scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of an Operating Tailings Storage Facility on Catchment Surface and Groundwater Quality in the Ellembele District of the Western Region of Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvis Akwasi Acheampong ◽  
Daniel Nukpezah
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Weak Acid ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Free Cyanide ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Surface And Groundwater

<p>The study assessed the impact of an operating Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District of the Western of Ghana on catchment surface and groundwater quality. Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500 m radius of the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility. Samples were analyzed for pH, true colour, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury) and cyanide (weak acid dissociable cyanide (WAD), free cyanide and total cyanide) using standard procedures. The TSF-DW reported elevated arsenic, free cyanide and TSS concentrations above GHEPA guideline for effluent discharge. Elevated TSS and arsenic concentrations above GHEPA limits were reported in PWSD which is a pond uphill of the TSF and a receptor to effluents from illegal mining sites on the mine’s concession. All other parameters recorded in surface and groundwater bodies studied were within WHO guideline limit for potable water. Results of the study suggest that the quality of surface and groundwater around the TSF has not been adversely affected even though the TSF is contaminated. Study findings suggest that well-engineered tailings dam ofARLwith its effective liner and management systems may have provided a safe structure and prevented contamination of water resources within its catchment.</p>

scholarly journals Analysis of Leachate and Water Resource Quality Surrounding Municipal Solid Waste Landfill of Tamellast (Agadir, Morocco)

2021 ◽  
Vol 240 ◽  
pp. 02006
Author(s):  
Saadia Asouam ◽  
Farid Faik ◽  
Zine El Abidine El Morjani
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Resource Quality ◽  
Sodium Potassium ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Dug Wells ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Surface And Groundwater

The aim of this work was to study the physicochemical characterization and heavy metal testing results carried out for leachate generated by the landfilling of household and similar waste in the Tamellast landfill of Agadir. The surface and groundwater resource (often used as drinking source) samples collected from Tamellast and different water sources wells surrounding the landfill were used to find out the impact of leachate percolation on surface and groundwater quality. The Physico-chemical parameters analyzed were, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved oxygen, Sodium, Potassium, while biological parameters tested were Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), E.Coli and Coliform tot. The contamination was investigated by measuring the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, As, and Fe). The Electrical Conductivity (EC), COD, BOD, Sodium, Potassium, in leachate were found to be 13180 µs/cm, 3150 mgO2/l, 1000 mgO2/l, 2000 mg/L, and 10700 mg/L, respectively. The concentration in the surrounding dug wells varied from 8.33 – 9.13 mg/L for Dissolved Oxygen, 9.8 – 18 mg/L for potassium, 0.22 – 0.6 mg/L for Fe, and 0.012 – 0.1 mg/L for total Mn. The concentration of Mn, Fe, and other parameters decreased with increasing distance between the landfill and wells.

scholarly journals A Study of Residual Cyanides and Potential Stabilities in Tailings Storage Facility of Gold Mining Operation

2015 ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwanit Parinyachet ◽  
Quanchai Leepowpanth
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mining ◽  
Mining Operation ◽  
Strong Acid ◽  
Weak Acid ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Free Cyanide ◽  
Metal Cyanide ◽  
Acid Generation ◽  
Cyanide Complexes

The study aimed to investigate residual cyanides and their potential stabilities in tailings from a gold processing plant deposited in the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of a gold mining site. For this purpose, several samples of tailings were taken from the recently abandoned TSF to a depth of 2.5 meters, representing 1 to 2 years old tailings. The samples were analyzed for pH, metals, residual cyanides, and Net Acid Generation Test (NAG test). The results showed that, in all samples, pH values were neutral to slightly alkaline. Fe concentrations were relatively high (22,800-35,000 mg kg-1) indicating that Fe can readily react with free cyanide (CN-) to form iron cyanide complexes (strong metal cyanide complexes). The residual cyanide concentration in tailings was found to be very low; free cyanide (CNFree), weak acid dissociable cyanide (CNWAD), strong acid dissociable cyanide (CNSAD) and total cyanide (CNT) were in the range of 0.16-0.64, 0.37-1.06, 1.96-3.89 and 2.33-4.95 mg kg-1, respectively. Cyanides in the tailings were predominantly strong metal cyanide complexes being more stable to dissociate. Total cyanide (CNT) concentration was quite low compared with Thailand’s environmental regulations for soil quality standards andwere environmentally insignificant. The NAG test for all samples revealed that NAG pH was in the range of 5.02-6.10 and NAG was in the range of 0.08-0.31 kg H2SO4t-1indicating all samples have low or non-acid forming potentials. The findings indicated a potential to form a high proportion of strong metal cyanide complexes in the tailings, which is difficult to dissociate and releasehigh toxic cyanide to the environment.

