Influences of urban wastewaters on the stream water quality: a case study from Gumushane Province, Turkey

Urban wastewater in Turkey is primarily discharged without treatment to marine environments, streams and rivers, and natural and artificial lakes. Since it has been well established that untreated effluent in multi-use waters can have acute and chronic impacts to both the environment and human health, it is important to evaluate the consequences of organic enrichment relative to the structure and function of aquatic environment. We investigated the impacts of untreated municipal wastewater discharge from the city of Gumushane in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey on the surface water quality of the stream Harsit. Several key water-quality indicators were measured: chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium nitrogen (NH ₄ ⁺ –N), nitrite nitrogen (NO ₂ ^? –N), nitrate nitrogen (NO ₃ ^? –N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total nitrogen (TN), orthophosphate phosphorus (PO ₄ ^3? –P), methylene blue active substances (MBAS), water temperature (t), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC). The monitoring and sampling studies were conducted every 15 days from March 2009 to February 2010 at three longitudinally distributed stations. While t, pH, DO, and EC demonstrated relatively little variability over the course of the study, other parameters showed substantial temporal and spatial variations. The most dramatic differences were noted in COD, NH ₄ ⁺ –N, NO ₂ ^? –N, TKN, TN, PO ₄ ^3— P, and MBAS immediately downstream of the wastewater discharge. Concentration increases of 309 and 418 % for COD, 5,635 and 2,162 % for NH ₄ ⁺ –N, 2,225 and 674 % for NO ₂ ^? –N, 283 and 478 % for TKN, 208 and 213 % for PO ₄ ^3? –P, and 535 and 1,260 % for MBAS were observed in the summer and autumn, respectively. These changes were associated with greatly diminished seasonal stream flows. Based on NO ₂ ^? –N, TKN, PO ₄ ^3— P, and MBAS concentrations, it was concluded that Harsit stream water was correctly classified as polluted. The most telling parameter, however, was NH ₄ ⁺ –N, which indicated highly polluted waters in both the summer and autumn. The elevated concentrations of both P and N in the downstream segment of the stream triggered aggressive growth of submerged algae. This eutrophication of river systems is highly representative of many urban corridors and is symptomatic of ongoing organic enrichment that must be addressed through improved water treatment facilities.     

Wet atmospheric deposition of nitrogen: 20 years measurement in Shenzhen City, China

We presented measurements of wet deposition of NH ₄ ⁺ –N and NO ₃ ^? –N from 1986 to 2006 in Shenzhen City, China. Over the past 20 years, NO ₃ ^? –N concentration had significantly increased, but a reverse trend was found for NH ₄ ⁺ –N. The main form of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) was NH ₄ ⁺ –N and the average NH ₄ ⁺ –N/NO ₃ ^? –N ratio was 1.57 in this area. The contribution of NO ₃ ^? –N to TIN increased from 28–42% in the period of 1986–2000 to 50–63% during 2001–2006. The increased deposition flux of NO ₃ ^? –N resulted in the increasing trend of TIN, although NH ₄ ⁺ –N showed a decreasing trend over time. Average deposition flux of TIN during 1986–2006 was 13.24 kg/ha/year, with a minimum value of 6.03kg/ha/year in 1988 and a maximum value of 20.52 kg/ha/year in 1997. Wet deposition fluxes of N appeared to vary with season, 81% occurred in the warm season (from April to September). The wet deposition of TIN to the Shenzhen Reservoir reached 8,902 kg in 2006, which contributed 9.95% of the total nonpoint pollution to the reservoir and will be increased in the future.     

Assessment of anthropogenic influences on surface water quality in urban estuary, northern New Jersey: multivariate approach

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe, and Zn), nutrients (NO ₃ ^? and NH₃), fecal coliform colonies, and other multiple physical–chemical parameters were measured seasonally from 12 locations in an urban New Jersey estuary between 1994 and 2008. Stepwise regression, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis were used to group water quality results and sampling locations, as well as to assess these data’s relationship to sewage treatment effluents and the distance to the mouth of the river. The BOD₅, NH₃, NO ₃ ^? and fecal coliform counts clustered as one group and positively correlated to the distances from treated effluent and the measures of magnitude at the discharge points. Dissolved solids and most metal species scored high along a single principal component axes and were significantly correlated with the proximity to the industrialized area. From these data, one can conclude that the effluent discharge has been a main source of anthropogenic input to the Hackensack River over the past 15 years. Therefore, the greatest improvement to water quality would come from eliminating the few remaining combined sewer overflows and improving the removal of nutrients from treated effluents before they are discharged into the creeks and river.     

