Groundwater-surface Water Systems Research Articles

High stability of carbonate weathering relevant carbon sink under biological pump effect in inland waters: Insights from Shawan Karst Experimental Site, Southwest China

The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) produced by carbonate weathering may be lost by degassing or be biologically fixed as it transports from inland water to the ocean. Knowledge of DIC stability under these two processes in surface water systems is crucial for evaluating the role of carbonate weathering in the global carbon cycle. Here, we evaluated the net ecosystem productivity of aquatic ecosystems (NEPs), water‒air CO2 exchange fluxes (FCO2), and Carbon budgets (Carbonbudget=(TOCoutput+0.5DICoutput)−(TOCinput+0.5DICinput)) in five simulated spring-pond systems controlled by carbonate weathering and different land uses. Using these parameters and the unique structure of our simulation site, the stability of the carbonate weathering-driven carbon sink (DIC) in surface water was discussed. The results showed that the NEP and FCO2 of the study site presented significant negative relationships and were mainly controlled by aquatic ecosystem metabolisms than abiotic processes. Most aquatic ecosystems in our study site were autotrophic (NEP>0) due to the strong biological carbon pump effect (BCP) induced by carbonate weathering. Moreover, the DIC input enhanced the FCO2 in the warm season. The intensive BCP enhanced both CO2 release and atmospheric CO2 invasion. Moreover, we found that the stability of DIC was positively related to DIC input, which can be influenced by BCP and human land use. After considering the net changes in Carbon budget through the groundwater-surface water systems, a high average carbon stabilization rate (CSR) of approximately 103.7% of carbonate weathering carbon sink was found in our study site. This indicated that BCP could retain most of the DIC that was driven by carbonate weathering. Therefore, due to the high stability of the carbonate weathering carbon sink under the BCP, we stress that it should be considered a significant carbon sink in the global carbon cycle.

Multi-biological risk in groundwater-surface water system under landfill stress: Driven by bacterial size and biological toxicity

The variation in bacterial size and biotoxicity leads to different ecological risks. However, the diversity of bacterial size and virulence in bacterial communities has been neglected, leading to limitations and inaccuracies in risk assessment. Surface-subsurface interactions lead to the complexity, variability, and insidiousness of pathogen transmission in the environment. Mountainous landfills are considered as a major source of pathogens in subsurface systems. Although numerous studies have reported the geographic distribution of microbes in landfills, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impacts on the microbial spatial distribution of bacterial size, which is a key factor affecting microbial migration and risks. In this study, the groundwater, river water, soil and leachate samples were collected inside and around a typical mountainous urban landfill, which is close to a river with a high hydraulic gradient and a strong surface–subsurface interaction. Small-sized (<0.2 μm) and large-sized (>0.2 μm) bacteria were separated to verify the variability of migration potential and spatial distribution of different sizes of bacteria in groundwater-surface water and soil, investigating the driving factors and accessing the biological risk of different sizes of bacteria. The results revealed notable differences in spatial distribution and driving factors among various bacterial sizes. Small-sized bacterial communities in groundwater and soils exhibited clear trends towards leachate along the water flow direction. In contrast, large-sized bacterial communities remained stable and resembled native bacterial communities. Groundwater hydrodynamics was the main driving force affecting the spatial distribution of small-sized bacteria. The small-sized bacteria showed a higher content of virulence genes which were predominantly expressed for invasion. Thus, small-sized bacteria exhibited a stronger migration potential and a higher biological risk. Due to the surface–subsurface interactions, the bacterial communities in river water were more similar to that in groundwater after rain. Our results provide strong support to guide the management of subsurface system safety in mountainous landfills.

