Spring Water Samples Research Articles

Propylimidazole Functionalized Coumarin Derivative as Dual Responsive Fluorescent Chemoprobe for Picric Acid and Fe3+ Recognition: DFT and Natural Spring Water Applications.

A propylimidazole functionalized coumarin derivative (IPC) was fabricated for the first time and applied as a dual responsive fluorescent chemoprobe for sensitive and selective recognition of picric acid (PA) and Fe3+. Strong fluorescence quenching phenomena of the IPC were observed in H2O/ACN (5/95, v/v) medium (λem=408 nm) upon the additions of Fe3+or PA. The fabricated dual responsive IPC offered good selectivity and sensitivity with the low limit of detection values (0.92 µM for PA and 0.22 µM for Fe3+) lower than the acceptable amounts of Fe3+ and PA by the international official authorities. The validation study for the chemoprobe IPC for PA and Fe3+ was also performed. The interaction phenomena of IPC with PA and Fe3+ based on the findings of a range of experiments were considered and DFT computations were done to verify their recognition mechanisms. The sensing phenomena of IPC towards PA (1:1) and Fe3+ (3:1) were confirmed by the MALDI TOF-MS, FT-IR, 1H-NMR titration and Job's methods. Furthermore, the compound IPC was effectively applied as a fluorescent sensor for Fe3+ and PA detection in real natural spring water samples.

Effect of seasonal variations on the physicochemical characteristics of spring water in Oji River LGA, Enugu State Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the effect of seasonal variations on the physicochemical characteristics of spring water samples in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected in sterile plastic water containers at the point of discharge during the dry and wet seasons and analyzed physicochemically using the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The results showed that the colour (7-14.2 TCU); pH (7.18-8.4); temperature (24.6-28.1 oC); electrical conductivity in wet season (128.5-285.6 µs/cm); total dissolved solids (114.7-401 mg/L); total suspended solids (101.8-423.6 mg/L); total hardness (58-255 mg/L); total acidity (3.55-19.5 mg/L); total alkalinity (9.2-47 mg/L); biological oxygen demand (1.70-3.28 mg/L); nitrate (0.73-2.23 mg/L); ammonium in wet season (0.18-0.34 mg/L); zinc (0.011-0.085 mg/L); mercury (0.001-0.005 mg/L); copper (0.002-1.008 mg/L) and iron (0.031-0.318 mg/L) of water were within the WHO standard for drinking water quality while the phosphate (0.14-1.08 mg/L), lead (0.013-0.098 mg/L) and ammonium in dry season (0.48-0.75 mg/L) levels were not found within the prescribed limit of WHO drinking water standards. Therefore, this investigation indicated that the spring water is unfit for drinking without adequate treatment. Liming, boiling and ozonation treatment techniques are recommended for the treatment of water.

Fluorescence Sensors Based on Hydroxycarbazole for the Determination of Neurodegeneration-Related Halide Anions.

The environmental presence of anions of natural origin or anthropogenic origin is gradually increasing. As a tool to tackle this problem, carbazole derivatives are an attractive gateway to the development of luminescent chemosensors. Considering the different mechanisms proposed for anion recognition, the fluorescence properties and anion-binding response of several newly synthesised carbazole derivatives were studied. Potential anion sensors were designed so that they combined the native fluorescence of carbazole with the presence of hydrogen bonding donor groups in critical positions for anion recognition. These compounds were synthesised by a feasible and non-expensive procedure using palladium-promoted cyclodehydrogenation of suitable diarylamine under microwave irradiation. In comparison to the other carbazole derivatives studied, 1-hydroxycarbazole proved to be useful as a fluorescent sensor for anions, as it was able to sensitively recognise fluoride and chloride anions by establishing hydrogen bond interactions through the hydrogen atoms on the pyrrolic nitrogen and the hydroxy group. Solvent effects and excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) of the carbazole derivatives are described to discard the role of the anions as Brönsted bases on the observed fluorescence behaviour of the sensors. The anion–sensor interaction was confirmed by 1H-NMR. Molecular modelling was employed to propose a mode of recognition of the sensor in terms of complex stability and interatomic distances. 1-hydroxycarbazole was employed for the quantitation of fluoride and chloride anions in commercially available medicinal spring water and mouthwash samples.