Measuring and modeling ammonium adsorption by calcareous soils

The aim of this study was assessment of ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) adsorption isotherms in some agricultural calcareous soils and modeling of that by using the mechanistic exchange model. Ten surface soils (0–30 cm) were collected from areas covered with different land uses in Hamedan, western Iran. Isotherm experiments were carried out by concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ prepared from NH₄Cl salt (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, and 150 mg NH ₄ ⁺ ?l^?1) in presence of 0.01 M CaCl₂ solution. The empirical models including simple adsorption isotherm and Freundlich equations were fitted well to the experimental data. The average amounts of adsorbed NH ₄ ⁺ in studied soils varied from 8.95 to 35.23 %. Adsorption percentage indicated positive correlation with pH, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), equivalent calcium carbonate, and clay content and had negative correlation with sand content. In order to predict and model NH ₄ ⁺ adsorption, cation-exchange model in PHREEQC program was used. The model could simulate the NH ₄ ⁺ adsorption very well in all studied soils. The values of CEC played the major role in modeling of NH ₄ ⁺ adsorption in this study indicating that cation-exchange process was the major mechanism controlling NH ₄ ⁺ adsorption in studied soils.     

Factors and sources influencing ionic composition of atmospheric condensate during winter season in lower troposphere over Delhi, India

Atmospheric condensate (AC) and rainwater samples were collected during 2010–2011 winter season from Delhi and characterized for major cations and anions. The observed order of abundance of cations and anions in AC samples was NH ₄ ⁺ ?>?Ca²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺?>?Mg²⁺ and HCO ₃ ^? ?>?SO ₄ ^2? ?>?Cl^??>?NO ₂ ^? ?>?NO ₃ ^? ?>?F^?, respectively. All samples were alkaline in nature and Σ _cation/Σ _anion ratio was found to be close to one. NH ₄ ⁺ emissions followed by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were largely responsible for neutralization of acidity caused by high NO _x and SO₂ emissions from vehicles and thermal power plants in the region. Interestingly, AC samples show low nitrate content compared with its precursor nitrite, which is commonly reversed in case of rainwater. It could be due to (1) slow light-mediated oxidation of HONO; (2) larger emission of NO₂ and temperature inversion conditions entrapping them; and (3) formation and dissociation of ammonium nitrite, which seems to be possible as both carry close correlation in our data set. Principal component analysis indicated three factors (marine mixed with biomass burning, anthropogenic and terrestrial, and carbonates) for all ionic species. Significantly higher sulfate/nitrate ratio indicates greater anthropogenic contributions in AC samples compared with rainwater. Compared with rainwater, AC samples show higher abundance of all ionic species except SO₄, NO₃, and Ca suggesting inclusion of these ions by wash out process during rain events. Ionic composition and related variations in AC and rainwater samples indicate that two represent different processes in time and space coordinates. AC represents the near-surface interaction whereas rainwater chemistry is indicative of regional patterns. AC could be a suitable way to understand atmospheric water interactions with gas and solid particle species in the lower atmosphere.     

Factor analysis of H2S emission at a wastewater lift station: a case study

Odor and corrosion are common problems in domestic wastewater collection, transportation, pumping, and treatment processes. Based on the comparison among odorous compounds and onsite observations at a wastewater lift station, H₂S is more likely to have caused the odor and corrosion problems than methanethiol and other organic sulfides. The field data from both air and wastewater quality monitoring demonstrated that more H₂S (1 ppmv) was formed at a more negative redox potential, lower pH, and a higher temperature of wastewater. Since the lower detection level of most current analytical techniques is much greater than human’s smell and the reference concentration for adverse health effects, automatic monitoring on the threshold of H₂S formation provides a mechanism to trigger control techniques only when necessary for cost saving purposes. Based on Gibbs free energy, a more negative redox potential is required to form H₂S with an increase in pH and a decrease in temperature and SO ₄ ^2? concentration. However, pH effect is more significant than both temperature and SO ₄ ^2? concentration for H₂S formation. It is recommended that H₂S control techniques be started when the redox potential is below ?44 mV, the pH is lower than 5.6, and the temperature is higher than 11.5 °C to control H₂S below the reference concentration. Corroded concrete particles were examined by X-ray diffraction, which showed that the dominant crystal form was quartz.     