A Novel Approach for Optimum Conjunctive Use Management of Groundwater and Surface Water Resources under Uncertainty

Uncertainty in determining optimum conjunctive water use lies not only on variability of hydrological cycle and climate but also on lack of adequate data and perfect knowledge about groundwater-surface water system interactions, errors in historic data and inherent variability of system parameters both in space and time. Simulation-optimization models are used for conjunctive water use management under uncertain conditions. However, direct application of such approach whereby all realizations are considered at every-iteration of the optimization process leads to a highly computational time-consuming optimization problem as the number of realizations increases. Hence, this study proposes a novel approach—a Retrospective Optimization Approximation (ROA) approach. In this approach, a simulation model was used to determine aquifer system responses (draw-downs) which were assembled as response matrices and incorporated in the optimization model (procedure) as coefficients in the constraints. The sample optimization sub-problems generated, were solved and analyzed through ROA-Active-Set procedure implemented under MATLAB code. The ROA-Active Set procedure solves and evaluates a sequence of sample path optimization sub-problems in an increasing number of realizations. The methodology was applied to a real-world conjunctive water use management problem found in Great Letaba River basin, South Africa. In the River basin, surface water source contributes 87% of the existing un-optimized total conjunctive water use withdrawal rate (6512.04 m3/day) and the remaining 13% is contributed by groundwater source. Through ROA approach, results indicate that the optimum percentages contribution of the surface and subsurface sources to the total water demand are 58% and 42% respectively. This implies that the existing percentage contribution can be increased or reduced by ±29% that is groundwater source can be increased by 29% while the surface water source contribution can be reduced by 29%. This reveals that the existing conjunctive water use practice is unsustainable wherein surface water system is overstressed while groundwater system is under-utilized. Through k-means sampling technique ROA-Active Set procedure was able to attain a converged maximum expected total optimum conjunctive water use withdrawal rate of 4.35 × 104 m3/day within a relatively few numbers of iterations (6 to 8 iterations) in about 2.30 Hrs. In conclusion, results demonstrated that ROA approach is capable of managing real-world regional aquifers sustainable conjunctive water use practice under hydro-geological uncertainty conditions.

Thinking for the future: Phytoextraction of cadmium using primed plants for sustainable soil clean-up.

Cadmium (Cd) soil contamination is a global problem for food security due to its ubiquity, toxicity at low levels, persistence, and bioaccumulation in living organisms. Humans' intake of heavy metals is usually due to direct contact with contaminated soil, through the food chain (Cd accumulation in crops and edible plants) or through drinking water in cases of coupled groundwater-surface water systems. Phytoextraction is one of the eco-friendly, sustainable solutions that can be used as a method for soil clean-up with the possibility of re-use of extracted metals through phytomining. Phytoextraction is often limited by the tolerance level of hyperaccumulating plants and the restriction of their growth. Mechanisms of hyperaccumulation of heavy metals in tolerant species have been studied, but there are almost no data on mechanisms of further improvement of the accumulation capacity of such plants. Priming can influence plant stress tolerance by the initiation of mild stress cues resulting in acclimation of the plant. The potential of plant priming in abiotic stress tolerance has been extensively investigated using different types of molecules that are supplemented exogenously to plant organs (roots, leaves, etc.), resulting in enhanced tolerance of abiotic stress. This review focuses on mechanisms of enhancement of plant stress tolerance in hyperaccumulating plants for their exploitation in phytoextraction processes.

Transport and speciation of uranium in groundwater-surface water systems impacted by legacy milling operations

Growing worldwide concern over uranium contamination of groundwater resources has placed an emphasis on understanding uranium transport dynamics and potential toxicity in groundwater-surface water systems. In this study, we utilized novel in-situ sampling methods to establish the location and magnitude of contaminated groundwater entry into a receiving surface water environment, and to investigate the speciation and potential bioavailability of uranium in groundwater and surface water. Streambed temperature mapping successfully identified the location of groundwater entry to the Little Wind River, downgradient from the former Riverton uranium mill site, Wyoming, USA. Diffusive equilibrium in thin-film (DET) samplers further constrained the groundwater plume and established sediment pore water solute concentrations and patterns. In this system, evidence is presented for attenuation of uranium-rich groundwater in the shallow sediments where surface water and groundwater interaction occurs. Surface water grab and DET sampling successfully detected an increase in river uranium concentrations where the groundwater plume enters the Little Wind River; however, concentrations remained below environmental guideline levels. Uranium speciation was investigated using diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) samplers and geochemical speciation modelling. Together, these investigations indicate uranium may have limited bioavailability to organisms in the Little Wind River and, possibly, in other similar sites in the western U.S.A. This could be due to ion competition effects or the presence of non- or partially labile uranium complexes. Development of methods to establish the location of contaminated (uranium) groundwater entry to surface water environments, and the potential effects on ecosystems, is crucial to develop both site-specific and general conceptual models of uranium behavior and potential toxicity in affected ground and surface water environments.

