Geochemical Impact Research Articles

Lamprey larvae as ecosystem engineers: physical and geochemical impact on the streambed by their burrowing behavior

Larval lampreys are thought to have a significant impact on freshwater ecosystems because of their high densities and broad distributions. However, the significance of their role in the stream ecosystem remains unclear. In general, it is reported that filter feeders alter their habitat conditions (oxygen, organic matter, and nutrients levels). We evaluated the impacts of two lamprey species larvae on the physical and geochemical factors in streambed by their burrowing and feeding behavior using in situ enclosures in a mountainous river located in northern Japan. During a 21-day field experiment, we found that the larvae treatments compared to the controls (no larvae) caused increased oxygen levels in the streambed, maintained the relative softness of the streambed and increased the FPOM abundance on the streambed surface. The substantial impact of the lamprey larvae on the physical and geochemical conditions in the streambed may be attributable to their burrowing and feeding behavior. Hence, our findings contribute to understanding the importance of the conservation and management of lamprey populations in order to maintain the freshwater ecosystem. Additional experiments using lamprey larvae are needed to reveal their impact on biotic factors (aquatic insects, algae, etc.) in and around the larval habitats.

Geochemical impact of aquifer storage and recovery operation on fate and transport of sediment phosphorus in a large shallow lake

In response to the impact of climate change, the US Army Corps of Engineers proposed a large-scale implementation plan for an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project in the Kissimmee River Basin, Florida, in 2009. It is envisaged that the routine operation of the ASR will deliver recovered water from ASR wells into Lake Okeechobee with inherently different water quality parameters. However, the addition of ASR well water into such a large, shallow lake has raised concerns about sediment phosphorus stability, which could lead to increased eutrophication in Lake Okeechobee. This paper presents a geochemical assessment to explore possible impacts of the addition of ASR well water on lake sediment in terms of phosphorus adsorption, desorption, and diffusion processes via laboratory-scale batch and column tests. Based on five different mixing ratios of ASR well water and lake water, estimated isotherms, and piston velocity calculations, a mechanistic modeling analysis provided a better understanding of the fate of sediment phosphorus and its transport processes. A final multicriteria decision analysis suggests that the mixing ratio of 1:10 between ASR well water and lake water is deemed more applicable than others based on the given composition of ASR well water, which might buffer more external phosphorus loading in the long run.

Investigation of the geochemical impact of CO2 on shallow groundwater: design and implementation of a CO2 injection test in Northeast Germany

A small scale and temporally limited CO2 injection test was performed in a shallow aquifer to investigate the geochemical impact of CO2 upon such aquifers and to apply and verify different monitoring methods. Detailed site investigation coupled with multiphase simulations were necessary to design the injection experiment and to set up the monitoring network, before CO2 was injected over a ten-day period at three injection wells, at a depth of 18 m below surface level into a quaternary sand aquifer located close to the town of Wittstock in Northeast Germany. Monitoring methods comprised groundwater sampling and standard analyses, as well as trace element analyses and isotope analyses; geoelectrical borehole monitoring; passive samplers to analyse temporally integrated for cations and multi-parameter probes that can measure continuously for dissolved CO2, pH and electrical conductivity. Due to CO2 injection, total inorganic carbon concentrations increased and pH decreased down to a level of 5.1. Associated reactions comprised the release of major cations and trace elements. Geoelectrical monitoring, as well as isotope analyses and multi-parameter probes proved to be suitable methods for monitoring injected CO2 and/or the alteration of groundwater.

On the interaction of pure and impure supercritical CO2 with rock forming minerals in saline aquifers: An experimental geochemical approach

Abstract The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate and compare the geochemical impact of pure and impure CO2 on rock forming minerals of possible CO2 storage reservoirs. This geochemical approach takes into account the incomplete purification of industrial captured CO2 and the related effects during injection, and provides relevant data for long-term storage simulations of this specific greenhouse gas. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the interactions of supercritical CO2, brine and rock-forming mineral concentrates (albite, microcline, kaolinite, biotite, muscovite, calcite, dolomite and anhydrite) using a newly developed experimental setup. After up to 42 day (1000 h) experiments using pure and impure supercritical CO2 the dissolution and solution characteristics were examined by XRD, XRF, SEM and EDS for the solid, and ICP–MS and IC for the fluid reactants, respectively. Experiments with mixtures of supercritical CO2 (99.5 vol.%) and SO2 or NO2 impurities (0.5 vol.%) suggest the formation of H2SO4 and HNO3, reflected in pH values between 1 and 4 for experiments with silicates and anhydrite and between 5 and 6 for experiments with carbonates. These acids should be responsible for the general larger amount of cations dissolved from the mineral phases compared to experiments using pure CO2. For pure CO2 a pH of around 4 was obtained using silicates and anhydrite, and 7–8 for carbonates. Dissolution of carbonates was observed after both pure and impure CO2 experiments. Anhydrite was corroded by approximately 50 wt.% and gypsum precipitated during experiments with supercritical CO2 + NO2. Silicates do not exhibit visible alterations during all experiments but released an increasing amount of cations in the reaction fluid during experiments with impure CO2. Nonetheless, precipitated secondary carbonates could not be identified.

