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Chandler L, Harford AJ, Hose GC, Humphrey CL, Chariton A, Greenfield P, Davis J. Saline mine water influences eukaryote life in shallow groundwater of a tropical sandy stream. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174101. [PMID: 38906296 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174101] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic communities in groundwater may be particularly sensitive to disturbance because they are adapted to stable environmental conditions and often have narrow spatial distributions. Traditional methods for characterising these communities, focussing on groundwater-inhabiting macro- and meiofauna (stygofauna), are challenging because of limited taxonomic knowledge and expertise (particularly in less-explored regions), and the time and expense of morphological identification. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of eukaryote communities in shallow groundwater to mine water discharge containing elevated concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and sulfate (SO4). The study was undertaken in a shallow sand bed aquifer within a wet-dry tropical setting. The aquifer, featuring a saline mine water gradient primarily composed of elevated Mg and SO4, was sampled from piezometers in the creek channel upstream and downstream of the mine water influence during the dry season when only subsurface water flow was present. Groundwater communities were characterised using both morphological assessments of stygofauna from net samples and environmental DNA (eDNA) targeting the 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA genes. eDNA data revealed significant shifts in community composition in response to mine waters, contrasting with findings from traditional morphological composition data. Changes in communities determined using eDNA data were notably associated with concentrations of SO42-, Mg2+ and Na+, and water levels in the piezometers. This underscores the importance of incorporating molecular approaches in impact assessments, as relying solely on traditional stygofauna sampling methods in similar environments may lead to inaccurate conclusions about the responses of the assemblage to studied impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Chandler
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Faculty of Science and Technology, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Office of the Supervising Scientist, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Andrew J Harford
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Faculty of Science and Technology, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Office of the Supervising Scientist, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Grant C Hose
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Chris L Humphrey
- Office of the Supervising Scientist, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Anthony Chariton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Greenfield
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Energy Business Unit, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jenny Davis
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Faculty of Science and Technology, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Deng J, Yang G, Yan X, Du J, Tang Q, Yu C, Pu S. Quality evaluation and health risk assessment of karst groundwater in Southwest China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174371. [PMID: 38945232 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174371] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater in karst regions is of immense value due to its vital support for regional ecosystems and residents' livelihoods. However, it is simultaneously threatened by multi-source pollution from agricultural non-point sources, industrial and domestic point sources, and mining activities. This study focuses on the Guangxi of China, which features typical karst topography, aiming to thoroughly assess the groundwater quality and related health risks in Guangxi, especially identifying the impacts of various key pollution sources on the groundwater environment. A total of 1912 groundwater samples were collected, covering an area of approximately 237,600 km2. The spatial distribution of pollutants was analysed using the Nemeroww index method and Kriging interpolation, while multivariate statistical and cluster analysis methods were employed to identify the main types of pollution sources. Furthermore, based on the human health risk assessment model of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), a risk assessment was conducted for key pollutants. The results revealed widespread heavy metal contamination in Guangxi's groundwater, particularly with concentrations of Mn, As, Al, Pb reaching up to 9.4 mg/L, 2.483 mg/L, 37.95 mg/L, 4.761 mg/L, respectively, significantly exceeding China's national Class III groundwater quality standards. Cluster analysis indicated that mining and industrial activities are the primary sources of pollution. The health risk assessment demonstrated that these activities pose a significant risk to public health. The aim of this study is to provide a scientific basis for the protection of the groundwater environment in Guangxi and other karst areas, the formulation of pollution prevention and control strategies, and the optimization of urban and industrial land use layouts. Future research should focus on advanced isotopic and molecular biological techniques to trace pollution sources more precisely and evaluate the effectiveness of pollution control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Geng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xinyao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Junyan Du
- Scientific Research Academy of Guangxi Environmental Protection, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Qiang Tang
- Scientific Research Academy of Guangxi Environmental Protection, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Chenglong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shengyan Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China.