Regional isotopic investigation of evaporation and water-rock interaction in mine pit lakes in Nevada, USA

The isotopic geochemistry of mine-impacted waters may reveal water-budget relationships and geochemical mechanisms of water-rock interaction. In this study, stable isotopic analysis of water (δ2H and δ18OH2O) and sulfate (δ34S and δ18OSO4) were completed and cataloged in 15 mine pit lakes in Nevada, USA, representing the most spatially distributed and largest dataset related to the isotopic composition of pit lakes yet presented in the literature. The isotopic composition of groundwater and surface springs was also included at several sites to more fully characterize the connected groundwater-surface water systems. Results of δ2H and δ18OH2O analysis indicate that the pit lakes are highly evaporated (more so than natural lakes in the same region), although the strength of evaporative fractionation differs spatially. Pit lakes also vary in the degree to which they are enriched in heavy isotopes relative to influent groundwater, which gives insight into the basin-scale water budget for these areas. Isotopes of sulfate (δ34S and δ18OSO4) and water (δ18OH2O) were used to test several commonly-held models of sulfide oxidation, and results suggest that none of the applied models can fully explain the isotopic composition of pit-lake waters. Most sulfur isotope data suggest a mixed source of aqueous sulfate including the oxidation of pyrite and dissolution of sulfate salts.

Factors controlling arsenic and selected potentially toxic elements in stream sediment–soil and groundwater–surface water systems of a hydrologically modified semi-closed basin (Uluova) in Elazığ Province, Eastern Turkey

The Uluova basin aquifer system (UBAS), comprised of fractured/karstic rock and multilayer basin-fill aquifers, provides water for both domestic and agricultural needs in the Elazığ province (Eastern Turkey). Although, the UBAS has been subject of large-scale hydrological modifications and controversial water management practices since late 1950s, thus far no studies have examined basinwide implications of such human perturbations in an integrated manner. In this study, GIS, geostatistics, R-mode factor analysis (R-mFA) and geochemical modeling techniques were employed to unravel the factors controlling the distribution and sources of arsenic (As) and selected potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the stream sediment-soil and groundwater-surface water systems of the UBAS. As revealed by the results from R-mFA, three geogenic factors (F1: Clay minerals and Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, F2: Weathering of parent materials, and F3: Sulfide oxidation in mineralized zones) govern the geochemical dynamics of the PTEs in the stream sediment/soil media. In stream sediment and soil samples, especially Ni, Cr, and Co presented significant enrichment relative to upper continental crust average composition, whereas As contents were relatively low, varying from 0.3 to 13 mg kg−1. Factors extracted from the combined water dataset (F1: Groundwater salinization and arsenic mobilization, F2: Clay minerals and Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, F3: pH and redox conditions, and F4: Aquifer oxygenation and nitrate contamination) accounted for 72.59% of the total variance. Water-rock interaction (e.g. sulfide oxidation, carbonate dissolution, silicate hydrolysis, adsorption-desorption, ion exchange, and evaporite dissolution), dilution/mixing with fresh/saline water components, evapoconcentration, and human induced perturbations causing internal salinization and oxygenation of the UBAS were the key mechanisms controlling the chemistry of waters and mobilization of As. In the UBAS, majority of As-rich water samples are confined to central-northern half of the basin and typically display high levels of dissolved O2, inorganic oxyanions (HCO3−, SO42− and of Si, B, Mo, Sb and V) and alkaline pH. Oxidation of sulfides (e.g. pyrite and arsenopyrite) found within the highly fractured Elazığ magmatics in the upland areas at north and subsequent competitive adsorption-desorption processes occurring under alkaline, oxidizing and high ionic strength aquifer conditions along the downgradient groundwater flow path play a pivotal role in the As-enrichment in the UBAS. As concentrations ranged between 0.02 and 367.2 μg L−1 in groundwater, 0.13–4842 μg L−1 in spring water, and 0.04–31.1 μg L−1 in the stream water samples, of which 20.83% exceeded the WHO provisional guideline value. In the water samples, As occurs mainly as As(V) species (HAsO42− and H2AsO4−), indicated by the Eh-pH diagram and speciation calculations. The results of this study have shown that As enrichment in the UBAS can be attributed to both geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities that have modified the basin hydrology/hydrochemistry.

