The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires EU member states to assess the chemical status of groundwater bodies, a status defined according to threshold values for harmful elements and based on/the natural background level (NBL). The NBL is defined as the expected value of the concentration of elements naturally present in the environment. The aim of this study is to propose a methodology that will be broadly applicable to a wide range of conditions at the regional and national scale. Using a statistical approach, the methodology seeks to determine NBLs for SO4, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and F based on the lithology of aquifers from which groundwater monitoring data were collected. The methodology was applied in six EU countries to demonstrate validity for a wide range of European regions. An average concentration was calculated for each parameter and chosen water point and linked to a lithology. Based on the dataset created, significant differences between lithologies and pressure categories (urban, agricultural, industrial, and mining) were tested using a nonparametric test. For each parameter, 90th percentiles were calculated to provide an estimation of the maximum natural concentrations possible for each lithology.
In order to collect and unify data about all geothermal resources in Serbia, a database is formed. The database allows us to perceive the geothermal resources of Serbia and their potential for utilization. Based on the data available in the geothermal database, the estimated temperatures of reservoirs, heat power, and geothermal energy utilization were calculated. The database contains 293 objects (springs, boreholes) registered at 160 locations with groundwater temperature in the range between 20°C and 111°C. The maximum expected temperature of the reservoir is 146°C (according to the SiO2 geothermometer). Some thermal water is cooled while mixed with cold, shallow water. Geothermal resources are mostly used for balneology and recreation, and less for heating, water supply, bottling, fish and animal farms, agriculture, and technical water. 26% of all geothermal resources is used by the local population or has not been used at all. The annual utilization of geothermal energy for direct heat is 1507 TJ/yr, and the estimated capacity of geothermal energy in Serbia is 111 MWt. The results of analytical work were presented in the form of maps with a geological and hydrogeological background. Thermal waters are mostly registrated in the area of Tertiary magmatism. The three geothermal potential areas are identified: Pannonian basin-Vojvodina Province, Mačva-Srem and area from Jošanička Banja to Vranjska Banja (southern Serbia). Based on chemical analyses, four hydrochemical facies are distinguished. Thermal water mainly belongs to NaHCO3 or CaMgHCO3 hydrochemical facies, usually depending on the primary aquifer: karst, karst-fissured, intergranular or fissured.
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.