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Author Sahoo, P.K.; Virk, H.S.; Powell, M.A.; Kumar, R.; Pattanaik, J.K.; Salomão, G.N.; Mittal, S.; Chouhan, L.; Nandabalan, Y.K.; Tiwari, R.P.
Title (up) Meta-analysis of uranium contamination in groundwater of the alluvial plains of Punjab, northwest India: Status, health risk, and hydrogeochemical processes Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 807 Issue Pages 151753
Keywords Agrochemicals, Geogenic contamination, Punjab, Salinity, Shallow aquifer, Uranium enrichment
Abstract Despite numerous studies, there are many knowledge gaps in our understanding of uranium (U) contamination in the alluvial aquifers of Punjab, India. In this study, a large hydrogeochemical dataset was compiled to better understand the major factors controlling the mobility and enrichment of uranium (U) in this groundwater system. The results showed that shallow groundwaters (\textless60 m) are more contaminated with U than from deeper depths (\textgreater60 m). This effect was predominant in the Southwest districts of the Malwa, facing significant risk due to chemical toxicity of U. Groundwaters are mostly oxidizing and alkaline (median pH: 7.25 to 7.33) in nature. Spearman correlation analysis showed that U concentrations are more closely related to total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, Na, K, HCO3−, NO3− Cl−, and F− in shallow water than deep water, but TDS and salinity remained highly correlated (U-TDS: ρ = 0.5 to 0.6; U-salinity: ρ = 0.5). This correlation suggests that the salt effect due to high competition between ions is the principal cause of U mobilization. This effect is evident when the U level increased with increasing mixed water species (Na-Cl, Mg-Cl, and Na-HCO3). Speciation data showed that the most dominant U species are Ca2UO2(CO3)2− and CaUO2(CO3)3−, which are responsible for the U mobility. Based on the field parameters, TDS along with pH and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) were better fitted to U concentration above the WHO guideline value (30 μg.L−1), thus this combination could be used as a quick indicator of U contamination. The strong positive correlation of U with F− (ρ = 0.5) in shallow waters indicates that their primary source is geogenic, while anthropogenic factors such as canal irrigation, groundwater table decline, and use of agrochemicals (mainly nitrate fertilizers) as well as climate-related factors i.e., high evaporation under arid/semi-arid climatic conditions, which result in higher redox and TDS/salinity levels, may greatly affect enrichment of U. The geochemical rationale of this study will provide Science-based-policy implications for U health risk assessment in this region and further extrapolate these findings to other arid/semi-arid areas worldwide.
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ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Medium
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Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ sahoo_meta-analysis_2022 Serial 150
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Author Gómez, P.; Garralón, A.; Buil, B.; Turrero, M.J.; Sánchez, L.; Cruz, B. de la
Title (up) Modeling of geochemical processes related to uranium mobilization in the groundwater of a uranium mine Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 366 Issue 1 Pages 295-309
Keywords Geochemical modeling, Granite, Groundwater, Uranium mine, Uranium retention
Abstract This paper describes the processes leading to uranium distribution in the groundwater of five boreholes near a restored uranium mine (dug in granite), and the environmental impact of restoration work in the discharge area. The groundwater uranium content varied from \textless1 μg/L in reduced water far from the area of influence of the uranium ore-containing dyke, to 104 μg/L in a borehole hydraulically connected to the mine. These values, however, fail to reflect a chemical equilibrium between the water and the pure mineral phases. A model for the mobilization of uranium in this groundwater is therefore proposed. This involves the percolation of oxidized waters through the fractured granite, leading to the oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite and the precipitation of iron oxyhydroxides. This in turn leads to the dissolution of the primary pitchblende and, subsequently, the release of U(VI) species to the groundwater. These U(VI) species are retained by iron hydroxides. Secondary uranium species are eventually formed as reducing conditions are re-established due to water–rock interactions.
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Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ gomez_modeling_2006 Serial 162
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Author Jroundi, F.; Descostes, M.; Povedano-Priego, C.; Sánchez-Castro, I.; Suvannagan, V.; Grizard, P.; Merroun, M.L.
