scholarly journals A comparative analysis of methods for mapping groundwater pollution hazard: application to the Gallocanta Hydrogeologic Unit (Spain)

Author(s):  
José María Orellana Macías ◽  
María Jesús Perles Roselló

Anthropogenic activities are the main sources of groundwater pollution. In order to prevent groundwater degradation and to apply suitable mitigation measures, hazard maps are a useful instrument for decision makers. The ultimate goal of the research is to analyse the effectiveness of several groundwater hazard indexes at the Gallocanta Lagoon Basin. To do so, the Hazard Index, the Danger of Contamination Index and the Pollutant Origin and its Surcharge Hydraulically method were applied and compare, and the potentialities and weaknesses of the resulting maps have been analysed. Accurate hazard maps were obtained and, based on their methodological approach, significant differences were found in relation to the rating process, the inventory of the sources, and the treatment of quantity and likelihood. In the light of the results, the indexes tended to undervalue the hazard level of agricultural activities, which were the main sources of pollution of the study area. Therefore, due to the characteristic land uses of the study area, typical of the Mediterranean context, some proposals to improve the indexes have been suggested.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6321
Author(s):  
José María Orellana-Macías ◽  
María Jesús Perles Roselló ◽  
Jesús Causapé

Groundwater pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources is a common environmental issue. In order to support risk analysis, hazard maps are used to classify land uses according to their potential of pollution. The aim of this study is to propose a new hazard index based on nitrogen input and its connection with nitrate concentration in groundwater. The effectiveness of the Nitrogen Input Hazard Index was tested in the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain), a highly polluted area, declared as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. Agricultural data at a plot scale were used to estimate the nitrogen fertilizer requirement of each crop, and the correlation between nitrogen input and nitrate concentration in groundwater was explored. The resulting hazard map allows us to delimit the most hazardous areas, which can be used to implement more accurate nitrate pollution control programs. The index was proven to successfully estimate nitrogen input influence over groundwater nitrate concentration, and to be able to create hazard maps. The criterion used to create categories was empirically based on nitrate concentration thresholds established by the EU Nitrate Directive. The Nitrogen Input Hazard Index may be a useful tool to support risk analyses of agricultural activities in vulnerable areas, where nitrate pollution could endanger human water supply.


Water ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
José María Orellana-Macías ◽  
María Jesús Perles Roselló

Groundwater is an essential resource for humans concerning freshwater supply; therefore, preserving and protecting its quality is necessary. Risk assessment, based on hazard, intrinsic vulnerability information and mapping, may be considered as a key aspect of sustainable groundwater management. An approach has been made by combining the Nitrogen Input Hazard Index and the hydrogeological parameters considered in a modified DRASTIC method. A three-level classification has been used to determine the degree of risk, and the thresholds have been established following measurable criteria related to the potential nitrate concentration in groundwater. The second part of the study focused on estimating the socioeconomic impact of groundwater pollution by relating the degree of risk and social vulnerability to groundwater pollution. The method has been tested in the Gallocanta Groundwater Body (Spain). As a result, a risk map and an impact map are provided. The risk map shows that 67% of the study area can be classified as moderate and high-risk areas, corresponding to high hazard sources located in moderate and high vulnerability zones, whereas the impact of groundwater pollution is classified as moderate in the whole groundwater body. The proposed analysis allows comparison between aquifers in different areas and the results required by water authorities to implement control and mitigation measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdur Rahman ◽  
N. C. Mondal ◽  
K. K. Tiwari

AbstractAn increased nitrate (NO3−) concentration in groundwater has been a rising issue on a global scale in recent years. Different consumption mechanisms clearly illustrate the adverse effects on human health. The goal of this present study is to assess the natural and anthropogenic NO3− concentrations in groundwater in a semi arid area of Rajasthan and its related risks to human health in the different groups of ages such as children, males, and females. We have found that most of the samples (n = 90) were influenced by anthropogenic activities. The background level of NO3− had been estimated as 7.2 mg/L using a probabilistic approach. About 93% of nitrate samples exceeded the background limit, while 28% of the samples were beyond the permissible limit of 45 mg/L as per the BIS limits. The results show that the oral exposure of nitrate was very high as compare to dermal contact. With regard to the non-carcinogenic health risk, the total Hazard Index (HITotal) values of groundwater nitrate were an average of 0.895 for males, 1.058 for females, and 1.214 for children. The nitrate health risk assessment shows that about 38%, 46%, and 49% of the samples constitute the non-carcinogenic health risk to males, females, and children, respectively. Children were found to be more prone to health risks due to the potential exposure to groundwater nitrate.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsikak U. Benson ◽  
Paul A. Enyong ◽  
Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu

The purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations inCommelina africanaL. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The environmental risks associated with soil contamination were elaborately assessed using potential ecological risk index, sediment quality guidelines, and enrichment relative to background levels. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sandflat soil samples are0.76±9.0×10-2,7.39±8.7×10-1,2.28±0.35,0.024±4.0×10-3, and74.51±2.55 mg/kg, respectively. Metal levels indicate strong variability with sampling sites. The order of trace metal concentrations in theCommelina africanaL. samples isZn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The concentrations varied with the sample locations; and the levels of Pb (0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg) at all locations are found to be significantly below permissible level of 0.3 mg/kg. Potential sources of metal loadings may be associated with localised or diffused anthropogenic activities. The average carcinogenic risks are below1.0×10-6threshold values, and the sandflat soils are not considered to pose significant health effects to children and adult males and females. However, the carcinogenicity and noncarcinogenicity risks ranking decrease following the orderchildren>adult  males>adult  females. Comparatively, the hazard quotient and hazard index indicate that the psammitic sandflats might pose a health risk to children in future.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3361
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yousuf Jat Baloch ◽  
Wenjing Zhang ◽  
Juanfen Chai ◽  
Shuxin Li ◽  
Muwaffaq Alqurashi ◽  
...  

