The role of natural attenuation processes in groundwater contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons is of intense scientific and practical interest. This study provides insight into the biodegradation effects in groundwater at a site contaminated by kerosene (jet fuel) in 1993 (Vitanovac, Serbia). Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), hydrochemical indicators (O, NO, Mn, Fe, SO, HCO), δC of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and other parameters were measured to demonstrate biodegradation effects in groundwater at the contaminated site. Due to different biodegradation mechanisms, the zone of the lowest concentrations of electron acceptors and the zone of the highest concentrations of metabolic products of biodegradation overlap. Based on the analysis of redox-sensitive compounds in groundwater samples, redox processes ranged from strictly anoxic (methanogenesis) to oxic (oxygen reduction) within a short distance. The dependence of groundwater redox conditions on the distance from the source of contamination was observed. δC values of DIC ranged from - 15.83 to - 2.75‰, and the most positive values correspond to the zone under anaerobic and methanogenic conditions. Overall, results obtained provide clear evidence on the effects of natural attenuation processes-the activity of biodegradation mechanisms in field conditions.
Drastic pollution case studies of entire complexes of alluvial deposits and water contained in them from polluted rivers have been recorded in more than one stream: beginning with the Sitnica to the Ibar, the Zapadna Morava and the Velika Morava to the Danube. A high phenol concentration (about 110 µg/l) in the Zapadna Morava in December 1983 affected the ground water reservoir - the source of Kruševac municipal water supply. Analysed samples indicated that phenol was transported by the Ibar River and its upstream tributary Sitnica from a coal gasification plant of a mine. Phenol concentrations were 364 µg in the Ibar at Kraljevo, 540 µg/l slightly more upstream, and up to 4000 µ.g/l upstream in the Sitnica near the source of pollution.
Phenol concentrations in riparian ground water were even higher than in the rivers in some intervals. Nearly all sources were affected in the riparian zone downstream to the Danube.
Occurrences of this pollutant in the ground water resources and certain experiences are considered in this paper.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.