CO2 leakage test in a shallow aquifer for investigating the geochemical impact of CO2 on groundwater and for developing monitoring methods and concepts

Abstract CO 2 leakage from subsurface storage sites is one of the main concerns connected with the CCS technology. As CO 2 leakages into near surface formations appear to be very unlikely within pilot CCS projects, the aim of this work is to emulate a leakage by injecting CO 2 into a near surface aquifer. The two main questions pursued by the injection test are (1) to investigate the impact of CO 2 on the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater as a base for groundwater risk assessment and (2) to develop and apply monitoring methods and monitoring concepts for detecting CO 2 leakages in shallow aquifers. The presented injection test is planned within the second half of 2010, as a joint project of the University of Kiel (Germany), the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (Leipzig, Germany) and the Engineering Company GICON (Dresden, Germany). The test site has been investigated in detail using geophysical methods as well as direct-push soundings, groundwater well installation and soil and groundwater analyses. The present paper presents briefly the geological and hydrogeological conditions at the test site as well as the planned injection test design and monitoring concept.

Geochemical evaluation of CO2 injection into storage reservoirs based on case-studies in the Netherlands

Over the past few years several geochemical evaluations of CO2 storage in Dutch potential reservoirs are carried out, including predictions of the short- and long-term impact of CO2 on the reservoir using geochemical modelling. The initial mineralogy of the reservoir is frequently obtained from core analysis and is then used to compute the formation water composition. In this paper geochemical modelling with TOUGHREACT is used to predict and compare the short- and long-term geochemical impact of CO2 injection into three reservoirs. The mineralogical composition of these reservoirs is an assemblage based on commonly observed minerals from the Buntsandstein and Rotliegend formations. These formations contain potential onshore and offshore CO2 storage locations in the Netherlands. The results predict drying out and salt precipitation in the near-well area, due to water evaporation by the injected dry CO2. Several mineral transformations are predicted, dominated by the transformation of albite into dawsonite, thereby fixing CO2. Due to the relatively low density of dawsonite, the porosity significantly decreases, which can lead to a pore pressure increase. Disabling of dawsonite precipitation in the simulations, thereby taking into account the ongoing debate on dawsonite stability, only shows a small increase of the porosity. Future (experimental) work should be focused on dawsonite occurrence for accurate predictions of the long-term reservoir integrity.

Geochemical Impacts to Groundwater from Geologic Carbon Sequestration: Controls on pH and Inorganic Carbon Concentrations from Reaction Path and Kinetic Modeling

Geologic carbon sequestration has the potential to cause long-term reductions in global emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Safe and effective application of carbon sequestration technology requires an understanding of the potential risks to the quality of underground sources of drinking water. In particular, concern is warranted regarding the potential for CO(2) leakage through geological features and abandoned wells that may result in detrimental perturbations to subsurface geochemistry. Reaction path and kinetic models indicate that geochemical shifts caused by CO(2) leakage are closely linked to mineralogical properties of the receiving aquifer. CO(2) gas dissolution into groundwater and subsequent reaction with aquifer minerals will control the evolution of pH-bicarbonate envelopes. These parameters provide geochemical context for predicting how regulated contaminants associated with aquifer solids will respond via various mineral-water reaction processes. The distribution and abundance of carbonate, silicate, oxide, and phyllosilicate minerals are identified as key variables in controlling changes in groundwater geochemistry. Site-specific risk assessments may require characterization of aquifer geology, mineralogy, and groundwater chemistry prior to CO(2) injection. Model results also provide a frame of reference for developing indicative measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) protocols for groundwater protection.

