Tracing the Movement of Irrigated Effluent into an Alluvial Gravel Aquifer

Three microbial tracers – Escherichia coli J6-2, a somatic coliphage (ØESR1) and endospores of Bacillus subtilis var. niger NCIB 8649 tracer strain JHI – were added to effluent flood irrigated onto border dyke strips at a sewage treatment plant near Christchurch, New Zealand. All three tracers, and three effluent indicators – faecal coliforms, F-RNA phages, and chloride – were recovered in a bore, approximately 100 m downstream. A simple spatial model was applied to the breakthrough curves (BTCs) in the bore, using a series of hypothetical “entry points” in the strips. This analysis indicated effluent transport velocities through the 16.8 m deep vadose zone of between 15.7 and 39.2 m hr^{? 1}. The shapes of the BTCs for the microorganisms and chloride were very different, suggesting that they reached the groundwater table via two pathways: – both underwent rapid transport to the groundwater though macropores, but chloride also underwent far slower (matrix) transport though micropores. The BTC shapes also suggested transport velocities in the vadose zone of E. coli J6-2 > B. subtilis JH1 endospores > phage ØESR1, which is consistent with the theory of pore size exclusion, based on particle size. Reductions in microbial concentrations were ≈100 times greater than for chloride, and occurred rapidly, suggesting that up to 99% of the microorganisms underwent early exclusion from macropore flow and were removed during matrix flow. Nevertheless, the results show that substantial numbers of bacteria and viruses will still reach the groundwater through macropores beneath effluent irrigation schemes located on alluvial gravel formations.     

TRANSPORT OF BACTERIA AND BACTERIOPHAGES IN IRRIGATED EFFLUENT INTO AND THROUGH AN ALLUVIAL GRAVEL AQUIFER

The movement of bacteria and bacteriophages into and through an alluvial gravel aquifer was investigated at a bordered strip effluent irrigation scheme near Christchurch, New Zealand. Irrigation of one set of strips resulted in the contamination, by faecal coliform bacteria, and somatic and F-RNA coliphages, of two bores, approximately 60 m and 445 m downstream of the centre of the strips. F-RNA coliphages showed the greatest attenuation between the soil surface and the first bore, and faecal coliforms the least. Estimates of percolation times through the 13 m vadoze zone (based on times to peak concentration in the groundwater) ranged from 1.6 to 10.5 hr, with travel times for the bacteriophages being 1.4–3.4 times longer than for the bacteria. Injection of oxidation pond effluent containing rhodamine WT dye into the first bore resulted in contamination of the second bore (385 m downstream) by the dye, F-RNA coliphages, and faecal coliforms. In a second experiment, injection (into the same bore) of a mixture of phage MS-2, the bacterial tracerEscherichia coli J6-2, and rhodamine WT dye, produced a similar result in the downstream bore and in a newly-installed bore, 401 m downstream. In both injection experiments, the phages exhibited the shortest times to peak concentrations in the downstream bore(s), followed by the bacteria, and then the dye. Attenuation of the bacteria and phages was similar, but the microbes exhibited 100-fold greater reduction than the dye. Flow direction and longitudinal dispersivity were determined in a preliminary analysis using an idealised 2-D dispersion model. This information, and other measured and reported data, were then used as inputs in a 3-D dispersion model. The predicted concentration curves were matched to the observed curves by trial and error adjustment of the decay constant (λ). The best curve fits were obtained with λ values higher than those reported elsewhere. It is suggested that many of the reported microbial decay values underestimate microbial reductions in groundwater because they do not account for other removal mechanisms, such as filtration, sedimentation and irreversible adsorption.     

The Role of Leaky Boreholes in the Contamination of a Regional Confined Aquifer. A Case Study: The Campo de Cartagena Region, Spain

Poorly constructed wells (leaky or without a gravel pack) and abandoned wells can behave as conduits for the interconnection of aquifers at different depths and facilitate the transfer of contaminants between these aquifers. This is the case with Campo de Cartagena (SE Spain) where the primary land use is intensive irrigated agriculture, along with a high density of wells. The unconfined aquifer is heavily impacted by a high concentration of nitrate associated with agricultural activities. The present work provides a methodological approach to evaluate the impact of the unconfined aquifer on the water quality of the confined aquifer caused by leaky wells in high-density areas of production wells. The research approach included the use of geochemical and isotopic tools; specifically, nitrate was used as a tracer for evaluating the impact, and the code MIX_PROGRAM was used for mixing calculations. Results show an increase of the impact of the unconfined aquifer on the confined aquifer along the groundwater flow direction toward the coast, although this general pattern is controlled by local factors (pumping, intensity of agricultural practices, density of wells, and groundwater residence time).     

