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Yanes JL, Moral F. Spatial variability of hydrochemistry and environmental controls in karst aquifers of the southern Iberian Peninsula: Implications for climate change impact assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168141. [PMID: 37890629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Carbonate aquifers are crucial water and carbon reservoirs globally, particularly in semi-arid climates. However, these systems are susceptible to the impacts of climate change, given their sensitivity to specific environmental factors. This study presents the hydrochemical (water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and major ions) and isotopic (δ13C) composition of 39 karst springs in the southern Iberian Peninsula, along with the parameterization of environmental factors (temperature, precipitation, recharge altitude, and vegetation cover quantified by the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index, NDVI) in their recharge areas. The spatial analysis revealed that the climatic and environmental factors follow a longitudinal pattern producing a notable west-east environmental gradient in the study area. Through a statistical analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), it was found that environmental factors control the spatial variability of groundwater hydrochemistry in these karstic aquifers. The δ13CDIC values in groundwater, ranging from -1.84 to -12.46 ‰, show a prevalence of C4 plants mainly in the more arid study sectors and indicate an origin of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) mainly in biological processes in the recharge area. In addition, a relationship between NDVI values, equilibrium partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), and groundwater bicarbonate content was observed. Springs further west of the study area exhibited higher bicarbonate content (about 400 ppm), which was associated with higher pCO2 levels (about 10,000 and 15,000 ppm) and higher NDVI values (between 0.5 and 0.7). In contrast, aquifers located further to the east had lower bicarbonate levels (<200 ppm), with an average pCO2 of about 2000 ppm and the lowest NDVI values (<0.3). Furthermore, the spatial variability and the relationship between environmental factors and groundwater hydrochemistry allow for the assessment of potential climate change impacts in carbonate systems with a comparison between aquifers in wetter regions and those in semi-arid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Yanes
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Francisco Moral
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
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Binet S, Charlier JB, Jozja N, Défarge C, Moquet JS. Evidence of long term biogeochemical interactions in carbonate weathering: The role of planktonic microorganisms and riverine bivalves in a large fluviokarst system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156823. [PMID: 35738376 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The infiltration of organic-rich surface waters towards groundwaters, is known to play a significant role in carbonate weathering and in contributing to the atmospheric continental carbon sink. This paper investigated biogeochemical interactions in karst critical zones, with strong surface water /groundwater interactions, and in particular the role of planktonic microorganisms and riverine bivalves through the analysis of particulate organic matter (OM) oxidation on carbonate weathering. In the large Val d'Orléans fluviokarst aquifer (France), a 20-year monthly dataset of Nitrates, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), dissolved inorganic and organic Carbon (DIC and DOC) fluxes was gathered. The surface water-groundwater comparison of geochemical trends showed that planktonic microorganisms had drastically decreased in surface waters, related to the proliferation of Corbicula bivalves spreading and a decrease in nutrients. This decrease in planktonic microorganisms was followed by a DO increase and an DIC decrease at the karst resurgence. The degradation of planktonic microorganisms consumes DO and produces NO3, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and a proton that in turn, dissolves calcite and produces DIC. Without the input from planktonic microorganisms, the fluviokarst has lost 29 % of this nitrification and 12 % of the carbonate dissolution capacities. Thus, the oxidation of particulate organic matter of planktonic microorganisms, which is part of heterotrophic respiration, appears to be a significant source of the inorganic carbon flux in riverine ecosystems. This shows how weathering can remain active under waters saturated versus calcite and suggests that the oxidation of organic matter can be a more appropriate mechanism than autotrophic respiration to explain the relationship between global warming and DIC flux change in rivers. Through the consumption of plankton, the animal life in rivers thus influences the inorganic carbon in groundwaters, creating a negative feedback in the carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Binet
- University of Orléans - INSU/CNRS - BRGM, UMR 7327, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans (ISTO), 1A rue de la Férollerie, F-45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France.
