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Shehata M, Zaid SM, Al-Goul ST, Shami A, Al Syaad KM, Ahmed AE, Mostafa YS, Al-Quwaie DA, Ashkan MF, Alqahtani FS, Hassan YA, Taha TF, El-Tarabily KA, AbuQamar SF. Integrated management of groundwater quantity, physicochemical properties, and microbial quality in West Nile delta using a new MATLAB code and geographic information system mapping. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7762. [PMID: 38565529 PMCID: PMC10987591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57036-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Groundwater is an excellent alternative to freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and developing arid regions. Agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, and municipal activities may affect groundwater quantity and quality. Therefore, we aimed to use advanced methods/techniques to monitor the piezometric levels and collect groundwater samples to test their physicochemical and biological characteristics. Our results using software programs showed two main types of groundwater: the most prevalent was the Na-Cl type, which accounts for 94% of the groundwater samples, whereas the Mg-Cl type was found in 6% of samples only. In general, the hydraulic gradient values, ranging from medium to low, could be attributed to the slow movement of groundwater. Salinity distribution in groundwater maps varied between 238 and 1350 mg L-1. Although lower salinity values were observed in northwestern wells, higher values were recorded in southern ones. The collected seventeen water samples exhibited brackish characteristics and were subjected to microbial growth monitoring. Sample WD12 had the lowest total bacterial count (TBC) of 4.8 ± 0.9 colony forming unit (CFU mg L-1), while WD14 had the highest TBC (7.5 ± 0.5 CFU mg L-1). None of the tested water samples, however, contained pathogenic microorganisms. In conclusion, the current simulation models for groundwater drawdown of the Quaternary aquifer system predict a considerable drawdown of water levels over the next 10, 20, and 30 years with the continuous development of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Shehata
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Samir M Zaid
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Soha T Al-Goul
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashwag Shami
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid M Al Syaad
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Prince Sultan Bin Abdelaziz for Environmental Research and Natural Resources Sustainability Center, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser S Mostafa
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Diana A Al-Quwaie
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mada F Ashkan
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah S Alqahtani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yusuf A Hassan
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Taha F Taha
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Synan F AbuQamar
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
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Zhang H, Han X, Wang G, Mao H, Chen X, Zhou L, Huang D, Zhang F, Yan X. Spatial distribution and driving factors of groundwater chemistry and pollution in an oil production region in the Northwest China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 875:162635. [PMID: 36889386 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Concerns have been raised on the deterioration of groundwater quality associated with anthropogenic impacts such as oil extraction and overuse of fertilizers. However, it is still difficult to identify groundwater chemistry/pollution and driving forces in regional scale since both natural and anthropogenic factors are spatially complex. This study, combining self-organizing map (SOM, combined with K-means algorithm) and principal component analysis (PCA), attempted to characterize the spatial variability and driving factors of shallow groundwater hydrochemistry in Yan'an area of Northwest China where diverse land use types (e.g., various oil production sites and agriculture lands) coexist. Based on the major and trace elements (e.g., Ba, Sr, Br, Li) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), groundwater samples were classified into four clusters with obvious geographical and hydrochemical characteristics by using SOM - K-means clustering: heavily oil-contaminated groundwater (Cluster 1), slightly oil-contaminated groundwater (Cluster 2), least-polluted groundwater (Cluster 3) and NO3- contaminated groundwater (Cluster 4). Noteworthily, Cluster 1, located in a river valley with long-term oil exploitation, had the highest levels of TPH and potentially toxic elements (Ba, Sr). Multivariate analysis combined with ion ratios analysis were used to determine the causes of these clusters. The results revealed that the hydrochemical compositions in Cluster 1 were mainly caused by the oil-related produced water intrusion into the upper aquifer. The elevated NO3- concentrations in Cluster 4 were induced by agricultural activities. Water-rock interactions (e.g., carbonate as well as silicate dissolution and precipitation) also shaped the chemical constituents of groundwater in clusters 2, 3, and 4. In addition, SO42--related processes (redox, precipitation of sulfate minerals) also affected groundwater chemical compositions in Cluster 1. This work provides the insight into the driving factors of groundwater chemistry and pollution which could contribute to groundwater sustainable management and protection in this area and other oil extraction areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xu Han
