Environmental Earth Sciences

Lü, Changwei; He, Jiang; Fan, Qingyun; Xue, Hongxi

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0508-4pmid: N/A

In this work we studied the accumulation of heavy metals in nine species of fish with different life and feeding habitats which are native and major commercial fish in the Baotou Urban Section of the Yellow River. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals was significantly dependent on fish species; the pollution index of heavy metals in different species were ranked as Hemiculter leucisclus > Carassius auratus auratus > Hemibarbus maculatus > Megalobrama amblycephala > Abbottina rivularis > Cyprinus carpio > Squaliobarbus curriculus > Perccottus glehni > Saurogobio dabryi. Product–moment correlation coefficients among the metal pairs Pb–Zn, Cu–Cd, Cu–Zn, Cu–Pb, Pb–Cd, and Zn–Cd revealed there was no competitions between metals in each tissue. Correlations between heavy metal concentrations and fish length or weight indicated that accumulation of the heavy metals by the different fish species was related to their surrounding environments and their life and feeding habitats. According to the mean bioconcentration factors (BCFs), the heavy metal concentrations in these nine species were ranked Zn ≫ Cu > Cd ≈ Pb. In this work, the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were developed by using the sum of exchangeable and bound-to-carbonate heavy metals as Cs values. It was found that BAFs better reveal the accumulation characteristics of the heavy metals in the fish, which might provide an effective method for assessing bioaccumulation of heavy metals.

Yukselen-Aksoy, Y.; Kaya, A.

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0556-9pmid: N/A

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pH, ion type (salt and metal cations), ionic strength, cation valence, hydrated ionic radius, and solid concentration on the zeta potential of kaolinite and quartz powder in the presence of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, CuCl2, BaCl2, and AlCl3 solutions. The kaolinite and quartz powder have no isoelectric point (iep) within the entire pH range (3 < pH < 11). In the presence of hydrolysable metal ions, kaolinite and quartz powder have two ieps. As the cationic valence increases, the zeta potential of kaolinite and quartz powder becomes less negative. Monovalent cation, K+, yields more negative zeta potential values than the divalent cation Ba2+. As concentration of solid increases, the zeta potential of the minerals becomes more positive under acidic conditions; however, under alkaline conditions as solid concentration increases the zeta potential becomes more negative. Hydrated ionic radius also affects the zeta potential; the larger the ion, the thicker the layer and the more negative zeta potential for both kaolinite and quartz powder.

Chiang, Shih-Wei; Tsai, Tung-Lin; Yang, Jinn-Chuang

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0557-8pmid: N/A

Variations in pore-water pressure determined by the groundwater table within a riverbank have been investigated and recognized as an essential factor in determining riverbank stability with respect to mass failure. However, the effect of pore-water pressure is taken into account for most of the existing riverbank stability models under some simplified assumptions, and the limitations of predicting ability may arise. To avoid the unrealistic estimation of pore-water pressure distribution, the new approach proposed here is to couple riverbank stability with groundwater flow modeling, and apply this to tackle the conjunction effect between river stage and groundwater table. Moreover, riverbank material characteristics and the influence of infiltration can be taken into consideration via groundwater flow modeling. Two hypothetical examples, stage rising and stage falling, are used to investigate the capabilities of the present study and two representative methods. The simulated results show that riverbank failure is triggered particularly during the falling stage, which has been pointed out by other researchers as well. Furthermore, the riverbank material characteristics predominantly control the occurrence of failure and should be considered regarding assessment of riverbank stability. Additionally, the effects of parameters indicate that riverbanks with soil properties of low permeability or high specific yield with great infiltration intensity during the falling stage have a tendency to riverbank failure.

Zouzias, D.; Miliaresis, George; St. Seymour, K.

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0560-0pmid: N/A

The Hellenic Peninsula and the adjacent Aegean and Ionian seas are segmented into regions on the basis of Terra satellite-MODIS instrument derived land surface temperatures (LST) to test if they can be used in the field reconnaissance for potential geothermal targets, each region representing a different thermal signature. The method has been used successfully to identify hot spot and geothermal activity in the Afar Triangle and in the Red Sea. Night monthly average LST values per pixel, since 2001, are used in this work for geothermal field identification. Average LST seasonal variability is expressed by a common centroid curve of pixel cluster. Clusters were subsequently ranked in increasing LST according to their centroids. Cluster-2 represents by far the Aegean volcanic arc (AVA) which comprises the high enthalpy (320 and 350°C, respectively) geothermal fields of Milos and Nisyros. The interpretation of LST terrain segmentation into sub-clusters of Cluster-2 is consistent with thermal anomalies related to the volcano-islands of the AVA, the occurrence of thermal anomalies related to granodiorite plutons in the Cyclades and to the volcano-related anomalies of the Dodecanese Province. We conclude that the identification of such thermal anomalies obtained by a combination of remote sensing (LST), regional geology and field data (borehole, thermal spring and subsurface hydrothermal reservoir temperatures) can be a particularly useful exploration tool for localizing geothermal anomalies.