Investigating the geochemical impact of burrowing animals: Proton and cadmium adsorption onto the mucus lining of Terebellid polychaete worms

Sediment–water interfaces are the sites of intense chemical activity in natural systems. Burrowing animals extend this interface, and at times coat it with mucous materials they secrete to line their burrows. However, the chemical reactivity of these burrow linings is poorly understood. In this study, we incubated burrowing terebellid worms ( Thelepus crispus) for the purposes of harvesting their mucus secretions and investigating its composition and metal adsorptive properties. The mucus was comprised of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in an approximate ratio of 200:50:1, and FTIR spectroscopy revealed abundant carboxyl, phosphoryl, hydroxyl, amino, and thiol functional groups typical of mucin-like material. Potentiometric titration data were best fit by a three-site surface complexation model, with a total ligand density of 11.26 ± 1.79 mmol per dry gram, which is relatively high compared to previously-studied humic substances and microbial biomass. Cd adsorption experiments demonstrated that the two most acidic ligands, inferred to represent carboxyl and phosphoryl functional groups, respectively, possessed cadmium stability constants that were comparable to analogous ligands inferred for bacterial surfaces. The third ligand, however, differed from bacterial surfaces in that it likely represents thiol functional groups, and displayed a higher Cd stability constant commensurate with the chalcophile nature of organic sulfur ligands. These results indicate that mucous burrow linings such as those produced by terebellid worms are geochemically important for driving metal adsorption and mineral nucleation reactions at the burrow–water interface.

CO2 streams containing associated components—A review of the thermodynamic and geochemical properties and assessment of some reactive transport codes

Abstract Modelling of the impact on storage of “ CO2-associated components” has rarely been addressed so far. This review, performed within the European research project CO2ReMoVe, exposes a selection of CO2 streams compositions coming from thermal power plants emissions and those injected in pilot sites part of the CO2ReMoVe project. It highlights the lack of data coming from laboratory experiments to describe properly the physical properties of some relevant gas mixtures. The geochemical impact of only 2 components (SO2 and H2S) is evidenced by some geochemical studies. Concerning the numerical modelling, four reactive transport codes (PHREEQC, SCALE2000, TOUGHREACT and COORES) were assessed. Actual limitations lie mainly in the capacity of calculating the physical properties of the whole set of gases (CO2–O2–SO2–N2–Ar–NOx–H2S–COS–CO–H2–HCl–NH3–CH4–C2H6–H2O). The new data acquired within on-going French projects will complete the knowledge of such complex gas mixtures behaviour.

Trapping of Paraffin and Other Compounds by Asphaltenes Detected by Laser Desorption Ionization−Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (LDI−TOF MS): Role of A1 and A2 Asphaltene Fractions in This Trapping

Trapping of compounds by asphaltenes in guest-host complexes (GHC) is an important phenomenon relevant to many properties of the system, such as asphaltene structure, swelling and solvent trapping, geochemical impact, as well as the trapping of metalloporphyrins, free radicals, resins, and other crude oil components, such as, e.g., paraffin. Several trapping mechanisms, such as adsorption and occlusion, during asphaltene separation from crude oil can be considered, but most interest is attracted to GHC, in which the guest is firmly bound and cannot be completely liberated from the host by solvent extraction. An example of such trapping is presented, with the guest being paraffinic and other resin-like compounds hereafter called trapped compounds (TCs). TCs were isolated from asphaltenes by the partition of the asphaltene sample in fractions A1 (toluene insoluble) and A2 (toluene soluble). A small quantity (about 8%) of a heptane-soluble TC fraction was isolated along with the A2 fraction. The presence of TCs in asphaltenes and their absence in fractions A1 and A2 were detected by means of laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS) in the 450-600 molecular-mass range. These finding suggests that the TC sample is probably trapped in a network formed by both A1 and A2 fractions.