- Geology Institute of China Chemical Geology and Mine Bureau, Beijing 100028, China
| | - Guangcai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Hairu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xianglong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Ling Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Urban Hydrological Cycle and Sponge City Technology, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Dandan Huang
- School of Water Resources & Environment Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, PR China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology & MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China
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Zemour Y, Mebrouk N, Mayer A, Mekebret I, Sherif MI. Hydrochemical and geological controls on dissolved radium and radon in northwestern Algeria hydrothermal groundwaters. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137573. [PMID: 36535504 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137573] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the results of the first investigation on natural occurrence of radium and radon in Algerian thermal water systems. Activity concentrations of Rn and Ra isotopes were measured in sixteen hydrothermal springs of northwestern Algeria. Samples displayed high activities, especially for 222Rn, 224Ra and 226Ra (up to 377 × 103 Bq/m3, 730 Bq/m3 and 4470 Bq/m3, respectively). Approximately, 50% of the investigated springs displayed activities of combined long-lived Ra (226Ra + 228Ra) in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of the WHO and EPA for drinking water. Factors controlling the distribution of radionuclides in the aquifer system are investigated. The observed correlation between Ra isotope and TDS suggests that adsorption/desorption is not the dominant process controlling the distribution of Ra in waters. Our results indicate that the excess SO42- limits the concentration of dissolved Ba2+ and thereby, the elevated Ra activities in these hydrothermal systems are not simply limited by co-precipitation with BaSO4 (barite). The data shows that Ra activities are likely dominated by the recoil process of parent isotopes in the aquifer solids. The minimal abundance of clay minerals and oxides in the aquifer, in addition to thermal activities in northwestern Algeria, significantly enhances the mobilization of Ra into waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcef Zemour
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria.
| | - Naïma Mebrouk
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria
| | - Adriano Mayer
- Avignon University, UMR 1114 EMMAH, UAPV, 301 Rue Baruch de Spinoza, BP 21239, F-84916, Avignon, France
| | - Imane Mekebret
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria; Paris-Saclay University, Geosciences Laboratory (GEOPS) - CNRS. Rue du Belvédère, Bât. 504, 91405, Orsay, France
| | - Mahmoud I Sherif
- Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA; Department of Geology, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
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El Zrelli R, Yacoubi L, Castet S, Grégoire M, Josse C, Olive JF, Courjault-Radé P, van Beek P, Zambardi T, Souhaut M, Sonke JE, Rabaoui LJ. PET plastics as a Trojan horse for radionuclides. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129886. [PMID: 36088881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129886] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mismanaged plastic waste interacts with secondary environmental pollutants, potentially aggravating their impact on ecosystems and human health. Here we characterized the natural and artificial radionuclides in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles collected from the industrial littoral discharge of a phosphate fertilizer plant. The activity concentrations in littered bottles ranged from 0.47 (208Tl) to 12.70 Bq·kg-1 (226Ra), with a mean value of 5.30 Bq·kg-1. All the human health risk assessment indices (annual intake, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk) estimated for radionuclides associated with ingestion and inhalation of microplastics were below international safety limits. Our results demonstrated that PET can be loaded with natural and artificial radionuclides, and potentially act as a carrier to transfer radionuclides to humans, posing a new potential health risk. Increased use, mismanagement and fragmentation of plastic waste, and continued interaction of plastic waste with radioelements may lead to enhanced radiation exposure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhouan El Zrelli
- SADEF Agronomy & Environment, 30 Rue de la Station, 68700 Aspach-Le-Bas, France.
