Impact of anthropogenic activity on the chemical regime of underground waters

The article is dedicated to definition of the tendency to change and pattern of formation of the chemical regime of underground waters in the Turyanchay-Girdimanchay interfluve in the Shirvan steppe, Azerbaijan as a result of anthropogenic activity. The subsoil waters studied are spread in the zone between the Turyanchay and Girdimanchay rivers. From 1930 to 2019 based on analysis of the observation of the chemical regime of subsoil waters, the natural regime of the groundwaters in the studied area strongly changed as a result of irrigation and construction works. In 1930 the average mineralization degree of subsoil waters was 26.8 gram/liter in the zone. The level of subsoil waters approaches the surface and is exposed to strong evaporation as a result of irrigation and filtration of waters from irrigation channels. Consequently, the mineralization rate of subsoil waters increased and mass secondary salinization process occurred in the irrigated lands. The average mineralization degree of subsoil waters was 33.6–34.5 gram/liter in the research zone in the 1960s-1970s. Collector-drainage networks were built and basic washing of soils is carried out in order the prevent secondary salinization and regulate the level of subsoil waters. After the 1970s the mineralization rate of subsoil waters began to decrease due to basic washing, intensive irrigation and the activity of the collector-drainage network.The average mineralization degree decreased to 15.1 gram/liter. The mineralization degree of the water in the Main Shirvan Collector which takes subsoil waters formed in the zone with 253,000 hectares and which discaharges them into the Caspian Sea decreased more than 3 times in comparison with 1995. At present the mineralization degree of collector water is 1.8–2.5 gram/liter while its mineralization degree was 8.81 gram/liter in 1995. Formation of the process in a favourable direction enchances the potential of using collector water for irrigation, technical and other purposes and creates a basis for elimination of water deficiency in drought years. The research shows that anthropogenic activity mainly plays an important role in formation of the chemical regime of subsoil waters.

Anthropic Influences on the Quality of Underground Waters for Human Consumption in Russas, Ceará, Northeastern Brazil

In regions with semi-arid characteristics, groundwater is a precious source of water supply, mainly from alluvium, due to the decent quality of its waters. However, the sandy texture favors vulnerability, and the infiltration and percolation of fluids increase the risk of contamination of the aquifer in the presence of polluting sources. The population’s knowledge about these problems is still ephemeral, which can lead to the consumption of contaminated water, putting health at risk. Thus, research was conducted in the municipality of Russas – Ceará, to study the quality of groundwater, the possible polluting sources in the urban area, and assess the possible risks to human health. First, technical visits for reconnaissance and survey of information were conducted, such as possible polluting sources and situations of existing wells. The selection of wells to collect water followed criteria of proximity to polluting sources, well conditions, and, mainly, those linked to the use of water for human consumption. The result showed that 43% of the samples are above the limits proved by Brazilian legislation for turbidity, total hardness, TDS, sodium, chloride, and nitrate, while the others are withinthe standard. Concerning chlorides and nitrates, the concentrations show there is possibly a relationship with anthropic contaminants(agricultural area; domestic effluents) for the aquifer recharge areas and condition common problems to human health. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to continue research in Medical Geology that will enable the monitoring and future management of water quality of groundwater for the population.

Legal Aspects of Geothermal Energy Use in Poland

Geothermal energy, understood as the energy stored in the form of heat beneath the earth’s surface, is one of the types of renewable energy sources. In Poland, geothermal energy is the renewable energy source with the highest technical potential, which results from the fact that there are natural sedimentation-structure basins in Poland, filled with hot underground waters of various temperatures. One of the basic factors determining the potential development of undertakings oriented at the use of geothermal energy is the legal environment, understood as a system of legal regulations relating to human activity connected with the use of geothermal energy. The subject of this study is the analysis of legal conditions for ventures geared towards geothermal energy exploration, documentation, and extraction. In Poland there is no uniform legal act regulating these issues in a comprehensive way. The provisions of the Geological and Mining Law and the Water Law, but also the provisions of the Construction Law, Environmental Protection Law, Energy Law, and Renewable Energy Sources Act apply to the analysed projects. The complexity and multilayer character of legal regulations determines the multitude of legal procedures reflecting the regulatory function of the state, realised through the system of concessions, permits, permissions, and approvals. The aim of this study is to present the legal regulations applicable in Poland relating to the use of geothermal energy, and to analyse the level of rationing of activities undertaken in this field.