scholarly journals Investigating and Managing the Impact of Using Untreated Wastewater for Irrigation on the Groundwater Quality in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7485
Author(s):  
Hany F. Abd-Elhamid ◽  
Shaimaa M. Abd-Elmoneem ◽  
Gamal M. Abdelaal ◽  
Martina Zeleňáková ◽  
Zuzana Vranayova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Untreated Wastewater ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Recharge Rates ◽  
Wastewater Recharge ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to investigate the impact of using untreated wastewater in irrigation. Different scenarios of management were applied by mixing it with treated wastewater or freshwater on groundwater quality. A hypothetical case study is presented. The numerical model of MODFLOW is used in the simulation by applying four stages (21 scenarios) including: different values of pumping rates, changing wastewater recharge rates, and a combination of the previous scenarios. Additionally, protection scenario for groundwater was applied by using different values of mixing of freshwater with wastewater. The simulation was carried out for the contamination of Chemical Oxygen Demand COD and the concentration reached 48.6 ppm at a depth of 25 m and 19.41 ppm at a depth of 50 m in the base case. The results showed a negative impact on groundwater quality had occurred due to increasing the pumping rates, wastewater recharge rates, and combination between two scenarios, which led to an increase of the contaminants in the aquifers. However, positive protection effects occurred due to mixing the wastewater with treated wastewater. The results of COD concentration in groundwater using treated wastewater reached 81.82, 77.88, 74.03, 70.12, and 66.15 ppm at a depth of 25 m and 53.53, 50.95, 48.43, 45.87, and 43.28 ppm at a depth of 50 m, at concentrations of 93, 88.52, 84.14, 79.7, and 75.19 ppm with constant pumping and recharge rates of 4320 m3/d and 547.5 mm/year, respectively. The using of treated wastewater could improve the groundwater quality to be used in the irrigation process and help to minimize groundwater contamination. Moreover, the abstraction of the groundwater should be optimized, and the qualities of wastewater should be constrained in agriculture to protect the groundwater quality.

Considering the impact of intermittent discharges when modelling overflows

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Sarah Jubb ◽  
Philip Hulme ◽  
Ian Guymer ◽  
John Martin
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sediment Oxygen Demand ◽  
Combined Sewer Overflows ◽  
River Hydraulics ◽  
Combined Sewer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Curve Equation

This paper describes a preliminary investigation that identified factors important in the prediction of river water quality, especially regarding dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. Intermittent discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) within the sewerage, and overflows at water reclamation works (WRW) cause dynamic conditions with respect to both river hydraulics and water quality. The impact of such discharges has been investigated under both wet and dry weather flow conditions. Data collected from the River Maun, UK, has shown that an immediate, transient oxygen demand exists downstream of an outfall during storm conditions. The presence of a delayed oxygen demand has also been identified. With regard to modelling, initial investigations used a simplified channel and the Streeter-Phelps (1925) dissolved oxygen sag curve equation. Later, a model taking into account hydrodynamic, transport and dispersion processes was used. This suggested that processes other than water phase degradation of organic matter significantly affect the dissolved oxygen concentration downstream of the location of an intermittent discharge. It is proposed that the dynamic rate of reaeration and the sediment oxygen demand should be the focus of further investigation.