Rapid timescales of differentiation and evidence for crustal contamination at intra-oceanic arcs: Geochemical and U–Th–Ra–Sr–Nd isotopic constraints from Lopevi Volcano, Vanuatu, SW Pacific

The extent and geochemical impact of crustal contamination during magmatic evolution in intra-oceanic subduction zone settings is often assumed to be of minimal significance but remains poorly constrained. Acquiring such information is crucial if meaningful timescales of magma generation and crustal residence beneath volcanoes are to be determined. High-MgO basalts and differentiates erupted over the last 100 years at Lopevi volcano display a strong negative correlation between 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio and indices of differentiation (e.g. SiO2) even though these lavas have a restricted Sr–Nd isotopic range compared to other Vanuatu arc lavas. This trend provides compelling evidence for the interaction of rising mafic magmas with ‘primitive’ sub-arc crust and so this volcano affords an excellent opportunity to investigate and ascertain timescales of crustal interaction using U-series data. Quantitative geochemical modelling of whole-rock trace element ratios, 87Sr/86Sr isotope compositions and U-series data shows that assimilation of a relatively small-degree partial melt of >380 Ka mafic oceanic crust (similar to Pacific- or Indian-MORB in 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition) during fractional crystallisation of magma exerts major control on the (230Th/232Th) and (226Ra/230Th) activity ratios of the lavas. The incorporation of higher (230Th/232Th) and lower (226Ra/230Th) assimilated material drives compositions closer to secular equilibrium than simple closed-system differentiation, reducing calculated apparent timescales of closed-system differentiation from Th isotope composition (104–105) by orders of magnitude. Modelling suggests that assimilation occurs extremely rapidly at Lopevi with timescales for magma generation, differentiation and eruption on the order of 102 years.

Collateral Geochemical Impacts of Agricultural Nitrogen Enrichment from 1963 to 1985: A Southern Wisconsin Ground Water Depth Profile

In this study, we used chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) age-dating to investigate the geochemistry of N enrichment within a bedrock aquifer depth profile beneath a south central Wisconsin agricultural landscape. Measurement of N(2)O and excess N(2) allowed us to reconstruct the total NO(3)(-) and total nitrogen (TN) leached to ground water and was essential for tracing the separate influences of soil nitrification and ground water denitrification in the collateral geochemical chronology. We identify four geochemical impacts due to a steady ground water N enrichment trajectory (39 +/- 2.2 micromol L(-1) yr(-1), r(2) = 0.96) over two decades (1963-1985) of rapidly escalating N use. First, as a by-product of soil nitrification, N(2)O entered ground water at a stable (r(2) = 0.99) mole ratio of 0.24 +/- 0.007 mole% (N(2)O-N/NO(3)-N). The gathering of excess N(2)O in ground water is a potential concern relative to greenhouse gas emissions and stratospheric ozone depletion after it discharges to surface water. Second, excess N(2) measurements revealed that NO(3)(-) was a prominent, mobile, labile electron acceptor comparable in importance to O(2.) Denitrification transformed 36 +/- 15 mole% (mol mol(-1) x 100) of the total N within the profile to N(2) gas, delaying exceedance of the NO(3)(-) drinking water standard by approximately 6 yr. Third, soil acids produced from nitrification substantially increased the concentrations of major, dolomitic ions (Ca, Mg, HCO(3)(-)) in ground water relative to pre-enrichment conditions. By 1985, concentrations approximately doubled; by 2006, CFC age-date projections suggest concentrations may have tripled. Finally, the nitrification induced mobilization of Ca may have caused a co-release of P from Ca-rich soil surfaces. Dissolved P increased from an approximate background value of 0.02 mg L(-1) in 1963 to 0.07 mg L(-1) in 1985. The CFC age-date projections suggest the concentration could have reached 0.11 mg L(-1) in ground water recharge by 2006. These results highlight an intersection of the N and P cycles potentially important for managing the quality of ground water discharged to surface water.

Application of the self-organizing mapping in exploration of the environmental impact of a tsunami disaster

A self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm was applied to evaluate the geochemical and environmental impact of 26th December 2004 tsunami, based on interelemental and intersite relations of sediment chemistry. The study was carried out based on data sets, including contents of salts (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl and SO4) leached with deionized water, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in acid leachable fraction, metalloids (As, Sb and Se) in exchangeable fraction, as well as both total Hg and mercury in the form of various species (organomercury, water-soluble, acid-soluble, bound to humic matter and bound to sulfides) in sediment samples. SOM-supported exploration were performed for two separate data sets. The first run was applied for analytical results concerning sediments taken less than 50 days after tsunami event while the second one concerned results obtained for samples collected in the same location one year later, after rainy season. In the case of the “2005-run”, based on mutual linkage, complete set of variables could be conditionally divided into general groups showing of their patterns related to their major source as “salt” and “wastewater.” Classification results revealed natural clusters of sediment samples in relation to their location and to the magnitude of the impact of tsunami wave. Numerous clusters reflect general chemical composition of tsunami sediments while clusters containing isolated sampling locations reflect “site-specific” conditions, partially related to anthropogenic impact. The cleaning effect of the rainy season in Thailand was observed, based on “2006-run” exploaration results. The chemical composition of tsunami sediments was unified for 93% of samples. General patterns related to major source of analytes were analogous compared to the “2005-run.” These studies demonstrate that SOM has the potential to successfully assist the assessment of the environmental impacts of a tsunami disaster and the role of a tsunami sediments as potential carriers of pollution.

