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Author Hofmann, H.; Pearce, J.K.; Hayes, P.; Golding, S.D.; Hall, N.; Baublys, K.A.; Raiber, M.; Suckow, A. url  openurl
  Title Multi-tracer approach to constrain groundwater flow and geochemical baseline assessments for CO2 sequestration in deep sedimentary basins Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication International Journal of Coal Geology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 104438  
  Keywords CO geological storage, Great Artesian Basin, Groundwater chemistry, Isotopic tracer, Surat Basin  
  Abstract Geological storage of gases will be necessary in the push to net zero and the energy transition to reduce carbon emissions to atmosphere. These include CO2 geological storage in suitable sandstone reservoirs. Understanding groundwater flow, connectivity and hydrogeochemical processes in aquifer and storage systems is vital to prevent risk and protect important water resources, such as the Great Artesian Basin. Here, we provide a ‘tool-box’ of geochemical assessment methods to provide information on flow patterns through the basin’s aquifers (changes in chemistry along flow path), stagnant versus flowing conditions (cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases), inter-aquifer connectivity and seal properties (major ions, Sr and stable isotopes), water quality (major ions and metals) and general assessments on residence times of groundwater (cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases). This information can be used with reservoir and groundwater models to inform on possible changes in the above-mentioned processes and serve as input parameters for CO2 injection impact modelling. We demonstrate the use and interpretation on an example of a potential CO2 storage geological sequestration site in the Surat Basin, part of the Great Artesian Basin, and the aquifers that overly the reservoir. The stable water isotopes are depleted compared to average rainfall and most likely indicate greater contributions from monsoonal rain events from the northern monsoonal troughs, where amount and rainout effects lead to the depletion rather than colder recharge climates. This is supported by the modern recharge temperatures from noble gases. Inter-aquifer mixing between the Precipice Sandstone reservoir and the Hutton Sandstone aquifer seems unlikely as the Sr isotope ratios are distinctly different suggesting that the Evergreen Formation is a seal in the locations sampled. Mixing, however, occurs on the edges of the basin, especially in the south-east and east where the Surat Basin transitions into the Clarence-Moreton Basin. Groundwater flow appears to be to the south in the Precipice Sandstone, with a component of flow east to the Clarence-Morton Basin. The cosmogenic isotopes and noble gases strongly indicate very long residence times of groundwater in the central south Precipice Sandstone around a proposed storage site. 14C values below analytical uncertainty, R36Cl ratios at secular equilibrium as well as high He concentrations and high 40Ar/36Ar ratios support the argument that groundwater flow in this area is extremely slow or groundwater is stagnant. The results of this study reflect the geological and hydrogeological complexities of sedimentary basins and that baseline studies, such as this one, are paramount for management strategies.  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0166-5162 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ hofmann_multi-tracer_2023 Serial 165  
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Author Holmes, M.; Campbell, E.E.; Wit, M. de; Taylor, J.C. url  openurl
  Title Can diatoms be used as a biomonitoring tool for surface and groundwater?: Towards a baseline for Karoo water Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication South African Journal of Botany Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 161 Issue Pages 211-221  
  Keywords Bioindicator, Diatom, Hydraulic fracturing, Karoo, Water quality  
  Abstract The environmental risks from shale gas extraction through the unconventional method of ‘fracking’ are considerable and impact on water supplies below and above ground. Since 2010 the recovery of natural shale gas through fracking has been proposed in parts of the fragile semi-arid ecosystems that make up the Karoo biome in South Africa. These unique ecosystems are heavily reliant on underground water, intermittent and ephemeral springs, which are at great risk of contamination by fracking processes. Diatoms are present in all water bodies and reflect aspects of the environment in which they are located. As the possibility of fracking has not been removed, the aim of the project was to determine if diatoms could be used for rapid biomonitoring of underground and surface waters in the Karoo. Over a period of 24 months, water samples and diatom species were collected simultaneously from 65 sites. A total of 388 diatom taxa were identified from 290 samples with seasonal and substrate variation affecting species composition but not the environmental information. Species diversity information, on the other hand, often varied significantly between substrates within a single sample. Analysis using CCA established that the diatom composition was affected by lithium, oxidized nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and sulphate levels in the sampled water. We conclude that changes in diatom community composition in the Karoo do reflect the water chemistry and could be useful as bioindicators.  