桑树坪井田地下水化学特征及矿井水的再生利用

简要介绍了桑树坪井田地质与水文地质概况,按地层的含水性将井田含水层划分为第四系砂砾石层孔隙潜水中等含水层组(H1)、二叠系砂岩裂隙承压弱含水层组(H2)、石炭系砂岩灰岩裂隙承压极弱含水层组(H3)和奥陶系石灰岩溶隙溶洞承压强含水层组(H4)等4种类型。在分析各含水层组水质特征及矿井水水化学特征的基础上,得出奥灰水是矿井水的主要补给来源;并针对该井田矿井水硬度大,矿化度、SO_4~(2-)含量高的水质特征,提出了以物理一物理化学方法为基础,以电渗析法为主的净化处理矿井水方法。     

Occurrence and Geochemistry of Arsenic in Groundwater of Punjab,Northwest India

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a deadly poison at high concentrations. It is mysterious in the sense that people are exposed to it most of the time through drinking groundwater, fortunately at much lower concentrations than the deadly levels, and usually without knowing it. Arsenic content in alluvial aquifers of Punjab varied from 3.5 to 688 µg L^?1. Arsenic status of groundwater is classified into low (<10 µg L^?1), moderate (≥10 to <25 µg L^?1), high (≥25 to <50 µg L^?1), and very high (>50 µg L^?1). In zone I, the concentration of As in groundwater varied from 3.5 to 42 µg L^?1 with a mean value of 23.4 µg L^?1. On the basis of these limits, only 8% of samples were low, whereas 51 and 41% of the total samples collected from this region fall in the moderate and high As categories. The concentration of As in groundwater of zone II varied from 9.8 to 42.5 µg L^?1 with a mean value of 24.1 µg L^?1. Arsenic concentration in the alluvial aquifers of the central plain of zone II is 2 and 52% in the low and moderate limits. In this region, 46% of groundwater sites contain high As concentrations. Arsenic concentrations in the aridic southwestern parts are significantly different from other two provinces. The As concentration ranged from 11.4 to 688 µg L^?1 with average value of 76.8 µg L^?1. Eleven percent of the aquifers of the southwestern region of zone III are in the moderate category, 54% in the high, and 35% in the very high. According to safe As limits (<10 µg L^?1), only 3 and 1% of the groundwater samples collected from zones I and II were fit for dinking purposes with respect to As content. In the aridic southwest, zone III, all water samples contained As concentrations greater than the safe limits and thus are not suitable for drinking purposes. The presence of elevated As concentrations in groundwater are generally due to the results of natural occurrences of As in the aquifer materials. The concentration of other competitive oxyanions in waters such as phosphate, sulfate, and borate also depressed the adsorption of As on the sorption sites of aquifer materials and thereby eventually elevate the As concentration in groundwaters. In groundwater of alluvial aquifers of Punjab, released from sulfide oxidation and oxyhydroxide of iron, elevated (>10 µg L^?1) concentrations of As were widespread because of high pH (>8.0) and higher concentrations of phosphate, borate, sulfate, and hydroxyl anions. It is conclusively evident that geochemical conditions, such as pH, oxidation–reduction, associated or competing ions, and evaporative environments have significant effects on As concentration in groundwater. These conditions influence how much As is dissolved or precipitated into the water and how much is bound to the aquifer materials or the solid particles in water.     

Understanding Phosphorus Mobility and Bioavailability in the Hyporheic Zone of a Chalk Stream