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3
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Mooney S, Lavallee S, O'Dwyer J, Majury A, O'Neill E, Hynds PD. Private groundwater contamination and risk management: A comparative scoping review of similarities, drivers and challenges across two socio-economically developed regions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171112. [PMID: 38387579 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171112] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Consolidation of multi-domain risk management research is essential for strategies facilitating the concerted government (educational) and population-level (behavioural) actions required to reduce microbial private groundwater contamination. However, few studies to date have synthesised this literature or sought to ascertain the causal generality and extent of supply contamination and preventive responses. In light of the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Ontario's high reliance and research focus on private wells and consequent utility for empirical comparison, a scoping review of pertinent literature (1990-2022) from both regions was undertaken. The SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation) method was employed to inform literature searches, with Scopus and Web of Science selected as primary databases for article identification. The review identified 65 relevant articles (Ontario = 34, ROI = 31), with those investigating well user actions (n = 22) and groundwater quality (n = 28) the most frequent. A markedly higher pooled proportion of private supplies in the ROI exhibited microbial contamination (38.3 % vs. 4.1 %), despite interregional similarities in contamination drivers (e.g., weather, physical supply characteristics). While Ontarian well users demonstrated higher rates of historical (≥ 1) and annual well testing (90.6 % vs. 71.1 %; 39.1 % vs. 8.6 %) and higher rates of historical well treatment (42.3 % vs. 24.3 %), interregional levels of general supply knowledge were analogous (70.7 % vs. 71.0 %). Financial cost, organoleptic properties and residence on property during supply construction emerged as predictors of cognition and behaviour in both regions. Review findings suggest broad interregional similarities in drivers of supply contamination and individual-level risk mitigation, indicating that divergence in contamination rates may be attributable to policy discrepancies - particularly well testing incentivisation. The paucity of identified intervention-oriented studies further highlights the importance of renewed research and policy agendas for improved, targeted well user outreach and incentivised, convenience-based services promoting routine supply maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mooney
- School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - S Lavallee
- Center for Tobacco and the Environment, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - J O'Dwyer
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University of Cork, Cork, Ireland; Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Majury
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - E O'Neill
- School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Ireland; UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - P D Hynds
- Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability & Health Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Chen G, Sun Y, Xu Z, Yuan H, Yi H. Long-term groundwater geochemical evolution induced by coal mining activities-a case study of floor confined limestone aquifer in Yaoqiao Coal Mine, Jiangsu, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:96252-96271. [PMID: 37566333 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater chemical composition can be changed due to long-term coal mining activities, but it was unclear how it was induced in Taiyuan Formation limestone (TFL) regarding the lack of relevant quantitative studies. The aim of this research is to improve understanding of the chemical composition changes in groundwater of L4 limestone in the coal mining area based on the available hydrochemical and hydrodynamical reports and studies during the period 1978-2020. The systematical analysis of the groundwater composition and field allows to make the hydrogeological characterization with the relatively independent blocks by the factor groups "Planar division & Vertical zonation" and "High water pressure, Poor recharge & Little water inflow," which determines different hydrochemical types and high TDS concentration. The long-term groundwater drainage has caused the eastern and southern limestone aquifer to demonstrate a wide range of depression cones and depletion of groundwater resources, the majority areas were dewatered, and the karstification process changed significantly. An analysis of chemical compositions changes due to extensive permanent drainage of L4 limestone water revealed the decrease in the TDS concentration. The solubility of calcite, dolomite, and gypsum changed, which resulted in the decreasing tendency of Ca2+ + Mg2+ ions. Evaporation and concentration were found to be the main factors determining the L4 limestone water composition, whereas ion exchange was the primary factor for rock-water interaction. These findings are helpful for mine enterprises to take necessary measures for preventing and controlling the groundwater quality degradation from the extensive coalmine drainage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Chen
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China.
