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Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation

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A special issue of Hydrology (ISSN 2306-5338). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Waters and Groundwaters".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 22731

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Dr. Meysam Vadiati

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University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: hydrogeology; machine learning; artificial intelligence; groundwater; clustering
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Quality of surface and groundwater are of the most important elements of water systems around the world. Over-exploration, urbanization, climate change, and anthropogenic activities are linked to water degradation and lead to extreme threats for wildlife at a local or global scale. Various remediation techniques have recently been introduced in the literature, representing a significant research trend. Recently novel approaches such as machine learning, remote sensing, and optimization methods have been used extensively by different researchers to monitor, control, maintain, and remediate contaminant. Additionally, there has been a specific trend in contaminant-based research topics to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Although there is a clear increase in the number of studies in this area of study, topics such as PFAS, contaminant management, and medical contaminants have been overlooked or received less attention. Thus, this Special Issue has been designed to focus on the different aspects of contaminant hydrology and groundwater remediation with an emphasis on novel methods.

More specifically, the main purpose of this Special Issue is to introduce, apply, and compare different novel and cutting-edge science in the area of surface and groundwater contamination.

For this Special Issue, we invite the submission of research articles related to water contamination, including but not limited to:

Study of contaminant mitigation;
Petroleum contamination and PFAS;
Risk, hazard, and vulnerability assessment;
Management and modeling of water contamination;
Environmental planning toward water remediation;
Economic and social models and impact assessment;
Implications of water contamination on ecology and wildlife;
Implications of water contamination on agriculture and food supply;
Surface and groundwater contamination and Sustainable Development Goals;
Development of monitoring tools for observing and monitoring contamination.

Dr. Meysam Vadiati
Guest Editor

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Keywords

modeling and monitoring
climate change
contaminant management
natural degradation
impacts
natural hazards
sustainable development goal
wildfire effect of water quality
PFAS

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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18 pages, 3266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydro Geochemical Characteristics and Mineralization Process of Groundwater in the Phosphatic Basin of Gafsa, Southwestern Tunisia

by Nada Nasri, Fouad Souissi, Takoua Ben Attia, Amina Ismailia, Olfa Smida, Dhouha Tangour, Eduardo Alberto López Maldonado and Radhia Souissi

Hydrology 2024, 11(9), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11090142 - 6 Sep 2024

Viewed by 881

Abstract

The present study examines the water quality in the Quaternary Mio-Plio-Quaternary aquifer of the mining basin of Gafsa using a hydrochemical approach and multivariate statistical methods, to assess groundwater mineralization processes. Results from the analysis of groundwater quality collected during the winter (January 2020) and summer (June 2021) seasons reveal a pronounced stability in geochemical parameters, emphasizing a noteworthy consistency in water composition between the two seasons, with the dominance of the Na-Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl facies, in addition to the fact that all year round these concentrations are beyond their respective WHO limits. Despite the intensive extractive and transformation phosphate industry, the prolonged interaction of water with geological formations is the primary factor controlling their high mineralization. This results from the dissolution of carbonates (calcite, dolomite), gypsum, and halite. The results of the PCA represent two correlation classes. Class 1 comprises major elements sulfate, chloride, sodium, magnesium, and calcium strongly correlated with electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS). This correlation is indicative of the water mineralization process. Class 2 includes major elements nitrate and potassium weakly correlated with (TDS) and (EC) As regards heavy metals, their concentrations fall consistently below their respective potability standards established by the WHO across all water sampling points. Meanwhile, fluoride (F-) concentrations exhibited values ranging from (1.6 mg·L⁻¹ to 2.9 mg·L⁻¹) in the winter of January 2020 and (1 to 2.9 mg·L⁻¹) in the summer of June 2021, surpassing its WHO limit (1.5 mg·L⁻¹) in almost all water samples. These findings allow us to conclude that the high mineralization of these waters is acquired due to the dissolution of carbonates (calcite, dolomite), gypsum, and halite due to their prolonged interaction with the geological formations. The deterioration of groundwater quality in the Gafsa mining basin associated with phosphate extraction and processing activities appears to be primarily due to the intensive exploitation of deep-water resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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20 pages, 7624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Variability of Key Water Quality Parameters in China

by Kexin Li, Qichun Yang and Xia Li

Hydrology 2024, 11(9), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11090135 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 749