Simulating selenium and nitrogen fate and transport in coupled stream-aquifer systems of irrigated regions

Elevated levels of selenium (Se) in aqueous environments can harm aquatic life and endanger livestock and human health. Although Se occurs naturally in the rocks and soils of many alluvial aquifers, mining and agricultural activities can increase its rate of mobilization and transport to surface waters. Attention is given here to regions where nonpoint source return flows from irrigated lands carry pollutant loads to aquifers and streams, contributing to concentrations that violate regulatory and performance standards. Of particular concern is the heightened level and mobilization of Se influenced by nitrate (NO3), a harmful pollutant in its own right. We present a numerical model that simulates the reactive transport of Se and nitrogen (N) species in a coupled groundwater-surface water system. Building upon a conceptual model that incorporates the major processes affecting Se and NO3 transport in an irrigated watershed, the model links the finite-difference models MODFLOW, UZF-RT3D, and OTIS, to simulate flow and reactive transport of multiple chemical species in both the aquifer and a stream network, with mass exchange between the two. The capability of the new model is showcased by calibration, testing, and application to a 500 km2 region in Colorado’s Lower Arkansas River Valley using a rich data set gathered over a 10-yr period. Simulation of spatial and temporal distributions of Se concentration reveals conditions that exceed standards in groundwater for approximately 20% of the area. For the Arkansas River, standards are exceeded by 290%–450%. Simulation indicates that river concentrations of NO3 alone are near the current interim standard for the total of all dissolved N species. These results indicate the need for future use of the developed model to investigate the prospects for land and water best management practices to decrease pollutant levels.

A conceptual model for the analysis of multi-stressors in linked groundwater–surface water systems

Groundwater and surface water are often closely coupled and are both under the influence of multiple stressors. Stressed groundwater systems may lead to a poor ecological status of surface waters but to date no conceptual framework to analyse linked multi-stressed groundwater – surface water systems has been developed. In this paper, a framework is proposed showing the effect of groundwater on surface waters in multiple stressed systems. This framework will be illustrated by applying it to four European catchments, the Odense, Denmark, the Regge and Dinkel, Netherlands, and the Thames, UK, and by assessing its utility in analysing the propagation or buffering of multi-stressors through groundwater to surface waters in these catchments. It is shown that groundwater affects surface water flow, nutrients and temperature, and can both propagate stressors towards surface waters and buffer the effect of stressors in space and time. The effect of groundwater on drivers and states depends on catchment characteristics, stressor combinations, scale and management practises. The proposed framework shows how groundwater in lowland catchments acts as a bridge between stressors and their effects within surface waters. It shows water managers how their management areas might be influenced by groundwater, and helps them to include this important, but often overlooked part of the water cycle in their basin management plans. The analysis of the study catchments also revealed a lack of data on the temperature of both groundwater and surface water, while it is an important parameter considering future climate warming.