Water quality from high mountain peatlands: spring of Campo Belo river, Itatiaia–Brazil

Peatlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems where the water table is present on the surface or near it, or still presents itself in flooded conditions. Despite the recognized importance of these environmental matrices in the storage of organic carbon and water, little information has been known in the literature about their influence on the surface water quality. This study aims to evaluate the water quality from peatlands in the spring of the Rio Campo Belo, in Itatiaia National Park, Itatiaia–Brazil. The spring water quality from peat profiles was based in geochemical parameters, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), silica, ions, and trace elements (Al, Sb, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Sn, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, Ga, Rb, Sr, and Zn) on spring water and peat core samples. The highest DO values observed in the spring waters that leachate water and may be related to the lower water temperature, as well as the movement of water. The DOC values were relatively low suggesting no difference between the spring water and the water leached (1.6 and 1.7 mg L−1, respectively). Higher values of ions and trace elements in the leaching water from core peat demonstrate a greater contribution of the peatland to the concentration of these ions in spring water. Increase in TOC values did not cause an increase in pH values, in contrast to the observed with the organic matter removal, resulting in increase of pH values.

Hydrochemical characterisation of groundwater using multifactorial approach in Foum el Gueiss basin, Northeastern Algeria

Knowledge of the quantity and quality of groundwater is a prerequisite to encourage investment in the development of a region and to consider the sedentarisation of populations. This work synthesises and analyses data concerning the chemical quality of the available water acquired in the Foum el Gueiss catchment area in the Aures massif. Two families of waters are observed, on the one hand, calcium and magnesian chlorated-sulphate waters and on the other hand, calcium and magnesium bicarbonate waters. Multivariate statistical treatments (Principal Component Analysis – PCA and Discriminant Analysis – DA) highlight a gradient of minerality of the waters from upstream to downstream, mainly attributed to the impact of climate, and pollution of agricultural origin rather localised in the lower zones. These differences in chemical composition make it possible to differentiate spring, well and borehole waters. The main confusion is between wells and boreholes, which is understandable because they are adjacent groundwater, rather in the lower part of the catchment area. The confusion matrix on the dataset shows a complete discrimination with a 100% success rate. There is a real difference between spring water and other samples, while the difference between wells and boreholes is smaller. The confusion matrix for the cross-validation (50%).

Radiological investigation of natural carbonated spring waters from Eastern Carpathians, Romania

The current study presents a radiological water-quality assessment on 64 spring water samples from four Romanian counties. The study area is abundant in CO2-rich spring waters consumed by locals and tourists. Gross alpha activities ranged between 21 ± 2 and 7530 ± 658 mBq L−1, with 27% of the samples exceeding the WHO threshold. Gross beta values ranged from 40 ± 2 to 5520 ± 430 mBq L−1, with 29% exceeding the recommended values. Radionuclide activities fluctuated between 0.6 ± 0.08 and 81 ± 6 Bq L−1 for 222Rn, 15 ± 2 to 1154 ± 112 mBq L−1 for 226Ra, and from 18 ± 2 to 64 ± 5 mBq L−1 for 210Po. The annual effective doses attributed to radium varied between 0.002 and 0.23 mSv yr−1.

Using stable isotopes to investigate differences of plant water sources in subalpine habitats

AbstractLocated along the northeastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China, the Qilian Mountains are an important ecological barrier in Northwest China. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the plant water sources in subalpine habitats for understanding the ecological and hydrological processes in the Qilian Mountains. Here, based on the samples of precipitation, xylem water, soil water, river water, and spring water collected during May–October 2019 from subalpine habitats on the northern slope of the Qilian Mountains and the measured hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope values (δ2H and δ18O, respectively), the present study gained further insight into plant water sources in this region using the IsoSource model. Water absorption characteristics of shrubs were similar in subalpine habitats. Specifically, plants absorbed water primarily from the topsoil layer (0–30 cm) and rarely from the deep soil layers. Nevertheless, in the dry and growing seasons with high water demand, subalpine shrubs competed for water resources at similar depths. As a result of this competition, the utilization rate of deep soil water improved in some shrubs, expanding the differences in water sources of subalpine shrubs within the same habitat. In addition, in the dry and growing seasons, the water sources of the same subalpine shrub varied across different habitats. Compared with other subalpine shrubs, Salix cupularis Rehder, Salix oritrepha Schneid., Potentilla fruticosa L., Salix sclerophylla Anderss., Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim., and Rhododendron przewalskii Maxim. could alter their water use strategies with variations in water conditions, exhibiting a greater drought tolerance. These findings provide valuable information for understanding the subalpine region's eco‐hydrological processes and contribute to the selection of suitable species for the restoration of the subalpine ecological environment under the background of global change.