Abstract

Intensifying anthropogenic disturbances have caused water pollution in China in recent decades. China has a vast territory with diverse climate conditions, land use types, and human activities, leading to significant water quality variability. However, few studies have investigated nationwide spatiotemporal patterns of key water quality parameters. In this study, we analyze monthly water quality observations from 3647 gauge stations to understand how water quality changes over time and space in China. We group the stations by water resource regions and adopt Python and SPSS to analyze the spatiotemporal variability and intercorrelations of eight water quality parameters. Results indicate that the concentrations of biochemical oxygen demand of 5 days (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) show similar spatial patterns, with higher concentrations in the northern parts than the southern regions of China. The concentrations of COD and TP are higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, while DO, NH3-N, and TN show the opposite seasonal patterns. Strong positive correlations were found between BOD and COD, NH3-N and TP. The annual cumulative distribution figures demonstrate that all parameters showed slightly lower concentrations in 2022 and 2023 than in 2021, except for DO and TN. The TN/TP ratios across different water resource regions in China are significantly higher than 16, indicating that phosphorus is the limiting factor of eutrophication. This investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of water quality parameters across China. The results of this study are highly valuable for investigating mechanisms regulating water quality across large spatial scales, thus providing valuable implications for improving water quality and mitigating water pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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33 pages, 7112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Impact of Coal Mining on Water Resources in Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: Using Different Water Quality Indices

by Mndeni Magagula, Ernestine Atangana and Paul Oberholster

Hydrology 2024, 11(8), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11080113 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1257

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the water quality status of the surface water and groundwater resources in the Middelburg area, South Africa. The assessment was addressed using combined water quality indices, investigating selected chemical parameters over four different seasons for a period of five years from 2017 to 2021. A combination of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index and the comprehensive pollution index was used to analyze the water quality status of surface water and groundwater of the town of Middelburg, situated near coal mining activities in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The combination of the indices indicated that some surface water monitoring sites ranged between poor to fair water quality. Groundwater monitoring points also showed a poor to fair ranking. The comprehensive pollution index confirmed that some sites showed very poor water quality in the summer seasons, exceeding expected limits for the period 2017 to 2021. The principal component analysis further showed that both surface water and groundwater sites had high levels of contamination with increased chemical parameters. The results were compared against the different water quality guidelines. In an extensive monitoring program, water management systems must be properly implemented to mitigate impacts on water resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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18 pages, 9999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment and Mitigation of Groundwater Contamination from Phosphate Mining in Tunisia: Geochemical and Radiological Analysis

by Younes Hamed, Matteo Gentilucci, Naziha Mokadem, Rayan Khalil, Yosra Ayadi, Riheb Hadji and Elimame Elaloui

Hydrology 2024, 11(6), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11060084 - 17 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1310

Abstract

Groundwater contamination in the Mediterranean Basin is a severe problem that has a significant impact on environmental ecosystems and human health. The unconventional uranium and the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) of phosphate rocks are the principal contaminants in the phosphate mining industry in Tunisia. Phosphogypsum (PG) results from the valorization of phosphate to fertilizers and phosphoric acid. PG stocks can be used in cement production, brick manufacturing, and soil amendments in desertic land, and can be resolved by using nanomaterial adsorbents. In the flat area of the study area, the increase in radioactivity (⁴⁰K) is due to abusive fertilizer use. Geochemical and radiological analyses in the northern part of Tunisia and its karst shallow aquifer indicate significant contamination levels. The northern part exhibits moderate contamination, whereas the karst shallow aquifer shows higher contamination levels, particularly with elevated nitrate concentrations. In the phosphate basin, both washing phosphate and phosphogypsum reveal high levels of radioactive elements, with the latter showing especially high concentrations of radium. The shallow aquifer in this region has moderate contamination levels, while the deep geothermal aquifer also shows noticeable contamination but to a lesser degree compared to the shallow aquifer. The shallow groundwater is characterized by a higher value of radioactivity than the groundwater due to the contamination impact from the phosphate industry and the cumulative radioactivity disintegration. Finally, the nanoparticles and the electrostatic adsorption can decrease the PTEs and radionuclides from the contaminated water in the study area. Moreover, other key issues for advancing research on groundwater contamination are proposed in this study. It is time to valorize this PG and the other mines of (Fe, Pb, and Zn) in the socioeconomic sector in Tunisia and to minimize the environmental impact of the industrial sector’s extraction on groundwater and human health in the study area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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18 pages, 14091 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Hydropedological Characterization of a Coal Mining Waste Deposition Area Affected by Self-Burning