Groundwater hydrogeochemistry of Trikala municipality, central Greece

Sixty-four samples from the groundwater resources of Trikala municipality, central Greece, were collected during two periods (2006 and 2007) and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, specific electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids), major ions (Ca²⁺, Cl^?, HCO ₃ ^? , K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, NO ₃ ^? , SO ₄ ^2? ), and several potentially toxic elements (Al, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sc, Si, Sn, Sr, U, V, Y, Zn). European Council directives and USEPA guidelines were used to assess the water quality. The results indicate that all samples are fresh water, suitable for human consumption. All basic ions and physico-chemical parameters have average concentrations below their recommended optimum limits with the exception of electrical conductivity, for January 2007, and nitrate for October 2006 and January 2007 sampling periods. This exceedance is the result of dissolution of minerals such as calcite and dolomite that are present in the surrounding rocks and the application of fertilizers, respectively. Lead is the only element with an average value that exceeds the recommended EC guideline, while special attention should be paid to one borehole (T9) which has elevated NO ₃ ^? values which may pose a risk to human health.     

Specific absorption and backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents in Poyang Lake, China

Obtaining and analyzing the specific inherent optical properties (SIOPs) of water bodies is necessary for bio-optical model development and remote sensing-based water quality retrievals and, further, for related ecological studies of aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to measure and analyze the specific absorption and backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents in Poyang Lake, China. The specific absorption and/or backscattering coefficients of the main water constituents at 85 sampling sites (47 in 2010 and 38 in 2011) were measured and analyzed as follows: (1) the concentrations of chlorophyll a (C _CHL), suspended particulate matter (C _SPM) (including suspended particulate inorganic matter (C _SPIM) and suspended particulate organic matter (C _SPOM)), and the absorption coefficients of total particulate (a _p), phytoplankton (a _ph), and non-pigment particulate (a _d) were measured in the laboratory; (2) the total backscattering coefficients at six wavelengths of 420, 442, 470, 510, 590, and 700 nm, including the contribution of pure water, were measured in the field with a HydroScat-6 backscattering sensor, and the backscattering coefficients without the contribution of pure water (b _b) were then derived by subtracting the backscattering coefficients of pure water from the total backscattering coefficients; (3) the specific absorption coefficients of total particulate ( $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ ), phytoplankton ( $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ ), and non-pigment particulate ( $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ ) were calculated by dividing a _p, a _ph, and a _d by C _SPM, C _CHL, and C _SPIM, respectively, while the specific backscattering coefficients of total suspended particulate matter ( $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ ) were calculated by dividing b _b by C _SPM; and (4) the $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ , $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ , $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ and $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ of the remaining samples (46 in 2010 and 36 in 2011) were visualized and analyzed, and their relations to C _CHL, C _SPIM or C _SPM were studied, respectively. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) the $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0367–0.7203 m²?mg^?1 with a mean of 0.1623?±?0.1426 m²?mg^?1 in 2010 and 0.0319–0.7735 m²?mg^?1 with a mean of 0.3145?±?0.1961 m²?mg^?1 in 2011; there existed significant, negative, and moderate correlations between $ {a_{{\mathrm{ph}}}}^{ * } $ and C _CHL at 400–700 nm in 2010 and 2011 (p?<?0.05); (2) The $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0672–0.2043 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1022?±?0.0326 m²?g^?1 in 2010 and 0.0559–0.1347 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.0953?±?0.0196 m²?g^?1 in 2011; there existed negative correlations between $ a_{\mathrm{d}}^{ * } $ and C _SPIM, while the correlations showed overall decreasing and increasing trends before and after around 575 nm with increasing wavelengths, respectively; (3) The $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ values at 440 nm were 0.0690–0.1929 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1036?±?0.0298 m²?g^?1 in 2010 and 0.0571–0.1321 m²?g^?1 with a mean of 0.1014?±?0.0191 m²?g^?1 in 2011, and the negative correlations between $ a_{\mathrm{p}}^{ * } $ and C _SPM were found in both years; (4) The $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ at the six wavelengths generally decreased with increasing wavelengths, while the $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ values at 420 nm were lower than those at 442 nm for some samples; the correlation between $ b_{\mathrm{b}}^{ * } $ and C _SPM increased with increasing wavelength. Such results can only represent the SIOPs during the sampling time periods, and more measurements and analyses considering different seasons need to be carried out in the future to comprehensively understand the SIOPs of Poyang Lake.     