For shallow groundwater, hydrogeochemical processes and quality assessment must be addressed because shallow groundwater is freely available in many parts of the globe. Due to recent anthropogenic activities and environmental changes in Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan, the groundwater is extremely vulnerable. To provide safe drinking and agricultural water, hydrogeochemical analysis is required. Ninety-five groundwater samples were analyzed using agricultural and drinking indices to determine the hydrogeochemical parameters using multivariate analysis such as Pearson correlations, principal component cluster analysis, as well as Piper diagrams and Gibbs plot for drinking and agricultural indices. An abundance of ions was observed through the statistical summary; however, cations and anions were recorded in the orders Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− > NO3− > F−. The hydrogeochemical process used to quantify the major reactions occurring in the groundwater system showed rock dominance; the Piper diagrams evaluated the water type. A mixed pattern of calcium, magnesium, and chloride ions (Ca2+−Mg2+−Cl− type) was observed. Additionally, the ion exchange method showed an excess of bicarbonate ions due to carbonic acid weathering. The water quality index (WQI) resulted 32.6% of groundwater being unsuitable for human consumption; however, the United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram showed 60% of samples fall in the irrigable category and the Wilcox diagram depicted 5% of samples lying in the unsuitable region. Most of the water samples were suitable for drinking; only a few samples were unsafe for drinking purposes for children due to the high hazard index. High salinity meant some samples were unsuitable for irrigation.


2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Venugopal ◽  
L. Giridharan ◽  
M. Jayaprakash

The various factors responsible for the chemical budget and pollution of river water have been evaluated and characterised using various statistical tools. The potential sources of pollution that alter the chemical composition of River Adyar water have been identified and quantified. Thirty-three samples were collected from the River Adyar and basic chemical parameters and heavy metals were interpreted by the systematic application of statistical techniques. The relationships among the various ions were examined and the sources of origin were evaluated using correlation studies. An R-mode factor analysis revealed that the chemistry of the river water largely depends on anthropogenic activities, rock–water interaction and saline water intrusion. A cluster analysis was applied and the major and minor clusters for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons were classified. This classification was found to be in line with the results of the R-mode factor analysis. Seasonal variation in the chemistry and pollution level of the river water was clearly indicated by both cluster and factor analyses. Factor scores, which give vital information on the variation of the factors by station, were successfully applied. The contributing factors and any seasonal effect on the stations were evaluated and interpreted.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2412
Author(s):  
Brian Kronvang ◽  
Frank Wendland ◽  
Karel Kovar ◽  
Dico Fraters

The interaction between land use and water quality is of great importance worldwide as agriculture has been proven to exert a huge pressure on the quality of groundwater and surface waters due to excess losses of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) through leaching and erosion processes. These losses result in, inter alia, high nitrate concentrations in groundwater and eutrophication of rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Combatting especially non-point losses of nutrients has been a hot topic for river basin managers worldwide, and new important mitigation measures to reduce the input of nutrients into groundwater and surface waters at the pollution source have been developed and implemented in many countries. This Special Issue of the Land use and Water Quality conference series (LuWQ) includes a total of 11 papers covering topics such as: (i) nitrogen surplus; (ii) protection of groundwater from pollution; (iii) nutrient sources of pollution and dynamics in catchments and (iv) new technologies for monitoring, mapping and analysing water quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 306 ◽  
pp. 107204
Author(s):  
Maria do Rosário Cameira ◽  
João Rolim ◽  
Fernanda Valente ◽  
Marta Mesquita ◽  
Ulrike Dragosits ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Alessio Piana ◽  
Nicolaas Bernardus Roozen

With the world facing the urgency of energy transition, the development of efficient and quiet electrical infrastructures is of topical importance in the construction of the environment of the future. The problem of noise from power distribution systems is often underestimated, although several works in the literature underline the effect of disturbance on the population, especially concerning the low frequency range. This paper overviews the issue of the low-frequency noise generated by electrical substations, from the experimental characterization of the source to the possible mitigation measures at the source, along the propagation path and at the receiver. Alongside the general presentation, a case study serves as a practical demonstration of the proposed methodological approach. It was found that in the investigated situation the main disturbance comes from the transformer at two low-frequency harmonics of twice the networking frequency. A traditional noise barrier is designed taking into account the strict size constraints imposed by technical compatibility with the electrical infrastructure, which limits its efficacy at low frequency. Noise masking with broadband signals can be a complementary solution to further reduce noise disturbance and contain it within prescribed limits. The evaluation of subjective response of the receivers to different mitigation solutions is made possible by the availability of the impulse response.


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