Controls on subsurface transport of sorbing contaminant

Subsurface transport of a sorbing contaminant is poorly understood and characterized. Here, a new semi-analytical saturated–unsaturated flow and transport model is coupled to a kinetic sorption algorithm to assess the impact of changes in the subsurface permeability architecture and flow rate on sorption characteristics. The model outputs reveal the pronounced effect of the rate of vertical decline in Ks on the frequency of occurrence and spatial distribution of subsurface sorption as well as the timing and rate of sorbing contaminants discharged into stream. Sorption potential is weakened with infiltration rate. The impact of infiltration rate on the decline in sorption potential becomes more accentuated as the degree of subsurface vertical heterogeneity in saturated hydraulic conductivity increases. Porosity pattern also impacts sorption characteristics; but its effects highly depend upon the degree of vertical heterogeneity in Ks. The results and methodology presented in this paper have potential implications for assessing water quality in integrated groundwater–surface water systems as well as designing remediation systems.

Development of a Shared Vision for Groundwater Management to Protect and Sustain Baseflows of the Upper San Pedro River, Arizona, USA

Groundwater pumping along portions of the binational San Pedro River has depleted aquifer storage that supports baseflow in the San Pedro River. A consortium of 23 agencies, business interests, and non-governmental organizations pooled their collective resources to develop the scientific understanding and technical tools required to optimize the management of this complex, interconnected groundwater-surface water system. A paradigm shift occurred as stakeholders first collaboratively developed, and then later applied, several key hydrologic simulation and monitoring tools. Water resources planning and management transitioned from a traditional water budget-based approach to a more strategic and spatially-explicit optimization process. After groundwater modeling results suggested that strategic near-stream recharge could reasonably sustain baseflows at or above 2003 levels until the year 2100, even in the presence of continued groundwater development, a group of collaborators worked for four years to acquire 2250 hectares of land in key locations along 34 kilometers of the river specifically for this purpose. These actions reflect an evolved common vision that considers the multiple water demands of both humans and the riparian ecosystem associated with the San Pedro River.

Fire retardant and post-fire nutrient mobility in a mountain surface water—karst groundwater system: the Hidden Fire, Sequoia National Park, California, USA

Nutrient mobility in strongly coupled surface water–groundwater systems is not well studied in fire dominated ecosystems. In 2008, the Hidden Fire in the Kaweah River basin in the Sierra Nevada, CA, USA provided an unexpected opportunity to document how nutrient concentrations change post-fire in a karstic groundwater—surface water system. The results from 4 years of sampling and water quality data (2009–2012) suggest that nutrient byproducts from 94 Phos-Check D75 R fire retardant that was dropped to combat the fire were mobilized into the aquatic system. Dissolved nitrate concentrations sharply increased at most monitoring sites with the onset of winter precipitation and seasonal snowmelt in the spring of 2009, remained elevated during seasonal sampling at some sites in 2010, and were significantly lower in 2011 and 2012. Average nitrate concentrations in sub-basins during the 2009 high-discharge period are strongly correlated with the amount of retardant applied in each sub-basin, but not correlated with the sub-basin area. Dissolved phosphate concentrations were highest upstream of sink points where streams directly recharge marble karst aquifers, and decreased between recharge sites and springs; indicating organic and/or inorganic uptake of P in the subterranean system. Although measured nutrient concentrations were within the range documented post-fire in other aquatic systems that did not receive fire retardant, evidence from the Hidden Fire strongly suggests that fire retardant derived nutrients entered and flushed through the Yucca Creek system, and that managers should consider the potential impacts of retardant application on aquatic ecosystems even when retardant is not applied directly on waterways .

Disconnection of groundwater from surface water causes a fundamental change in hydrology in a forested catchment in south-western Australia