Molecular dissemination of emerging antibiotic, biocide, and metal co-resistomes in the Himalayan hot springs

Growing resistance among microbial communities against antimicrobial compounds, especially antibiotics, is a significant threat to living beings. With increasing antibiotic resistance in human pathogens, it is necessary to examine the habitats having community interests. In the present study, a metagenomic approach has been employed to understand the causes, dissemination, and effects of antibiotic, metal, and biocide resistomes on the microbial ecology of three hot springs, Borong, Lingdem, and Yumthang, located at different altitudes of the Sikkim Himalaya. The taxonomic assessment of these hot springs depicted the predominance of mesophilic organisms, mainly belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria. The enriched microbial metabolism assosiated with energy, cellular processes, adaptation to diverse environments, and defence were deciphered in the metagenomes. The genes representing resistance to semisynthetic antibiotics, e.g., aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin, vancomycin, trimethoprim, tetracycline, streptomycin, beta-lactams, multidrug resistance, and biocides such as triclosan, hydrogen peroxide, acriflavin, were abundantly present. Various genes attributing resistance to copper, arsenic, iron, and mercury in metal resistome were detected. Relative abundance, correlation, and genome mapping of metagenome-assembled genomes indicated the co-evolution of antibiotic and metal resistance in predicted novel species belonging to Vogesella, Thiobacillus, and Tepidimona genera. The metagenomic findings were further validated with isolation of microbial cultures, exhibiting resistance against antibiotics and heavy metals, from the hot spring water samples. The study furthers our understanding about the molecular basis of co-resistomes in the ceological niches and their possible impact on the environment.

Kaolinite‐based Hybrid Material from Interlayer Grafting of 1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)piperazine and Application to the Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Lead

AbstractThis work describes the synthesis of an organo‐inorganic hybrid material and its application as low‐cost electrode material for the electrochemical detection of trace levels of lead in contaminated water. The organo‐inorganic hybrid material was obtained by the grafting of 1‐(2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine) (HEP) in the interlayer space of a natural kaolinite (K). The obtained organokaolinite (K‐HEP) was characterized by XRD, FTIR and TGA‐DTG techniques. XRD results in particular showed that the structure of the pristine kaolinite was not affected during the synthesis of K‐HEP. It was also noticed from 13C NMR data that the structure of HEP was preserved during the synthesis process. Taking into account the affinity of the amine group on HEP molecule for lead ions, K‐HEP was used to modify the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (GCE/K‐HEP) in order to build a sensor for lead detection. The peak current of Pb(II) recorded on GCE/K‐HEP was more intense compared to the signal recorded on bare GCE, and on natural kaolinite film modified GCE. Several parameters that can affect the stripping response were systematically investigated to optimize the sensitivity of the organokaolinite film modified electrode. Under optimized conditions, a calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range from 8.29 to 116.03 ppb; with a detection limit of 0.25 ppb (S/N=3). After the study of some interfering species on the electrochemical response of Pb(II), the developed sensor was successfully applied to the quantification of the same pollutant in tap water and spring water samples.

Schiff base functionalized silica gel for simultaneous separation and preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) in pharmaceuticals and water samples

A method for separation and preconcentration of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) using N-N'-bis(5-methoxsalicylidene)-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine modified silica gel was improved for aqueous samples and pharmaceuticals. Determination of the analytes was achieved by inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry. The experimental conditions including pH value, sample volume, eluent type and volume, sorbent mass, sample, and eluent flow rates were optimized with univariate and multivariate optimization tools. The relative standard deviations of the method were 2.9% for Cu(II), 3.0% for Ni(II), and 3.3% for Cd(II) with recovery values between 98.8 ± 3.2-101.5 ± 3.0%. The limits of detection were found to be 62.4, 39.5, and 28.2 ng L-1 for Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II), respectively. The accuracy of the suggested procedure was tested with the certified reference material (Certipur ICP multi-element standard solution IV) and addition-recovery experiments. The method was successfully applied to eye drop, anesthetic, serum, tap water, mineral water, and spring water samples.