| | - Yajun Sun
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
| | - Zhimin Xu
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
| | - Huiqing Yuan
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China
| | - Haizhe Yi
- Yaoqiao Coal Mine, Jiangsu Branch of Shanghai Datun Energy Limited Corporation, Peixian, 221611, China
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5
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Wang Y, Yuan S, Shi J, Ma T, Xie X, Deng Y, Du Y, Gan Y, Guo Z, Dong Y, Zheng C, Jiang G. Groundwater Quality and Health: Making the Invisible Visible. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5125-5136. [PMID: 36877892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Linking groundwater quality to health will make the invisible groundwater visible, but there are knowledge gaps to understand the linkage which requires cross-disciplinary convergent research. The substances in groundwater that are critical to health can be classified into five types according to the sources and characteristics: geogenic substances, biogenic elements, anthropogenic contaminants, emerging contaminants, and pathogens. The most intriguing questions are related to quantitative assessment of human health and ecological risks of exposure to the critical substances via natural or induced artificial groundwater discharge: What is the list of critical substances released from discharging groundwater, and what are the pathways of the receptors' exposure to the critical substances? How to quantify the flux of critical substances during groundwater discharge? What procedures can we follow to assess human health and ecological risks of groundwater discharge? Answering these questions is fundamental for humans to deal with the challenges of water security and health risks related to groundwater quality. This perspective provides recent progresses, knowledge gaps, and future trends in understanding the linkage between groundwater quality and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Songhu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Teng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Xianjun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yamin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yao Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yiqun Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Zhilin Guo
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yiran Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Source Apportionment and Control, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 430078 Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Chunmiao Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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6
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Trinh BT, Cho H, Lee D, Omelianovych O, Kim T, Nguyen SK, Choi HS, Kim H, Yoon I. Dual-Functional Solar-to-Steam Generation and SERS Detection Substrate Based on Plasmonic Nanostructure. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1003. [PMID: 36985897 PMCID: PMC10054297 DOI: 10.3390/nano13061003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Solar-to-steam (STS) generation based on plasmonic materials has attracted significant attention as a green method for producing fresh water. Herein, a simple in situ method is introduced to fabricate Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on cellulose filter papers as dual-functional substrates for STS generation and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing. The substrates exhibit 90% of broadband solar absorption between 350 and 1800 nm and achieve an evaporation rate of 0.96 kg·m-2·h-1 under 1-sun illumination, room temperature of 20 °C, and relative humidity of 40%. The STS generation of the substrate is stable during 30 h continuous operation. Enriched SERS hotspots between AuNPs endow the substrates with the ability to detect chemical contamination in water with ppb limits of detection for rhodamine 6G dye and melamine. To demonstrate dual-functional properties, the contaminated water was analyzed with SERS and purified by STS. The purified water was then analyzed with SERS to confirm its purity. The developed substrate can be an improved and suitable candidate for fresh water production and qualification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Thong Trinh
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanjun Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Deunchan Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Oleksii Omelianovych
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sy Khiem Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Suk Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongki Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea
| | - Ilsun Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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Li Z, Yang Q, Xie C, Wang H, Wang Y. Spatiotemporal characteristics of groundwater quality and health risk assessment in Jinghe River Basin, Chinese Loess Plateau. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 248:114278. [PMID: 36379071 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is a very important natural resource for humanity, however, the degradation of groundwater quality caused by anthropogenic activities may pose a serious hazard to human health and ecosystem. In this study, 143 groundwater samples were analyzed to investigate the spatiotemporal variations of hydrochemistry, groundwater quality and potential human health risk of groundwater in Jinghe River Basin, Chinese Loess Plateau. Based on the mean concentrations value (MCV) and over-standard rate (OSR), the groundwater in Jinghe River Basin were divided into three groups: Group Ⅰ (high MCV: greater than standard values and high OSR: ≥ 10 %) contains TDS (total dissolved solids), TH (total harness), SO42-, F- and Fe; Group Ⅱ (low MCV and high OSR) contains pH, Cl-, NO3-, Cr6+ and As, Group Ⅲ (low MCV and low OSR) contains NO2-, NH4+, Zn, Mn, Pb, I- and Cd. The results of set pair assessment indicated that the unsuitable and doubtful class of comprehensive groundwater quality are mainly distributed in the northern part of study area, accounting for 29 % and 13.6 % of the area in 2004 and 2015, respectively. Human health risk assessment based on the triangular fuzzy number suggested that the variation of risk levels in different age groups is Children > Adult Men > Adult Women. Average carcinogenic risks of As in groundwater for the three groups exceed the acceptable level, and non-carcinogenic risk of NO3- for Children is higher than the acceptable threshold. The findings of this study provide valuable insight into the spatiotemporal characteristics of groundwater quality and potential health risks of polluted groundwater by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Li
- School of Geographical Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Ecological Construction, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, PR China; Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, PR China
| | - Qingchun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China.