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  ISSN 0254-6299 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ holmes_can_2023 Serial 163  
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Author Tisherman, R.A.; Rossi, R.J.; Shonkoff, S.B.C.; DiGiulio, D.C. url  openurl
  Title Groundwater uranium contamination from produced water disposal to unlined ponds in the San Joaquin Valley Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 904 Issue Pages 166937  
  Keywords Groundwater, Oil & gas, Produced water, San Joaquin Valley, Uranium  
  Abstract In the southern San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California, an agriculturally productive region that relies on groundwater for irrigation and domestic water supply, the infiltration of produced water from oil reservoirs is known to impact groundwater due to percolation from unlined disposal ponds. However, previously documented impacts almost exclusively focus on salinity, while contaminant loadings commonly associated with produced water (e.g., radionuclides) are poorly constrained. For example, the infiltration of bicarbonate-rich produced waters can react with sediment-bound uranium (U), leading to U mobilization and subsequent transport to nearby groundwater. Specifically, produced water infiltration poses a particular concern for SJV groundwater, as valley-fill sediments are well documented to be enriched in geogenic, reduced U. Here, we analyzed monitoring well data from two SJV produced water pond facilities to characterize U mobilization and subsequent groundwater contamination. Groundwater wells installed within 2 km of the facilities contained produced water and elevated levels of uranium. There are \textgreater400 produced water disposal pond facilities in the southern SJV. If our observations occur at even a fraction of these facilities, there is the potential for widespread U contamination in the groundwaters of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ tisherman_groundwater_2023 Serial 159  
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Author Borrego-Alonso, D.; Quintana-Arnés, B.; Lozano, J.C. url  openurl
  Title Natural radionuclides behaviour in drinking groundwaters from Castilla y León (Spain); radiological implications Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Water Research Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 245 Issue Pages 120616  
  Keywords Drinking water, Environmental monitoring, Natural radioactivity, Public health, Radiological characterisation  
  Abstract Since the coming into force of the European Council Directive 51/2013 EURATOM and its transposition into the Spanish legislation, the presence of radioactive substances in drinking waters must be kept under surveillance to ensure that the health protection requirements are met. Driven by this regulatory framework, in an attempt to know the starting point from which to design surveillance plans, the groundwaters intended for human consumption of Castilla y León (Spain) have been radiologically characterised by using both low-level γ-ray and α-particle spectrometry to determine the activity concentration of the natural radionuclides needed to account for the indicative dose estimation. This extensive research has comprised the radiological characterisation of more than 400 drinking water samples from one of the European Union’s largest regions. Furthermore, the gross α and gross β activities have been analysed. Results showed a high geographical variability that can be related to the hydrogeological formations where the groundwaters come from. The uranium isotopes, 234U and 238U, are the main radionuclides present in the analysed drinking waters reaching values up to 2000 mBq/L, in the southwestern and western of Castilla y León, where U-rich minerals are part of the host rock. High 210Pb and 226,228Ra occurrences are found in the low permeability igneous and metasedimentary hydrogeological formations of Salamanca province. From a public health protection point of view, 4.4% of the total drinking water samples from intakes exceeded the Indicative Dose parametric value of 0.1 mSv, which is a not negligible number of samples, being very likely related to granitic and metamorphosed host rock under specific local conditions. This fact highlights the need for research and consideration of special surveillance of the groundwaters from these areas.  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0043-1354 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ borrego-alonso_natural_2023 Serial 157  
