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Rajput U, Swami D, Joshi N. Geospatial analysis of toxic metal contamination in groundwater and associated health risks in the lower Himalayan industrial region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 938:173328. [PMID: 38777062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173328] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Once known for its clean and natural environment, the lower Himalayan region is now no exception to human-induced disturbances. Rapid industrial growth in Baddi-Barotiwala (BB) industrial region has led to degradation of groundwater resources in the area. Groundwater samples were collected from 37 locations to study the groundwater chemistry, geospatial variation of 15 toxic metals in groundwater, source apportionment, metals of concern and associated health risks in the region. The results showed rock dominated hydrogeology with decreasing order of anion and cation abundance as HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > NO3- > Br- > F- and Ca+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Li+ respectively. Concentrations of Iron (BDL-3.6 mg/l), Nickel (BDL-0.023 mg/l), Barium (0.22-0.89 mg/l), Lead (0.0001-0.085 mg/l) and Zinc (0.006-21.4 mg/l) were found above the permissible limits at few locations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and coefficient of variance (CV) showed both geogenic and anthropogenic origin of metals in groundwater of the BB industrial region. A consistent concentration of Uranium was detected at all the sampling locations with an average value of 0.0039 mg/l and poor spatial variation indicating its natural presence. Overall, non-carcinogenic (N-CR) risk in the study area via oral pathway was high for adults and children (Hazard Index > 1) with geogenic Uranium as the major contributor (Hazard Quotient > 1) followed by Zinc, Lead and Cobalt. Carcinogenic (CR) risk in the region was high for adults having mean value above the threshold (1E-04) with Nickel and Chromium as the metals of major concern. Spatial variation of health risks was overlayed on village boundaries of the region to identify the potential industrial sources of the metals of major concern. The results highlight the need for immediate remediation of groundwater resources in order to achieve a harmonious coexistence between industrialization and human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utsav Rajput
- School of Civil and Environmental engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175005, India
| | - Deepak Swami
- School of Civil and Environmental engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175005, India.
| | - Nitin Joshi
- Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, 181221, India.
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Lu J, Zhang P, Li J, Cao Y, Zhang W, Zhang X, Yi X, Wang H. Mo(VI) removal from water by aluminum electrocoagulation: Cost-effectiveness analysis, main influencing factors, and proposed mechanisms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132608. [PMID: 37748311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Mo(VI) (MoO42-) removal by aluminum electrocoagulation (Al EC) with Al as anodes and cathodes was studied for the first time. At the initial Mo concentrations of 0.3 - 150 mg/L, kinetic analysis and effects of main factors (electrode connection modes, current density (CD), initial pH, and electrolytes) were examined, and potential mechanism of Mo(VI) removal were elucidated. Results showed that CD had significant impacts on anode weight loss, cathode weight loss, and total electrode weight loss (p value < 0.05). Cathode weight loss was higher than anode weight loss. XRD analysis results showed lower crystallinity of scums than that of precipitates. Boehmite was the most prevalent oxide in scums. An appropriate amount of NaCl was beneficial for enhancing the Mo(VI) removal efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of the Al EC process. Electrostatic attraction, surface complexation, hydroxyl exchange, flocculation, and coprecipitation were the main mechanisms involved in the Mo(VI) removal process by Al EC. Al EC outperformed conventional chemical coagulation in terms of Mo(VI) removal at the same dosage of Al. The Mo(VI) removal efficiencies in two real water samples (lake water and river water) reached up to 89.2% and 71.2%, respectively. This study provides novel insights into the strategies for the removal of oxoanionic metal pollutants and reduction of operating cost by Al EC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Lu
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Economics and Management, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China
| | - Yumin Cao
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China
| | - Xintong Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, Shandong, China
| | - Xuesong Yi
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hongjie Wang
- School of Eco-Environment, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, Hebei, China
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de Santana SEA, Serrão JE, de Carvalho CAL, de Abreu Júnior PB, Waldschmidt AM. Chemical Profile of Elements in the Stingless Bee Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) from Sites with Distinct Anthropogenic Activities. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5431-5440. [PMID: 36781716 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Stingless bees are pollinators in forests and crops that, during foraging, may be exposed to several environmental xenobiotics, including metallic elements. This study evaluated the presence of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) over the body surface of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris visiting areas with different anthropogenic activity levels. The analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/XEDS) and all tested elements were identified. Lead was the most abundant element in all samples, whereas Mn had the lowest abundance. High amounts of Cu and Zn were detected in the areas with metallurgic industries. The presence of metals on the body surface of this stingless bee varied according to the level of human activities in the studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintia Emmanuelle Andrade de Santana
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil.