Chemometric characterization of river water quality

Various industrial facilities in the city of Varanasi discharge their effluent mixed with municipal sewage into the River Ganges at different discharge points. In this study, chemometric tools such as cluster analysis and box–whisker plots were applied to interpret data obtained during examination of River Ganges water quality. Specifically, we investigated the temperature (T), pH, total alkalinity, total acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate nitrogen (N), phosphate (PO ₄ ^2? ), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in water samples collected from six sampling stations. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was conducted using Ward’s method. Proximity distance between EC and Cr was the smallest revealing a relationship between these parameters, which was confirmed by Pearson’s correlation. Based on proximity distances, EC, Cr, Ni, Fe, N, COD, temperature, BOD, and total acidity comprised one group; Zn, Pb, Cd, total alkalinity, Cu, and phosphate (PO ₄ ^2? ) were in another group; and DO and pH formed a separate group. These groups were confirmed by Pearson’s correlation (r) values that indicated significant and positive correlation between variables in the same group. Box–whisker plots revealed that as we go downstream, the pollutant concentration increases and maximum at the downstream station Raj Ghat and minimum at the upstream station Samane Ghat. Seasonal variations in water quality parameters signified that total alkalinity, total acidity, DO, BOD, COD, N, phosphate (PO ₄ ^2? ), Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Pb, and Zn were the highest in summer (March–June) and the lowest during monsoon season (July–October). Temperature was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter (November–February). DO was the highest in winter and the lowest in summer season. pH was observed to be the highest in monsoon and the lowest in summer season.     

Determination of hydrazine hydrate based on electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy) 3 2+

Considering of the basic properties and also the two nitrogen atoms in the structure, hydrazine hydrate was employed to be an amine additive candidate, to build a Ru(bpy) ₃ ²⁺ /hydrazine electrochemiluminescence (ECL) system, and ECL of Ru(bpy) ₃ ²⁺ has been employed for the determination of hydrazine hydrate in the paper. The result demonstrated that the logarithmic ECL increasing (ΔECL?=?ECL_{after addition of hydrazine}???ECL_{before addition of hydrazine}) versus the logarithmic concentration of hydrazine hydrate is linear over a concentration range of 1.0?×?10^?9 to 1.0?×?10^?5?mol/L, on both glassy carbon and Pt electrodes in a pH 9 phosphate buffer. The hydrazine hydrate detection limit was down to 1.0?×?10^?9?mol/L, comparatively lower than other detection methods. To check its applicability, the proposed method was applied to the determination of hydrazine hydrate added into a tap water sample with good reproducibility and stability. All these provide a possibility to develop a novel ECL detection method for hydrazine in water.     

Effects of cement flue dusts from a Nigerian cement plant on air, water and planktonic quality