This paper investigates the changes in bioavailable phosphorus (P) within the hyporheic zone of a groundwater-dominated chalk stream. In this study, tangential flow fractionation is used to investigate P associations with different size fractions in the hyporheic zone, groundwater and surface water. P speciation is similar for the river and the chalk aquifer beneath the hyporheic zone, with ??dissolved?? P (<10 kDa) accounting for ~90% of the P in the river and >90% in the deep groundwaters. Within the hyporheic zone, the proportion of ??colloidal?? (<0.45 ??m and >10 kDa) and ??particulate?? (>0.45 ??m) P is higher than in either the groundwater or the surface water, accounting for ~30% of total P. Our results suggest that zones of interaction within the sand and gravel deposits directly beneath and adjacent to river systems generate colloidal and particulate forms of fulvic-like organic material and regulate bioavailable forms of P, perhaps through co-precipitation with CaCO₃. While chalk aquifers provide some degree of protection to surface water ecosystems through physiochemical processes of P removal, where flow is maintained by groundwater, ecologically significant P concentrations (20?C30 ??g/L) are still present in the groundwater and are an important source of bioavailable P during baseflow conditions. The nutrient storage capacity of the hyporheic zone and the water residence times of this dynamic system are largely unknown and warrant further investigation.     

Hydrochemical Impacts of Limestone Rock Mining

Hydrochemical impacts of shallow rock industrial-scale mining activities close to sensitive constructed and natural wetlands were investigated. The shallow surficial groundwater and surface water in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) were characterized. The chemical composition of sulfate and chloride in groundwater increased with depth. The average concentration of chloride averaged 182 mg?L^?1 at 6 m deep and increased gradually to 1,010 mg?L^?1 at 15 m deep, 1,550 mg?L^?1 at 30 m deep to reach 7,800 mg?L^?1 at 60 m deep. Comparatively, the surface water chemical composition in the surrounding areas showed much lower cationic and anionic charge. The specific conductivity and total dissolved solids of surface water in canals (close to the mining operations) are <900 ??S?cm^?1 and <600 mg?L^?1, respectively, which should be compared to groundwater quality in wells from the EAA area (>2,000 ??S?cm^?1 and >1,000 mg?L^?1, respectively). A steady-state groundwater fluid flow and transient solute transport modeling exercise was conducted to estimate surface/groundwater interactions. The modeled solute in surface water was transported downgradient through groundwaters, migrated approximately 30 m from the source area (after 5 years of operation), and needed more than 116 years to dissipate. An upward transport was also identified whereby chloride and sulfate, naturally present in deeper groundwaters, migrated approximately 200 m (after 1 year of mining) into the pristine shallower aquifer and reached the surface water with a concentration equaling 80% of that in the rock mining pit.     

Groundwater Pollution in a Karstic Region (NE Yucatan): Baseline Nutrient Content and Flux to Coastal Ecosystems

The quality of groundwater is threatened in karstic regions with very high population growth, such as the eastern coast of Yucatan. As polluted groundwater flows towards the ocean, coastal ecosystems and coral reefs may also be affected. Pollution and the interaction between the coastal aquifer and the reef lagoon were assessed at a developing area (Puerto Morelos, NE Yucatan Peninsula) within the Mesoamerican Coral Reef System. Coastal environments along the land?Csea gradient (wells, mangroves, beaches, submarine springs, the reef lagoon, and the open sea) were sampled. Silicate and salinity were used as tracers of groundwater and seawater, respectively. Their patterns evidence water flow and mixing among these coastal environments. High nitrate concentrations (268.6 ??M) and coliform bacteria densities indicate groundwater pollution in most of the wells sampled and also in mangroves, beaches, and submarine springs. Phosphorous content peaks (14.2 ??M) in mangroves, where it is likely released due to reducing conditions in the sediments. Nitrogen flux toward the lagoon reef through groundwater discharge is estimated at 2.4 ton N km^?1 year^?1 and phosphorous at 75 to 217 kg P km^?1 year^?1. These results provide evidence of the need for more detailed groundwater studies and for the integrated management of aquifers and coastal ecosystems in karstic regions.     

Soluble components of sediments and their relation with dissolved arsenic in aquifers from the Hetao Basin,Inner Mongolia

Purpose

High groundwater arsenic (As) and salinity have been detected in aquifers of the Hetao Basin in Mongolia which have caused serious public health concerns. The objective of this study was to characterize the distributions of the soluble components in sediment in different lithologies and depths and to assess the relationship between soluble As in sediments and dissolved As in groundwater.

Materials and methods

One hundred and one sediment samples and 13 groundwater samples were collected from four boreholes at varied depths. In addition to total chemicals and mineralogical phases of sediments, the soluble components (including major ions and As, Fe, and Mn) in sediments and dissolved chemicals in groundwater were analyzed.

