Integrated Geophysical and Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Assessment of Groundwater Studies in Adum West Area of Benue State,Nigeria

Integration of geophysical and hydrogeochemical methods has been scientifically proven to be useful in vulnerability study and groundwater characterization. Subsurface geoelectric parameters such as resistivity and thickness obtained from geophysical method (Vertical Electrical Sounding VES) was used to determine aquifers vulnerability, longitudinal resistance (ρL) and transverse unit resistance (Rt). Thirty four water samples were collected from groundwater sources for physicochemical analysis.Estimated results from longitudinal conductance (S), (Rt) and (ρL) showed that the values ranges from 0.03 to 2.5mhos, 103.64 to 1964417.8 Ω/m2 and 215.41 to 65731.68 Ω-m respectively. Result from S suggested that 50 % of groundwater is considered to be vulnerable to contamination from the earth surface, while the remaining 50 % is considered to be slightly vulnerable to surface contamination. Further findings obtained from hydrogeochemical analysis such as Gibb’s and Chadba plots revealed that groundwater is highly influenced by rock water interaction,groundwater is classified to be Na+ + HCO3¯, Ca2+ + Mg2++ HCO3¯ , Na+ + Cl¯ and Ca2+ + Mg2+ + Cl¯ water type. Deduction from Soltan classification suggested that groundwater is classified to be of Na+ ˗ HCO3¯ and Na+ ˗ SO4 2¯ water type. Results obtained from Ec and pH suggested that the values were below WHO permissible limit, while result obtained from TDS showed that at some sampling points TDS values were above WHO limit. Based on pH value obtained groundwater within the study area fell within slightly basic to acidic.

Comprehensive Assessment on the Environmental Conditions of Abandoned and Inactive Mines in the Philippines

Most abandoned and inactive mines in the Philippines pose high risks to human health and the environment due to the disturbed and exposed heavy metal-laden soils and sediments and water-filled open pit mines. Establishing these mines’ environmental conditions remains a challenge as it requires time, effort, resources, and faces a lack of funding as the economic phase of the mine has already ceased. In order to contribute to the solution on the assessment of abandoned and inactive mines, integrated methods with combined essential testing, sampling, and analyses of different environmental media present in the mine site are suggested in this paper. On-site and laboratory methods include analyses for water (surface water and groundwater characterization, quality assessment, and environmental isotope tracers), soils and sediments (heavy and trace metals, anomalous elements, erosion, and nutrient availability), air quality, and radiometric survey. These methods can be classified as rapid with complete data, and information can be gathered to support a health risk assessment in the area, as well as used as a guide for rehabilitation prioritization of the abandoned mines.

Hydraulic Conductivity Estimation Using Low-Flow Purging Data Elaboration in Contaminated Sites

Hydrogeological characterization is required when investigating contaminated sites, and hydraulic conductivity is an important parameter that needs to be estimated. Before groundwater sampling, well water level values are measured during low-flow purging to check the correct driving of the activity. However, these data are generally considered only as an indicator of an adequate well purging. In this paper, water levels and purging flow rates were considered to estimate hydraulic conductivity values in an alluvial aquifer, and the obtained results were compared with traditional hydraulic conductivity test results carried on in the same area. To test the applicability of this method, data coming from 59 wells located in the alluvial aquifer of Malagrotta waste disposal site, a large area of 160 ha near Rome, were analyzed and processed. Hydraulic conductivity values were estimated by applying the Dupuit’s hypothesis for steady-state radial flow in an unconfined aquifer, as these are the hydraulic conditions in pumping wells for remediation purposes. This study aims to show that low-flow purging procedures in monitoring wells—carried out before sampling for groundwater characterization—represent an easy and inexpensive method for soil hydraulic conductivity estimation with good feasibility, if correctly carried on.