Concentration of heavy metals in spring waters of Kochani and their impact on human health

The concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in spring waters in the vicinity of Kochani was investigated to ascertain the health risk exposure. Heavy metal water contamination is possible mostly due to wrongful human activities either industrially or residentially and exposure to toxic doses of heavy metals can cause acute and chronic diseases. To examine heavy metal contamination of spring waters as well as possible seasonal variations, water samples in two seasons, autumn 2021 and spring 2022 were collected. For this aim, ten locations within the area of Kochani were selected. The spring water samples were collected directly from the source or from the catchment that was made. The samples were collected in appropriate bottles, previously washed with detergent and rinsed with distilled water. The examination of heavy metals was carried out immediately after sampling using UV spectrophotometric method, with an absorption spectrum of 190-1100 nm. The results have revealed no major deviations from the maximum concentrations allowed for Pb, Cd, Al, Mn, and Fe defined within the Official Guidelines in the Republic of North Macedonia, except moderately increased levels of lead in two samples during autumn season and manganese in four samples in the spring season 2022. Key words: heavy metal levels, spring water, UV spectrophotometry, human health

Идентификация состава безалкогольных напитков методом спектроскопии ядерного магнитного резонанса

The article provides information on the development of a method for identifying the composition of soft drinks by nuclear magnetic resonance. A number of drinks widely presented in the trade network, as well as tap and spring water, were subjected to research. As a result of the study, the possibility of using the method of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of ¹ H hydrogen protons and ¹³C carbon isotope was established. ¹ H spectroscopy confirmed the absence of organic compounds in the samples of tap and spring water, which indicates the ecological well-being of the underground water basin of the region under study. The possibility of assessing the acidity of soft drinks by the nature of the ¹ H absorption spectrum has been established. It has been shown that 13C NMR spectroscopy can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the concentration of organic compounds in beverages. It was shown that the set of signal amplitudes in the ¹³C NMR spectrum and the chemical shifts of these signals in the studied beverages can be the identification sources of their composition. The work was carried out within the framework of the program for the implementation of project methods of school education in the secondary school of the Moscow State Budgetary Educational Institution "School No. 2083". English version of the article is available at URL: https://panor.ru/articles/identification-of-the-composition-of-soft-drinks-by-nuclear-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy/77164.html

Evaluation of Serotyping of Environmental and Clinical Isolates of Legionella pneumophila using MALDI-TOF MS.

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is responsible for most Legionnaire's disease cases diagnosed worldwide. The species includes 16 serogroups, but most Legionnaire's disease cases (85.7% in Europe, 87.0% in Japan) are caused by L. pneumophila serogroup 1. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can be used to identify the L. pneumophila serogroup. In this study, we compared three sample preparation methods that are compatible with MALDI-TOF MS: the direct colony transfer method (DCTM), on-target extraction method (OTEM), and in-tube extraction method (ITEM). The aim was to improve the low identification rates for L. pneumophila, and establish and validate a simple, rapid and robust MALDI-TOF MS-based method for routine use in microbiological laboratories for assignment of L. pneumophila isolates to serogroups and identification of reliable peak biomarkers. Using ITEM, 100.0% (29/29) of hot spring water samples and clinical isolates were correctly identified at the species level. Augmented reference spectra correctly identified all 29 strains at the species level and 29 isolates at the serogroup level, displaying sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 100.0% for serogroup assignment. MALDI-TOF MS is a relatively inexpensive method for assignment of L. pneumophila serogroups that can serve as a first-line tool for rapid prospective typing.

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of Pb(II) in water samples with in situ synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4-PbS nanocomposites followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry determination

Herein, an ultrasound-assisted dispersive magnetic micro-solid phase extraction (DM-μSPE) approach, along with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) for the determination of lead at trace level in spring, well, river mineral and tap water samples was developed. The extraction step is based on the synthesis of PbS, following the sonochemical decomposition of L-cysteine used as sulphide precursor and its anchoring onto bare magnetite nanoparticles yielding the Fe3O4@PbS nanocomposite. Overall, DM-μSPE with in situ precipitation of PbS and retention onto magnetic sorbent requires a time as short as 6 min. After trapping Pb(II) as PbS, the magnetic nanocomposite was easily separated from the aqueous matrix by applying an external magnetic field and analyzed by ETAAS following slurry sampling. Different parameters involved in both the sorbent preparation/extraction and Pb quantification were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the method showed a detection limit of 0.02 μg L−1 Pb and a quantification limit of 0.07 μg L−1 Pb. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation was 2% (for 0.6 μg L−1; n = 3). An experimental enrichment factor of 79 and an extraction efficiency of 99% were obtained. Finally, the method was applied for the determination of ultratrace levels of Pb(II) in spring, well, river mineral and tap water samples, showing quantitative recoveries in the range of 95–100%.