Results and discussion

Clay or silty clay had relatively higher EC values (189–805 μS cm^?1) than aquifer sands (approximately 92–261 μS cm^?1). The major soluble components were Na⁺, Ca²⁺, HCO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2?, which were more variable in clay samples than fine sand samples. Soluble As concentrations ranged between 2 and 950 μS cm^?1, and high contents generally occurred in clay sediments with high contents of soluble Fe and Mn. A comparison of chemicals between soluble components in sediments and dissolved species in groundwaters at matched depths showed that chemicals were preferentially partitioned into sediments at the mountain front and deep aquifers (>60 m), while partitioned into groundwater in the shallow aquifers (<60 m) of the flat plain. Arsenic was preferentially partitioned into groundwater in aquifers with relatively low dissolved SO₄ ^2?.

Conclusions

Groundwater components were mostly sourced from corresponding sediments. In clay sediments, As was desorbed from the surface sites along with other soluble components. Under reducing conditions, reduction of Fe oxides with high surface sites for As adsorption led to a weak association of As with other phases (such as carbonates), and therefore resulted in high dissolved As concentrations and low As partition between sediments and groundwater in deep aquifers.

     

Reclaiming sandplain seeps by intercepting perched groundwater with eucalypts

At a sandplain seep at East Belka in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, saline groundwater discharge occurs from a shallow (approx. 2 m) perched aquifer of moderate permeability (0.15 m day⁻¹). Groundwater qualities range from over 2,500 mS m⁻¹ in the saline area, to between 660 and 1,700 mS m⁻¹ in the plantation. In 1986 five varieties of eucalypts (E. globulus, E. cladocalyx var. nana and three provenances of E. camaldulensis) were planted across the contour upslope from the seep on about 1.0 per cent of the catchment. By 1989 the seedlings had grown to heights of up to 6.5 m. Despite above-average rainfall over the study period, perched water-tables under the plantation and seep were progressively lowered (approx. 0.5-1.0 m) until the area was dry at the start of the 1989-1990 summer. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) established on the seep and adjacent paddock in May 1989, provided a yield of over 1.0 t ha⁻¹ on a site that had been unproductive for 20 years. The method has the potential to reclaim much of the existing eastern and northern wheatbelt where there are salinity problems caused by perched groundwater, and could prevent recharge of the regional aquifer beneath the sandplain seep. However, additional techniques will be required to prevent deep aquifer discharge caused by steadily rising (approx. 0.15 m yr⁻¹) regional water-tables. Discharge and associated dryland salinity from the regional system are expected to be major problems during the next 40 years at the site investigated.     

Yield production and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under shallow groundwater use in semi-arid region

As a free water resource, groundwater is extensively used for agricultural purposes. This is sometimes referred to as underground irrigation. Two-year lysimetric experiments from 2009 to 2011 were conducted in order to determine the effects of different shallow water table levels without any supplementary irrigation on water requirements, yield production and water-use efficiencies of three wheat cultivars namely W33g, Cross Alborz and Bahar. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block factorial experiment design with three replicates at the Razi University Lysimetric Research Station, Iran. Nine treatments were applied to each experiment by maintaining groundwater EC of 5 dS m^?1, with different water table levels of 0.6, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. The results showed the highest and lowest groundwater uses by wheat for water table depths of 0.6 m and 1.10 m, during the experimental years, respectively. For all wheat cultivars, the average groundwater contributions were found to be 70.90% (5 mm day^?1), 67.85% (4.3 mm day^?1) and 63.4% (3.6 mm day^?1) for water table levels of 0.60, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. Finally, the results showed the highest yield production and groundwater-use efficiency under water table levels of 0.80 m for all the three wheat cultivars.     

Review of Groundwater Pollution and Protection in Karst Areas

Karst groundwater (the water in a karst aquifer) is a major water resource in many regions of some countries. Water requirements for most of the settlements in the karstic regions are supplied from karst aquifers. Karst environments are also used for the disposal of liquid and solid domestic agricultural, and industrial wastes, which result in karst groundwater pollution. Karst aquifers have specific hydraulic and hydrogeologic characteristics that render them highly vulnerable to pollution from human activities. Karst groundwater becomes polluted more easily and in shorter time periods than water in non-karstic aquifers. Thus, protection measures are required to preserve the quality and quantity of karst groundwater that specifically consider the vulnerability of the karst environment. In order to preserve karst groundwater, the geological, hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics of the karst area must be investigated and information on polluting activities and sources must be collected. Then, a comprehensive protection and control system must be developed consisting of the following six components: (1) develop and implement a groundwater monitoring system, (2) establish critical protection zones, (3) develop proper land use strategies, (4) determine the reasonable development capacity of the karst aquifer, (5) control and eliminate when necessary sources of pollution, (6) increase public awareness of the value and vulnerability of karst aquifers.     