Effects of cement flue dust from Ewekoro cement Kilns were monitored at some aquatic receptor locations. High levels of total suspended particulates (TSPs) and atmospheric deposition rates (ADRs) were recorded within the factory compared to ancillary locations outside the factory. The TSP and ADR levels which were location dependent were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) during the dry periods than in the wet season. Irrespective of seasonal variations, the key elements in the emissions were Ca^2?+? and Fe^2?+?. The concentrations of Zn^2?+?, Mn^2?+? and Pb^?+? which were trace elements were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in the deposited than in the airborne particulates. The planktonic flora and fauna of the river systems draining the area were poor with 16 phytoplanktonic and nine zooplanktonic species. Numerically, the phytoplanktons were dominated by diatoms (Bacillariophyta) with Synedra sp. being the most abundant species. The zooplanktonic fauna dominated by rotifers had Lecane curvicornis as a regular occurrence in all the three catchment rivers. The physicochemical parameters assayed were significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in the factory effluent discharges than in water samples from each of the catchment rivers. Seasonal variations inclusive, HCO $_{3}^{-}$ , CO $_{3}^{2-}$ , Ca^2?+? and Mg^2?+? constituted the major ionic component of water samples analysed irrespective of location. Alaguntan River which receives effluents directly from the factory had significantly higher levels (P?<?0.05) of the assayed ions than the other two rivers draining the cement factory catchment areas.     

Chemical speciation in mining affected waters: the case study of Asarel-Medet mine

The inorganic chemical species in Maresh and Luda Yana rivers affected by the Cu– Mo Asarel-Medet mine, Bulgaria were determined during a low-flow and a high-flow period. The mining activities, the weathering and the oxidation processes strongly influenced the physicochemical processes in the whole water system. The main pollution source was a small lake receiving the acid effluents of the mining activities. High levels of SO₄ ^2???, Cu, Mg, Al, Mn and Fe were determined at the mining polluted and affected stations. Cu^2?+? and CuCO₃ ⁰ species (1:1) were present in the reference waters and Cu^2?+? and CuSO₄ ⁰ species (1:1) in the polluted and affected waters; Cu^2?+? species was dominating downstream. Me^2?+? followed by $\rm{MeSO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ (Me = Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb), $\rm{PbCO}_{3}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ and $\rm{PbHCO}_{3}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ species as well as $\rm{Fe(OH)}_{2}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ , $\rm{Al(OH)}_{4}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ , $\rm{Al(OH)}_{2}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ , $\rm{Al(OH)}_{3}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ were prevailing in the system. $\rm{MeSO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ and $\rm{Me(SO}_{4})_{2}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ (Me = Fe, Al), $\rm{Me(SO}_{4})_{2}^{\kern3pt{2-}}$ (Me = Zn, Cd and Pb), $\rm{Me(SO}_{4})_{3}^{\kern3pt{4-}}$ (Me = Zn, Cd) and $\rm{Cd(SO}_{4})_{4}^{\kern3pt{6-}}$ species polluted and affected waters. The major elements K and Na were mainly Me^?+? species, whereas Ca and Mg were Me^2?+? and $\rm{MeSO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ species in different ratios. The concentration of concentration of $\rm{NO}_{2}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ , $\rm{NO}_{3}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ and $\rm{NH}_{4}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ species as well as complex phosphorous species such as H₂ $\rm{PO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ , $\rm{FeHPO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{+}}$ , $\rm{HPO}_{4}^{\kern4pt{2-}}$ , $\rm{CaPO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{-}}$ , $\rm{CaHPO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ and $\rm{MgHPO}_{4}^{\kern3pt{0}}$ were also calculated. The trace element concentrations decreased downstream due to dilution, sorption processes and precipitation, but the percentage of free metal species, which are more toxic, increased. An exception was iron and aluminum of which the dominant hydroxy colloidal and sulphate species were easily incorporated into the suspended phase.     

Effects of land use types on surface water quality across an anthropogenic disturbance gradient in the upper reach of the Hun River, Northeast China

Surface water quality is vulnerable to pollution due to human activities. The upper reach of the Hun River is an important water source that supplies 52 % of the storage capacity of the Dahuofang Reservoir, the largest reservoir for drinking water in Northeast China, which is suffering from various human-induced changes in land use, including deforestation, reclamation/farming, urbanization and mine exploitation. To investigate the impacts of land use types on surface water quality across an anthropogenic disturbance gradient at a local scale, 11 physicochemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen [DO], turbidity, oxygen redox potential, conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand [BOD₅], chemical oxygen demand [COD], total nitrogen [TN], total phosphorus [TP], NO ₃ ^? -N, and NH ₄ ⁺ -N) of water from 12 sampling sites along the upper reach of the Hun River were monitored monthly during 2009–2010. The sampling sites were classified into four groups (natural, near-natural, more disturbed, and seriously disturbed). The water quality exhibited distinct spatial and temporal characteristics; conductivity, TN, and NO ₃ ^? -N were identified as key parameters indicating the water quality variance. The forest and farmland cover types played significant roles in determining the surface water quality during the low-flow, high-flow, and mean-flow periods based on the results of a stepwise linear regression. These results may provide incentive for the local government to consider sustainable land use practices for water conservation.     