| | - Jean-Baptiste Charlier
- BRGM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France; G-eau, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, AgroParisTech, Supagro, BRGM, Montpellier, France
| | - Nevila Jozja
- University of Orléans, CETRAHE, 8 rue Léonard de Vinci, F-45072 Orléans cédex 2, France
| | - Christian Défarge
- University of Orléans - INSU/CNRS - BRGM, UMR 7327, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans (ISTO), 1A rue de la Férollerie, F-45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France; University of Orléans, CETRAHE, 8 rue Léonard de Vinci, F-45072 Orléans cédex 2, France
| | - Jean-Sébastien Moquet
- University of Orléans - INSU/CNRS - BRGM, UMR 7327, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans (ISTO), 1A rue de la Férollerie, F-45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
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Zhu H, Zhou J, Liu Z, Yang L, Liu Y. Hydrogeochemistry Evidence for Impacts of Chemical Acidic Wastewater on Karst Aquifer in Dawu Water Source Area, Northern China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168478. [PMID: 34444227 PMCID: PMC8391300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The study of the hydrochemical characteristics and the water-rock interaction of karst groundwater is very important for the rational exploitation of karst groundwater and its pollution control. In this paper, the systematic clustering method was used to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics of different types of groundwater, combined with hydrochemical graphic analysis and correlation analysis to explore the impact of chemical acidic wastewater on the evolution of karst aquifer in the Dawu water source area, northern China. The results show that the chemical acid wastewater, sourcing from discharges/spillages from the local chemical industries, has different degrees of pollution impact on karst groundwater, causing the total hardness of all karst groundwater and the total dissolved solids, Cl- and SO42- in nearly half of the karst groundwater to exceed the quality indexes of class III water in China's standard for groundwater quality (GB/T 14848-2017). Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid in the wastewater can be buffered by the dissolution of carbonate rocks, resulting in a nearly neutral pH (pH-buffering effect) and an increase in Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr, Cl- and SO42- concentrations in karst groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henghua Zhu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Shandong Institute of Geological Survey, Jinan 250000, China; (Z.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zhizheng Liu
- Shandong Institute of Geological Survey, Jinan 250000, China; (Z.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lizhi Yang
- Shandong Institute of Geological Survey, Jinan 250000, China; (Z.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yunde Liu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; (H.Z.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Wu X, Li C, Sun B, Geng F, Gao S, Lv M, Ma X, Li H, Xing L. Groundwater hydrogeochemical formation and evolution in a karst aquifer system affected by anthropogenic impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:2609-2626. [PMID: 31673916 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00450-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Karst groundwater, an important water source, is often highly influenced by human impacts, causing environmental damage and threats to human health. However, studies on the anthropogenic influences on the hydrogeochemical evolution of karst groundwater are relatively rare. To assess hydrogeochemical formation and evolution, we focused on a typical karst groundwater system (Jinan, China) which is composed of cold groundwater (av. temperature 13-17 °C), springs and geothermal water (av. temperature > 30 °C) and is significantly affected by human activities. The study was performed by means of water samples collecting and analyzing and isotope analysis (2H, 18O and 14C). The statistical analysis and inverse models were also applied to further understand geochemical processes and anthropogenic influences. The 2H, 18O and 14C results indicate that the cold karst groundwater is easily influenced and contaminated by the local environment, while geothermal water is relatively old with a slow rate of recharge. The hydrochemical types of cold karst groundwater are mainly HCO3-Ca and HCO3·SO4-Ca, while geothermal water hydrochemical types are SO4-Ca·Na and SO4-Ca. Groundwater Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3- and SO42- are mainly controlled by carbonate equilibrium, gypsum dissolution and dedolomitization. Groundwater Na+, K+ and Cl- are mainly derived from halite dissolution, and in geothermal water, they are also affected by incongruent dissolution of albite and K-feldspar. Anthropogenic nitrogen produces ammonium resulting in nitrification and reduction in CO2(g) consumption and HCO3- release from carbonate dissolution. Principal component analysis and inverse models also indicate that nitrification and denitrification have significantly affected water-rock interactions. Our study suggests that karst groundwater quality is dominated by water-rock interactions and elucidates the influence of anthropogenic nitrogen. We believe that this paper will be a good reference point to study anthropogenic influences on the groundwater environment and to protect karst groundwater globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancang Wu
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Changsuo Li
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China.
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Bin Sun
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Fuqiang Geng
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Minghui Lv
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xueying Ma
- 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Hu Li
- Jinan Rail Transit Group Co., Ltd, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Liting Xing
- School of Resources and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
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A Forty-Year Karstic Critical Zone Survey (Baget Catchment, Pyrenees-France): Lithologic and Hydroclimatic Controls on Seasonal and Inter-Annual Variations of Stream Water Chemical Composition, pCO2, and Carbonate Equilibrium. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12051227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The long-term trends and seasonal patterns of stream water chemical composition in a small remote forested karst catchment, were investigated from 1978 to 2018. Calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, the dominant ions, increased over the period together with temperature, while sulfates decreased. Carbonate and sulfate mineral dissolution was the main source of these elements. These trends and the seasonal opposite patterns of discharge vs. temperature, calcite saturation index vs. pCO2 and bicarbonate vs. sulfates, suggested the influence of discharge, of reduced long-range atmospheric pollution, and of increasing air temperature on biological activity and carbonate dissolution. Furthermore, the hydrological regime controlled the seasonal stream water chemical composition and fluxes by: (i) a dilution during the high discharge period, (ii) a change in the contribution rate of the waters draining different lithological areas in the catchment, e.g., the increased sulfates to bicarbonates ratio during summer low flows, with a maximum alkalinity decrease of 24%, and (iii) a “piston” and a “flushing” effects of dissolved elements stored in soils and epikarst with the first autumn heavy rains. Long-term stream water hydrochemical surveys of karst system have proved to be powerful indicators of biogeochemical processes, water sources and pathways under variable natural and anthropogenic environmental pressure conditions.