Survey and first report of Acanthamoeba T4 genotype in natural spring water resources in the Black Sea, Turkey.

Infection with Acanthamoeba spp. may result in granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis. Water is an important habitat where Acanthamoeba species thrive. Therefore, studying the occurrence of this free-living amoeba in water sources will help understand the infection dynamics. The aim of the study was to survey and report on the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in water resources from the Ordu and Giresun provinces in Black Sea. Acanthamoeba spp. was found in 1/17 natural spring water samples from Ordu and in 2/18 from Giresun. Acanthamoeba species were not detected in any of the investigated tap water samples. Sequencing of the (SSU) rDNA gene resulted in the identification of haplotype I (Acanthamoeba genotype: KJ094684). T4 (8.6%) was the only isolated genotype in both Ordu and Giresun provinces. This is the first report of Acanthamoeba T4 genotype in natural spring water resources in the Black Sea. The occurrence of Acanthamoeba species in natural spring water sources should be considered as a potential risk for human infection, especially to high-risk populations.

Highly sensitive carbon paste electrode modified with a synthesized ferrocenyl Schiff base for trace determination of Ce(III) in real samples

AbstractA recently new synthesized Schiff base was investigated to determine its capability as a modifier in carbon paste matrix to construct a potentiometric cation sensor. The developed modified carbon paste sensor under the optimized conditions reveals a Nernstian slope of 19.4 mV/decade to cerium(III) from 7.5 × 10−9 to 1.5 × 10−3 M and a low detection limit of 5.4 × 10−9 M. The specifications of the sensor were investigated according to the carbon paste composition, appropriate temperature and pH range, selectivity, and applicability. The sensor possesses a stable and short response time of 5 s. It represents many advantages such as feasible construction, renewability, wide determination range, high selectivity to Ce(III) ion, low limit of detection. The sensor was successfully carried out as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration and determination of cerium(III) ion in mineral and spring water samples. The temperature dependence of the sensor potential was tested, and it was concluded that the sensor has a very low thermal coefficient in the temperature range of 15–55°C.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Spring Waters for Irrigation, Gökpınar Basin Case, Denizli, Turkey

In this study, a detailed hydrochemical evaluation has been made to determine the chemical processes of spring waters and their suitability for irrigation. The study area consists of a drainage basin of the Gökpınar dam and has fertile soils for irrigable agriculture. During the period of August 2017 and October 2018, regular samples were collected monthly from 10 spring and 140 samples in total were subjected to hydrochemical analysis. For this purpose, 11 hydrochemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, TH, Na%, SAR, MR, RSC, RSBC, USSL, and Wilcox were used. GIS-based spatial mapping of the hydrogeochemical parameters has been prepared using ArcGIS. The major hydrogeochemical facies of waters are Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3− water type. Alkaline earth metals (Ca2+, Mg2+) and weak acid (CO32−, HCO3−) dominates over the alkalies (Na+, K+) and strong acid (Cl−, SO42−) in all spring waters, respectively. Since the limit values of TDS in the samples are between 367 and 681 mgL-1, the class of all samples is freshwater. The average Na% is between 1.29 and 9.28, and EC values are between 402 and 691 μScm-1. For irrigation purposes, all spring waters fall within the category of “excellent to good” in the Wilcox (1955) diagram, based on the Na% and EC. Average SAR values in the range of 0.07-0.16 meqL-1 indicate that spring water samples are excellent for irrigation purposes.

Insights into geochemical characteristics of the geothermal fluids of northwestern algeria: An updated conceptual model