Determination of EC 50 toxicity data of selected heavy metals toward Heterocypris incongruens and their comparison to ��direct-contact�� and microbiotests

The sensitivity of Heterocypris incongruens to selected heavy metal ions is discussed. Although the Ostracodtoxkit ${\textregistered}$ has been present on the market for a few years, data on its selectivity and sensitivity to toxicants is scarce; such data is indispensable when interpreting the results of sediment toxicity. The LC₅₀ and EC₅₀ results with the Ostracodtoxkit ${\textregistered}$ are compared with those obtained with other commercially available ??direct-contact?? tests (utilizing Hyalella azteca and Chironomus riparius) and microbiotests for assessing the toxicity of aqueous samples (Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, and Selenastrum capricornatum). The sensitivity of H. incongruens to metal ions (Cd^2?+?>?>Hg^2?+?> Cu^2?+?>Cr^6?+?>Ni^2?+???Mn^7?+?>Zn^2?+?>Pb^2?+?>Li^1?+?> Fe^3?+?) was found to be similar to that of H. azteca and of C. riparius. The Ostracodtoxkit ${\textregistered}$ has shown itself to be an efficient and reliable element of test batteries for toxicity determination.     

Study of evaluation of groundwater in Gadilam basin using hydrogeochemical and isotope data

Gadilam river basin has gained its importance due to the presence of Neyveli Lignite open cast mines and other industrial complexes. It is also due to extensive depressurization of Cuddalore aquifer, and bore wells for New Veeranam Scheme are constructed downstream of the basin. Geochemical indicators of groundwater were used to identify the chemical processes that control hydrogeochemistry. Chemical parameters of groundwater such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, sodium (Na^?+?), potassium (K^?+?), calcium (Ca^?+?), magnesium (Mg^?+?), bicarbonate $({\rm HCO}_{3}^{-})$ , sulfate $({\rm SO}_{4}^{-})$ , phosphate $({\rm PO}_{4}^{-})$ , and silica (H₄SiO₄) were determined. Interpretation of hydrogeochemical data suggests that leaching of ions followed by weathering and anthropogenic impact controls the chemistry of the groundwater. Isotopic study reveals that recharge from meteoric source in sedimentary terrain and rock–water interaction with significant evaporation prevails in hard rock region.     

Chemical speciation in waters influenced by lead–zinc metallurgical industry

The Lead–Zinc Company region, Kardjali city, Bulgaria, is known to be highly polluted with heavy metals from its pyrometallurgical activities. The polluted levels and the chemical speciation in surface natural waters in the region as well as in the wastewaters of the factory were investigated in January 2008 by application of monitoring studies, thermodynamic modeling, and interpretation in terms of the “softness–hardness” factor. It was found that the levels of trace metals pollution of surface waters were lower than the legislation limits for the regions with Pb and Zn production. The wastewater treatment facilities of the company were found to operate properly, and the quality of the cleaned waters in station Kar4 was comparable to the other surface waters studied (e.g., station Kar5). The trace metals were divided into three groups: (1) Fe^3?+? and Al^3?+?, being “hard” acids, existed in all the studied waters as hydroxy species Fe(OH) $_{2}^{+}$ , AlOH^2?+?, and Al(OH) $_{2}^{+}$ , followed by the phosphate species AlPO $_{4}^{0}$ and Al₂(OH)₂PO $_{4}^{+}$ ; (2) Mn^2?+?, Zn^2?+?, and Cd^2?+? being “soft” acids with crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) = 0 were present in natural waters mainly as free Me^2?+? ions. Small concentrations of their MeSO $_{4}^{0}$ , MeCO $_{3}^{0}$ species, and of MeCl $_{2}^{0}$ (Me = Zn, Cd) species were also calculated. In the wastewaters, two more species [Me(SO $_{4})_{2}^{2-}$ and Me(SO $_{4})_{3}^{4-}$ ] of the softer Zn and Cd metals were also calculated; (3) Cu^2?+? and Pb^2?+?, as “soft” acids with CFSE $\ne $ 0 preferentially coordinated with softer CO $_{3}^{2-}$ ions and in natural waters existed mainly as MeCO $_{3}^{0}$ and PbHCO $_{3}^{+}$ , followed by free Me^2?+?ions and MeOH^?+?. In the wastewaters, MeSO $_{4}^{0}$ and Pb(SO $_{4})_{2}^{2-}$ species increased at the expense of the free Me^2?+? ions. The highest self-cleaning capability of natural waters was found with respect to Al and Fe, followed by Mn and Cd. The lowest corresponded to Pb, Cu, and Zn.     

