Hydrochemical Processes and Isotopic Study of Geothermal Springs within Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Hydrogeological environments and radon activities of saline geothermal hot spring sites located along eastern and western coastlines of southern Thailand

Hydrogeological settings and natural radionuclides of saline geothermal fields along the coastlines of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand are currently not fully understood. Six saline geothermal springs have been discovered in Surat Thani Province (Southern Thailand's east coast); SR2, SR3, and SR7 sites; Krabi Province (Southern Thailand's west coast); KB2, KB3, and KB4 sites. Based on total dissolved solid contents, we divided the saline geothermal springs into three categories: a) slightly saline geothermal spring had only SR7 (1828 mg/L), b) moderately saline geothermal spring consisted of SR2 (10,196 mg/L) and KB3 (3448 mg/L), and c) very saline geothermal spring comprised SR3 (11,856 mg/L), KB2 (17,014 mg/L) and KB4 (18,070 mg/L). The major ions in the saline geothermal groundwater represent decreasing trends with the distance from the coastline. Stable isotope signatures (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) relative to the VSMOW plotted in comparison with the global meteoric water line and local meteoric water line are presumably of meteoric origin and influenced by seawater/brackish water. However, the SR7 and KB3 sites indicated that the isotopic signatures were mainly recharged by rainwater. Significantly, the Na-K-Ca-Mg geothermometer can reasonably estimate the reservoir temperatures for the five saline geothermal springs to be in the range of 120 °C (KB3) to 169 °C (SR2). While the SR7, the silica-quartz geothermometer is proposed of approximately 115 °C. However, the silica-chalcedony and other cation geothermometers fail to estimate suitable reservoir temperatures. On the other hand, the radon concentrations in the saline geothermal groundwater along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea were assessed by RAD7-H₂O, which varied from 18.64 ± 0.96 kBq/m³ (KB2; Andaman Sea side) to 8507.48 ± 1.06 kBq/m³ (SR7; Gulf of Thailand side). A comparison of radon activity with the saltwater intrusion showed that the saline geothermal groundwater on the Gulf of Thailand side had higher levels than that at the Andaman Sea side. The deposition of Quaternary sediments combined with significant saltwater inflow enriched with radon resulted from the decay of uranium from both non-marine and coastal deposits related to granitic mountain weathering along the Gulf of Thailand. Radon concentrations in the geothermal groundwater were highly influenced by the local geological environment and coastal sediments.

Characterisation of Hydro-Geochemical Processes Influencing Groundwater Quality in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Soutpansberg Region, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Groundwater is often the main or only source of fresh water supply in arid to semi-arid rural areas owing to decreasing rainfall patterns, reduced availability of surface water and socioeconomic activities. It is important to understand the hydro-geochemical processes influencing groundwater quality for improved management and sustainability of resources and to improve rural livelihoods. To understand the hydro-geochemical process influencing the hydro-geochemistry of the Soutpansberg region, this study assessed groundwater quality data from 12 boreholes and 2 geothermal springs collected between 1995 and 2017. This study indicated that the majority of the samples were classified as fresh groundwater dominated by Ca-HCO3 and mixed Ca-Mg-Cl types. Gibbs diagrams, Pearson correlations, bivariate plots and saturation indexes suggested that rock dominance processes, such as weathering of silicates, dissolution of carbonates and halite minerals and ion exchange processes, were the main hydro-geochemical processes influencing the groundwater quality in the Soutpansberg region. The high concentration of F− in the geothermal spring was attributed to the dissolution of fluorite mineral. Point source anthropogenic inputs from fertilisers were attributed to the high concentration of NO3− in the groundwater. This study recommends that research outputs should be used to influence and support policy change and groundwater allocation in arid to semi-arid rural environments for improved management of resources and livelihoods. This study further recommends that suitable deflouridation and denitrification techniques be applied to improve the quality of groundwater for drinking purposes.

Distribution of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes and pollution indicators in water during a monsoon transitional period in Min River Basin

Based on 197 monthly river water and groundwater samples and 30 event-scale precipitation samples, our study reports the distribution of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and pollution indicators in Min River Basin. The variation of δ¹⁸O and d-excess indicate that the water source in the upper main course water is more variable and that in the middle-lower part is relatively stable. Comparison between plots of δ²H versus δ¹⁸O in the river water and precipitation reflect the dominant water source is different between river water in the upper and middle-lower parts. The electrical conductivity (EC) shows a similar spatial variation trend for main course water collected in four campaigns. The pollutant concentration change at the confluences of main tributaries shows that the inflow of Heishui River and Dadu River leads to decreased NO₃^- and Cl^-, while that of Xi River, Pu River and Fuhe River leads to a leap in NO₃^- and Cl^-. A significant positive correlation is observed between EC and δ¹⁸O, indicating the consistent control of water sources on isotope distribution and water quality. The relationship between elevation and δ¹⁸O in the main course river water suggests that the factors affecting isotope distribution vary spatially. "Altitude effect" can only be observed in October and November for the upper steepest plateau zone due to the spatial variation in the precipitation stored during the wet season. The "inverse altitude effect" is observed for the upper part during the wet season and for the middle-lower part during the whole study period, which can be explained by the contribution of tributaries with different discharge regimes. Our findings show that water source with different discharge regimes can serve as the leading factor controlling the stream component in multi-tributary river basins with large spatial span and may mask the influence of spatial distribution of precipitation.