Evaluation of geochemical impact of tsunami on Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem, southeast coast of India

The 26 December 2004-tsunami has deposited sediments in the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem, east coast of India. Ten surface and three core sediment samples were collected within 30 days of the event and analyzed for nutrients. Water samples were also analyzed to see the impact of tsunami on the geochemical behavior of nutrients. An increase in the concentration of various nutrients namely nitrate and phosphate was observed. The geochemistry of the mangrove forest was observed to be influenced by a number of factors like rapid increase of aquaculture farms, agricultural practices and the anthropogenic discharge from the nearby-inhabited areas. Further the sediment column was disturbed due to energetic tsunami waves, which has caused a sheer increase in the dissolved oxygen in water. As a result, the change in the redox potential has resulted in change in the nutrients absorbed/associated with the sediments. In addition, role of retreating water after tsunami on the nutrient geochemistry was also evaluated.

Patterns in soil quality: Natural geochemical variability versus anthropogenic impact in soils of Zeeland, The Netherlands

We demonstrate a structured approach to identify natural as well as anthropogenic geochemical patterns in sedimentary soils, using statistical techniques that increase in complexity and the requirements for auxiliary data. Comparison with the average upper continental crust identified natural regional features, such as a relative enrichment of As, due to a low‐lying deltaic environment, and of Cr and Zr, related to a specific heavy mineral association. Identification of diffuse contamination is best achieved by comparison with a local reference. The Zeeland subsoil is shown to have undergone only minor anthropogenic influence and to serve this purpose very well. A topsoil–subsoil comparison revealed anthropogenic enrichments for Cd, Cu, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sn, Zn, and partly for As, while typically ‘non‐anthropogenic’ trace elements like Cs, Ga, La, and Rb were found not to be enriched. Except for P and S, the enriched components show a good correlation with Al2O3, a proxy for clay mineralogy, and a bivariate topsoil–subsoil comparison is made using a trimmed Reduced Major Axis regression. Two subregions are identified with different associations (Zn, Pb, and Cd, versus As, Cd, Cu, and Sn) of higher‐than‐average enrichments.

Detection and phylogenetic identification of labeled prokaryotic cells on mineral surfaces using Scanning X-ray Microscopy

The involvement of intraterrestrial microbes in geochemical cycles is now well recognized. However, owing to the small number of appropriate methods for probing these ecosystems, the exploration of their metabolic diversity, energy sources, and biogeochemical transformations remains limited. Here we demonstrate the ability of scanning X-ray microscopy using synchrotron radiation to localize and characterize the phylogenetic affiliation of individual prokaryotic cells on various mineral surfaces (e.g. carbonates, basaltic glass) when combined with a newly developed protocol based on fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled to ultra-small immunogold. The possibility to associate simultaneously the phylogenetic identification of microorganisms with the chemical and structural characteristics of associated mineral phases (i.e. inorganic substrate and biomineralizations), offers great interest for assessing the geochemical impact of subsurface microbial communities and unraveling microbe-mineral interactions in the deep biosphere.

Asian dustfall in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada

In April 2001, a major atmospheric dustfall event occurred in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada. Field samples were collected and analyzed for particle size, mineralogy, chemical composition and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes. Dusts found above ∼3000 m had their source in the Gobi desert region of northern China and Inner Mongolia, and were transported to the Yukon following a series of major dust storms that took place in early April. Dusts found below 3000 m had local (Yukon) or mixed source(s). The Asian dusts had a modal volume diameter of ∼4 μm typical of far-traveled mineral aerosols. However larger (>10 μm) particles were also found at ∼5000 m, suggesting a very rapid trans-Pacific transport in the mid-troposphere. We estimate that the April 2001 event deposited from 5500 to 6335 tons of dust over an area of 21,000 km 2 in the southwestern Yukon, most of which probably fell within a week. Our findings are consistent with instrumental observations and model simulations of the April 2001 event. While the dust cloud was reportedly mixed with volatile pollutants from Asia, we found no evidence of metal pollution associated with the dustfall in the Yukon. Our findings contribute to clarify the dynamics and the geochemical impact of Asian dust long-range transport events, and to better estimate eolian fluxes of dustborne elements (e.g., Fe) to the Ocean associated with such events. They may also assist in identifying past Asian dust events in ice cores drilled from the St. Elias Mountains icefields, to develop a long-term record of their frequency, magnitude and source(s).

