Abstract
The results of total chromium determination (by ICP-OES method) in samples collected from nine working wells named GW1–GW9, exploiting geothermal water from the Podhale Trough (southern part of Poland, near the Tatra Mountains), which is used for recreational purposes, were implemented for hydrogeochemical modeling to indicate dominating chromium speciation. The reliability of the results was determined by the application of a quality assurance/quality control program, both in the laboratory and during field work. Based on chromium speciation, the risk associated with the utilization of geothermal water was calculated. The outcome showed that the concentration of Cr(III) is almost equal to the total chromium concentration (1–2 µg·L−1). Crtot concentrations were also used in a health risk assessment in the case of epidermal absorption (EDIderm) during bathing in thermal pools and four assumed scenarios in relation to the handling of geothermal water. The effect of the very low Crtot concentration in the analyzed water on health risk calculation was estimated as low (hazard quotient value <10−7). In the case of risk matrix analysis, the environmental risks were estimated as moderate, major and very severe, dependent on the assumed scenario.
Highlights
Chromium is the seventh most abundant element on Earth, residing mostly in the core and mantle; it is the 21st most abundant element in Earth’s crust, with an average concentration about 100 μg/g
Map of of geothermal geothermal water water well well locations. This geothermal water is mainly used for heating purposes, purposes, as as well well as as in recreational centers, centers, bathing areas scale, geothermal water in Poland is used in fish areasand andbalneological balneologicaltherapies
The archival experiments were usually conducted for the major ions and/or the specific components that can give a medicinal character to the water, especially when it is used in balneology and thermal spas
Summary
Chromium (electron configuration: [Ar] 3d5 4s1 , sixth group, fourth period, block d) is the seventh most abundant element on Earth, residing mostly in the core and mantle; it is the 21st most abundant element in Earth’s crust, with an average concentration about 100 μg/g. In ground and surface water chromium occurs primarily in two oxidation states: trivalent Cr(III). Trivalent chromium is sparingly soluble in the aqueous environment and usually binds suspended particulate matter and accumulates in bed sediments, whereas hexavalent chromium is quite soluble and more mobile. Among the trace elements present in natural water, chromium belongs to the group of elements that migrate poorly in an aquatic environment. In natural water at neutral and alkaline pH, the mobility of Cr(III) is significantly limited by its adsorption on mineral surfaces. The major migrating forms of chromium in groundwater are anions like chromate (CrO4 2− ) and dichromate (Cr2 O7 2− ). In the acidic environment and reducing conditions, the predominant species of chromium are trivalent forms such as CrOH2+ and Cr3+
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