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Mahindawansha, A., Külls, C., Kraft, P., & Breuer, L. (2020). Investigating unproductive water losses from irrigated agricultural crops in the humid tropics through analyses of stable isotopes of water. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24(7), 3627–3642.
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Morin, E., Grodek, T., Dahan, O., Benito, G., Külls, C., Jacoby, Y., et al. (2009). Flood routing and alluvial aquifer recharge along the ephemeral arid Kuiseb River, Namibia. Journal of Hydrology, 368(1-4), 262–275.
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Müller, M., Alaoui, A., Külls, C., Leistert, H., Meusburger, K., Stumpp, C., et al. (2014). Tracking water pathways in steep hillslopes by δ18O depth profiles of soil water. Journal of hydrology, 519, 340–352.
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N, D., Panda, B., S, C., V, P. M., Singh, D. K., L, R. A., et al. (2021). Spatio-temporal variations of Uranium in groundwater: Implication to the environment and human health. Science of The Total Environment, 775, 145787.
Abstract: Groundwater overexploitation has resulted in huge scarcity and increase in the demand for water and food security in India. Groundwater in India has been observed to have experienced various water quality issues like arsenic, fluoride, and Uranium (U) contamination, leading to risk in human health. Markedly, the health risk of higher U in drinking water, as well as its chemical toxicity in groundwater have adverse effects on human. This study has reported occurrence of U as an emerging and widespread phenomenon in South Indian groundwater. Data on U in groundwater were generated from 284 samples along the Cretaceous Tertiary boundary within 4 seasons viz. pre-monsoon (PRM), southwest monsoon (SWM), northeast monsoon (NEM), and post-monsoon (POM). High U concentrations (74 μgL−1) showed to be above the World Health Organization’s provisional guideline value of 30 μgL−1. The geochemical, stable isotope and geophysical studies suggested that U in groundwater could vary with respect to season and was noted to be highest during NEM. The bicarbonate (HCO3) released by weathering process during monsoon could affect the saturation index (SI)Calcite and carbonate species of U. However, the primary source of U was found to be due to geogenic factors, like weathering, dissolution, and groundwater level fluctuation, and that, U mobilization could be enhanced due to anthropogenic activities. The findings further indicated that groundwater in the study area has reached the alarming stage of chemical toxicity. Hence, it is urgent and imperative that workable management strategies for sustainable drinking water source be developed and preventive measures be undertaken, relative to these water quality concerns to mitigate their disconcerting effect on human health.
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Ola, I., Drebenstedt, C., Burgess, R. M., Mensah, M., Hoth, N., Okoroafor, P., et al. (2024). Assessing petroleum contamination in parts of the Niger Delta based on a sub-catchment delineated field assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(6), 585.
Abstract: The Niger Delta in Nigeria is a complex and heavily contaminated area with over 150,000 interconnected contaminated sites. This intricate issue is compounded by the region’s strong hydrological processes and high-energy environment, necessitating a science-based approach for effective contamination assessment and management. This study introduces the concept of sub-catchment contamination assessment and management, providing an overarching perspective rather than addressing each site individually. A description of the sub-catchment delineation process using the digital elevation model data from an impacted area within the Delta is provided. Additionally, the contamination status from the delineated sub-catchment is reported. Sediment, surface water and groundwater samples from the sub-catchment were analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively. Surface sediment TPH concentrations ranged from 129 to 20,600 mg/kg, with subsurface (2-m depth) concentrations from 15.5 to 729 mg/kg. PAHs in surface and subsurface sediment reached 9.55 mg/kg and 0.46 mg/kg, respectively. Surface water exhibited TPH concentrations from 10 to 620 mg/L, while PAHs ranged from below detection limits to 1 mg/L. Groundwater TPH concentrations spanned 3 to 473 mg/L, with total PAHs varying from below detection limits to 0.28 mg/L. These elevated TPH and PAH levels indicate extensive petroleum contamination in the investigated sediment and water environment. Along with severe impacts on large areas of mangroves and wetlands, comparison of TPH and PAH concentrations with sediment and water quality criteria found 54 to 100% of stations demonstrated exceedances, suggesting adverse biological effects on aquatic and sediment biota are likely occurring.
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