Leaching of nitrogen from calcareous soils in western Iran: a soil leaching column study

Nitrogen (N) leaching has become a matter of worldwide concern. The objectives of this study were: (1) to use soil columns to investigate the leaching of nitrate ( $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ ), ammonium ( $ {\text{NH}}_4^{ + } $ ), and nitrite ( $ {\text{NO}}_2^{ - } $ ) from calcareous soils that had received an average of 200?kg^?1 N?ha^?1?year^?1 for the previous 30?years and (2) to determine the relationship between soil properties and $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ , $ {\text{NH}}_4^{ + } $ , and $ {\text{NO}}_2^{ - } $ leaching. The soils used in this study ranged in texture from clay to sandy loam. Leaching experiments were conducted under saturation conditions and consisted of the collection of 1,047–2,524?mL of leachate (12 pore volumes (PVs)), which was equivalent to 534–1,286?mm from rainfall or irrigation. Losses of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ ranged from 62 to 437?kg?ha^?1, while losses of $ {\text{NH}}_4^{ + } $ and $ {\text{NO}}_2^{ - } $ ranged from 2.5 to 19.3?kg?ha^?1 and 0.1 to 10.6?kg?ha^?1, respectively. Leaching rates differed between soil samples. The initial and secondary rate of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ leaching was determined using an exponential model, and it ranged from 2.8 to 14.7?mg?kg^?1 PV^?1 and 0.11 to 0.32?mg?kg^?1 PV^?1. Greater leaching rates in the initial period could be due to leaching of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ in solution, while the secondary leaching might be attributable to the diffusion-controlled transfer of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ between mobile and immobile liquid phases. Analysis of variance indicated that the effects of soil type on total $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ leaching were highly significant (p?<?0.001). The results showed that soil $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ concentration was positively correlated with the peak concentration of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ (r?=?0.86; p?<?0.01) and the total $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ leached (r?=?0.93; p?<?0.01). In addition, the total $ {\text{NH}}_4^{ + } $ leached was positively correlated with silt (r?=?0.67; p?<?0.05), clay (r?=?0.61; p?<?0.05), and pH (r?=?0.77; p?<?0.01), which suggests that soil parameters might be useful indicators of $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ and $ {\text{NH}}_4^{ + } $ leaching from calcareous soils. Nitrate leaching from soils could threaten groundwater supplies, so possible strategies for minimizing $ {\text{NO}}_3^{ - } $ leaching losses may need to be considered.     