Arsenic Pollution in the Groundwater of Simav Plain, Turkey: Its Impact on Water Quality and Human Health

In this research, geological and hydrogeological studies were conducted to determine the source of high arsenic levels in the surficial aquifer of Simav Plain, Kutahya, Turkey. One of the two aquifer systems isolated in the study area was a deep confined aquifer composed of fractured metamorphic rocks that supply hot geothermal fluid. The other one was an unconfined alluvial aquifer, which developed within the graben area as a result of sediment deposition from the highlands. This aquifer serves as the primary water resource within the plain. A water quality sampling campaign conducted in 27 wells drilled in the surficial aquifer has yielded an average arsenic concentration of 99.1 µg/L with a maximum of 561.5 µg/L. Rock and sediment samples supported the fact that local metamorphic rocks contained significant amounts of sulfur minerals where arsenic-containing lenses are present inside. It was also determined that a Cu–Pb–Zn mine was operated in the past in the same formation. Arsenic-containing wastes of this mine were deposited near the Simav district center in an uncontrolled manner. This mined formation had arsenic levels reaching to levels as high as 660 mg/kg, which was found out to be the highest arsenic level in the area. Another potential arsenic source in the study area was the geothermal fluid that was used extensively in three geothermal fields with levels reaching to levels as high as 594 µg/L. Uncontrolled discharges of waste geothermal fluid and overexploitation of groundwater were also found to contribute to arsenic pollution in surface/subsurface waters of the plain. Thus, natural sources and anthropogenic influences of arsenic were found to create high concentrations in local water reserves of the area and influence human health. Consequently, death statistics from the 1995 to 2005 period collected from the area has revealed increased rates of gastrointestinal cancers above Turkish average.     

A field trial to evaluate the pollution potential to ground and surface waters from woodchip corrals for overwintering livestock outdoors

Outwintering beef cattle on woodchip corrals offers stock management, economic and welfare benefits when compared with overwintering in open fields or indoors. A trial was set up on a loamy sand over sand soil to evaluate the pollution risks from corrals and the effect of design features (size and depth of woodchips, stocking density, and feeding on or off the corral). Plastic‐lined drainage trenches at 9–10 m spacing under the woodchips allowed sampling of the leachate. Sampling of the soil to 3.6 m below the corral allowed evaluation of pollutant mitigation during vadose zone transport. Mean corral leachate pollutant concentrations were 443–1056 mg NH₄‐N L^?1, 372–1078 mg dissolved organic carbon (DOC) L^?1, 3–13 mg NO₃‐N L^?1, 8 × 10⁴–1.0 × 10⁶Escherichia coli 100 mL^?1 and 2.8 × 10²–1.4 × 10³ faecal enterococci 100 mL^?1. Little influence of design features could be observed. DOC, NH₄ and (in most cases) E. coli and faecal enterococci concentrations decreased 10²–10³ fold when compared with corral leachate during transport to 3.6 m but there were some cores where faecal enterococci concentrations remained high throughout the profile. Travel times of pollutants (39–113 days) were estimated assuming vertical percolation, piston displacement at field moisture content and no adsorption. This allowed decay/die‐off kinetics in the soil to be estimated (0.009–0.044 day^?1 for DOC, 0.014–0.045 day^?1 for E. coli and 0–0.022 day^?1 for faecal enterococci). The mean [NO₃‐N] in pore water from the soil cores (n = 3 per corral) ranged from 114 ± 52 to 404 ± 54 mg NO₃‐N L^?1, when compared with 59 ± 15 mg NO₃‐N L^?1 from a field overwintering area and 47 ± 40 mg NO₃‐N L^?1 under a permanent feeding area. However, modelling suggested that denitrification losses in the soil profile increased with stocking density so nitrate leaching losses per animal may be smaller under corrals than for other overwintering methods. Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane fluxes (measured on one occasion from one corral) were 5–110 g N ha^?1 day^?1, 3–23 kg C ha^?1 day^?1, and 5–340 g C ha^?1 day^?1 respectively. Ammonia content of air extracted from above the woodchips was 0.7–3.5 mg NH₄‐N m^?3.     