scholarly journals Impact of the municipal merger on watershed management: a study of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Mizunoya ◽  
Noriko Nozaki ◽  
Rajeev Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Watershed Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Pollution Reduction ◽  
Lake Kasumigaura ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn the early 2000s, Japan instituted the Great Heisei Consolidation, a national strategy to promote large-scale municipal mergers. This study analyzes the impact that this strategy could have on watershed management. We select the Lake Kasumigaura Basin, the second largest lake in Japan, for the case study and construct a dynamic expanded input–output model to simulate the ecological system around the Lake, the socio-environmental changes over the period, and their mutual dependency for the period 2012–2020. In the model, we regulate and control the following water pollutants: total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand. The results show that a trade-off between economic activity and the environment can be avoided within a specific range of pollution reduction, given that the prefectural government implements optimal water environment policies, assuming that other factors constraining economic growth exist. Additionally, municipal mergers are found to significantly reduce the budget required to improve the water environment, but merger budget efficiency varies nonlinearly with the reduction rate. Furthermore, despite the increase in financial efficiency from the merger, the efficiency of installing domestic wastewater treatment systems decreases drastically beyond a certain pollution reduction level and eventually reaches a limit. Further reductions require direct regulatory instruments in addition to economic policies, along with limiting the output of each industry. Most studies on municipal mergers apply a political, administrative, or financial perspective; few evaluate the quantitative impact of municipal mergers on the environment and environmental policy implications. This study addresses these gaps.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Mass Balance and Pressure Impact Model Applied to an Urban Aquifer

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitja Janža ◽  
Joerg Prestor ◽  
Simona Pestotnik ◽  
Brigita Jamnik
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Nitrate Concentration ◽  
Impact Model ◽  
Sewer System ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Pressure Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The assurance of drinking water supply is one of the biggest emerging global challenges, especially in urban areas. In this respect, groundwater and its management in the urban environment are gaining importance. This paper presents the modeling of nitrogen load from the leaky sewer system and from agriculture and the impact of this pressure on the groundwater quality (nitrate concentration) in the urban aquifer located beneath the City of Ljubljana. The estimated total nitrogen load in the model area of 58 km2 is 334 ton/year, 38% arising from the leaky sewer system and 62% from agriculture. This load was used as input into the groundwater solute transport model to simulate the distribution of nitrate concentration in the aquifer. The modeled nitrate concentrations at the observation locations were found to be on average slightly lower (2.7 mg/L) than observed, and in general reflected the observed contamination pattern. The ability of the presented model to relate and quantify the impact of pressures from different contamination sources on groundwater quality can be beneficially used for the planning and optimization of groundwater management measures for the improvement of groundwater quality.

Experimental manipulations of the biomass of introduced carp (Cyprinus carpio) in billabongs. II. Impacts on benthic properties and processes1

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. Robertson ◽  
M. R. Healey ◽  
A. J. King
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sediment Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Nutrient Ratios ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
The Impact

Two billabongs on the floodplain of the Murrumbidgee River, Australia, were partitioned in half with impermeable plastic barriers and the biomass of carp was manipulated to establish high- and low-carp biomass treatments in each billabong. Measurements of benthic variables (rates of particle settlement, biofilm development, sediment respiration, macrophyte detritus decomposition, sediment solid-phase nutrient concentrations and benthic algal biomass) were performed over four months from summer to winter 1995. Rates of particle settlement were greater in the high-carp treatment of each billabong throughout the experiment. High carp biomass had a negative impact on the autotrophic component of the biofilm developing on wood blocks placed at different heights above the sediment surface but the mechanism responsible differed between billabongs. Sediment oxygen demand became greater in the presence of a higher biomass of carp during the experiment but time courses differed between billabongs. Manipulations of carp biomass did not influence algal biomass on the sediment surface, the rate of decomposition of macrophyte detritus or sediment solid-phase nutrients or nutrient ratios. The impact of carp on benthic and surficial processes was significant but the mechanisms of change differed between billabongs.

scholarly journals Physicochemical indicators of the influence of a lined municipal landfill on groundwater quality: a case study from Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Przydatek ◽  
Włodzimierz Kanownik
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Soil Medium ◽  
Detailed Statistical Analysis ◽  
Pollutant Migration ◽  
Leachate Water ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Carbon Concentrations

