Geogenic Factors Research Articles

Evaluation of groundwater quality in northern Saudi Arabia using multivariate analysis and stochastic statistics

Groundwater resources available in the Paleozoic sedimentary formations form the most prolific source of water supply in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the absence of surface water supplies the available groundwater reserves in these aquifers have been used extensively to fulfill the agricultural and domestic water demands. The main purpose of this paper was to evaluate the groundwater quality in the Northern Western part of Saudi Arabia using the classical water facies diagram (Piper and Durov plot). The more advanced methods of principal component analysis (PCA) for determining the factors controlling the groundwater chemistry and stochastic geostatistics to understand the spatial distribution of different major elements in the groundwater of the study area were employed. 40 groundwater samples from bore wells tapping the Saq aquifer were collected and analyzed for the major ion chemistry and nitrates. Groundwater occurs within detrital sandstones of Phanerozoic era in Saq Formations. Piper plot revealed that most of the water samples belonged to the mixed class (Ca–Mg–Cl–SO4 type) and few samples falling within the Ca–Mg–HCO3 type, Na–Cl type, and Ca–Mg–SO4 type of groundwater facies. Durov plot pointed towards simple dissolution, silicate weathering, ion exchange, and reverse ion exchange as the main processes governing the chemistry of the area. PCA resulted in the extraction of two PC accounting for 78.11 % of the data variability. The extracted PCs pointed towards geogenic factors governing the groundwater quality. Stochastic geostatistics involved prediction maps of ordinary kriging and indicator kriging which provided detailed indications of spatial distribution of the chemical elements.

Potentially harmful metals and metalloids in urban street dusts of Urumqi City: Comparison with Taipei City

Urumqi City is the farthest metropolis from an ocean in the world. This communication measured the concentrations of eight potentially harmful metals Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Sr and metalloids As and Sb in the street dusts collected from Urumqi City and compared them with those noted in Taipei City. Although the geological environments of Taipei and Urumqi differ markedly; however, the potential harmful metals and metalloids studied are surprisingly similar in their distributions in these two cities. Particularly, As is a common pollutant that poses severe health risks to residents in both cities. Hence, the anthropogenic rather than geogenic factors pre-dominate the formation and distributions of street dusts. This finding suggests common control strategy may be applicable to different metropolis on the confinement of adverse health effects by the street dusts.

Nitrate contamination of groundwater in two areas of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (Banana Plain and Mount Cameroon area)

Water containing high concentrations of nitrate is unfit for human consumption and, if discharging to freshwater or marine habitats, can contribute to algal blooms and eutrophication. The level of nitrate contamination in groundwater of two densely populated, agro-industrial areas of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) (Banana Plain and Mount Cameroon area) was evaluated. A total of 100 samples from boreholes, open wells and springs (67 from the Banana Plain; 33 from springs only, in the Mount Cameroon area) were collected in April 2009 and January 2010 and analyzed for chemical constituents, including nitrates. The average groundwater nitrate concentrations for the studied areas are: 17.28 mg/l for the Banana Plain and 2.90 mg/l for the Mount Cameroon area. Overall, groundwaters are relatively free from excessive nitrate contamination, with nitrate concentrations in only 6 % of groundwater resources in the Banana Plain exceeding the maximum admissible concentration for drinking water (50 mg/l). Sources of NO3− in groundwater of this region may be mainly anthropogenic (N-fertilizers, sewerage, animal waste, organic manure, pit latrines, etc.). Multivariate statistical analyses of the hydrochemical data revealed that three factors were responsible for the groundwater chemistry (especially, degree of nitrate contamination): (1) a geogenic factor; (2) nitrate contamination factor; (3) ionic enrichment factor. The impact of anthropogenic activities, especially groundwater nitrate contamination, is more accentuated in the Banana Plain than in the Mount Cameroon area. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of multivariate statistical analysis in groundwater study as a supplementary tool for interpretation of complex hydrochemical data sets.