Groundwater Pollution of the Quaternary Aquifer in Northern United Arab Emirates

Natural conditions and human activities have caused serious quality degradation of the Quaternary aquifer in the north of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aquifer within Ajman City is unconfined, receiving limited recharge (12 542 m³/day) from the east and large pollutants flux (4,800 m³/day) from land surface. Field survey and laboratory analyses revealed anomalies in groundwater salinity (TDS), total hardness (TH), dissolved oxygen (DO), cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), anions ( ${\text{HCO}}_3^ - $ , ${\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } $ , Cl^? and ${\text{NO}}_3^ - $ ) and trace elements (Fe, Pb, Cd and Cr), which can be correlated to point and non-point pollution sources. Concentrations of trace elements are more responsive to anthropogenic sources than natural ones. High Fe and Pb levels were measured close to the untreated sewage disposal site, while high Cd and Cr contents were observed near hospitals and clinics. Iso-concentration maps of salinity and major ions, in addition to hydrochemical profiles were used to define the seawater–groundwater interface in Ajman City. The potentiometric surface map of the Quaternary aquifer within the study area shows that groundwater flows from the east towards the Arabian Gulf in the west. The proposed landfill site is suitable because it lies within a topographic low, receiving groundwater flow from all directions.     

Wellhead Protection Area Delineation Using the Analytic Element Method

Wellhead protection areas (WHPAs) were delineated around three water supply wells in Urmia Plain, Urmia City, Iran. WhAEM2000 (V.2.1.0) computer model based on the analytic element method was used and two years time of travel WHPAs were delineated for pumping wells drilled in the basin of Shahr-Chai River located in Urmia Plain. The steady-state flow was applied for unconfined aquifer. This feature included the main surface water features (rivers and lake), recharge rate due to precipitation, irrigation and periodical tributaries, and inhomogeneity to represent the western area of the plain, having different characteristics. The model was subsequently calibrated by means of the observed piezometric heads as test points. In confined aquifer the groundwater does not have interaction with the surface waters and no recharge penetrates into the aquifer. Hence, uniform flow was applied to create a new model. In confined model two parameters (hydraulic gradient and direction of the flow) were then evaluated using three points method. To overcome uncertainties related to the aquifer parameters and lack of sufficient piezometric data, the parameters sensitivity analysis and the hypothesis testing method were used and the final WHPAs were reasonably delineated for the wells. Results showed that the shapes of the WHPAs for wells in unconfined aquifer are longer and narrower than those in confined aquifer.     

Selection of Tolerant Plants and Their Arrangement to Restore a Forest Ecosystem Damaged by Air Pollution

Wastewater and groundwater has been used for irrigation in the Valsequillo District, east central Mexico, for nearly 50 years. The environmental impact of wastewater on groundwater in the unconfined shallow aquifer is evaluated by means of hydrogeological, microbiological, hydrogeochemical and isotopic evidences. The shallow aquifer consists of upper Tertiary volcano-sedimentary rocks with a calcite-rich matrix. Groundwater from wells near the wastewater canal had similar total coliforms concentrations as the wastewater (～100 MPN 100 mL^-1). The hydraulic head in near-canal wells had a recovery of 10 m until 1983, indicating shallow recharge from wastewater. A bicarbonate vs. calcium plot shows a well-defined mixing process between wastewater and unaffected groundwater. Stable isotopic data (δD and δ¹⁸O) show characteristic signatures for wastewater and non-impacted groundwater, and define a mixing line between those end-members and groundwater affected by wastewater infiltration. Tritium data indicate that non-impacted groundwater is ‘pre-atomic hydrogen bomb’ (>50 yr), whereas the wastewater has a ‘younger’ signature. Tritium data from wells inside the district clearly indicate a mixing process between waste and groundwater. These results demonstrate the interaction and hydrochemical processes between wastewater and shallow groundwater at the site.     