| | - Lamia Yacoubi
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sylvie Castet
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Michel Grégoire
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Claudie Josse
- UAR Raimond CASTAING, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-François Olive
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Pierre Courjault-Radé
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Pieter van Beek
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Zambardi
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Marc Souhaut
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), Université de Toulouse, CNES/CNRS/IRD/UPS, Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 CNRS/UPS/IRD/CNES, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Lotfi Jilani Rabaoui
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092 Tunis, Tunisia; National Center for Wildlife, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Widespread and increased drilling of wells into fossil aquifers in the USA. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2129. [PMID: 35440593 PMCID: PMC9018791 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29678-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Most stored groundwater is ‘fossil’ in its age, having been under the ground for more than ~12 thousand years. Mapping where wells tap fossil aquifers is relevant for water quality and quantity management. Nevertheless, the prevalence of wells that tap fossil aquifers is not known. Here we show that wells that are sufficiently deep to tap fossil aquifers are widespread, though they remain outnumbered by shallower wells in most areas. Moreover, the proportion of newly drilled wells that are deep enough to tap fossil aquifers has increased over recent decades. However, this widespread and increased drilling of wells into fossil aquifers is not necessarily associated with groundwater depletion, emphasizing that the presence of fossil groundwater does not necessarily indicate a non-renewable water supply. Our results highlight the importance of safeguarding fossil groundwater quality and quantity to meet present and future water demands. Fossil groundwater has been under the ground for more than ~12 thousand years. Here the authors show that many wells in the United States tap fossil groundwater resources, and that the frequency that wells are drilled into fossil aquifers is increasing, highlighting the importance of safeguarding fossil groundwater quality and quantity to meet present and future water demands.
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Vengosh A, Coyte RM, Podgorski J, Johnson TM. A critical review on the occurrence and distribution of the uranium- and thorium-decay nuclides and their effect on the quality of groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:151914. [PMID: 34856287 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This critical review presents the key factors that control the occurrence of natural elements from the uranium- and thorium-decay series, also known as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), including uranium, radium, radon, lead, polonium, and their isotopes in groundwater resources. Given their toxicity and radiation, elevated levels of these nuclides in drinking water pose human health risks, and therefore understanding the occurrence, sources, and factors that control the mobilization of these nuclides from aquifer rocks is critical for better groundwater management and human health protection. The concentrations of these nuclides in groundwater are a function of the groundwater residence time relative to the decay rates of the nuclides, as well as the net balance between nuclides mobilization (dissolution, desorption, recoil) and retention (adsorption, precipitation). This paper explores the factors that control this balance, including the relationships between the elemental chemistry (e.g., solubility and speciation), lithological and hydrogeological factors, groundwater geochemistry (e.g., redox state, pH, ionic strength, ion-pairs availability), and their combined effects and interactions. The various chemical properties of each of the nuclides results in different likelihoods for co-occurrence. For example, the primordial 238U, 222Rn, and, in cases of high colloid concentrations also 210Po, are all more likely to be found in oxic groundwater. In contrast, in reducing aquifers, Ra nuclides, 210Pb, and in absence of high colloid concentrations, 210Po, are more mobile and frequently occur in groundwater. In highly permeable sandstone aquifers that lack sufficient adsorption sites, Ra is often enriched, even in low salinity and oxic groundwater. This paper also highlights the isotope distributions, including those of relatively long-lived nuclides (238U/235U) with abundances that depend on geochemical conditions (e.g., fractionation induced from redox processes), as well as shorter-lived nuclides (234U/238U, 228Ra/226Ra, 224Ra/228Ra, 210Pb/222Rn, 210Po/210Pb) that are strongly influenced by physical (recoil), lithological, and geochemical factors. Special attention is paid in evaluating the ability to use these isotope variations to elucidate the sources of these nuclides in groundwater, mechanisms of their mobilization from the rock matrix (e.g., recoil, ion-exchange), and retention into secondary mineral phases and ion-exchange sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joel Podgorski
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
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