Geogenic and agricultural controls on the geochemical composition of European agricultural soils

Purpose: Concern about the environmental impact of agriculture caused by intensification is growing as large amounts of nutrients and contaminants are introduced into the environment. The aim of this paper is to identify the geogenic and agricultural controls on the elemental composition of European, grazing and agricultural soils. Materials and methods: Robust factor analysis was applied to data series for Al, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Se, Sr, U, Zn (ICP-MS) and SiO2, K2O, Na2O, Fe2O3, Al2O3 (XRF) based on the European GEMAS dataset. In addition, the following general soil properties were included: clay content, pH, chemical index of alteration (CIA), loss on ignition (LOI), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic carbon (TOC) and total carbon and total sulfur. Furthermore, this dataset was coupled to a dataset containing information of historic P2O5 fertilization across Europe. Also, a mass balance was carried out for Cd, Cu and Zn to determine if concentrations of these elements found in the soils have their origin in historic P2O5 fertilization. Results and discussion: Seven geogenic factors and one agricultural factor were found of which four prominent ones (all geogenic): chemical weathering, reactive iron-aluminum oxide minerals, clay minerals and carbonate minerals. Results for grazing and agricultural soils were near identical, which further proofs the prominence of geogenic controls on the elemental composition. When the cumulative amount of P2O5 fertilization was considered, no extra agriculture-related factors became visible. The mass balance confirms these observations. Conclusions: Overall, the geological controls are more important for the soil chemistry in agricultural and grazing land soils than the anthropogenic controls. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Air Pollution Study in Croatia Using Moss Biomonitoring and ICP–AES and AAS Analytical Techniques

Moss biomonitoring technique was applied in a heavy-metal pollution study of Croatia in 2006 when this country participated in the European moss survey for the first time. This survey was repeated in 2010, and the results are presented in this study. For this purpose, 121 moss samples were collected during summer and autumn 2010. The content of 21 elements was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Principal component analyses was applied to show the association between the elements. Six factors (F1-F6) were determined, of which two are anthropogenic (F3 and F6), two are mixed geogenic-anthropogenic (F1 and F5), and two are geogenic factors (F2 and F4). Geographical distribution maps of the elements over the sampled territory were constructed using geographic information systems technology. Comparison of the median values of some of the anthropogenic elements-such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc-with those from the 2006 study shows that anthropogenic pollution has changed insignificantly during the last 5years. The data obtained in the investigation in Norway are taken for comparison with pristine area, which indicates that Croatia is somewhat polluted but still, shows a more favourable picture when compared with two neighbouring countries.

Influence of geogenic factors on microbial communities in metallogenic Australian soils

Links between microbial community assemblages and geogenic factors were assessed in 187 soil samples collected from four metal-rich provinces across Australia. Field-fresh soils and soils incubated with soluble Au(III) complexes were analysed using three-domain multiplex-terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, and phylogenetic (PhyloChip) and functional (GeoChip) microarrays. Geogenic factors of soils were determined using lithological-, geomorphological- and soil-mapping combined with analyses of 51 geochemical parameters. Microbial communities differed significantly between landforms, soil horizons, lithologies and also with the occurrence of underlying Au deposits. The strongest responses to these factors, and to amendment with soluble Au(III) complexes, was observed in bacterial communities. PhyloChip analyses revealed a greater abundance and diversity of Alphaproteobacteria (especially Sphingomonas spp.), and Firmicutes (Bacillus spp.) in Au-containing and Au(III)-amended soils. Analyses of potential function (GeoChip) revealed higher abundances of metal-resistance genes in metal-rich soils. For example, genes that hybridised with metal-resistance genes copA, chrA and czcA of a prevalent aurophillic bacterium, Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, occurred only in auriferous soils. These data help establish key links between geogenic factors and the phylogeny and function within soil microbial communities. In particular, the landform, which is a crucial factor in determining soil geochemistry, strongly affected microbial community structures.

Multivariate statistical analysis and environmental isotopes of Amman/Wadi Sir (B2/A7) groundwater, Yarmouk River Basin, Jordan