Geochemical impact of re-injecting geothermal waste waters: example, Larderello, Italy

Abstract The impaccts of re-injection of geothermal waste waters on the physico-chemical characteristics of the fluids of the Larderello vapour-dominated geothermal field in Tuscany (Italy) were monitored using deuterium and oxygen-18 as ‘natural’ tracers. The observed variations were due mainly to mixing between the re-injected and deep components. Large isotopic fractionations occur at depth during the evaporation of the re-injected water in the reservoir and may affect the evaluation of the recovered fluid using a simple mixing model. Stable isotope and gas/steam ratios are closely correlated in the fluid collected from the monitored wells. Maps showing the isotopic distribution of the steam and the distribution of the gas content have been generated for the whole Larderello geothermal field. Evaluation of data collected before and after re-injection reveals a good distinction between natural inflow induced by exploitation, and artificial recharge with waste fluid. Gases other than N 2 in the wells affected by injection are substantially diluted since condensates are formed by evaporation. Isotopic variations of H 2 , CH 4 , and CO 2 have been used to describe the disequilibrium conditions among gas components. This disequilibrium is induced by the settling of a liquid plume at the producing level in the reservoir.

Identification of ore extraction and metal working in ancient times: a case study of Sagalassos (SW Turkey)

The extensive territory of the ancient (Hellenistic to Byzantine) city of Sagalassos (SW Turkey) offered a rich variety in natural mineral resources. The frequent occurrence of iron slag in the excavations at the site proved the local working of metal. A geochemical prospection campaign was done in the territory of the ancient city in order to identify or discard the city and its territory as a self-sustaining metallurgical centre. Secondly, the geochemical impact of ancient metallurgy was investigated. Geochemical anomalies identified in stream sediments are explained by the presence of mineralised deposits and ancient metal working. Mg, Cr, Co and Ni anomalies point to chromite and chrysotile-magnetite deposits related to the basic rocks of the Lycian nappes in the area. Fe, V and Ti anomalies indicate the presence of iron mineralisations, which have been worked for iron production in ancient times. Finally, the association of P, Cu, Pb, Mn, As and Ag anomalies are an indicator of human activity at archaeological sites. Within the framework of this geochemical prospection, a metal working site apart from the city of Sagalassos was identified. Here, ore was both extracted and processed to workable iron.

Pollution sources identification in the “land-sea” system

It is our opinion that the new scientific thinking and education in the 21st century will increase the significance of the multidisciplinary nature knowledge. The nature of the marine sediments as well as the biochemical features of the littoral organisms appear to be in close relation to the geochemical impact of the coastal onshore. The biogeochemical analysis of the terrestrial and marine biocenosis is still fragmental, without balance between the casual and sequential relationships. Along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast the latter necessitates the geological pattern clarification of the areas south of Bourgas. Even a superficial overview of the geological features of the region highlights the impact of the geochemical anomalies related to Rosen and Zidarovo volcanic apparatuses and intrusions, other ore deposits south and south-west as well. However, the intensive anthropogenic impact on the geochemical haloes should be pointed out in the complex of ecological damage to the coast. Through complementary geoecological studies a significant updating of the knowledge is suggested. The geoecological mapping is needed to present the ratio of the lands saturated with geonoxes, and anthropogenically polluted ones. The new methodology recommended was applied to make the distinction of such lands in the regions of Pirdop and Kardjali. Another key element appears to be the ecological-economic characteristics in the offshore-onshore balance. The marine resources will be studied in the alternative context: benefit-damage from the onshore polluters, and the biogeochemical characteristics of the littoral zone. The coastal area's environmental status should make a distinction between the environmentally undamaged, environmentally damaged by nature, anthropogenically damaged and complex damaged lands. Each ecological study or analysis presenting the ecological condition of the environment in a status quo (at a certain moment and at a certain location) is described in this work as a Status Geoecological System. For environmental management and protection of the Black Sea we refer to an indispensable Data File representing the Dynamic Geoecological System.