AbstractThe paper aims to determine the most significant physicochemical indicators of the effects that a lined landfill in southern Poland has had on groundwater quality. The results of the tests of groundwater and leachate water from the landfill for the period 2009 to 2016 were subjected to a detailed statistical analysis based on the 10 physicochemical parameters. A factor analysis was conducted considering the European Union and national requirements for landfills using analytical and statistical tools. The leachate contamination indicators from a landfill were analysed to reveal their interaction with the groundwater. The assessment indicated that there was an elevated and statistically significantly higher electrical conductivity and copper and total organic carbon concentrations in groundwater hydraulically downgradient of the landfill. The assessment also indicated that there were significant differences in the correlations between chemical parameters downgradient of the landfill and that there was a trend of increasing concentrations of some chemical constituents in groundwater. The adverse effects of the landfill were due to the deposited amount of waste exceeding 10 Mg per day. The impact was noticeable despite low and decreasing concentrations of heavy metals (Hg, Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) in the leachate. The deterioration of the chemical state of the groundwater in the landfill vicinity could result in the extended time of pollutant migration or mass transport in the irrigated soil medium due to the limited efficiency of the leachate intake system or sealing screen after more than 20 years of landfill operation.

Impact of Ogun River pollution on antioxidants and proximate composition of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-184
Author(s):  
B. O. Onunkwor ◽  
T. O. Akinpelu ◽  
O. J. Oladipupo ◽  
R. N. Ugbaja ◽  
O. J. Olaoye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proximate Composition ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Control Fish ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
African Catfish ◽  
Fish Samples ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ogun River

Most rivers in Nigeria are polluted without conscious efforts to abate ensuant consequences. Thus, Clarias gariepinus, an aquatic commercial food from Ogun River, Nigeria, was studied to investigate the impact of pollution on antioxidants and proximate composition. During the rainy season, 50 C. gariepinus (average weight 426.53 ± 24.40g and length 37.73 ± 0.95cm) were site sampled, 10 from each of Ago-Odo, Ago-Ika, Oke-Sokori, and Quarry along Ogun River course. Ajegunle-Adao cultured pond, served as control. The parameters assayed for included: some heavy metals and physico-chemical properties of sampled water, antioxidants and proximate composition of the fish samples. Physicochemical parameters of river studied showed that temperature of all sites ranged from 26 to 29°C, pH: 6.9 to 7.8, dissolved oxygen: 9.5 to 21.6, biochemical oxygen demand: 3.60 to 14.10, and chemical oxygen demand: 60 to 650. Lead (Pb) concentration ranged from 4.0 to 17.0 μg/L and cadmium (Cd): 0.0 to 6.0 μg/L. Blood Pb, Cd, activities of: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, plasma xanthine oxidase, and lipid peroxidation level of fish samples from Ago-Ika were most significantly (p < 0.05) high, with significant (p < 0.05) lowest reduced glutathione concentration amongst the samples from polluted sites when compared to control fish. Proximate analysis showed that the fish samples from Ogun River had significantly (p < 0.05) lower protein, fat contents, and higher nitrogen-free extract while Ago-Ika, Oke-Sokori and Quarry sites had significantly (p < 0.05) lower moisture, ash and fibre contents when compared with control. It can be concluded that the impact of pollution induced oxidative stress and significantly diminished the nutritional value of C. gariepinus from Ogun River.

Nitrate transport in the chalk vadose zone in in Picardy (France)

2021 ◽  
pp. SP517-2020-164
Author(s):  
N. Surdyk ◽  
L. Gourcy ◽  
V. Bault ◽  
N. Baran
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Nitrate Concentration ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nitrate Transport ◽  
Transport Time ◽  
Major Question ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSince the 1980s, nitrate has been shown to be present in soils and the vadose zone of various types of geological materials years after fertiliser application. In chalk where the vadose zone is thick, nitrate storage can be considerable and its transport time toward groundwater can be lengthy.In this context, evaluation of the impact of changes in agricultural practices on groundwater quality remains a major question. Improvement of groundwater quality can in certain cases be greatly delayed after the implementation of environmental agricultural practices.The principal objective of this study is to improve our knowledge of when changes in agricultural practices will have a noticeable effect on groundwater quality.To meet this objective, nitrate concentration profiles were performed in agricultural plots in Picardy (France). A crop marker event was used to calculate the transport velocity of water and associated solutes. This method is useful when other tracers (as tritium or chlorine) cannot be used. Estimated velocities range from 0.51 to 0.54 m/year; these values are similar to those described in similar chalk aquifers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document