In south-western Australia, significant declines in annual rainfall in recent decades have been accompanied by even greater declines in annual streamflow. The disproportionate decline in annual streamflow is perplexing and while there has been speculation about the causes, the mechanisms responsible for the disproportionate decline have not been demonstrated. This study seeks to clarify the role of groundwater in the disproportionate decline in annual streamflow in a small catchment in the jarrah forest by examining records of annual streamflow, stream salinity and groundwater which progressively declined from 1976 to 2011. The records span the transition from connected groundwater–surface water systems to disconnected. This provided a unique opportunity to differentiate the groundwater contribution to streamflow for two reasons. Firstly, because the change in streamflow following disconnection can be largely attributed to streamflow that was previously generated because groundwater was connected. Secondly, because groundwater was the main source of stream salinity and hence stream salinity was a natural tracer which indicated the presence and relative proportion of groundwater in streamflow. Disconnection occurred around 2001 and was signalled by a change in the annual stream salinity signature from moderately high and variable, to low and constant, and by the transition in piezometric levels at the catchment outlet from mostly above ground, to mostly below ground. Following disconnection, the average runoff coefficient which had been slowly declining, abruptly fell by more than half and subsequently remained relatively low and constant. This indicated that whilst groundwater was connected it played a key role in streamflow generation. The contribution by groundwater to streamflow generation was non-linear and was dominant at higher rainfalls. The annual stream salinity signature indicated that direct groundwater discharge to the stream was a relatively minor component, especially at higher rainfalls. Hence connected groundwater contributed to streamflow generation mostly indirectly, thus amplifying other streamflow-generating processes, by facilitating additional surface runoff and/or throughflow which were relatively fresh. As groundwater levels, and hence connectivity, declined, the amplifying effect of groundwater-facilitated streamflow generation also declined. We suggest that the large disparity between the rates of decline in annual rainfall and inflow into reservoirs elsewhere in the forests in south-western Australia mostly reflects the aggregate loss of connectivity in the catchments of streams contributing inflow into the reservoirs.

Simulating the pre-development hydrologic conditions in the San Joaquin Valley, California

summary The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in central California has significant water management concerns given the high water demand for an increasing state population and for intense irrigation. The groundwater-surface water system in the area has undergone drastic changes since the employment of groundwater and surface water extractions for irrigation and mining, and is still responding to past and present stresses. In this study, we develop a pre-development hydrologic model of the SJV to serve as an appropriate initial state to analyze the influence of historic anthropogenic stresses. Specifically, the physically-based surface–subsurface numerical HydroGeoSphere model is used to examine the regional-scale hydrologic budget of the SJV at pre-development conditions, constrained by available historical data. As a result, complex hydrologic processes, including groundwater-surface water interaction along the major rivers and within wetland areas formed by flooded surface water, as well as evapotranspiration (ET) and impacted root zone processes were identified in the area. The presence and path of the major rivers in the domain are well defined in the model output. The general location and formation of the major wetlands simulated by the model, and the hydrologic processes that occurred within them have a fair agreement with historical records. There is also a fair match between simulated and estimated water table elevations. ET is a significant sink of both surface water and groundwater (44.8% of the water balance input). Successful simulation of the complex hydrologic processes and features, and the water balance of the natural system underscores the importance and necessity of using an integrated model, especially when available data is limited for input and calibration. This pre-development hydrologic condition should serve as a reasonable initial state for future transient runs that bring the model up to current hydrologic conditions capable of estimating present and future water budgets.

Health risks from large-scale water pollution: Trends in Central Asia

Limited data on the pollution status of spatially extensive water systems constrain health-risk assessments at basin-scales. Using a recipient measurement approach in a terminal water body, we show that agricultural and industrial pollutants in groundwater–surface water systems of the Aral Sea Drainage Basin (covering the main part of Central Asia) yield cumulative health hazards above guideline values in downstream surface waters, due to high concentrations of copper, arsenic, nitrite, and to certain extent dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Considering these high-impact contaminants, we furthermore perform trend analyses of their upstream spatial–temporal distribution, investigating dominant large-scale spreading mechanisms. The ratio between parent DDT and its degradation products showed that discharges into or depositions onto surface waters are likely to be recent or ongoing. In river water, copper concentrations peak during the spring season, after thawing and snow melt. High spatial variability of arsenic concentrations in river water could reflect its local presence in the top soil of nearby agricultural fields. Overall, groundwaters were associated with much higher health risks than surface waters. Health risks can therefore increase considerably, if the downstream population must switch to groundwater-based drinking water supplies during surface water shortage. Arid regions are generally vulnerable to this problem due to ongoing irrigation expansion and climate changes.