by Jorge Espinha Marques, Aracelis Narayan, Patrícia Santos, Joana Ribeiro, Sara C. Antunes, Armindo Melo, Fernando Rocha, Deolinda Flores and Catarina Mansilha

Hydrology 2024, 11(5), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11050062 - 25 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1397

Abstract

Coal mining often produces severe environmental effects, including impacts on the soil system and, specifically, on hydropedological conditions that control the leaching of significant ions and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). The research objective is to assess changes in the hydropedological conditions in an area with a coal mining waste pile that underwent self-burning. An integrative approach was implemented, starting with the definition of hydropedological zoning based on field observations of soil formation factors (namely, parent material, relief, biological activity, anthropic influence, and time). The soil profile in each hydropedological zone was characterized regarding morphological features. The upper mineral horizons were sampled and characterized in terms of mineralogy and PTE geochemistry. Field measurements of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water content, and hydrophobicity were performed. Afterwards, the hydrogeochemistry of leachates was determined, and the soil leaching potential was evaluated. The research outcomes express substantial differences regarding the hydropedological zones: development of different soil profiles, diverse mineralogy and PTE geochemistry, higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and leaching of major ions, and PTEs in soils affected by coal mining activities. Finally, a Principal Component Analysis confirmed the existence of significant contrasts according to hydropedological zoning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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13 pages, 2812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simple and Complex Substrates (Sugar, Acetate and Milk Whey) for In Situ Bioremediation of Groundwater with Nitrate and Actinide Contamination

by Ivan Myasnikov, Grigory Artemiev, Elena Lavrinovich, Irina Kazinskaya, Alexander Novikov and Alexey Safonov

Hydrology 2023, 10(8), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10080175 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1486

Abstract

The complex contamination of groundwater near radioactive waste repositories by nitrates and actinides is a common problem for many nuclear fuel cycle facilities. One of the effective methods to remove nitrates and reduce actinide migration activity is bioremediation through the activation of native microbial communities by soluble electron donors and carbon sources. This work evaluated the effectiveness of using simple and complex electron donors to remove nitrate in the microbial community in an aquifer near the B2 storage of the Siberian Chemical Combine (Seversk, Siberia). The addition of sugar and milk whey led to the maximum efficiency of nitrate-ion removal and a decrease in the redox potential of the system, creating optimal conditions for the immobilization of actinide. Special attention was paid to the behavior of uranium, plutonium, neptunium, and americium under conditions simulating groundwater when sugar, acetate, and milk whey were added and when microbial metabolic products were formed. Neither microbial metabolites nor organic solutions were found to have a significant effect on the leaching of neptunium. At the same time, for plutonium, a decrease in yield was observed when rocks were treated with organic solutions were compared to groundwater treatment without them. Plutonium leaching is significantly affected by rock composition. In rocks with a low clay fraction content, its yield can reach 40%. At the same time, microbial metabolites can increase americium (Am) desorption from rocks with a low clay fraction content. Additionally, particle size analysis was performed using a step-by-step filtration approach, aiming to evaluate the risks that are associated with colloidal phase formation. It was shown that microbiological stimulation resulted in particle enlargement, substantially diminishing the presence of actinides in the form of dissolved or sub-50 nm nanoparticles. This outcome significantly reduced the potential for colloidal and pseudocolloidal transfer, thereby lowering associated risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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11 pages, 2322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Gravel Pits on Water Quality in Alluvial Aquifers

by Igor Karlović, Tamara Marković, Andrew C. Smith and Krešimir Maldini

Hydrology 2023, 10(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10040099 - 21 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4313