The vigorous tectonic activity that affected the Northwestern part of Algeria has generated a Mio-Plio-Quaternary volcanic activity and led to the emergence of several thermal resurgences. These latter consist of thermal springs, travertine deposits and some hydrothermal alteration zones. The chemistry of twenty-one hot spring water samples highlight the heterogeneity of the water mineralization process in NW Algeria. Four major types of water are described. Na+-Cl− and Na+-SO42− with a high salinity up to 3794 mg/L accompanied by higher concentrations of F−, B, Li+, Br− and Cs. These are probably derived from halite and gypsum rich evaporites from the surrounding environment. The other two types are Ca2+-HCO3− and Na+-HCO3−. Chloride rich waters are associated with local carbonate formations. The stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2 H) reveal a fossil system since a large depletion of both isotopes from present-time meteoric waters cannot only be plausibly explained in terms of "inland" and "altitude" effects, we may suppose their recharge under climatic conditions much colder than the present ones taking place probably during the glacial period. The gas mixing models of N2He*1000-Ar*100 with O2CO2He*1000 demonstrate an unarguable meteoric origin for the thermal waters, displaying air-saturated water (ASW) signatures.The collected thermal waters are ‘immature’ while the deep geothermal reservoir temperatures were estimated to be about at 133 °C. The updated geochemical conceptual model indicates two main processes in the flow path of the fossil meteoric water. 1) In the Bouhdjar geothermal zone, the infiltrated meteoric waters are conductively heated at depth because of the high heat flow (∼120 mW/m2), during their ascent, along hydrothermal conduits and towards the ground surface, they have possibly been influenced by heat advection from the underlying magma chambers and/or a percolation with intrusive bodies beneath spring vents. 2) The meteoric waters are recharged from high altitude areas of the Atlasic lands and are deeply circulated and heated at greater depths, hot waters probably mix with cooler Mg-rich waters and/or leach Mg2+ from the surrounding rocks when rising to the surface. Since the locations of the hot springs are close to populated areas, a direct use of this resource is feasible to supply some energy demands that include electricity generation using binary cycles or direct uses of heat.

Hot Spring Microbial Community Elemental Composition: Hot Spring and Soil Inputs, and the Transition from Biocumulus to Siliceous Sinter.

Hydrothermal systems host microbial communities that include some of the most deeply branching members of the tree of life, and recent work has suggested that terrestrial hot springs may have provided ideal conditions for the origin of life. Hydrothermal microbial communities are a potential source for biosignatures, and the presence of terrestrial hot spring deposits in 3.48 Ga rocks as well as on the surface of Mars lends weight to a need to better understand the preservation of biosignatures in these systems. Although there are general patterns of elemental enrichment in hydrothermal water dependent on physical and geochemical conditions, the elemental composition of bulk hydrothermal microbial communities (here termed biocumulus, including cellular biomass and accumulated non-cellular material) is largely unexplored. However, recent work has suggested both bulk and spatial trace element enrichment as a potential biosignature in hot spring deposits. To elucidate the elemental composition of hot spring biocumulus samples and explore the sources of those elements, we analyzed a suite of 16 elements in hot spring water samples and corresponding biocumulus from 60 hot springs sinter samples, and rock samples from 8 hydrothermal areas across Yellowstone National Park. We combined these data with values reported in literature to assess the patterns of elemental uptake into biocumulus and retention in associated siliceous sinter. Hot spring biocumuli are of biological origin, but organic carbon comprises a minor percentage of the total mass of both thermophilic chemotrophic and phototrophic biocumulus. Instead, the majority of hot spring biocumulus is inorganic material-largely silica-and the distribution of major and trace elements mimics that of surrounding rock and soil rather than the hot spring fluids. Analyses indicate a systematic loss of biologically associated elements during diagenetic transformation of biocumulus to siliceous sinter, suggesting a potential for silica sinter to preserve a trace element biosignature.

Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Selected Springs Water in Aqra Area, Duhok Governorate, Northern Iraq

Fifteen spring water samples were collected from the study area, to identify its quality, as well as the prevailing water type in it. samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of main cations Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+, and anions HCO3-, SO42-, Cl- and NO3-, as well as investigating the physio-chemical properties represented by Hydrogen Number, Electrical Conductivity, and Total Dissolved Solids. Piper classification demonstrated that all samples are of type normal earth alkaline water with prevailing bicarbonate with a percentage of 79.9% of all the samples, except for SP4, SP9, and SP11, which characterized with normal alkaline water with prevailing bicarbonate and sulfate or chloride with a percentage of 19.9%. The results of the analysis showed a prevalence of calcium ions over the rest of the cations followed by Mg2+, Na+, and K+, and a prevalence of HCO3- ion over the rest of the anions followed by NO3-, Cl-, and SO42-. The water quality index showed that all samples are categorized within the excellent type for drinking, with a range of 3.14-29.94. In addition, several classifications used (Eaton, 1950, Turgeon, 2000 and Don, 1995) demonstrated that the water is of excellent type to use for irrigation with Na%=2.51, Sodium Adsorption Ratio=0.08, and RSC=-1.65. Using Wilcox Diagram for irrigation water; show that all samples are within the domain of the excellent water for irrigation.