Thermal transport modelling in a fully integrated surface/subsurface framework

AbstractThermal stream loadings from both natural and anthropogenic sources have significant relevance with respect to ecosystem health and water resources management, particularly in the context of future climate change. In recent years, there has been an increase in field‐based research directed towards characterizing thermal energy transport exchange processes that occur at the surface water/groundwater interface of streams. In spite of this effort, relatively little work has been performed to simulate these exchanges and elucidate their roles in mediating surface water temperatures and to simultaneously take into account all the pertinent hydrological, meteorological and surface/variably‐saturated subsurface processes. To address this issue, HydroGeoSphere, a fully‐integrated surface/subsurface flow and transport model, was enhanced to include fully integrated thermal energy transport. HydroGeoSphere can simulate water flow, evapotranspiration, and advective‐dispersive heat and solute transport over the 2D land surface and water flow and heat and solute transport in the 3D subsurface under variably saturated conditions. In this work, the new thermal capabilities of HydroGeoSphere are tested and verified by comparing HydroGeoSphere simulation results to those from a previous subsurface thermal groundwater injection study and also by simulating an example of atmospheric thermal energy exchange. High‐resolution 3D numerical simulations of a well‐characterized reach of the Pine River in Ontario, Canada are also presented to demonstrate thermal energy transport in an atmosphere–groundwater–surface water system. The HydroGeoSphere simulation successfully matched the spatial variations in the thermal patterns observed in the riverbed, the surface water and the groundwater. The computational framework can be used to provide quantitative guidance towards establishing the conditions needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Influence of hydrogeology, microbiology and landscape history on the geochemistry of acid hypersaline waters, N.W. Victoria

Abstract There is now evidence that naturally occurring acid–water is more abundant than previously thought and that it has been important in the geologic past. Understanding the processes leading to the formation of such systems is required to appreciate the role of acid systems in geologic processes and to develop indicators for recognizing the geologic/environmental importance of these systems in the past. This paper characterizes the hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, microbial biogeochemistry and landscape attributes of acid–groundwater surface water systems in Australia with an emphasis on a well studied playa-lake system, Lake Tyrrell, Murray Valley. A model for the origin of these acid brines is presented and the importance of acid-brine producing systems is speculated upon. Data include porewater and groundwater geochemical measurements (collected during a 10 day field campaign) and results from geochemical modeling and graphics (e.g., Piper diagrams and x–y plots of seawater evaporation trajectories). Key characteristics of the system are (1) aquifer materials have low acid buffering capacities, (2) saline groundwater flowing onto playa surfaces is an oxic, H2SO4 solution, (3) authigenic minerals include combinations of jarosite [KFe3(SO4)2(OH)6], alunite [KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6] and Fe oxides that can form as evaporite minerals, (4) a source for solutes can be marine aerosols and (5) the formation of ironstones. Groundwater acidification by various processes including sulfide oxidation and ferrolysis, and at many different times, are the unique aspects for evolution of these acid brines and they can be considered another end member of the Eugster–Jones–Hardie model for the evolution of brines in closed basins. Acid–hypersaline groundwater and playa systems such as Lake Tyrrell may be an example of expected changes in the hydrogeochemistry of terrestrial water during late-stage continental denudation under arid conditions. Historically these systems may have been integral to the formation of opal, bauxite, some low temperature ore deposits, of authigenic K-feldspars, and continental redbeds. Natural acid saline systems, such as those in Australia, may also be representative of acid saline systems on Mars.

Stability of Arsenic Species in Soils Contaminated Naturally and in an Anthropogenic Manner

Stability and transport of As species in soils were investigated in three contaminated Central European regions in the Czech Republic; one of them represents naturally contaminated area, the others are results of a former mining activity. Total As content varied from 60 to <18,000 ppm depending on locality and sampling layer. Sequential extraction procedure (SEP) enabled to distinguish five main fractions of As in soils based on different chemical and binding properties. Non-specifically and weakly sorbed As, as well as As remained in solid rests of samples did not exceed 10% of total As; specifically bounded As varied from 5 to 15%. The substantial portion of As was bound to hydrated Fe oxides (HFO) in amorphous and poorly-crystalline forms (10–30% of the total As) and/or to a well-crystallized forms of the same phases (50–80%). As sorption on HFO surface, particularly on well-crystallized phases represented the most significant and stable As bond in soils. Model leaching experiments illustrated the increased mobility of As species at pH ≈ 7.0 in the soil–groundwater–surface water systems.