AbstractMultivariate statistical techniques, cluster and factor analyses were applied on the Amman/Wadi Sir groundwater chemistry, Yarmouk River basin, north Jordan. The main objective was to investigate the main processes affecting the groundwater chemical quality and its evolution. The k‐means cluster analysis yields three groups with distinct ionic concentrations. Cluster 1 comprises the vast majority of the sampled wells, and the water that belongs to this cluster can be classified as freshwater. Cluster 2 comprises only 2% of the sampled wells; it has the highest ionic concentration. The water of this cluster can be classified as brackish water. Cluster 3 involves 23% of the sampled wells, and it has total ionic concentration intermediate to that of clusters 1 and 2. Factor analysis yields a three‐factor model, which explains 76.77% of the groundwater quality variation. Factor 1 ‘salinity factor’ involves EC, Na+, Cl‐, SO4‐2, K+ and Mg+2 and reflects groundwater salinization because of overpumping. Factor 2 ‘hardness factor’ includes Ca+2, HCO3‐ and the pH value and signifies soil–water/rock interaction. Factor 3 ‘nitrate factor’ involves only NO3‐ and points to groundwater contamination because of human activities, mainly untreated wastewater, and crops and animal cultivation in the unconfined portion of the aquifer. Factors 1 and 3 can be described as human‐induced factors, whereas factor 2 can be described as geogenic factor. Factors' scores were mapped to deduce the controlling processes on the groundwater chemistry. Stable isotope composition of 18O and 2H has revealed that the groundwater is a mixture of two water types. The radioactive isotopes tritium and 14 C were used to evaluate present day recharge to the aquifer and to estimate the groundwater age, respectively. Present day recharge to the groundwater is taking place in the unconfined portion of the aquifer as it is indicated by the measurable tritium content and low groundwater age. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Geochemical and Environmental Evaluation of Um Shashoba Gold Mine Area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract:A suite of elements (Ag, Au, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hf, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Te and Zn), total organic carbon (TOC) and pH were analyzed in stream sediment and tailing samples from Um Shashoba area, in order to evaluate Au placer and the sediments being impacted by old mining activities. Analytical results were examined using statistical, graphical and mapping methods. In spite of the results revealing that Au and most of the elements in sediments were in general significantly lower than those in tailing, Au was concentrated in the NE and SW parts forming Au placer. It is remarkably a close association of Au with Hg and Sb; both are useful as pathfinder elements for Au placers. Values of pH could not control a fate of analyzed elements, whereas TOC and Mn oxides and hydroxides could uptake some elements Au, Ba, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Sr. The results also indicated that the sediments were contaminated by anthropogenic factors causing moderate, strong to very strong pollution with respect to Bi, Se and Te, respectively. Additionally, geogenic factors could also contribute elemental enrichment to the drainage system and cause significant toxicity level.

Water quality of a tributary of the Pearl River, the Beijiang, Southern China: implications from multivariate statistical analyses

Water quality information of Beijiang River, a tributary of Pearl River in Guangdong, China, was analyzed to provide an overview of the hydrochemical functioning of a major agricultural/rural area and an industrial/urban area. Eighteen water quality parameters were surveyed at 13 sites from 2005 to 2006 on a monthly basis. A bivariate correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the regional correlations of the water quality parameters, while the principal component analysis (PCA) technique was used to extract the most influential variables for regional variations of river water quality. Six principal components were extracted in PCA which explained more than 78% and 84% of the total variance for agricultural/rural and industrial/urban areas, respectively. Physicochemical factor, organic pollution, sewage pollution, geogenic factor, agricultural nonpoint source pollution, and accumulated pesticide usage were identified as potential pollution sources for agricultural/rural area, whereas industrial wastewaters pollution, mineral pollution, geogenic factor, urban sewage pollution, chemical industrial pollution, and water traffic pollution were the latent pollution sources for industrial/urban area. A multivariate linear regression of absolute principal component scores (MLR-APCS) technique was used to estimate contributions of all identified pollution sources to each water quality parameter. High coefficients of determination of the regression equations suggested that the MLR-APCS model was applicable for estimation of sources of most water quality parameters in the Beijiang River Basin.

Morphology, mineralogy and classification of soils developed on different parent material in Mussoorie forest division, Uttarakhand, India

Based on reconnaissance soil survey of Kempty Range of Mussoorie Forest Division, Uttarakhand, five soil profiles in different blocks were selected for determining their morphological, physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics. The morphological characteristics show considerable variation in the nature and degree of horizon development. Light and heavy mineral fractions constituted 70 and 30 per cent of total fine sand fractions respectively. Various minerals identified in the light sand fractions included quartz, feldspars and mica (muscovite). In all the pedons studied quartz was the dominating mineral. Heavy mineral fractions comprised opaque minerals, biotite the presence of low to moderate amount of weatherable minerals suggesting their podsolic nature. Clay fractions were characterized by micas and illite as the dominant clay mineral associated with appreciable amount of kaolinite and chlorite and the small amount of mixed layer silicate mineral, vermiculite, montimorillonite and quartz. Soils of the study area belonged to Typic Paleudoll (Kempty Block), Typic Argiudoll (Sainj Block), Typic Paleudult (Mailgarh Block), Typic Hapludult (Kheragarh Block) and Typic Argiudoll (Gandiyala Block). All these polypedons are members of fine loamy, mixed, messic family. These soils developed from different parent materials are in equilibrium with geogenic factors. Mollisols occur on limestone, dolomite, quartzite and slate whereas Ultisols occur on phyllite, shale, sandstone, quartzite, etc.

