Regulating Unprotected Texas Groundwater: The Final Frontier

Over the past 15 years Douglas County, NV has removed production wells in northern Carson Valley from use due to relatively high arsenic concentrations (Carl Ruschmeyer, January 2013, Douglas County Public Works Director, verbal communication). To maintain the supply of water to the public, the town of Minden has been providing water to Douglas County and Carson City. Due to the projected increases in municipal demand, water resource managers are concerned that increasing pumping rates from wells in Minden may change groundwater chemistry and degrade the resource by potentially drawing in arsenic enriched water. Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause illnesses ranging from skin discoloration to various cancers including those of the bladder, skin, and kidney (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). Naturally occurring arsenic is one of the most common contaminants in groundwater in the western United States. Arsenic found in basin-fill aquifers is oftentimes associated with alluvial/lacustrine sedimentary deposits derived from the weathering of volcanic rocks and geothermal waters (Welch and others, 1988). The primary aquifers beneath Carson Valley are comprised of quaternary aged basin-fill deposits of weathered granitic and volcanic material (Welch, 1994). Factors contributing to increasing arsenic concentrations in groundwater include, but are not limited to, proximity to arsenic bearing rocks, relatively long groundwater flow paths, the application of phosphate containing fertilizers, and leaching from soils in irrigated areas (Busbee and others, 2009; Anning and others, 2012). The vulnerability of groundwater resources to contamination is influenced by the physical properties of the aquifer, pumping rates, locations of wells and screened intervals relative to the groundwater flow system, and geochemical environment (Focazio and others, 2002). Arsenic mobility and transport through the subsurface is largely controlled by the interaction of groundwater with aquifer sediments. Arsenite (As(III)), the reduced form of inorganic arsenic, usually exhibits greater mobility in groundwater than the oxidized form, arsenate (As(V)) largely due to the greater attraction of As(V) to aquifer sediments relative to that of As(III) at pH values exceeding 8.5 (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). Arsenic speciation (form) is influenced by the relative redox condition of the aquifer environment. For example, in the vicinity of the Douglas County Airport, where arsenic speciation has been characterized, arsenic in groundwater collected at depths greater than 250 feet below land surface was found to be primarily As(III); however, in the upper 150 feet of the aquifer As(V) predominated (Paul and others, 2010). This data set provides a spatial and temporal assessment of available chemical and physical data from local, county, state, and federal databases for the Carson Valley, near Minden, Nevada. Critical data gaps will be identified and, if necessary, additional sample collection and monitoring under conditions of routine groundwater pumping from both municipal and agricultural supply wells will be suggested. Data included as part of this data set, are data provided by the USGS and Carson Valley water purveyors with the support of the Carson Water Subconservancy District and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to evaluate arsenic mobility and transport in Carson Valley. These data are water quality samples and water-level observations

<p>Розглянуто питання щодо особливостей правового регулювання викорис-тання підземних вод в Україні та видів водокористування щодо даного об’єкта. Наголошу-ється на необхідності удосконалення природоохоронного законодавства України.</p>

The six fresh water samples belonging to three different sources (Cauvery river water, ground water and bottle drinking water) from Tiruchirappalli city were collected (bi-monthly sampling) during April 2014 to June 2014 for physiochemical and microbiological study. Bacterial and physiochemical parameters levels were two to ten folds higher in river water sample than in ground and bottle water due to discharges of municipal sewage and human activities. The elevated bacterial communities in May month indicated that which received waste materials from landside and more visits due to the lack of water scarcity. The higher pollution index (PI) ratio (>1) were observed in river water samples (than the ground and bottle water) in all the three months indicate the human fecal matters were responsible for water pollution. The order of decreasing microbial and physiochemical values were: May month > April month > June month. The correlation proved that physicochemical parameters were strongly supported to microbial communities due to addition of rich organic content in the water bodies from different pollution sources. Based on the report, this study was suggesting that throughout impoundment is needed to protect fresh water sources.