Estimating impacts of land use on groundwater quality using trilinear analysis

Groundwater is connected to the landscape above and is thus affected by the overlaying land uses. This study evaluated the impacts of land uses upon groundwater quality using trilinear analysis. Trilinear analysis is a display of experimental data in a triangular graph. Groundwater quality data collected from agricultural, septic tank, forest, and wastewater land uses for a 6-year period were used for the analysis. Results showed that among the three nitrogen species (i.e., nitrate and nitrite (NO_x), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and total organic nitrogen (TON)), NO_x had a high percentage and was a dominant species in the groundwater beneath the septic tank lands, whereas TON was a major species in groundwater beneath the forest lands. Among the three phosphorus species, namely the particulate phosphorus (PP), dissolved ortho phosphorus (PO ₄ ^3?? ) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), there was a high percentage of PP in the groundwater beneath the septic tank, forest, and agricultural lands. In general, Ca was a dominant cation in the groundwater beneath the septic tank lands, whereas Na was a dominant cation in the groundwater beneath the forest lands. For the three major anions (i.e., F^?, Cl^?, and SO ₄ ^2?? ), F^? accounted for <1 % of the total anions in the groundwater beneath the forest, wastewater, and agricultural lands. Impacts of land uses on groundwater Cd and Cr distributions were not profound. This study suggests that trilinear analysis is a useful technique to characterize the relationship between land use and groundwater quality.     

Physicochemical quality of an urban municipal wastewater effluent and its impact on the receiving environment

The physicochemical qualities of the final effluents of an urban wastewater treatment plant in South Africa were assessed between August 2007 and July 2008 as well as their impact on the receiving watershed. The pH values across all sampling points ranged between 6.8 and 8.3, while the temperature varied from 18°C to 25°C. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the samples was in the range of 29–1,015 μS/cm, and turbidity varied between 2.7 and 35 NTU. Salinity and total dissolved solids (TDS) varied from 0.36 to 35 psu and 16 to 470 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of the other physicochemical parameters are as follows: chemical oxygen demand (COD, 48–1,180 mg/L); dissolved oxygen (DO, 3.9–6.6 mg/L); nitrate (0.32–6.5 mg NO $_{3}^{-}$ as N/L); nitrite (0.06–2.4 mg NO $_{2}^{-}$ as N/L); and phosphate (0.29–0.54 mg PO $_{4}^{3-}$ as P/L). pH, temperature, EC, turbidity, TDS, DO, and nitrate varied significantly with season and sampling point (P?<?0.05 and P?<?0.01, respectively), while salinity varied significantly with sampling point (P?<?0.01) and COD and nitrite varied significantly with season (P?<?0.05). Although the treated effluent fell within the recommended water quality standard for pH temperature, TDS, nitrate and nitrite, it fell short of stipulated standards for other parameters. The result generally showed a negative impact of the discharged effluent on the receiving watershed and calls for a regular and consistent monitoring program by the relevant authorities to ensure best practices with regard to treatment and discharge of wastewater into the receiving aquatic milieu in South Africa.     

Comparison of precipitation chemistry measurements obtained by the Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network and National Atmospheric Deposition Program for the period 1995–2004

Precipitation chemistry and depth measurements obtained by the Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) and the US National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) were compared for the 10-year period 1995–2004. Colocated sets of CAPMoN and NADP instrumentation, consisting of precipitation collectors and rain gages, were operated simultaneously per standard protocols for each network at Sutton, Ontario and Frelighsburg, Ontario, Canada and at State College, PA, USA. CAPMoN samples were collected daily, and NADP samples were collected weekly, and samples were analyzed exclusively by each network’s laboratory for pH, H^?+?, Ca^2?+?, Mg^2?+?, Na^?+?, K^?+?, $\text{NH}_{4}^{+}$ , Cl^???, $\text{NO}_{3}^{-}$ , and $\text{SO}_{4}^{2-}$ . Weekly and annual precipitation-weighted mean concentrations for each network were compared. This study is a follow-up to an earlier internetwork comparison for the period 1986–1993, published by Alain Sirois, Robert Vet, and Dennis Lamb in 2000. Median weekly internetwork differences for 1995–2004 data were the same to slightly lower than for data for the previous study period (1986–1993) for all analytes except $\text{NO}_{3}^{-}$ , $\text{SO}_{4}^{2-}$ , and sample depth. A 1994 NADP sampling protocol change and a 1998 change in the types of filters used to process NADP samples reversed the previously identified negative bias in NADP data for hydrogen-ion and sodium concentrations. Statistically significant biases (α = 0.10) for sodium and hydrogen-ion concentrations observed in the 1986–1993 data were not significant for 1995–2004. Weekly CAPMoN measurements generally are higher than weekly NADP measurements due to differences in sample filtration and field instrumentation, not sample evaporation, contamination, or analytical laboratory differences.