Peltola, Pasi; Virtasalo, J.; Öberg, T.; Åström, M.

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0561-zpmid: N/A

This study investigates the geochemistry of soft, organic-rich brackish-water surface sediments in the Archipelago Sea (SW Finland). The area is one of the world’s largest archipelagos, and, although it is scarcely populated, frequent ship and boat traffic along with fish farming occurs. From 76 sites, 47 chemical elements were determined after aqua regia digestion. Other parameters determined were grain size, water, organic and nitrogen contents. At sampling, the sediments were visually classified into groups representing oxic, anoxic and fluctuating (intermediate) oxic seafloor conditions. The results show that the element concentrations are quite similar to other studies in the region but with clear signs of lower anthropogenic loading. Point source pollution was identified in one sample taken nearby a fish farm and a cable ferry. This site was strongly enriched in Cu, Zn and Sn derived from chemicals used in either, or both, activities at the site. Overall, the sediments can be divided into two groups that separate chemically and geographically. One group contains more fine-grained sediments that occur near shore, while the other group contains more anoxic, organic and sulfur-rich sediments occurring more offshore. The second group is interpreted to reflect material reworked from previous deposits as a result of shoaling of the area due to glacio-isostatic land uplift. The visual classes were included in both partial least squares regression (PLSR) and PLS discriminant analysis. These analyses showed that the oxic and anoxic seafloor sediments can be predicted from the chemical variables and grain-size distribution.

Sui, Wanghua; Liu, Jinyuan; Yang, Siguang; Chen, Zhongsheng; Hu, Yisheng

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0562-ypmid: N/A

This paper presents a case history of the permanent salvage of the Sanhejian Coalmine in China after a sudden groundwater inrush, which includes emergency responses, hydrogeological analyses, and design and performance of bulkheads. The inrush accident occurred in October 2002 in the mined-out area with a high water pressure of 7.6 MPa and a high water temperature of 51°C. The emergency response quickly followed up to provide the time required to perform a detailed hydrogeological analysis to identify the source and pathway of groundwater. The Sanhejian Coalmine is geologically located in the Tengxian anticline hydrogeological setting. The Sunshidian fault, the northern boundary of the mine, was assumed impermeable in the original hydrogeological report. After the accident and hydrogeological analysis, this assessment was revised and the fault was considered to be permeable. The Sunshidian fault connects the strata in the mine and the excellent water-productive Middle Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the core of the Tengxian anticline. It was concluded that the water inrush was from the underlying Ordovician karst aquifer and the pathway was a hidden tectonic structure in the strata overlying the aquifer. This assessment served as the guideline for salvaging the mine in this project. After a detailed technical and economic analysis, a concrete bulkhead design was selected from several alternatives including dewatering and surface grouting. The performance of the bulkheads has been sufficient for the last 6 years since their construction. This case history shows that the hydrogeological analysis plays an essential role in successfully salvaging the coalmine from the water inrush by identifying the source and pathway of groundwater.

Ahmed, M.; Samie, S.; El-Maghrabi, H.

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0563-xpmid: N/A

Hydrochemical and isotopic researches were conducted in El-Sadat City groundwater system to identify groundwater alteration, recharge, residence time and extent of pollution. The groundwater salinity gradually increases as the groundwater moves from northeastern to southwestern parts of the city. Groundwater generally shows mineralization decreasing with depth, indicating that the possibility of recent water penetration far below the surface is limited. Shallow groundwater has an elevated level of nitrate, which is attributed to anthropogenic sources due to intensive agricultural activity. The limit of high nitrate water may mark the maximum penetration of groundwater from the surface, which is found in depths <100 m. The northeastern and southwestern industrial areas are highly contaminated by some heavy metals, which may originate from some local industrial effluents. The sewage oxidation ponds seem to show no effect on groundwater; hence, these ponds are not a point source for these heavy metals. Dissolved ions depict five different hydrochemical facies, and stable isotopes define the recharge mechanisms, the origin of groundwater and the hydraulic confinement of deep groundwater. The deep groundwater is untritiated and has long residence times (in the order of thousands of years). Three different hydrochemical groups have been recognized and mapped in El-Sadat City, based on the chemical and isotopic information of the groundwater. These groups have different levels of contamination. The deep groundwater samples are significantly less impacted by surface activities and it appears that these important water resources have very low recharge rates and would, therefore, be severely impacted by overabstraction. The extensive exploitation of groundwater for drinking water supply would shortly be reflected by a gradual decline of the groundwater table in El-Sadat City. Amelioration of groundwater quality requires further management strategies and efforts in the forthcoming years.