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa-UFV, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, MG, ZIP code 36570-900, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
- Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia-UFRB, Av. Rui Barbosa, 710, BA, ZIP code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Barros de Abreu Júnior
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Waldschmidt
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
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Lipner EM, French JP, Mercaldo RA, Nelson S, Zelazny AM, Marshall JE, Strong M, Falkinham JO, Prevots DR. The risk of pulmonary NTM infections and water-quality constituents among persons with cystic fibrosis in the United States, 2010-2019. Environ Epidemiol 2023; 7:e266. [PMID: 37840858 PMCID: PMC10569765 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease varies geographically in the United States. Previous studies indicate that the presence of certain water-quality constituents in source water increases NTM infection risk. Objective To identify water-quality constituents that influence the risk of NTM pulmonary infection in persons with cystic fibrosis in the United States. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study using NTM incidence data collected from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry during 2010-2019. We linked patient zip code to the county and associated patient county of residence with surface water data extracted from the Water Quality Portal. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds of NTM infection as a function of water-quality constituents. We modeled two outcomes: pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus species. Results We identified 484 MAC cases, 222 M. abscessus cases and 2816 NTM-negative cystic fibrosis controls resident in 11 states. In multivariable models, we found that for every 1-standardized unit increase in the log concentration of sulfate and vanadium in surface water at the county level, the odds of infection increased by 39% and 21%, respectively, among persons with cystic fibrosis with MAC compared with cystic fibrosis-NTM-negative controls. When modeling M. abscessus as the dependent variable, every 1-standardized unit increase in the log concentration of molybdenum increased the odds of infection by 36%. Conclusions These findings suggest that naturally occurring and anthropogenic water-quality constituents may influence the NTM abundance in water sources that supply municipal water systems, thereby increasing MAC and M. abscessus infection risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettie M. Lipner
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joshua P. French
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
| | - Rachel A. Mercaldo
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen Nelson
- Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Adrian M. Zelazny
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Julia E. Marshall
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael Strong
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | | | - D. Rebecca Prevots
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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An Overview to Technical Solutions for Molybdenum Removal: Perspective from the Analysis of the Scientific Literature on Molybdenum and Drinking Water (1990–2019). WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14132108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database was performed to investigate the research documents published from 1990 to 2019 in scientific sources related to molybdenum in drinking water and determine the quantitative characteristics of the research in this period. The results from the analysis revealed that the number of publications was maintained at a regular production of around 5 papers per year until 2009, followed by a fast linear increase in the production in the period from 2010 to 2016 (29 papers in 2016), but the scientific production regarding this topic was reduced in 2017 and 2018 to recover the production obtained in 2016 once again in 2019. The total contribution of the three most productive countries (USA, China and India, respectively) accounted for around 50% of the total number of publications. Environmental Science was the most common subject (51.4% contribution), followed by Chemistry (26.7% contribution). The research efforts targeted toward the search for technical solutions for molybdenum removal from water are not as important as the ones focused on the identification of molybdenum-polluted water bodies and the analysis of the health effects of the intake of molybdenum. Nevertheless, examples of technological treatments to remove molybdenum from the aqueous solution include the use of adsorption and ion exchange; coagulation, flocculation and precipitation followed by filtration; membrane technologies and biological treatments.
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6
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Petrović M, Fiket Ž. Environmental damage caused by coal combustion residue disposal: A critical review of risk assessment methodologies. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134410. [PMID: 35346741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coal combustion generates almost 40% of world's electricity. However, it also produces 1.1 billion tons of coal combustion residues (CCR) annually, half of which end up in landfills. Although current regulations require proper lining and monitoring programs, the ubiquitous old, abandoned landfills are often not lined nor included in these programs. In addition, the total number of coal ash disposal sites and their status in the world is unknown. Therefore, this article reviews the environmental damage caused by CCR and three commonly used risk assessment methodologies: leaching assessment, groundwater assessment, and toxicity testing. Leaching methods are usually the first step in coal ash risk assessment, however, a large number of methods with different parameters make a comparison of data difficult. Groundwater pollution is commonly detected near coal ash disposal sites, but other anthropogenic activities may also exist nearby. Therefore, multivariate statistical methods and isotope traces should be used to differentiate between different sources of pollution. So far, both stable (δ18O, δD, δ11B, δ34S, δ7Li) and radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/207Pb) isotopes have been successfully used as coal ash pollution tracers. Coal ash also negatively affects biota, reduces the diversity of organisms, affects children's health, and increases the risk for developing various diseases. Toxicity studies are great for early screening of coal ash safety; however, they provide no insights into mechanisms causing the adverse effects. Future directions are also proposed, such as the development of new 'low-level' detection methods for coal ash pollution and sustainable and selective method for recovery of critical elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Petrović