Rapid deterioration of groundwater quality in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria; due to unregulated exploitation resulting from increasing growth in the oil and gas production activities has become a major concern. The predisposition of groundwater to pollution and the realization of its serious health and economic consequences demand knowledge of the ambient groundwater quality and of the processes leading to an improved understanding of the groundwater in the area. Groundwater samples were collected from eighteen representative boreholes spread over Port Harcourt City. This was done to assess and determine the geochemical processes occurring within the aquifer systems, using groundwater chemistry and ionic ratios. Electrical conductivity, pH and major ion concentrations, such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, and SO4, of groundwater were taken into consideration. Concentrations of these cations and anions in the groundwater systems of the area vary spatially and temporally. Abundance of these ions are in the following order: Ca > Mg >Na > K = HCO3 > Cl > SO4 > NO3. Ca - Mg - HCO3 and Ca- Mg- SO4- Cl are the dominant hydrochemical facies of the study area. Results show that ion-exchange processes, carbonate and silicate weathering are responsible mechanisms for the groundwater chemistry of the area. Hydrochemical indices Mg/Ca, Cl/HCO3 and Cation Exchange Values (CEV) generally indicates low- salt inland waters, with minimal marine influence. The hydrochemical evidence reveals the importance of recent management decisions (reduced exploitation/controlled pumping) in determining the evolution and distribution of groundwater salinity within the aquiferous zones. This framework as the study observes, will lead to improved understanding of the hydrochemical characteristics of the aquifer systems of the area. Key words: Groundwater, water quality, hydrogeochemistry, aquifers, Port Harcourt.

Water Accounting Plus for Water Resources Reporting and River Basin Planning

In most regions of the world, safeguarding groundwater resources is a serious issue, particularly in coastal areas where groundwater is the main water source for drinking, irrigation and industry. Water availability depends on climate, topography and geology. The aim of this paper is to evaluate aquifer recharge as a possible strategy to relieve water resource scarcity. Natural aquifer recharge is defined as the downward flow of water reaching the water table, increasing the groundwater reservoir. Hydro-meteorological factors (rainfall, evapotranspiration and runoff) may alter natural recharge processes. Artificial aquifer recharge is a process by which surface water is introduced with artificial systems underground to fill an aquifer. As a consequence of global warming that has increased the frequency and severity of natural disasters like the drought, the impacts of climate change and seasonality, the artificial recharge has been considered as a viable option. Different direct and indirect techniques can be used, and the choice depends on the hydrologic characteristics of a specific area. In Italy, Legislative Decree no. 152/06 plans artificial aquifer recharge as an additional measure in water management, and Decree no. 100/2016 establishes quantitative and qualitative conditions for recharge. Many projects examine aquifer recharge, such us WADIS-MAR in the southern Mediterranean region, WARBO in Italy and municipal wastewater treatment project in Apulia, a southern Italian region. However, aside from groundwater recharge, the community must foster a spirit of cooperation to manage groundwater as a sustainable resource.