El-Asmar, H.; Hereher, M.

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0564-9pmid: N/A

The coastal zone of the Nile Delta is a promising area for energy resources and industrial activities. It also contains important wetland ecosystems. This coastal area witnessed several changes during the last century. A set of four satellite images from the multi-spectral scanner (MSS), thematic mapper (TM) and Systeme Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) sensors were utilized in order to estimate the spatio-temporal changes that occurred in the coastal zone between Damietta Nile branch and Port-Said between 1973 and 2007. Image processing applied in this study included geometric rectification; atmospheric correction; on-screen shoreline digitizing of the 1973 (MSS) and 2007 (SPOT) images for tracking the shoreline position between Damietta promontory and Port-Said; and water index approach for quantifying Manzala lagoon surface area change using 1973 (MSS), 1984 (TM) and 2003 (TM) images. Results showed that coastal erosion was severe near Damietta promontory and decreased eastward, however, accretion was observed near Port-Said. About 50% of the coastal strip was under erosion and 13% was under accretion. In addition, a remarkable decline (34.5%) of the Manzala lagoon surface area was estimated. These changes were attributed mainly to the control of the River Nile flooding and the land use change by anthropogenic activities.

Wang, Jiang; Zhang, Chong; Ke, Shi; Qian, Bao

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0565-8pmid: N/A

Different plant communities have established spontaneously on Sanmen Pb/Zn mine tailing. The site was inspected and four different plant communities were identified according to their species composition. To understand the effects of different communities on mine tailing physico-chemical properties, a community survey was carried out in Sanmen Pb/Zn mine tailing, and the physico-chemical properties and heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn) distribution of mine tailings were determined. Results showed that there were four types of communities (I, II, III and IV) in Sanmen Pb/Zn mine tailing. From community I to IV, the number of plant species and community characteristics (aboveground biomass, underground biomass, coverage and height) consistently increased. Moreover, the nutrient pool and physico-chemical properties of mine tailing consistently reestablished from community I to IV, while the total heavy metal content consistently decreased. The contents of residual fractions, Fe–Mn oxide fractions for Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd and exchangeable fractions for Pb and Zn also consistently decreased. However, the contents of organically bound fraction had no obvious change from community I to IV. Moreover, the contents of Cu organically bound fraction reversely increased. Results demonstrate that communities I, II, III and IV should be a progressive community succession. Moreover, along with the progressive community succession, phytostabilization and phytoextraction of mine tailings are more and more effective.

Song, Xianfang; Wang, Peng; Yu, Jingjie; Liu, Xin; Liu, Jianrong; Yuan, Ruiqiang

doi: 10.1007/s12665-010-0566-7pmid: N/A

Vegetation cover plays an important role in the process of evaporation and infiltration. To explore the relationships between precipitation, soil water and groundwater in Taihang mountainous region, China, precipitation, soil water and water table were observed from 2004 to 2006, and precipitation, soil water and groundwater were sampled in 2004 and 2005 for oxygen-18 and deuterium analysis at Chongling catchment. The soil water was sampled at three sites covered by grass (Carex humilis and Carex lanceolata), acacia and arborvitae respectively. Precipitation is mainly concentrated in rainy seasons and has no significant spatial variance in study area. The stable isotopic compositions are enriched in precipitation and soil water due to the evaporation. The analysis of soil water potential and isotopic profiles shows that evaporation of soil water under arborvitae cover is weaker than under grass and acacia, while soil water evaporation under grass and acacia showed no significant difference. Both δ18O profiles and soil water potential dynamics reveal that the soil under acacia allows the most rapid infiltration rate, which may be related to preferential flow. In the process of infiltration after a rainstorm, antecedent water still takes up over 30% of water in the topsoil. The soil water between depths of 0–115 cm under grass has a residence time of about 20 days in the rainy season. Groundwater recharge from precipitation mainly occurs in the rainy season, especially when rainstorms or successive heavy rain events happen.