水取水总量的26.2%.全市地下水中主要污染物为NH3-N、...     

Hydrochemical and geoelectrical investigation of the coastal shallow aquifers in El-Omayed area, Egypt

Monitoring and assessment of the coastal aquifers are becoming a worldwide concern for the need of additional and sustainable water resources to satisfy demographic growth and economic development. A hydrochemical and geoelectrical investigation was conducted in the El-Omayed area in the northwestern coast of Egypt. The aim of the study was to delineate different water-bearing formations, provide a general evaluation of groundwater quality, and identify the recharge sources in aquifers. Thirty-seven water samples were collected and chemically analyzed from the sand dune accumulations and oolitic limestone aquifers. Fifteen profiles of vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were obtained in the oolitic limestone aquifer to examine the variations of subsurface geology and associated groundwater chemistry. The groundwater reserves in the El-Omayed area are mainly contained in sand dune accumulations and oolitic limestone aquifers. The aquifer of sand dune accumulations contains freshwater of low salinity (average total dissolved solids (TDS)?=?974 mg/l). Groundwater of oolitic limestone aquifer is slightly brackish (average TDS?=?1,486 mg/l). Groundwater of these aquifers can be used for irrigation under special management for salinity control, and regular leaching as indicated by electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio. Results of VES interpretation classified the subsurface sequence of oolitic limestone aquifer into four geoelectric zones, with increasing depth, calcareous loam, gypsum, oolitic limestone, and sandy limestone. Oolitic limestone constitutes the main aquifer and has a thickness of 12–32 m.     

Leaching behaviour of metsulfuron in two texturally different soils

Nowadays, herbicides are applied large ly in India, creating the need to evaluate potential leaching of herbicides. Thus leaching potential of metsulfuron in sandy loam and clay loam soils conditions was evaluated under laboratory conditions with simulated rainfall of 318-mm. Metsulfuron-methyl was applied at 4 and 8 g a.i. ha(-1) on soil columns, respectively. Maximum concentration of metsulfuron was recovered from 0-20 cm depths in both the soils. Results indicated high mobility of metsulfuron under continuous saturated moisture condition that may be significant in terms of ground water contamination.     

Estimation Of Selenium Concentration In Shallow Groundwater In Alluvial Fan Area In Tsukui, Central Japan

Total selenium (Se) and water-soluble Se in soil, and Se in a shallow groundwater were hydrogeochemically researched in an alluvial fan area in Tsukui, Central Japan. The water-soluble Se was estimated at average level of 2.6 ± 1.2μg Se kg⁻¹ dry soil (± SD, n = 25), showing less than 1% of the total Se (349–508μg Se kg⁻¹ dry soil) in soil. The monthly Se concentration in groundwater was average 2.2μg,L⁻¹, ranging 1.6–2.4μg,L⁻¹ during 2001–2003. The Se in groundwater significantly decreased with increasing groundwater level after rainfall. This result indicated that Se-bearing water percolated with relatively low Se concentration through the soil layer. According to our prediction model of linear regression curve on the observation data, Se concentration in the groundwater was estimated to be increasing with the very low rate of 4.35 × 10⁻³μg Se L⁻¹,yr⁻¹. The hydrogeochemical research and the result of the prediction model showed that any explosive increase of Se will hardly occur in this groundwater without an anthropogenic Se contamination.     

Simulating Nitrate Leaching Profiles in a Highly Permeable Vadose Zone

An approach is developed to simulate leaching of a dissolved chemical constituent in the vadose zone of an aquifer. Specifically, nitrate loading at the water table for different water table depths, for a range of aquifer permeability values, and for different cases of heterogeneity of the aquifer, are considered. Models from the literature are first used to derive soil–water characteristic curves (water retention and hydraulic conductivity) from a grain size distribution curve for unsaturated conditions. Given infiltration from the surface, the initial conditions for the chemical concentration, and the water content profile, leaching of the chemical in the vadose zone is simulated as a function of both time and depth. The methodology is illustrated for a permeable aquifer. Simulations are undertaken using a finite element code for saturated and unsaturated flow. Different scenarios are simulated depending on the heterogeneity of the aquifer and the depth of the water table. Modeling results show that in the example case studied, nitrate concentration loading at the water table does not depend strongly on the position of the water table, but rather on the material properties of the aquifer. The contribution of this endeavor resides in the methodology which allows a prediction of nitrate leaching using only the grain size property of the aquifer. It allows practitioners to obtain a first assessment of leaching with limited data.     