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is a vast subterranean thermal aquifer system underlying over 20% of the Australian continent. Substantial reserves of oil, gas and minerals exist within the GAB and combined with industrial activities can often contaminate the groundwaters. The current study investigated the bacterial ecology of bore waters that were in or close to oil deposits. Three sites were selected, two in the Quilpie/Eromanga region of Queensland (Naretha bore registered number 4022 and Adavale bore registered number 305), and the other in the Moomba oil field of South Australia (Moomba bore 9). A wide diversity of bacteria was detected across all of the samples collectively, including members of 32 bacterial phyla. There was greater diversity in the water samples from bores 4022 and 305 compared with Moomba 9, which was likely due to its closer association with oil. The most dominant bacterial taxa were similar in bores 4022 and 305, families Rhodobacteraceae, and Xanthomonadaceae and the order Bacillales. In contrast, the dominant taxa from Moomba 9 were the family Oxalobacteriaceae and the genus Agrococcus. Three different water samples were tested from bore 4022, from the source, 100 m and 250 m downstream in the runoff channel water. The bacterial diversity increased the further away the water flowed from the bore, due to the cooler water and contamination from the surrounding environment. A comprehensive anaerobic thermophilic enrichment program revealed that bacteria grew on a wide variety of organic substrates and a range of heavy metals as terminal electron acceptors. Isolation yielded 164 bacteria capable of using substrates from sugars and extracts through to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and reducing the metals iron(III), vanadium(V), cobalt(III) and manganese(IV). Seven pure iron(III) reducing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degrading bacteria, designated strains RN40AT, RN40BT, RN40CT, RN40DT, RN305AT, RN305BT and MBA9BT, were selected for further studies. The rates of degradation Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation by Anaerobic Bacteria from the Great Artesian Basin and PAH preference varied significantly between the isolates. Strain MBA9BT showed the highest extent (97.6%) of anthracene degradation while strain RN305BT was the lowest (9.7%). Again, strain MBA9BT also showed the highest extent (91.2%) of pyrene degradation and strain RN40DT showed the lowest (16.1%). Phenanthrene degradation was highest in strain RN40BT and the lowest in strain MBA9BT (2%). PAH degradation in all the isolates showed a direct dependence on Fe(III) reduction. A measurable decrease in the surface tension of the medium suggested the production of biosurfactants by all isolates when grown with PAHs as substrates. Genomic analysis of the isolates revealed subsystems of different pathways that are commonly found in metal acquisition, transport and utilisation as well as those for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. Strain RN40DT had the highest number of genes involved in the metabolism of PAHs, though all of the isolates had genes for the metabolism of central aromatic intermediates, especially those related to catechol, salicylate and homogentisate degradation. The isolates had varying levels of genes involved in the metabolism and resistance to iron, copper, chromium, zinc, molybdenum, manganese and mercury. Strains RN40AT, RN305AT RN305BT, RN40BT and RN40DT contained the most genes for iron acquisition and metabolism including those for siderophores, hemin transporters and ferric ABC transport systems. The results in the current study have built upon our understanding of bacterial diversity in the GAB, particularly with insights into waters associated with oil deposits. Bacteria that degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the simultaneous reduction of Fe(III) under anaerobic conditions were isolated for the first time and may have significant potential in bioremediation of contaminated groundwaters.

Recently, conjunctive use of surface water and ground water has been one of the \nefficient ways in optimal management of water resources. Using conjunctive optimal \nuse and management of conjunctive, we can compensate the nonuniform spatial and \ntemporal distribution of precipitation. Without recent advances in computer \nhardware and software technology such as geographic information system (GIS) and \ndata base management system technology (DBMS), it is not possible to develop a \ncomputer base conjunctive management of groundwater and surface water model. \nDeveloped Network flow models for analyzing optimal management of conjunctive use \nof surface water and groundwater have been used. The real physical system is \nrepresented in this system as a network system including nodes and links. Nodes are \nused for representing storage and non-storage points and links represent the \nnatural channels or canals as connecting elements. Dynamically designing of this \nmodel allows the user to interactively develop the given water resource system. A \nmixed integer linear programming is used for optimum conjunctive operation of \ngroundwater and surface water systems. In this study, conjunctive surface and \nground water resources model has been applied in Tehran metropolitan. Tehran field \nwater resources, which meet the potable, agricultural, industrial, environmental \nand urban water demands, include five reservoirs and several aquifers. Results \nobtained show the ability of the tools and the methods in integrated management of \nlarge scale water resources systems.

Undeniably water is of utmost importance while considering basic necessities. This investigation emphasized on the hydrochemical evaluation and drinking water quality assessment in District Jacobabad located in lower Indus plain, Pakistan. Certainly world's largest irrigation system emerged from Indus Basin, which is underlain by well transmissive aquifer resulting in higher water table. Water supply schemes with their water sources from ground water and surface water provide piped water for drinking purpose to the community. Water samples were collected from all the forty eight supply schemes of which thirty two were found nonfunctional. Analytical parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Water Quality Standards but adversely substantial samples were found nonpotable. Alkalinity, bicarbonate and nitrate met the standard safe limits while values for EC, TDS, hardness, cations and anions exceeded the limits in numerous samples. SPSS and ArcGIS softwares were used for statistical analysis and spatial distribution of parameters. Hydrochemical facies were developed and suitability assessment of water resources was examined for agricultural use. The ground water type was classified as Na-HCO3 type with high salinity and it required treatment prior to irrigation. The proposed research exhibited the probable drinking water contamination sources and it demanded instant actions to further protect the valuable drinking water resources in District Jacobabad. Keywords: water quality assessment, water supply schemes, drinking and agriculture, arsenic, ArcGIS, Pakistan DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181102.2747 Citation: Shahab A, Qi S H, Zaheer M, Rashid A, Talib M A, Ashraf U. Hydrochemical characteristics and water quality assessment for drinking and agricultural purposes in District Jacobabad, Lower Indus Plain, Pakistan. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(2): 115–121.