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Author Liu, Z.; Li, C.; Tan, K.; Li, Y.; Tan, W.; Li, X.; Zhang, C.; Meng, S.; Liu, L. url  openurl
  Title Study of natural attenuation after acid in situ leaching of uranium mines using isotope fractionation and geochemical data Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 865 Issue Pages 161033  
  Keywords Acid in situ leaching, Geochemical and isotopic tracing, Groundwater contamination, Natural attenuation, Uranium post-mining  
  Abstract Acid in situ leaching (AISL) is a subsurface mining approach suitable for low-grade ores which does not generate tailings, and has been adopted widely in uranium mining. However, this technique causes an extremely high concentration of contaminants at post-mining sites and in the surroundings soon after the mining ceases. As a potential AISL remediation strategy, natural attenuation has not been studied in detail. To address this problem, groundwater collected from 26 wells located within, adjacent, upgradient, and downgradient of a post-mining site were chosen to analyze the fate of U(VI), SO42−, δ34S, and δ238U, to reveal the main mechanisms governing the migration and attenuation of the dominant contaminants and the spatio-temporal evolutions of contaminants in the confined aquifer of the post-mining site. The δ238U values vary from −0.07 ‰ to 0.09 ‰ in the post-mining site and from −1.43 ‰ to 0.03 ‰ around the post-mining site. The δ34S values were found to vary from 3.3 ‰ to 6.2 ‰ in the post-mining site and from 6.0 ‰ to 11.0 ‰ around the post-mining site. Detailed analysis suggests that there are large differences between the range of isotopic composition variation and the range of pollutants concentration distribution, and the estimated Rayleigh isotope fractionation factor is 0.9994–0.9997 for uranium and 1.0032–1.0061 for sulfur. The isotope ratio of uranium and sulfur can be used to deduce the migration history of the contaminants and the irreversibility of the natural attenuation process in the anoxic confined aquifer. Combining the isotopic fractionation data for U and S with the concentrations of uranium and sulfate improved the accuracy of understanding of reducing conditions along the flow path. The study also indicated that as long as the geological conditions are favorable for redox reactions, natural attenuation could be used as a cost-effective remediation scheme.  
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  ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ liu_study_2023 Serial 155  
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Author Veerasamy, N.; Kasar, S.; Murugan, R.; Inoue, K.; Natarajan, T.; Ramola, R.C.; Fukushi, M.; Sahoo, S.K. url  openurl
  Title 234U/238U disequilibrium and 235U/238U ratios measured using MC-ICP-MS in natural high background radiation area soils to understand the fate of uranium Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Chemosphere Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 323 Issue Pages 138217  
  Keywords HBRA, MC-ICP-MS, Monazites, U/U, Uranium  
  Abstract The Chhatrapur-Gopalpur coastal area in Odisha, India is a well-known natural high background radiation (HBRA) area due to the abundance of monazite (a thorium bearing radioactive mineral) in beach sands and soils. Recent studies on Chhatrapur-Gopalpur HBRA groundwater have reported high concentrations of uranium and its decay products. Therefore, the soils of the Chhatrapur-Gopalpur HBRA are reasonably suspected as the sources of these high uranium concentrations in groundwater. In this report, first the uranium concentrations in soil samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and they were found to range from 0.61 ± 0.01 to 38.59 ± 0.16 mg kg−1. Next, the 234U/238U and 235U/238U isotope ratios were measured to establish a baseline for the first time in Chhatrapur-Gopalpur HBRA soil. Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was used for measurement of these isotope ratios. The 235U/238U ratio was observed to be the normal terrestrial value. The 234U/238U activity ratio, was calculated to understand the secular equilibrium between 234U and 238U in soil and it varied from 0.959 to 1.070. To understand the dynamics of uranium in HBRA soil, physico-chemical characteristics of soil were correlated with uranium isotope ratios and this correlation of 234U/238U activity ratio indicated the leaching of 234U from Odisha HBRA soil.  