The carbonate system geochemistry of shallow groundwater-surface water systems in temperate glaciated watersheds (Michigan, USA): Significance of open-system dolomite weathering

We present here a field geochemical study of controls on carbonate weathering within rapidly circulating, shallow groundwater–surface water systems in the glaciated mid-continent region. Groundwaters and surface waters in three watersheds spanning the Upper to Lower Peninsulas of Michigan consist of Ca 2+ -Mg 2+ -HCO 3 − solutions derived from the open-system dissolution of calcite and dolomite in soils developed on mixed mineralogy glacial drift. The thermodynamic stabilities of calcite and dolomite both decrease with decreasing temperature, with dolomite more strongly affected. Thus, the low mean annual temperature of these temperate weathering environments maximizes the absolute solubility of dolomite as well as its solubility relative to calcite. Many groundwaters in the study area approach equilibrium with respect to the more soluble dolomite and are moderately supersaturated with respect to calcite. Groundwaters in each watershed have distinct and relatively narrow ranges of carbon dioxide partial pressure ( P CO 2 ) values, which increase significantly from north to south (log P CO 2 of −3.0 to −2.2 atm), suggesting that there are landscape-level differences in carbon transformation rates in soil weathering zones. Increases in weathering-zone P CO 2 values produce HCO 3 − concentrations that vary by a factor of five, but the Mg 2+ /Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ /HCO 3 − ratios of all groundwaters are similar, suggesting relatively constant weathering input ratios of calcite and dolomite. Although surface waters commonly are between 2 and 10 times supersaturated with respect to calcite, the Mg 2+ /HCO 3 − ratios of surface waters are very close to initial groundwater values, suggesting that back precipitation of calcite is not a significant process in these systems. The enhanced solubility of dolomite at low temperatures coupled with the landscape-level differences in carbon cycling suggest that temperate-zone weathering reactions in glaciated terrains are significant contributors to continent-scale fluxes of both Mg 2+ and HCO 3 − .

A mechanistic study of nonlinear solute transport in a groundwater–surface water system Under steady state and transient hydraulic conditions

Two laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of tides and buoyancy on beach hydraulics in the presence of a seaward groundwater flow due to an elevated “regional” water table. In the first experiment, case 1, the difference in concentration between the salt water at sea and the water of the regional aquifer was small, 2.4 g L−1, such that it did not engender density gradients; the salt acts as a tracer in this case. In the second experiment, case 2, the difference was ∼32.0 g L−1, which creates a significant density gradient. This case corresponds to the presence of fresh groundwater in the subsurface of the coasts of the continental United States. The experiments were numerically simulated by the marine unsaturated (MARUN) model, a numerical model for density‐and‐viscosity‐dependent flows in two‐dimensional variably saturated media. The long‐term experimental and numerical results showed that the seawater plume entered the beach from the sea and occupied most of the intertidal zone. The maximum depth of the seawater plume was near the midsection of the intertidal zone, and it decreased near the low and high tide lines. When viewed in the context of case 2, these results indicate an inverted salinity distribution in beaches subjected to tides with salt water from sea overtopping the freshwater lens. For both cases, water from the regional aquifer moved seaward beneath the seawater in the intertidal zone and pinched out near the low tide mark. We also noted that beach hydraulics are highly two dimensional with water entering the beach at a near‐vertical angle and leaving it at a near‐horizontal angle, which casts doubts on analyses of beach hydraulics based on the Dupuit assumption. Findings from this work have direct implications within the practice of bioremediation of oil spills on beaches. We found that applying dissolved nutrients on the beach surface at low tide is superior to applying them in a trench landward of the beach. This is because the residence time of the nutrient plume in the bioremediation zone of the beach in the prior situation is longer than that in the latter.