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Method for Identifying and Estimating Karst Groundwater Runoff Components Based on the Frequency Distributions of Conductivity and Discharge. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11122494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identification and estimation of groundwater runoff components in karst groundwater systems to improve understanding of karst water circulation and water-rock interactions is essential for water resources assessment and development. A Gaussian mixture model is presented for identifying and estimating karst groundwater runoff components based on the frequency distributions of conductivity and discharge. Successful application of this method in the Heilongquan karst spring in South China showed that groundwater runoff components can be divided into 6–8 grades, corresponding to the grades of groundwater in karst fissures. The conductivity and discharge thresholds dividing fast and slow flow were determined to be approximately 300 μS cm−1 and 0.3 m3 s−1, respectively, with fast flow exhibiting lower conductivity and larger discharge. On an annual basis, fast flow occurred 9% of the time and accounted for 35% of total water volume. The results of the method compared favorably to that of hydrograph recession analysis. Estimation of groundwater runoff components based on frequency distributions of conductivity and discharge provides a novel alternative method for the quantitative evaluation of karst water resources.
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D'Angeli IM, Serrazanetti DI, Montanari C, Vannini L, Gardini F, De Waele J. Geochemistry and microbial diversity of cave waters in the gypsum karst aquifers of Emilia Romagna region, Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 598:538-552. [PMID: 28448941 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Fifty-seven control points of waters (sinking streams, rivers in caves, and resurgences) hosted in gypsum karst areas in Emilia Romagna region (N-Italy) were sampled in the framework of a Project LIFE+08NAT/IT/000369 "Gypsum" in the period 2010-2014. The microbiology and chemistry of these waters have been analyzed to evaluate the impact of human activities or natural factors, in the gypsum karst systems. Waters have been analyzed for major chemistry (Ca, Mg, Na, K, SO4, HCO3, Cl, NO3) and some minor constituents (F, Br, NH4 and PO4), measuring pH, electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature (T) in situ. The same samples have been analyzed with traditional microbiology techniques focused on total microbial count and on fecal microbiota, as index of human and/or animal contamination, and molecular biology techniques (sequencing of 16S rRNA segment and PCR-DGGE), focused on the characterization of microbial populations in the different sampling sites and determination of their variations and/or changes during the five years of the project. As expected, waters tend to be increasingly mineralized from sinking streams to resurgences, with only local and temporarily high contents in nitrates and ammonium, often related to the presence of bat colonies. PCR-DGGE revealed ecological changes, in terms of microbial populations present in the bulk water samples, in different sampling sites within the same cave. Although the impact of fecal microorganisms only rarely exceeded 2 log UFC/ml, the results evidenced fluctuations of these microorganisms mainly correlated to the season and to the biological activity of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia M D'Angeli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Diana I Serrazanetti
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Agroalimentare, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Chiara Montanari
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Agroalimentare, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Lucia Vannini
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Agroalimentare, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-alimentari, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Fausto Gardini
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Agroalimentare, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-alimentari, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Sede di Cesena, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Jo De Waele
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Linares R, Roqué C, Gutiérrez F, Zarroca M, Carbonel D, Bach J, Fabregat I. The impact of droughts and climate change on sinkhole occurrence. A case study from the evaporite karst of the Fluvia Valley, NE Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 579:345-358. [PMID: 27887826 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This work introduces the concept that sinkhole frequency in some karst settings increases during drought periods. This conception is tested in a sector of the Fluvia River valley in NE Spain, where subsidence phenomena is related to the karstification of folded Eocene evaporite formations. In the discharge areas, the evaporites behave as confined aquifers affected by hypogene karstification caused by aggressive artesian flows coming form an underlying carbonate aquifer. A sinkhole inventory with chronological data has been constructed, revealing temporal clusters. Those clusters show a good correlation with drought periods, as revealed by precipitation, river discharge and piezometric data. This temporal association is particularly obvious for the last and current drought starting in 1998, which is the most intense of the record period (1940-present). Climatic projections based on recent studies foresee an intensification of the droughts in this sector of NE Spain, which could be accompanied by the enhancement of the sinkhole hazard and the associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Linares
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carles Roqué
- Àrea de Geodinàmica Externa i Geomorfologia, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Francisco Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mario Zarroca
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Domingo Carbonel
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joan Bach
- Departamento de Geología, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivan Fabregat
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/. Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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