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  ISSN 0045-6535 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ veerasamy_234u238u_2023 Serial 149  
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Author Lawrinenko, M.; Kurwadkar, S.; Wilkin, R.T. url  openurl
  Title Long-term performance evaluation of zero-valent iron amended permeable reactive barriers for groundwater remediation – A mechanistic approach Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Geoscience Frontiers Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 14 Issue 2 Pages 101494  
  Keywords Geochemistry, Iron, Permeable reactive barrier, Plating reactions, Reduction potential, Surface passivation  
  Abstract Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are used for groundwater remediation at contaminated sites worldwide. This technology has been efficient at appropriate sites for treating organic and inorganic contaminants using zero-valent iron (ZVI) as a reductant and as a reactive material. Continued development of the technology over the years suggests that a robust understanding of PRB performance and the mechanisms involved is still lacking. Conflicting information in the scientific literature downplays the critical role of ZVI corrosion in the remediation of various organic and inorganic pollutants. Additionally, there is a lack of information on how different mechanisms act in tandem to affect ZVI-groundwater systems through time. In this review paper, we describe the underlying mechanisms of PRB performance and remove isolated misconceptions. We discuss the primary mechanisms of ZVI transformation and aging in PRBs and the role of iron corrosion products. We review numerous sites to reinforce our understanding of the interactions between groundwater contaminants and ZVI and the authigenic minerals that form within PRBs. Our findings show that ZVI corrosion products and mineral precipitates play critical roles in the long-term performance of PRBs by influencing the reactivity of ZVI. Pore occlusion by mineral precipitates occurs at the influent side of PRBs and is enhanced by dissolved oxygen and groundwater rich in dissolved solids and high alkalinity, which negatively impacts hydraulic conductivity, allowing contaminants to potentially bypass the treatment zone. Further development of site characterization tools and models is needed to support effective PRB designs for groundwater remediation.  
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  ISSN 1674-9871 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ lawrinenko_long-term_2023 Serial 143  
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Author Jroundi, F.; Povedano-Priego, C.; Pinel-Cabello, M.; Descostes, M.; Grizard, P.; Purevsan, B.; Merroun, M.L. url  openurl
  Title Evidence of microbial activity in a uranium roll-front deposit: Unlocking their potential role as bioenhancers of the ore genesis Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Science of The Total Environment Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 861 Issue Pages 160636  
  Keywords ISR, Metatranscriptomes, Microbial metabolisms, Ore genesis, Roll-front deposit, Uranium  
  Abstract Uranium (U) roll-front deposits constitute a valuable source for an economical extraction by in situ recovery (ISR) mining. Such technology may induce changes in the subsurface microbiota, raising questions about the way their activities could build a functional ecosystem in such extreme environments (i.e.: oligotrophy and high SO4 concentration and salinity). Additionally, more information is needed to dissipate the doubts about the microbial role in the genesis of such U orebodies. A U roll-front deposit hosted in an aquifer driven system (in Zoovch Ovoo, Mongolia), intended for mining by acid ISR, was previously explored and showed to be governed by a complex bacterial diversity, linked to the redox zonation and the geochemical conditions. Here for the first time, transcriptional activities of microorganisms living in such U ore deposits are determined and their metabolic capabilities allocated in the three redox-inherited compartments, naturally defined by the roll-front system. Several genes encoding for crucial metabolic pathways demonstrated a strong biological role controlling the subsurface cycling of many elements including nitrate, sulfate, metals and radionuclides (e.g.: uranium), through oxidation-reduction reactions. Interestingly, the discovered transcriptional behaviour gives important insights into the good microbial adaptation to the geochemical conditions and their active contribution to the stabilization of the U ore deposits. Overall, evidences on the importance of these microbial metabolic activities in the aquifer system are discussed that may clarify the doubts on the microbial role in the genesis of low-temperature U roll-front deposits, along the Zoovch Ovoo mine.  