| | - Chuan Xie
- Geothermal Institute of Hydrological Engineering Geological Survey, Shijiazhuang 050000, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Limited Company of Beijing Satellite Manufacturing Factory, Beijing 100094, PR China
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8
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Johnson GR, Brusseau ML, Carroll KC, Tick GR, Duncan CM. Global distributions, source-type dependencies, and concentration ranges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156602. [PMID: 35690215 PMCID: PMC9653090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
A meta-analysis was conducted of published literature reporting concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater for sites distributed in 20 countries across the globe. Data for >35 PFAS were aggregated from 96 reports published from 1999 to 2021. The final data set comprises approximately 21,000 data points after removal of time-series and duplicate samples as well as non-detects. The reported concentrations range over many orders of magnitude, from ng/L to mg/L levels. Distinct differences in concentration ranges are observed between sites located within or near sources versus those that are not. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), ranging from <0.03 ng/L to ~7 mg/L, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), ranging from 0.01 ng/L to ~5 mg/L, were the two most reported PFAS. The highest PFAS concentration in groundwater is ~15 mg/L reported for the replacement-PFAS 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS). Maximum reported groundwater concentrations for PFOA and PFOS were compared to concentrations reported for soils, surface waters, marine waters, and precipitation. Soil concentrations are generally significantly higher than those reported for the other media. This accrues to soil being the primary entry point for PFAS release into the environment for many sites, as well as the generally significantly greater retention capacity of soil compared to the other media. The presence of PFAS has been reported for all media in all regions tested, including areas that are far removed from specific PFAS sources. This gives rise to the existence of a "background" concentration of PFAS that must be accounted for in both regional and site-specific risk assessments. The presence of this background is a reflection of the large-scale use of PFAS, their general recalcitrance, and the action of long-range transport processes that distribute PFAS across regional and global scales. This ubiquitous distribution has the potential to significantly impact the quality and availability of water resources in many regions. In addition, the pervasive presence of PFAS in the environment engenders concerns for impacts to ecosystem and human health.
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Bretcan P, Tanislav D, Radulescu C, Serban G, Danielescu S, Reid M, Dunea D. Evaluation of Shallow Groundwater Quality at Regional Scales Using Adaptive Water Quality Indices. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10637. [PMID: 36078359 PMCID: PMC9517783 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater, which is the main source of water for human consumption in many rural areas, has its quality determined by the complex interaction of environmental factors and anthropogenic activities. The present study evaluated the quality of shallow groundwater (1 to 25 m depth) in the rural area of the Târgovişte Plain, a densely populated area (200 inhabitants/km2) using 80 water samples collected from public wells. In order to explain the spatial distribution of the concentrations of the 19 physicochemical parameters considered (including heavy metals), the evaluation of groundwater quality for human consumption and potential impact on human health was conducted using the Water Quality Index (WQI), Integrated Weight Water Quality Index (IwWQI), Total Hazard Index (THI), and cumulative carcinogenic risk (CCR). For the WQI/IwWQI the comparative analysis of the two indices showed that for the WQI, it is important to select an optimal set of parameters, because use of a large number of physicochemical parameters can eclipse the values that exceed WHO guideline limits. In contrast, the use of entropy in the calculation of the IwWQI did not lead to eclipsing of exceedance, no matter the number of parameters used. Areas with poor and very poor groundwater quality according to the WQI/IwWQI overlapped, with a moderate risk to human health (THI > 1) for noncarcinogenic contaminants and also a risk of developing cancer according to the CCR average value (1.15 × 10-2). The health of 43% of the rural population in the Târgovişte Plain can be affected if they drink contaminated groundwater, and it is estimated that about 600 people can develop cancer during their lifetime. If the risk of developing cancer is reduced only in the rural population that does not have access to a water source from a centralized and verified network, the results suggest that 385 people (1.15%) can develop cancer as a result of consuming groundwater contaminated with heavy metals based on the average value of CCR. This value is lower than the general mortality rate in areas with high CCR and below the average number of cancer patients in Romania (2.65%). The quality of groundwater and the risk of developing diseases and cancer due to water consumption is directly proportional to the intensity of agricultural land use and inversely proportional to the depth of the groundwater layer, the distance from the main hydrographic network and the reservoirs, and the distance from the main city, Târgovişte. The complex and integrated analysis of groundwater quality using quality indices and indicators of health risk for the population, validated by hot-spot analysis and compared to the mortality rate, is an approach with practical applicability. This integrated approach allows public authorities, policymakers, and health services to implement an efficient monitoring program and optimize anthropogenic activities in order to prevent groundwater contamination and finally improve the quality of life for the residents in the area of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petre Bretcan
- Faculty of Humanities, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 130105 Târgovişte, Romania
| | - Danut Tanislav
- Faculty of Humanities, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 130105 Târgovişte, Romania
| | - Cristiana Radulescu
- Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 130004 Târgovişte, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Serban
- Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Serban Danielescu
- Fredericton Research and Development Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Z7, Canada
| | - Michael Reid
- Department of Geography and Planning, School of Humanities, Arts and Social Studies, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Daniel Dunea
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Food Science, Valahia University of Târgovişte, 130004 Târgovişte, Romania
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