Major ion chemistry of groundwaters in the Damagh area, Hamadan, western Iran

Hydrochemical investigations were carried out in Damagh area, Hamadan, western Iran, to assess chemical composition of groundwater. Forty representative groundwater samples were collected from different wells to monitor the water chemistry of various ions. Chemical analysis of the groundwater showed that the mean concentration of the cations is in the order Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+, while that for anions was HCO 3 − > Cl− > SO 4 2 − > NO 3 − . All of the investigated groundwaters present two different chemical facies (Ca–HCO3 and Na–HCO3) which is in relation with their interaction with the geological formations of the basin, cation exchange between groundwater and clay minerals and anthropogenic activities. The principal component analysis (PCA) performed on groundwater identified three principal components controlling their variability in groundwater. Electrical conductivity, Mg2+, Na+, SO 4 2− , and Cl− content were associated in the same component (PC1) (salinity), determined principally by anthropogenic activities. The pH, CO 3 2 − , HCO 3 − , and Ca2+ (PC2) content were related to the geogenic factor. Finally, the NO 3 − , Cl− and K+ (PC3) were controlled by anthropogenic activity as a consequence of inorganic fertilizers.

Water, Equity and Development

This article attempts to synthesize the research presented at the Fifth Annual Partners Meet of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI)– Tata Programme held in Anand, Gujarat, in March 2006. It specifically focuses on the prevalence and nature of inequities in water distribution. It shows that institutions in force create inequity in access to water in all the regions of the country; the landless and the dalits usually facing the brunt of the inequities.The inequities are more pronounced when water is considered as an input for economic activities such as agriculture. Geo-genic factors such as contamination of groundwater are compounded with inequities to severely impact the health and well-being of the poor and the weaker segments of the society. Finally, imbalance of social power allows industry to exploit water sources, producing inequities in use of water across sectors.

Distribution of 36 Element Deposition Rates in a Historic Mining and Smelting Area as Determined through Fine-Scale Biomonitoring Techniques. Part I: Relative and Absolute Current Atmospheric Deposition Levels Detected by Moss Analyses

The contents of 36 elements were determined in Pleurozium schreberimoss collected along 12 linear transects at 56 sampling points running radially up to a distance of 14 km from the secondary smelter ground at Přibram in the Czech Republic. Moss monitoring techniques enabled an assessment of the distribution of relative and, for many elements, the absolute atmospheric deposition rates that have been found for many elements in the details of land cadastres and allotments over an area of 700 km2. In addition to the hot spots for accumulation of smelter elements centred on the smelter ground, other unexpected hot spots caused by the operation of previously underplayed pollution sources are revealed in fine-scale contour maps. The decrease in element content in moss with distance from the centres of the main hot spots were described remarkably well by regression equations. The results of PCA indicated that the distribution of these elements in moss in the area is substantially controlled by 4 factors. The smelter was found to be the crucial current emitter of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, (Hg), In, Pb, Sb and Zn. Gravel production from stone material from abandoned uranium pits has been a major source of Al, As, Be, Ce, Cr, Fe, Ga, La, Li, Nd, Pr, Sc, Th, U, V and Y pollution, and a piston-ring works has been contaminating the area heavily with Mo. The fourth factor controlling the distribution of Cs, Rb and Tl in moss may be the combined operation of non-industrial anthropogenic and geogenic factors. The content of some elements in the moss correlated with selected geomorphological characteristics. The estimated enormous deposition loads of many potentially hazardous elements from the smelter and the stone mill from the former uranium pit in the town should be taken into account as a hazard to the inhabitants. The plan to continue utilising the 20 remaining heaps from the abandoned uranium pits for gravel production should be abandoned because it would lead to major further contamination of the area. Fine-scale moss monitoring techniques have proved to be a powerful tool for determining the deposition rates of many elements around diverse point sources of pollution in the landscape.

Distribution of 36 Element Deposition Rates in a Historic Mining and Smelting Area as Determined Through Fine-Scale Biomonitoring Techniques. Part II: Relative Long-Term Accumulated Atmospheric Deposition Levels