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  ISSN 0048-9697 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ jroundi_evidence_2023 Serial 138  
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Author Gimeno, M.J.; Tullborg, E.-L.; Nilsson, A.-C.; Auqué, L.F.; Nilsson, L. url  openurl
  Title Hydrogeochemical characterisation of the groundwater in the crystalline basement of Forsmark, the selected area for the geological nuclear repositories in Sweden Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Journal of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 624 Issue Pages 129818  
  Keywords Crystalline bedrock, Deep geological repository, Glacial meltwater intrusion, Groundwater mixing, Hydrogeochemical model, Nuclear waste disposal  
  Abstract Numerous groundwater analyses from the crystalline bedrock in the Forsmark area have been performed between 2002 and 2019, together with thorough geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological studies, within the site investigations carried out by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company. The groundwater samples have been taken from boreholes down to ≈ 1000 m and the analysis include major- and trace-elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes, gases and microbes. The chemical and isotopic composition of these groundwaters evidences the presence of non-marine brackish to saline groundwaters with very long residence times (many hundreds of thousands of years) and a series of complex mixing events resulting from the recharge of different waters over time: glacial meltwaters, probably from different glaciations of which the latest culminated some 20,000 years ago, and marine waters from the Baltic starting some 7000 years ago. Later, meteoric water and present Baltic Sea water have recharged in different parts of the upper 100 m. These mixing events have also triggered chemical and microbial reactions that have conditioned some of the important groundwater parameters and, together with the structural complexity of the area, they have promoted a heterogeneous distribution of groundwater compositions in the bedrock. Due to these evident differences in chemistry, residence time and origin of the groundwater, several groundwater types were defined in order to facilitate the visualisation and communication. The differentiation (linked to the paleohydrological history of the area) was based on Cl concentration, Cl/Mg ratio (marine component), and δ18O value (glacial component). The work presented in this paper increases the understanding of the groundwater evolution in fractured and compartmentalised aquifers where mixing processes are the most important mechanisms. The model proposed to characterise the present groundwater system of the Forsmark area will also help to predict the future hydrogeochemical behaviour of the groundwater system after the construction of the repositories for the nuclear wastes.  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ gimeno_hydrogeochemical_2023 Serial 137  
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Author Alexander, A.C.; Ndambuki, J.M. url  openurl
  Title Impact of mine closure on groundwater resource: Experience from Westrand Basin-South Africa Type Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 131 Issue Pages 103432  
  Keywords Acid mine drainage, Groundwater quality, Mine closure, Spatio-temporal variation, Westrand Basin  
  Abstract The mining sector is at the edge of expanding to cater for natural resources that are much needed for technological development and manufacturing. Mushrooming of mines will consequently increase the number of mines closure. Moreover, mines closure have adverse impact on the environment at large and specifically on water resources. This study analyses historical groundwater quality parameters in mine intensive basin of Westrand Basin (WRB) to understand the status of groundwater quality in relation to mining activities and mine closure. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the spatio-temporal variation of groundwater quality in the basin and groundwater quality index (GQI) to evaluate its status. The coefficient of variation (CV) was applied to understand the stability of groundwater quality after the mine closure. Results indicated unstable and altered trend with increasing levels of acidity and salts concentration around the mines vicinity following the mine closure. The resultant maps indicated a significant deterioration of groundwater quality around the WRB with concentrations decreasing downstream. Obtained average GQI for the study period of 1996–2015 suggested a moderate groundwater quality at a range of GQI = 64–73. The CV indicated varying water quality at CV \textgreater 30% suggesting presence of source of contamination. Observed groundwater quality trends in Westrand basin suggested that mines closure present potential threat on groundwater quality and thus, a need for a robust mine closure plan and implementation.  
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  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1474-7065 ISBN Medium  
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  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ alexander_impact_2023 Serial 134  
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