Title (up) Profiling native aquifer bacteria in a uranium roll-front deposit and their role in biogeochemical cycle dynamics: Insights regarding in situ recovery mining Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 721 Issue Pages 137758
Keywords Bacterial diversity, Bioremediation, In-situ recovery, Natural attenuation, Network analysis, Uranium
Abstract A uranium-mineralized sandy aquifer, planned for mining by means of uranium in situ recovery (U ISR), harbors a reservoir of bacterial life that may influence the biogeochemical cycles surrounding uranium roll-front deposits. Since microorganisms play an important role at all stages of U ISR, a better knowledge of the resident bacteria before any ISR actuations is essential to face environmental quality assessment. The focus here was on the characterization of bacteria residing in an aquifer surrounding a uranium roll-front deposit that forms part of an ISR facility project at Zoovch Ovoo (Mongolia). Water samples were collected following the natural redox zonation inherited in the native aquifer, including the mineralized orebody, as well as compartments located both upstream (oxidized waters) and downstream (reduced waters) of this area. An imposed chemical zonation for all sensitive redox elements through the roll-front system was observed. In addition, high-throughput sequencing data showed that the bacterial community structure was shaped by the redox gradient and oxygen availability. Several interesting bacteria were identified, including sulphate-reducing (e.g. Desulfovibrio, Nitrospira), iron-reducing (e.g. Gallionella, Sideroxydans), iron-oxidizing (e.g. Rhodobacter, Albidiferax, Ferribacterium), and nitrate-reducing bacteria (e.g. Pseudomonas, Aquabacterium), which may also be involved in metal reduction (e.g. Desulfovibrio, Ferribacterium, Pseudomonas, Albidiferax, Caulobacter, Zooglea). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and co-occurrence patterns confirmed strong correlations among the bacterial genera, suggesting either shared/preferred environmental conditions or the performance of similar/complementary functions. As a whole, the bacterial community residing in each aquifer compartment would appear to define an ecologically functional ecosystem, containing suitable microorganisms (e.g. acidophilic bacteria) prone to promote the remediation of the acidified aquifer by natural attenuation. Assessing the composition and structure of the aquifer’s native bacteria is a prerequisite for understanding natural attenuation and predicting the role of bacterial input in improving ISR efficiency.
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Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ jroundi_profiling_2020 Serial 177
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Author Musy, S.; Purtschert, R.
Title (up) Reviewing 39Ar and 37Ar underground production in shallow depths with implications for groundwater dating Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 884 Issue Pages 163868
Keywords Subsurface production, Argon-39, Argon-37, Muons, Isotope hydrology, Tracers
Abstract Argon-37 (37Ar) and Argon-39 (39Ar) are used for groundwater dating on timescales from weeks to centuries. For both isotopes, the quantification of underground sources is essential to accurately infer water residence times from sampled dissolved activities. Subsurface production resulting from interactions with neutrons from the natural radioactivity in rocks and with primary cosmogenic neutrons has been known for a long time. More recently, the capture of slow negative muons and reactions with muon-induced neutrons were documented for 39Ar subsurface production in the context of underground particle detectors (e.g. for Dark Matter research). However, the contribution from these particles was never considered for groundwater dating applications. Here, we reevaluate the importance of all potential depth-related production channels at depth ranges relevant for 39Ar groundwater dating [0 − 200 meters below the surface (m.b.s)]. The production of radioargon by muon-induced processes is considered in this depth range for the first time. The uncertainty on the total depth-dependent production rate is estimated with Monte Carlo simulations assuming a uniform distribution of the parameter uncertainties. This work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for interpreting 39Ar activities in terms of groundwater residence times and for exposure age dating of rocks. The production of 37Ar is also addressed since this isotope is relevant as a proxy for 39Ar production, for the timing of river-groundwater exchanges, and in the context of on-site inspections (OSI) within the verification framework of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). In this perspective, we provide an interactive web-based application for the calculation of 37Ar and 39Ar production rates in rocks.
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Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Musy2023163868 Serial 217
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Author Pham, H.C.; Alila, Y.
Title (up) Science of forests and floods: The quantum leap forward needed, literally and metaphorically Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 912 Issue Pages 169646
Keywords Hydrological causality, Extreme value analyses, Land use impact, Peakflows, Extreme events epistemology, Experimental design
Abstract A century of research has generated considerable disagreement on the effect of forests on floods. Here we call for a causal inference framework to advance the science and management of the effect of any forest or its removal on flood severity and frequency. The causes of floods are multiple and chancy and, hence, can only be investigated via a probabilistic approach. We use the stochastic hydrology literature to infer a blueprint framework which could guide future research on the understanding and prediction of the effects of forests on floods in environments where rain is the dominant form of precipitation. Drawing parallels from other disciplines, we show that the introduction of probability in forest hydrology could stimulate a gestalt switch in the science of forests and floods. In light of increasing flood risk caused by climate change, this probabilistic framework can help policymakers develop robust forest and water management plans based on a defensible and clear understanding of floods.
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Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ Pham2024169646 Serial 244
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