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Fiket
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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7
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Whyte CJ, Vengosh A, Warner NR, Jackson RB, Muehlenbachs K, Schwartz FW, Darrah TH. Geochemical evidence for fugitive gas contamination and associated water quality changes in drinking-water wells from Parker County, Texas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146555. [PMID: 34030322 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146555] [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: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive development of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing enhanced energy production but raised concerns about drinking-water quality in areas of shale-gas development. One particularly controversial case that has received significant public and scientific attention involves possible contamination of groundwater in the Trinity Aquifer in Parker County, Texas. Despite extensive work, the origin of natural gas in the Trinity Aquifer within this study area is an ongoing debate. Here, we present a comprehensive geochemical dataset collected across three sampling campaigns along with integration of previously published data. Data include major and trace ions, molecular gas compositions, compound-specific stable isotopes of hydrocarbons (δ13C-CH4, δ13C-C2H6, δ2H-CH4), dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13C-DIC), nitrogen (δ15N-N2), water (δ18O, δ2H, 3H), and noble gases (He, Ne, Ar), boron (δ11B) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopic compositions of water samples from 20 drinking-water wells from the Trinity Aquifer. The compendium of data confirms mixing between a deep, naturally occurring salt- (Cl >250 mg/L) and hydrocarbon-rich groundwater with a low-salinity, shallower, and younger groundwater. Hydrocarbon gases display strong evidence for sulfate reduction-paired oxidation, in some cases followed by secondary methanogenesis. A subset of drinking-water wells contains elevated levels of hydrocarbons and depleted atmospherically-derived gas tracers, which is consistent with the introduction of fugitive thermogenic gas. We suggest that gas originating from the intermediate-depth Strawn Group ("Strawn") is flowing along the annulus of a Barnett Shale gas well, and is subsequently entering the shallow aquifer system. This interpretation is supported by the expansion in the number of affected drinking-water wells during our study period and the persistence of hydrocarbon levels over time. Our data suggest post-genetic secondary water quality changes occur following fugitive gas contamination, including sulfate reduction paired with hydrocarbon oxidation and secondary methanogenesis. Importantly, no evidence for upward migration of brine or natural gas associated with the Barnett Shale was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Whyte
- Divisions of Solid Earth Dynamics and Water, Climate and the Environment, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Global Water Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Warner
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Robert B Jackson
- Department of Earth System Science, Woods Institute for the Environment, and Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karlis Muehlenbachs
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2E3, Canada
| | - Franklin W Schwartz
- Divisions of Solid Earth Dynamics and Water, Climate and the Environment, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Global Water Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Thomas H Darrah
- Divisions of Solid Earth Dynamics and Water, Climate and the Environment, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Global Water Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Battsengel E, Murayama T, Fukushi K, Nishikizawa S, Chonokhuu S, Ochir A, Tsetsgee S, Davaasuren D. Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Soil of the Ger District in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134668. [PMID: 32610518 PMCID: PMC7369939 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate human health and potential ecological risk assessment in the ger district of Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia. To perform these risk assessments, soil samples were collected based on reference studies that investigated heavy element distribution in soil samples near the ger area in Ulaanbaatar city. In total, 42 soil samples were collected and 26 heavy metals were identified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods. The measurement results were compared with the reference data in order to validate the soil contamination level. Although there was a large difference between the measurement results of the present and reference data, the general tendency was similar. Soil contamination was assessed by pollution indexes such as geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor. Mo and As were the most enriched elements compared with the other elements. The carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks to children exceeded the permissible limits, and for adults, only 12 out of 42 sampling points exceeded the permissible limit of noncarcinogenic effects. According to the results of the ecological risk assessment, Zn and Pb showed from moderate to considerable contamination indexes and high toxicity values for ecological risk of a single element. The Cr and As ranged as very high ecological risk than that of the other measured heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhchimeg Battsengel
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan; (T.M.); (S.N.)
- Department of Environment and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia; (S.C.); (A.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: + 81-2677-2533; Fax: +81-(0)45-924-5551
| | - Takehiko Murayama
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan; (T.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Keisuke Fukushi
- Division of Global Environmental Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan; (K.F.); (S.T.)
| | - Shigeo Nishikizawa
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502, Japan; (T.M.); (S.N.)
| | - Sonomdagva Chonokhuu
- Department of Environment and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia; (S.C.); (A.O.)
| | - Altansukh Ochir
- Department of Environment and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia; (S.C.); (A.O.)
| | - Solongo Tsetsgee
- Division of Global Environmental Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan; (K.F.); (S.T.)
- Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
| | - Davaadorj Davaasuren
- Department of Geography, School of Art and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia;
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Borton MA, Daly RA, O'Banion B, Hoyt DW, Marcus DN, Welch S, Hastings SS, Meulia T, Wolfe RA, Booker AE, Sharma S, Cole DR, Wunch K, Moore JD, Darrah TH, Wilkins MJ, Wrighton KC. Comparative genomics and physiology of the genus
Methanohalophilus
, a prevalent methanogen in hydraulically fractured shale. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:4596-4611. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca A. Daly
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | | | | | | | - Susan Welch
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | | | - Tea Meulia
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center, The Ohio State University Wooster OH USA
| | - Richard A. Wolfe
- Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | - Anne E. Booker
- Depatment of MicrobiologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Shikha Sharma
- Department of Geology and Geography West Virginia University Morgantown WV USA
| | - David R. Cole
- School of Earth SciencesThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
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10
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Eymold WK, Swana K, Moore MT, Whyte CJ, Harkness JS, Talma S, Murray R, Moortgat JB, Miller J, Vengosh A, Darrah TH. Hydrocarbon-Rich Groundwater above Shale-Gas Formations: A Karoo Basin Case Study. GROUND WATER 2018; 56:204-224. [PMID: 29409148 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enhanced unconventional hydrocarbon recovery but raised environmental concerns related to water quality. Because most basins targeted for shale-gas development in the USA have histories of both active and legacy petroleum extraction, confusion about the hydrogeological context of naturally occurring methane in shallow aquifers overlying shales remains. The Karoo Basin, located in South Africa, provides a near-pristine setting to evaluate these processes, without a history of conventional or unconventional energy extraction. We conducted a comprehensive pre-industrial evaluation of water quality and gas geochemistry in 22 groundwater samples across the Karoo Basin, including dissolved ions, water isotopes, hydrocarbon molecular and isotopic composition, and noble gases. Methane-rich samples were associated with high-salinity, NaCl-type groundwater and elevated levels of ethane, 4 He, and other noble gases produced by radioactive decay. This endmember displayed less negative δ13 C-CH4 and evidence of mixing between thermogenic natural gases and hydrogenotrophic methane. Atmospheric noble gases in the methane-rich samples record a history of fractionation during gas-phase migration from source rocks to shallow aquifers. Conversely, methane-poor samples have a paucity of ethane and 4 He, near saturation levels of atmospheric noble gases, and more negative δ13 C-CH4 ; methane in these samples is biogenic and produced by a mixture of hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic sources. These geochemical observations are consistent with other basins targeted for unconventional energy extraction in the USA and contribute to a growing data base of naturally occurring methane in shallow aquifers globally, which provide a framework for evaluating environmental concerns related to unconventional energy development (e.g., stray gas).
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Affiliation(s)
- William K Eymold
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kelley Swana
- Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Myles T Moore
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Colin J Whyte
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jennifer S Harkness
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Siep Talma
- Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR Pretoria, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Ricky Murray
- Groundwater Africa, 38 Disa Ave., Kommetjie, 7975, South Africa
| | - Joachim B Moortgat
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jodie Miller
- Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
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11
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Harkness JS, Swana K, Eymold WK, Miller J, Murray R, Talma S, Whyte CJ, Moore MT, Maletic EL, Vengosh A, Darrah TH. Pre-drill Groundwater Geochemistry in the Karoo Basin, South Africa. GROUND WATER 2018; 56:187-203. [PMID: 29381808 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced production of unconventional hydrocarbons in the United States has driven interest in natural gas development globally, but simultaneously raised concerns regarding water quantity and quality impacts associated with hydrocarbon extraction. We conducted a pre-development assessment of groundwater geochemistry in the critically water-restricted Karoo Basin, South Africa. Twenty-two springs and groundwater samples were analyzed for major dissolved ions, trace elements, water stable isotopes, strontium and boron isotopes, hydrocarbons and helium composition. The data revealed three end-members: a deep, saline groundwater with a sodium-chloride composition, an old, deep freshwater with a sodium-bicarbonate-chloride composition and a shallow, calcium-bicarbonate freshwater. In a few cases, we identified direct mixing of the deep saline water and shallow groundwater. Stable water isotopes indicate that the shallow groundwater was controlled by evaporation in arid conditions, while the saline waters were diluted by apparently fossil meteoric water originated under wetter climatic conditions. These geochemical and isotopic data, in combination with elevated helium levels, suggest that exogenous fluids are the source of the saline groundwater and originated from remnant seawater prior to dilution by old meteoric water combined with further modification by water-rock interactions. Samples with elevated methane concentrations (>14 ccSTP/kg) were strongly associated with the sodium-chloride water located near dolerite intrusions, which likely provide a preferential pathway for vertical migration of deeply sourced hydrocarbon-rich saline waters to the surface. This pre-drill evaluation indicates that the natural migration of methane- and salt-rich waters provides a source of geogenic contamination to shallow aquifers prior to shale gas development in the Karoo Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Harkness
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Kelley Swana
- Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - William K Eymold
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jodie Miller
- Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Ricky Murray
- Groundwater Africa, 54 Irene Road, Somerset West 7130, South Africa
| | - Siep Talma
- Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR Pretoria, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Colin J Whyte
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Myles T Moore
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Erica L Maletic
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, 275 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
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