The risk of disease spread through water, fruits and vegetables contaminated through unclean waters varies from region to another. Springs and underground water resources are essentially free of germs or they have tolerable levels of germs; unless they are infected by surface water or human excreta. Scientific reports have shown that outbreaks of food-borne illnesses especially foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables are rising. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of washing procedures in eliminating of microbial and parasitic contamination of vegetables consumed in Ilam city. Multiple samples of vegetables were collected from five regions of the city (North- South- West- East- Center) about 1 kg from each shop and transferred to the laboratory. Then we put apiece in a dish containing five liters water; vegetable was washed into it and a sample was collected. Then we added to dish, 20 drops of dish soap and mixed it for a few minutes so that all of vegetable dipped in the foam. After a few minutes, the vegetable were washed with pure water. Another sample was collected from sewage of this water. For detection of microbes, we used two methods: formalin eater and direct microscopic observation. 86 samples were collected from five regions of city. 40.6% of them had parasitic contamination in scantling water of washing with pure water, and 43% had parasitic contamination in scantling water of washing with dish soap. 70.9% of them had parasitic and bacterial contamination in both wastewaters. There was no significant difference between washing with water and washing with dish soap for parasitic or bacterial contamination. Methods of washing in some types of vegetable may reduce effectively parasitic infection; but we found that washing with dish soap didn’t have any significant effect on reduction of microbial contamination.

As water resources from the Ogallala Aquifer continue to decline, alternative sources of water resources should be considered to extend the life of irrigated agriculture in the Southern High Plains. The Dockum is a minor aquifer located beneath the Ogallala at depths of up to 2,000 feet. The Dockum Aquifer may be a suitable water source for irrigation supplementation; however, the cost to pump from the Dockum may not be economically profitable due to deep pumping depths, poor water quality, and low well yields. Results show that in some areas of the Dockum, it may complement irrigation water from the Ogallala for water thirsty crops.

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of aquifers belonging to Chimakurthy granitic pluton complex reveals wide spatial and temporal variation in F- distribution. F- concentration in groundwater of different aquifers varies from 1in almost all the samples of three sampling sessions establish silicate weathering. Ca2+/Mg2+, Na+/Ca2+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3- ratios authenticate carbonate dissolution is responsible for alkali earths addition. Sodic rich and calcium depleted water together with balanced alkalinity has enabled F- enrichment. Presence of fluorite as accessory mineral apart from occurrence of F- in mineral lattice of biotite, hornblende, muscovite, and pyroxene were the potential sources of F- to the percolating pore waters. Though F- was abundantly available in solid solution the receptive hydrochemical character of solute was governing the F- adsorption which could be one of the strong reasons for uneven distribution of F- with in similar petrological setup. Key words: Water-rock interaction, fluoride, groundwater, Chimakurthy, gabbro, hydrogeochemistry.

Las actividades económicas, el crecimiento de la población en general; así como los cambios climáticos globales, han aumentado la presión sobre los recursos hídricos en el país. Esto se refleja tanto en una disminución en la disponibilidad, así como en la pérdida de calidad de estos recursos. En consecuencia, los gobiernos municipales han formado alianzas estratégicas con organismos internacionales e instituciones académicas para producir información base necesaria para la creación y ejecución de planes de ordenamiento territorial, a fin de planificar futuras demandas de agua. El desarrollo turístico en la franja costera del Municipio de Tola ha generado cambios en el uso del suelo, desprotección de las zonas de recarga de los acuíferos, posible riesgo de intrusión marina por el bombeo excesivo en la zona costera, y ha creado problemas con la disposición de residuos sólidos. Los resultados indican que hay disponibilidad de agua, tanto superficial como subterránea en las tres microcuencas costeras estudiadas; sin embargo su calidad se ha afectado por la presencia de heces fecales en las aguas de los pozos y por residuos de carbamatos en los ríos. El Índice Biótico de Familias de Hilsenhoff arrojó que el agua es relativamente mala en la parte alta y media de las 3 microcuencas. Fue identificada una especie nueva para el Pacífico Sur de Nicaragua (Theodoxus sp.) y una reportada por primera vez en 1972 en San Juan del Sur (Trinectes fonsecensis). Aunque el agua está disponible en cantidad, su calidad restringe su uso para consumo humano; por lo que es necesario concientizar a la población del municipio en cuanto a la protección, limpieza y uso adecuado de los recursos hídricos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/uyc.v5i8.314Universidad y Ciencia No 8 Año 5 2010 13-21