Forecasting the radiation background in the territories of Kazakhstan located near the uranium mining industries

A significant part of the territory of Kazakhstan is characterized by a high natural background radiation of soils and rocks, the spread of natural ground and underground waters with high concentrations of radionuclides in the regions of uranium, thorium and rare metal ore provinces and regions. Therefore, conducting high-quality radio monitoring of the state of the environment using modern information systems will make it possible to predict the background radiation in a timely manner and outline measures to reduce environmental risks to the health of the nation as a whole. Key words: radioecology, monitoring, life safety, radionuclides, national health.

Composition of microorganisms in carbonated mineral waters of the Mukhen deposit (Khabarovsk territory)

The chemical composition, distribution, structure, number of physiological groups of cultivated bacteria and their biodiversity in the cold carbonic mineral waters of Mukhen and in microbial mats were studied. It is shown that the mineral waters are cold, hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium, enriched with iron, manganese, barium. Carbon dioxide predominates in the gaseous composition of waters. Microbiological studies have shown that no sanitary-indicative microflora was found in mineral waters, which indicates the purity of underground waters. Carbonic waters were characterized by a low number of physiological groups of autochthonous bacteria. Among the studied microorganisms, chemolithotrophic thionic bacteria predominated, which indicates the predominance of oxidation processes of reduced sulfur compounds with the participation of bacteria in groundwater. In the microbial mats, various chemolithotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms were identified, participating in the geochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron, manganese, and silicon. The number of physiological groups of bacteria was higher than in mineral waters, along with this saprophytic bacteria predominated significantly. A sufficiently high rate of protein and cellulose decomposition by microorganisms of microbial mats was shown. A low diversity of cultured heterotrophic bacteria with the dominance of microorganisms of the genus Bacillus was found in mineral waters and in microbial mats. By using the methods of X-ray phase analysis, the important role of microorganisms of microbial mats in the precipitation of silicate minerals and the formation of calcium carbonates was shown.

The results of a complex study of the Turchu limestone hollow (polje). Western Georgia, Caucasus

Based on the complex studies (geographical-geological, karst-speleological, and geophysical studies), conducted by the authors in the study area, karst forms such as sinkholes and ponors were identified, the width (2-17 m) of the Quaternary deposits located on the limestones were determined, the average and maximum discharges of the streams flowing on the bottom of the hollow were calculated. Studies have also shown that relatively heavy rains and snowmelt periodically flood the relatively low, western part of the hollow and create a temporary lake that soon dries up through the ponors at the bottom of the hollow, where the water stream are discharged. The closed shape of the Turchu hollow the limestone bottom covered with Quaternary deposits and the events described above indicate the corrosive origin of the hollow, which has been practically confirmed by our georadiological and electrometric studies. It is notable that the role of tectonic movements in the origin of the hollow along with the corrosive processes, which had a periodic character, and together with the uplifting of the area caused the lowering of the levels of underground waters and, consequently, the activation of karst processes.