Relationship between land use and groundwater quality in six districts in the eastern region of Ghana

The chemical quality of groundwater in six district of the eastern region beneath the different types of land use areas of Ghana was examined to evaluate the effects of human activities on groundwater. Analyses indicate that groundwater in the studied area is fresh and generally suitable for most uses. The groundwater is generally characterised by a chemical facies of Ca-HCO3-, Na-Cl and mixed Na-Ca-HCO3 types and is weakly mineralised. Anthropogenic disturbances have had and continue to have an impact on the aquatic ecosystem of Ghana. High concentration of Cl- and TDS were found in wells in high residential areas while the highest levels of Na, Ca, SO4(2-) and NO3- were found in agricultural and high density residential areas. About 50% of boreholes sampled have elevated level of NO3(-)-N emanating from agricultural runoff.     

Atmospheric wet deposition of soluble macro-nutrients in the Cilician Basin, north-eastern Mediterranean sea

In order to estimate wet deposition atmospheric fluxes of macro-nutrients into the eastern Mediterranean coastal waters, soluble inorganic phosphate (PO4(3-)), nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations in precipitation (from February 1996 to June 1997) have been measured at a coastal sampling site, Erdemli, Turkey. Water-soluble inorganic PO4(3)-P, a reactive, bioavailable, limiting macro-nutrient in the oligotrophic waters of the eastern Mediterranean was studied with respect to its contribution to biological productivity. Reactive PO4(3-)-P and NO2(-) + NO3(-)-N concentrations were found to be highly variable in rainwater samples. One of the aims of the study was to determine the contribution of dust transport to the soluble macro-nutrient budget of the eastern Mediterranean. No differences were found between the mean reactive P and NO(2-) + NO3(-)-N concentrations of "red rain" and normal rain events. Most likely as a result of low solubility of crustal phosphorus, dust episodes were not found to be important sources of reactive P, in terms of wet deposition. The annual wet deposition fluxes of reactive PO4(3-)-P and NO2(-) + NO3(-)-N into the Cilician Basin were respectively estimated to be 0.010 g P m(-2) per year and 0.23 g N m(-2) per year, which are comparable to the fluxes from land-based sources in the north-eastern Mediterranean. The incorporation of water soluble bioavailable PO4(3-)-P and NO2(-) + NO3(-)-N delivered via atmospheric wet deposition could be responsible for approximately 3.3% (0.40 g C m(-2) per year) and 11.0% (1.31 g C m(-2) per year) respectively, of the mean annual new production in the north-eastern Mediterranean.     

Fluoride Concentration in Drinking Water of Karachi City (Pakistan)

The ground and municipal water supply samples of Karachi city were analyzed for their fluoride contents. The fluoride contents in water samples collected from the subsurface and river sources were found below the WHO recommended value for the general health of the people. However, in some industrial areas the groundwater sample showed higher level of fluoride concentration. Continuous monitoring of water resources and cautious fluoridation is suggested to maintain proper status of fluoride concentration in the drinking water.     

Spatial distribution of inorganic nitrogen contents of marsh soils in a river floodplain with different flood frequencies from soil-defrozen period

Contents of inorganic nitrogen (NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N) in soil profiles were measured in five typical zones ( including permanently flooded floodplain(B), 1-year floodplain (O), 5-year floodplain (F),10-year floodplain (T), and 100-year floodplain (H) )from Huolin River floodplain in Erbaifangzi, Jilin Province of China, in the soil-defrosted period (Mayof 1999). Contour maps and profile maps were constructed to describe the spatial distributions of NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N) in order to identify the influences of flood frequencies on them. Results showed that NH4(+)-N generally increased with depth in soil profiles from the five areas, but NH4(+)-N contents in T or H areas significantly differed from those in other areas. For NO3(-)-N, with the exception that there was a significant cumulative peak (6.77 +/- 0.08 mg kg(-1)) at 15-cm depth (10-20 cm) in B area, no significant difference was observed between NO3(-)-N contents in soil profiles from the other four areas. The horizontal distributions of NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N in top soils (0-10 cm) were different in the five areas,which were greatly influenced by flood frequencies. The highest content of NH4(+)-N or NO3(-)-N did not appear in B area but in the floodplain with certain flood frequency. For example, NH4(+)-N content (16.81 mg kg-(1)) in 5-year floodplain wetland was highest, and the highest content of NO3(-)-N(1.69 mg kg(-1)) appeared in 1-year floodplain wetland. In addition, NH4(+)-N contents were significantly correlated with soil pH, and NO3(-)-N contents had significant correlation with inorganic carbon, but there were no significant correlations between inorganic nitrogen and other selected soil properties.