National Stable Isotope Baseline for Precipitation in Malawi to Underpin Integrated Water Resources Management

With the resurgence of water-isotope tracing applications for Integrated Water Resource Management in developing countries, establishing a stable isotopic baseline is necessary. Developing countries, including Malawi, continue to struggle with the generation of consistent and long-term isotopic datasets due to non-existent or inadequate in-country water-isotope capacity. Malawi has made significant advances in its quest to establish a stable isotopic baseline through the establishment of the Malawi Network of Isotope in Precipitation. This study provides the first results for the isotopic characterization of precipitation in Malawi with a view to reinforcing understanding of the country’s hydrological cycle. Error-in-variables regression defined a Local Meteoric Water Line as δ2H = 8.0 (±0.3) δ18O + 13.0 (±2.0) using stable isotopic records of 37 monthly samples from 5 stations between 2014 and 2019. Local precipitation (isotopic composition) is consistent with global precipitation expectations, its condensation-forming process occurring under equilibrium conditions and a higher intercept (d-excess) above the 10‰ for Global Meteoric Water Line, implying that air moisture recycling significantly influences local precipitation. Wider variations observed in local precipitation isotopic signatures are largely attributed to different moisture-bearing systems and diverse geographic factors across the country. Additional stations are recommended to improve spatial coverage that, together with longer temporal records, may help understanding and resolving uncertainties such as the altitude effect. This pioneering study is expected to facilitate Malawi’s ambition to achieve integrated use and improved protection of its surface water and groundwater resources in response to mounting climate change, growing population and land-development concerns.

Geochemical characterization and assessment of fluoride sources in groundwater of Siloam area, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Siloam’s groundwater is reportedly characterized by high fluoride. In response to the reported high incidence of dental fluorosis in the area, sources of elevated fluoride in the groundwater were investigated. Total fluoride (TF) was determined using Ion Chromatograph and Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode. The mineral composition of rocks and soils were determined using X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Results revealed that groundwater fluoride concentration ranged from 3.92 to 4.95 mg/L. Na-Cl water type was found to be dominant in the water samples. TF content of the rocks and soils ranged from 10 to 2000 mg/L. Leachates were obtained by making a slurry from the samples at a predetermined temperature and time. TF in leachates ranged between 0.27 and 14.88 mg/L and 0.05 to 10.40 mg/L at induced, and non-induced temperatures, respectively. The possible source of fluoride has been previously inferred to be caused by fluorite minerals occurring at greater depth. However, this study proves that fluoride decreases with depth and the elevated fluoride in the groundwater is caused by smectite-kaolinite clay, muscovite and chlorite minerals abundant in the area. Geothermal temperature exhibited by the groundwater in the area is a major factor enhancing the release of fluoride from the clay materials.

Occurrence and Health-Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Geothermal Springs within Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Geothermal springs are natural geological phenomena that occur throughout the world. South Africa is blessed with several springs of this nature. Limpopo province contains 31% of all geothermal springs in the country. The springs are classified according to the residing mountain: Soutpansberg, Waterberg and Drakensberg. This study focused on the geothermal springs within the Soutpansberg region; that is, Mphephu, Siloam, Sagole and Tshipise. The study was aimed at assessing the occurrence and potential health risk associated with drinking water from geothermal springs within Soutpansberg. Geothermal springs and boreholes were sampled for a period of 12 months (May 2017-May 2018) to accommodate two major seasons in the study areas. The physicochemical and trace metal compositions of the geothermal springs and boreholes (tepid and hot) were analyzed using ion chromatography (IC) (Dionex Model DX 500) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Trace metal concentrations of the geothermal springs and boreholes were within permissible drinking water guidelines by the South African National Standards (SANS) and World Health Organisation (WHO), with exception of mercury (Hg), which is high in summer season. The bioaccumulation from regular consumption could, however, result in negative effects. Pearson's correlation revealed that there is a direct relationship between temperature and pH, and some of the trace metals (V, Zn, Hg, Pb). This implies dissolution of minerals (rock-water interaction) under slightly high temperature. Multivariate statistics further elucidate the relationship and possible sources of the trace metals. Therefore, it can be inferred that the rock-water interaction is the main geochemical process governing the release of trace metals in groundwater. Hazard Index values for both children and adults were higher than 1, and this implies that the communities are at high risk of non-cancer health effects. Further, As, Cr and Cd were found to be the highest contributors to the potential cancer risk in the study areas, with children having a higher risk than adults. Therefore, there is a need for clinical/epidemiological study, and regular monitoring and control measures, to verify actual prevalence of cancer and protect human health, particularly the children, within the study areas.

Seasonally Variant Stable Isotope Baseline Characterisation of Malawi’s Shire River Basin to Support Integrated Water Resources Management

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is vital to the future of Malawi and motivates this study’s provision of the first stable isotope baseline characterization of the Shire River Basin (SRB). The SRB drains much of Southern Malawi and receives the sole outflow of Lake Malawi whose catchment extends over much of Central and Northern Malawi (and Tanzania and Mozambique). Stable isotope (283) and hydrochemical (150) samples were collected in 2017–2018 and analysed at Malawi’s recently commissioned National Isotopes Laboratory. Distinct surface water dry-season isotope enrichment and wet-season depletion are shown with minor retention of enriched signatures ascribed to Lake Malawi influences. Isotopic signatures corroborate that wet-season river flows mostly arise from local precipitation, with dry-season flows supported by increased groundwater contributions. Groundwater signatures follow a local meteoric water line of limited spread suggesting recharge by local precipitation predominantly during the peak months of the wet-season. Relatively few dry-season groundwater samples displayed evaporative enrichment, although isotopic seasonality was more pronounced in the lowlands compared to uplands ascribed to amplified climatic effects. These signatures serve as isotopic diagnostic tools that valuably informed a basin conceptual model build and, going forward, may inform key identified Malawian IWRM concerns. The isotopic baseline establishes a benchmark against which future influences from land use, climate change and water mixing often inherent to IWRM schemes may be forensically assessed. It thereby enables both source-water protection and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6.