Long-term changes in the chemical composition of the water of the Inhulets and Saksahan rivers within the Kryvorizkyi Iron Ore Basin (1980–2020)

The article presents the generalized results of chemical composition research of waters from Inhulets and Saksahan rivers on the territory adjacent to the Northern and Inhulets with pumping of underground waters (mine and quarry), which have an abnormal chemical composition, high mineralization and contain high concentrations of microcomponents. The following scheme of mine water utilization is used in the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin: the mines of the northern part of Kryvbas discharge water into the tailings dam of Northern Iron Ore Dressing works (Northern GZK); mines of the southern part discharge mine waters into the storage pond of the Svistunov creek during the year, and in the winter its waters are discharged into the Inhulets River with subsequent washing of the river in the spring-summer period. Such treatment of mine and quarry waters has led to the formation of a hydrochemical anomaly on the territory of Northern GZK with the center in the tailings. The mineralization of water in the pond reaches 23 g / l (2020). There is a high content of microcomponents: lead, cadmium, vanadium, manganese, boron, bromine, nickel, mercury, thiocyanates. As a result, the mineralization of the Saksahan River water increases over time (up to 5.4 g / l), the content of microcomponents also increases and becomes quite high. Prolonged use of the Inhulets River for utilization of mine water from the Svistunov creek storage pond has led to a change in the type of water: instead of type II (river water), Inhulets water belongs to the type III (metamorphosed waters). There are no regularities in the change of chemical composition of water (hydrochemical regime) in Inhulets, which is a consequence of the introduction of the scheme "discharge – flushing" for the disposal of mine water. Among the microcomponents in the water of Inhulets there is an increased content of vanadium, boron and bromine (7–8 times), single excess of lead content. The analysis of equilibria in the carbonate-calcium system of the Inhulets and Saksahan rivers confirmed that the existing hydrochemical regime for the studied rivers is stationary, thus, the environmental measures implemented will not have rapid consequences.

Complex mechanism of sulphane odour production in water heating and suitable remedial measures

Drinking or heated water can have a wide range of disturbing odours which have many various causes. A well known example is sulphane (hydrogen sulfide) odour, reminiscent of rotten eggs, which naturally occurs in some underground waters. Less known and hitherto unexplained is this odour arising from hot water in water heaters. As a response to complaints by consumers we investigated 14 sites and thanks to experimental work in one of these recognised a complex mechanism at work. For production of sulphane to occur in a water heater the following conditions must be met: presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria, presence of sulphates, reduction properties of water indicated by a very low nitrate content (highest value was 10 mg/L, mostly <2 mg/L), and presence of sacrificial magnesium anode. We identified four possible remedial measures, some of which are less effective or only short-term, or have an undesirable side-effect (corrosion). The most effective measure was replacement of the magnesium anode for an aluminium or zinc anode, which retains the anticorrosion protection of the heater.

Electrochemical Study of Stainless Steel Anchor Bolt Corrosion Initiation in Corrosive Underground Water

Application of low-nickel stainless steel anchor was one of the economical and effective methods to solve the durability problem of slope engineering. At present, there are scarce reports about corrosion characteristics of low-nickel stainless steel in various underground waters. For investigating the corrosion initiation of stainless steel anchor bolt in corrosive underground water, the effect of SO42−, HCO3− and pH value on the corrosion behavior of 201 low-nickel stainless steel was studied via electrochemical methods. As the SO42− concentration, HCO3− concentration or pH value increase, the open circuit potential and polarization resistance increase, while the double-layer capacitance, donor density and passive current density decrease. The results indicate that corrosion is inhibited by SO42−, HCO3− and OH− in underground water. In addition, the inhibitive efficiency of SO42− and HCO3− increases with the SO42− and HCO3− concentration.

Methodological Foundation and Assessment of Artesian Water Treatment Technology in the Republic of the Union Of Myanmar

The analysis of the compositions of artesian waters from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar as a source of potable water production is carried out. The underground waters are characterized by high degree of hardness and content of iron and manganese. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration corresponding thus to the class of brackish water. Three potential approaches to the development of drinking water production technology are proposed. Technical and economic analysis of the specific operating costs for potable water from artesian resources of Republic of the Union of Myanmar was carried out and the optimal technological schemes of treatment plants were determined.