This thesis examines chemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater from the Yuncheng Basin in north-central China, in order to understand the timing and mechanisms of recharge, controls on groundwater quality and the influence of climate and anthropogenic processes on groundwater quality and quantity. Groundwater radiocarbon activities range from 5.93 to 88.2 pmC, decreasing with depth in the Quaternary aquifer. Estimated groundwater residence times range from modern in the shallow unconfined aquifer unit (Q3 and Q4), to >20 k.a. in the semi-confined deep unit (Q1 and Q2). Residence times in deep groundwater increase from west to east, following the historic regional groundwater flow direction; this direction has been altered by pumping and groundwater now flows towards a cone of depression near Yuncheng City. The vertical recharge rate, calculated using age vs. depth relationships is ~1-10 mm/yr; this is lower than previous estimates using tritium in the soil zone nearby, indicating that vertical infiltration may have increased in modern times compared to historic times. δ18O and δ2H values in shallow modern groundwater are similar to rainfall during the summer monsoon, indicating recharge via direct infiltration. The δ18O and δ2H values in deep groundwater are significantly lower than modern rainfall, indicating recharge under a cooler climate than the present, during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. The δ18O values increase from old to young groundwater, reflecting a broad temperature increase through the period of deep groundwater recharge. I/Cl and I/Br ratios correlate positively with δ18O values in the deep palaeowaters (r2 = 0.48 and 0.55), indicating greater delivery of I to the basin in rainfall during warm periods. This may be due to increased biological I production in warmer oceans. Shallow groundwater contains high nitrate concentrations (up to 630 mg/L); δ15N and δ18O values of nitrate are both generally between 0‰ and 5‰, indicating that synthetic fertilizers are the major source. Elevated nitrate concentrations (>20 mg/L) locally occur in deep groundwater, particularly near the Linyi fault, due to downwards vertical leakage. High TDS (up to 8450 mg/L), Br and Cl concentrations in shallow groundwater relative to rainfall indicate high levels of evapotranspiration in this water, due to flood irrigation and shallow water tables. Groundwater 87Sr/86Sr values are similar to those in local rainfall and carbonate minerals (0.7110 to 0.7120); trends in HCO3, pH and δ13C values indicate that carbonate weathering is a substantial source of groundwater DIC. However, groundwater is generally Na-rich and Ca-poor, and Na/Ca ratios increase along horizontal flow paths due to cation exchange, probably in clay lenses. Groundwater with high Na/Ca ratios also has high concentrations of F and As (up to 6.6 mg/L and 27 ug/L, respectively), that are a health risk. The F and As are likely enriched due to desorption of F- and HAsO4 2- from hydrous metal oxides in the aquifer sediments. Experiments conducted with sediments and synthetic water solutions indicate that greater mobilization of F and As occurs in Na-rich, Ca-poor water, hence, cation composition is an important control on F and As mobilization.

Water is essential for human life and its protection and sustainable exploitation are crucial tasks. Specifically, it is necessary to identify the possible water bodies that could be exploited and, according to water demand needs, to define strategies that preserve the water resource from depletion and pollution and that are environmentally sustainable. The aim of this work is to present an architecture of a decision support system for groundwater supply and quality planning and management, able to integrate physical/chemical models (that take into account phenomena typical of agricultural, saltwater intrusion, and mountain aquifers) and decision models (both for long term planning and short term management problems).