The content of 36 elements in the H horizon of coniferous forest floor humus was determined for 56 sampling plots situated in linear transects running out radially to a distance of 14 km from a lead smelter. Fine-scale contour maps of element content in humus revealed five types of basic patterns for the positions of hot spots. Using PCA and contour maps the following four dominant pollution sources were identified that had influenced the accumulation of some elements in humus in the area (615 km2): operation of a lead smelter (Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, In, Pb, S, Sb, Zn), gravel production from stones from uranium pit heaps (Al, Be, Co, Cr, Ga, Mn, Sc, Se, Th, U, V), operation of works processing heat resistant steel (Mo) and anthropogenic or local geogenic factors (Ce, Co, La, Nd, Pr, Y). Except in the case of Pb, Cd, Zn, (As, Hg), high current and long-term accumulated loads of the other elements named above have not previously been indicated in the literature for this area. In addition, no patterns of accumulated elements in humus in details of registers and allotments are known for this area. The interpolated hot spot area for heavy forest humus contamination was found to be 5–80 km2, however, U, Cd and Pb were highly accumulated in humus at 100, 320 and more than 630 km2, respectively. At a distance of 200 m and 22 km windward and 600 m and 22 km leeward from the lead smelter, the Pb content in the forest floor humus was 78 500 and 131 μg g-1 windward and 81 050 and 175 μg g-1 leeward, respectively. The normal Pb content in forest floor humus is less than 100 μg g-1 in the Czech Republic. Also patterns of accumulated elements in humus in details of registers and allotments have not been known for the area up to now. The distributions of the long-term accumulated elements in humus related to the distance from the source could be described nearly perfectly by exponential equations, while elevation, topography, leeward/windward exposure, and the geology of the sampling plots have not significantly influenced accumulation ofmost elements. Results of the forest floor humus analysis were fully supported by the parallel moss monitoring results. Humus monitoringtechniques can reliably determine the long-term effects of pollutionsources and reveal the hidden accumulated loads of elements in details in the landscape.

Groundwater quality in the major industrial area of Thessaloniki, Greece part 2: Heavy metal distribution‐source identification

The distribution of some heavy metals and toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe and As) in groundwaters of the major area of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, was investigated. Trace elements were generally found at low concentration levels, although some extreme values were observed, particularly for Mn, Cd and As. Correlation and Principal Component Analysis showed that two major factors affected heavy metals content in groundwaters: salinity and redox conditions. Salinity had a strong influence on Pb, Cd and Cu probably due to adsorption — desorption processes. Redox conditions affected mainly the As content that was higher under reducing conditions. Based on statistical analysis of experimental data, isotopic analysis of groundwaters and local hydrogeologic conditions the origin of As was attributed to geogenic factors.

The disease ecology of a small cul de sac: Chandigarh Dun

Abstract The Chandigarh Dun is a classic example of what Jaques M. May termed an “ecological niche”. While Chandigarh Dun is a relatively small region with respect to others in India, it nonetheless displays an impressive diversity of diseases related to the rather unique ecology and culture of a physiographic cul de sac . Infectious diseases predominate health problems, and they can be associated with physiographic conditions, the settlement morphology, and behavioral aspects of the people. Such diseases of major importance as malaria, typhoid fever, hookworm disease, and endemic goitre can be associated with the overall geomorphological setting, soils and vegetation, microclimatic conditions, and surface and sub-surface hydrology. Within the Dun, these and other major diseases display a spatial association with pathogenic, geogenic and cultural factors. On the basis of current knowledge of disease ecological problems, four zones, each with somewhat distinct combinations of disease and ecological associations, have been identified.

Diet Deficiency and Disease in Live Stock.

The city of Lefkosia (Nicosia) on the Mesaoria Plain of Cyprus has been populated since the Bronze Age. A detailed survey of the city and surrounding suburban area has been undertaken to assess the relationship between land use, geology and soil geochemistry. In total, 441 soil samples were collected from 10 to 20 cm depth and analysed by ICP-MS following an aqua regia digestion. The main controls on major and most trace element concentrations are geogenic, with parent lithology and adsorption of metals on secondary Fe/Mn minerals dominating. A number of metals are relatively enriched in the soil of industrial and commercial areas, with the patterns for Ag, Sn and Sb indicating the preservation of historical metal contamination around the old city, and elevated Pb and Zn in areas currently zoned for residential or industrial purposes. The geochemistry of school yard soil generally displays a basaltic signature, with high Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn compared with surrounding sites. Children's' playgrounds have low trace element concentrations that are typical of soil developed from the carbonate-rich lithologies on the island. However, a high proportion of the playgrounds contain elevated As concentrations (> 10 mg/kg) that can be linked to a particular source of transported fill. Factors such as the presence of fill and restricted zones of element contamination reduce the spatial correlation of the soil geochemical data compared with non-urban areas. By comparison with the preceding soil geochemical atlas of Cyprus, the soil of Lefkosia contains higher average Ag, Pb and Zn concentrations, but few individual values for these or other elements exceed existing regulatory limits in various EU member countries. The results will assist in developing regulatory values for chemical elements in Cypriot urban soil that take into account the influence of geogenic factors and also indicate the need for regulation in the use of land fill or transported soil.