雨水回灌对深层承压含水层水质影响的模拟研究

[目的]揭示雨水回灌中污染物在深层承压含水层中的迁移扩散规律。[方法]以常规指标氯化物(Cl-)为研究对象,针对天津市市区第Ⅳ承压含水组,应用地下水模拟软件(groundwater modeling system,GMS)中的MODFLOW和MT3DMS模块分别进行地下水流场和溶质迁移模拟。模拟了4种不同的Cl-质量浓度和水量条件对溶质运移的影响。[结果]当溶质质量浓度相同时,回灌水量增大4倍,等Cl-浓度面积增大约1.44倍;当回灌水量相同时,溶质质量浓度增大2倍时,等Cl-浓度面积增大约0.92倍。[结论]回灌水溶质浓度和回灌水量对Cl-在地下水中的迁移均有一定的影响,而且回灌水量的影响大于溶质质量浓度的影响;增大回灌水量、减小回灌水溶质浓度利于Cl-的迁移扩散。     

Faecal Indicator Bacteria: Groundwater Dynamics and Transport Following Precipitation and River Water Infiltration

Faecal contamination of drinking water extracted from alluvial aquifers can lead to severe problems. River water infiltration can be a hazard for extraction wells located nearby, especially during high discharge events. The high dimensionality of river?Cgroundwater interaction and the many factors affecting bacterial survival and transport in groundwater make a simple assessment of actual water quality difficult. The identification of proxy indicators for river water infiltration and bacterial contamination is an important step in managing groundwater resources and hazard assessment. The time resolution of microbial monitoring studies is often too low to establish this relationship. A proxy-based approach in such highly dynamic systems requires in-depth knowledge of the relationship between the variable of interest, e.g. river water infiltration, and its proxy indicator. In this study, continuously recorded physico-chemical parameters (temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, spectral absorption coefficient, particle density) were compared to the counts for faecal indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. obtained from intermittent sampling. Sampling for faecal indicator bacteria was conducted on two temporal scales: (a) routine bi-weekly monitoring over a month and (b) intense (bi-hourly) event-based sampling over 3 days triggered by a high discharge event. Both sampling set-ups showed that the highest bacterial concentrations occurred in the river. E. coli and Enterococcus sp. concentrations decreased with time and length of flow path in the aquifer. The event-based sampling was able to demonstrate differences in bacterial removal between clusters of observation wells linked to aquifer composition. Although no individual proxy indicator for bacterial contamination could be established, it was shown that a combined approach based on time-series of physico-chemical parameters could be used to assess river water infiltration as a hazard for drinking water quality management.     

Thirteen-year survival study of an environmentalEscherichia coli in field mini-plots

A multiple-antibiotic resistantE. coli was applied to rye-grass covered field mini-plots to simulate point-source contamination. Using three mini-plots for testing and a fourth as a control, the ability of the tracer bacterium to survive under field conditions was studied. Three test plots each received separately 10⁷, 10⁸, or 10¹⁰ cfu mL^?1 E. coli grown for 24 h. in 5 L one-third strength Tryptic soy broth. In Phase I of the study, it was determined that the tracer disappeared from leaf surfaces of rye-grass covering the plots after 41 days. In Phase II, determination of the presence of the tracer in the top 2″ (5 cm) of soil after two months elapsed time indicated that tracer cfu/g dry wt. of soil had declined five, three, and three-logs for test plots 1,2, and 3. In Phase III, subsurface soil sampling using a soil auger on the three test minei-plots indicated the tracer had penetrated through the top-soil and into the underlying B horizon (20 to 50 cm down). In Phase IV, detailed sampling by excavation of the subsurface soil Horizons of the third test mini-plot showed that the tracer had also penetrated through the hardpan (C Horizon) located 0.6 m below the surface to enter the groundwater (1.06 m deep) (Phase V).E. coli counts fell precipitously to 10³ cfu g^?1 in soil and then, in the groundwater at the groundwater-soil interface, persisted at a concentration of 10³ cfu 100 mL^?1 for 2 yr. As time past, tracer counts fell to 145 cfu/100 mL in 6 yr. rose to 820 cfu 100 mL^?1 in 1986 (8 yr elapsed time), and then fell to 25 cfu 100 mL^?1 in 1991 after 13 yr. Serotyping of 1986E. coli isolates indicated that 62% were of the original tracer serotype (0.128:B12) while only 43% of the 1991 isolates were of the same serotype. The penetration rate of the tracer down through the mini-plot soil into the groundwater was 0.02 m day^?1 while downslope dispersion occurred at an estimated rate of 1.0 m day^?1. The implications of the above findings are discussed.