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.

Abstract: The sandstone-hosted uranium mineralization areas in the Sanzhao Sag of the northern Songliao Basin have been newly identified. The target stratum is the Upper Cretaceous Sifangtai Formation and the uranium mineralization mainly occurs in the bottom of Sifangtai Formation, corresponding to channel sand bodies in meandering river system, characterized by medium to fine-grained sandstone. This study proposes the uranium metallogenic model through petrographic observation, whole rock geochemistry, mineralogical study of uranium occurrence form (SEM), organic matter rock–eval pyrolysis analysis (REP) and in-situ sulfur isotope determination of different generations of pyrite by LA-MC-ICP-MS. Compared with the sandstones collected in barren reduction and oxidization zones, the mineralized sandstones show obvious increase in the contents of TOC, total sulfur, Y and U. Petrographic observations indicate that organic matters are mainly inherited from land plants. REP data display that the organic matter (OM) disseminated in the sandstone has very low hydrogen index (HI) from around 0 to 21 mg HC/g TOC and varied oxygen index (OI) from 44 to 115 mg CO2/g TOC, corresponding to Type Ⅳ kerogen (degraded kerogen). There are two types of coffinite with different grain size, micro-particles (μm-sized) and large aggregates (generally up to 100 μm) respectively. The coffinite micro spherules exhibit short rod-like or worm-like morphology occurring in clay matrix and cell cavities in degradofusinite or around subidiomorphic-idiomorphic pyrite. The coarse-grained coffinite contains other mineral facies (e.g. pyrite, quartz) and some of large coffinite aggregates display thrombolite-type microbial structures. The irregular pyrite relict particles in coarse-grained colloidal coffinite have light sulfur isotope compositions characterized by δ34S values from –39.96‰ to –49.89‰. The δ34S values of colloidal pyrite in replacement of OM or of the sub-idiomorphic FeS2 cement filling in the cavities of OM range from –52.77‰ to –13.88‰. Some of sub-idiomorphic pyrite cement and idiomorphic crystal have the heavier signature from – 27.06‰ to + 14.23‰. The light sulfur isotope signature suggests that the sulfur originates from bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). The OM replacement by pyrite and the highest OI values recorded by REP in uranium mineralized samples are lines of evidence of biodegradation. Bacteria use the organic matter as food source and produce isotopically light reduced sulfur species. Oxygenated uranium-bearing waters infiltrated through the denudated windows at Daqing placanticline into the porous reduced sandstones deposited in the Sanzhao Sag. Uranium was indirectly reduced by BSR-derived iron disulfides or directly reduced by sulfate-reducing bacteria.

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.

Abstract: Generic hydrochemical modelling of a grantoid-groundwater system, using the Russian software “HydroGeo”, has been carried out with an emphasis on simulating the accumulation of uranium in the aqueous phase. The baseline model run simulates shallow granitoid aquifers (U content 5 ppm) under conditions broadly representative of southern Norway and southwestern Siberia: i.e. temperature 10 °C, equilibrated with a soil gas partial CO2 pressure (PCO2, open system) of 10−2.5 atm. and a mildly oxidising redox environment (Eh = +50 mV). Modelling indicates that aqueous uranium accumulates in parallel with total dissolved solids (or groundwater mineralisation M – regarded as an indicator of degree of hydrochemical evolution), accumulating most rapidly when M = 550–1000 mg L−1. Accumulation slows at the onset of saturation and precipitation of secondary uranium minerals at M = c. 1000 mg L−1 (which, under baseline modelling conditions, also corresponds approximately to calcite saturation and transition to Na-HCO3 hydrofacies). The secondary minerals are typically “black” uranium oxides of mixed oxidation state (e.g. U3O7 and U4O9). For rock U content of 5–50 ppm, it is possible to generate a wide variety of aqueous uranium concentrations, up to a maximum of just over 1 mg L−1, but with typical concentrations of up to 10 μg L−1 for modest degrees of hydrochemical maturity (as indicated by M). These observations correspond extremely well with real groundwater analyses from the Altai-Sayan region of Russia and Norwegian crystalline bedrock aquifers. The timing (with respect to M) and degree of aqueous uranium accumulation are also sensitive to Eh (greater mobilisation at higher Eh), uranium content of rocks (aqueous concentration increases as rock content increases) and PCO2 (low PCO2 favours higher pH, rapid accumulation of aqueous U and earlier saturation with respect to uranium minerals).

Abstract: A 300 km network of khettara (qanat) subsurface irrigation channels was excavated in the Tafilalt basin beginning in the late 14th century. More than 75 of these chains provided perennial water following the breakup of the ancient city of Sijilmassa. Khettara continued to function for much of the northern oasis until the early 1970s, when new technologies and government policies forced changes. Data on origins, maintenance, and current use were collected from archival sources, aerial photographs, Landsat imagery, and from interviews. Insufficient water resources and unsustainable practices have dramatically lowered the water table, drying up khettara. This has resulted in a loss of local control over water resources, abandonment of a sustainable irrigation system, and progressive desiccation.