Abstract

Gravel pits are considered potentially hazardous in terms of groundwater quality protection as they represent an open part of the aquifer system, increasing the aquifer’s vulnerability to contamination from the surface. The aim of this research was to determine the biogeochemical processes in gravel pits that have a positive effect on the groundwater quality in the alluvial aquifer in NW Croatia. The aquifer is situated below developed agricultural land, with high groundwater nitrate concentrations having been recorded over the last decades. The differences between two gravel pits and the surrounding groundwater were studied using in situ, hydrochemical, and isotopic parameters (δ¹⁵N-NO₃ and δ¹⁸O-NO₃), together with existing microbial data. The analyses of nitrogen species indicated that nitrate attenuation processes take place in gravel pits. Bacterial denitrification and nitrate uptake by algae were responsible for significant decreases in nitrate concentration. These processes were more effective in the inactive gravel pit, which has a longer water residence time and during warm periods, when microbial biomass, abundance, and activity were high. The seasonally variable microbial activity also affected trace metals, removing them from groundwater, possibly through the biosorption of metal ions. The presented research shows that the observed biogeochemical processes are associated with seasonal changes that affect the types and number of microbial communities and the chemical composition of water, resulting in gravel pits being groundwater remediation points. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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12 pages, 2066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermally Enhanced Spreading of Miscible Plumes in Porous Media

by Ryan G. Tigera, Whitney L. Benson and David C. Mays

Hydrology 2023, 10(4), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10040098 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1544

Abstract

In situ groundwater remediation often calls for a chemical or biological amendment to be injected as an aqueous solution into a contaminated groundwater aquifer. Accordingly, remediation depends on mixing the amendment into the contaminated groundwater, which, in turn, depends on spreading the plume of the injected amendment effectively. Here, we present proof-of-principle results from a laboratory study showing that amendment plume spreading can be enhanced by heating the injected water, which is consistent with the mechanism of miscible viscous fingering. The heated water has a lower viscosity, rendering a mobility ratio (i.e., log viscosity ratio) of 1.2 that generates elongated plume perimeters for essentially consistent plume areas. Using a quasi-two-dimensional apparatus and recording photographs after each increment of the injection volume, two image analysis techniques were employed to measure the area and perimeter of the injected plume, and the results are compared to isothermal controls, showing that the plume perimeter increased by 47% when determined by binary image analysis or 56% when determined by morphological image analysis. Accordingly, this study offers evidence that heating the injected water enhances miscible plume spreading in porous media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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18 pages, 3181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterizing Trace Metal Contamination and Partitioning in the Rivers and Sediments of Western Europe Watersheds

by Aline Grard and Jean-François Deliège

Hydrology 2023, 10(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10020051 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2099

Abstract

Adsorption and desorption processes occurring on suspended and bed sediments were studied in two datasets from western Europe watersheds (Meuse and Mosel). Copper and zinc dissolved and total concentrations, total suspended sediment concentrations, mass concentrations, and grain sizes were analyzed. Four classes of mineral particle size were determined. Grain size distribution had to be considered in order to assess the trace metal particulate phase in the water column. The partitioning coefficients of trace metals between the dissolved and particulate phases were calculated. The objective of this study was to improve the description of the processes involved in the transportation and fate of trace metals in river aquatic ecosystems. Useful data for future modelling, management and contamination assessment of river sediments were provided. As it is confirmed by a literature review, the copper and zinc partitioning coefficients calculated in this study are reliable. The knowledge related to copper and zinc (e.g., partitioning coefficients) will allow us to begin investigations into environmental modelling. This modelling will allow us to consider new sorption processes and better describe trace metal and sediment fates as well as pressure–impact relationships. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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16 pages, 6156 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Combined Well Multi-Parameter Logs and Low-Flow Purging Data for Soil Permeability Assessment and Related Effects on Groundwater Sampling

by Francesco Maria De Filippi and Giuseppe Sappa

Hydrology 2023, 10(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10010012 - 2 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2383

Abstract

Cost-effective remediation is increasingly dependent on high-resolution site characterization (HRSC), which is supposed to be necessary prior to interventions. This paper aims to evaluate the use of low-flow purging and sampling water level data in estimating the horizontal hydraulic conductivity of soils. In a new quali-quantitative view, this procedure can provide much more information and knowledge about the site, reducing time and costs. In case of high heterogeneity along the well screen, the whole procedure, as well as the estimation method, could be less effective and rigorous, with related issues in the purging time. The result showed significant permeability weighted sampling, which could provide different results as the pump position changes along the well screen. The proposed study confirms this phenomenon with field data, demonstrating that the use of multiparameter well logs might be helpful in detecting the behaviour of low-permeability layers and their effects on purging and sampling. A lower correlation between low-flow permeability estimations and LeFranc test results was associated with high heterogeneity along the screen, with a longer purging time. In wells P43, MW08 and MW36, due to the presence of clay layers, results obtained differ for almost one order of magnitude and the purging time increases (by more than 16 min). However, with some precautions prior to the field work, the low-flow purging and sampling procedure could become more representative in a shorter time and provide important hydrogeological parameters such as hydraulic conductivity with many tests and high-resolution related results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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18 pages, 4693 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biogeochemical Permeable Barrier Based on Zeolite and Expanded Clay for Immobilization of Metals in Groundwater

by Nadezhda Popova, Grigoriy Artemiev, Inga Zinicovscaia, Nikita Yushin, Ludmila Demina, Kirill Boldyrev, Denis Sobolev and Alexey Safonov

Hydrology 2023, 10(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10010004 - 24 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2082

Abstract

Groundwater samples contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTE), including metals and nitrate ions, were collected at a depth of 8–10 m from the Siberian Chemical Plant multicomponent waste storage. The possibility of developing a permeable biogeochemical barrier with zeolite and lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) was investigated. The mass fraction and properties of several metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) were determined to investigate their fixation on the chosen materials at the given experimental conditions. It was established that metals in sulfide or phosphate forms can be effectively immobilized via biomineralization on LECA, whereas metals from the non-chalcogen group are primarily retained in the form of phosphates. The formation of biogenic deposits of iron sulfide, which serve as a sorption–precipitation phase during the immobilization of the majority of metals, is an important aspect of the LECA loading process. The use of LECA and zeolite in the form of a two-component barrier is feasible based on the data obtained. It is assumed that metal immobilization processes occur due to sorption mechanisms in the zone of zeolite loading. Microbial nitrate removal and the formation of iron sulfide phases under reducing conditions, which form a geochemical barrier for metals, are expected in the LECA zone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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12 pages, 1791 KiB

Open AccessProject Report

Application of a Novel Amendment for the Remediation of Mercury Mine Sites with Hydrologic Controls

by Stephen McCord, Gregory Reller, Jon Miller and Kim Pingree

Hydrology 2023, 10(7), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10070155 - 22 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1596

Abstract

MercLok^TM P-640 (MercLok) is a proprietary product developed by Albemarle as a mercury (Hg) treatment technology. MercLok captures mercury and sequesters it for a long period under ambient environmental conditions. For this project, MercLok was applied to Hg-contaminated calcines at two abandoned Hg mine sites in northern California to evaluate its efficacy in rendering such contaminated materials less hazardous and thereby reducing remediation project costs. The first application (Site 1) consisted of two calcines amended with MercLok in isolated reactor buckets under two hydrologic remediation approaches (“repository cap” and “reactive barrier”) while exposed to ambient environmental conditions. Non-amended and amended calcines and their leachates were analyzed for Hg content and related conditions during a five-month study period, demonstrating >95% reduction in leachable Hg. The second application (Site 2) involved full-scale site remediation with the application of both approaches and additional hydrologic controls to minimize run-on, erosion, and runoff. Confirmation sampling and subsequent observations indicate that the amendments and hydrologic controls effectively stabilized the site and minimized Hg releases. These application projects demonstrate the efficacy of MercLok as a component of hydrologic controls for treating Hg-contaminated material to achieve long-term mine site remediation objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Approaches in Contaminant Hydrology and Groundwater Remediation)

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