Earthquake chemical precursors in groundwater: a review

Paudel, Shukra Raj; Banjara, Sushant Prasad; Wagle, Amrita; Freund, Friedemann

doi:10.1007/s10950-018-9739-8

Cited by 43 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 146 publications

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“…However, by plotting the concentrations of As versus V detected in the studied groundwater prior to and during primary shocks, a general trend compatible with an oxic‐suboxic (Wright et al, ) environment is shown in all the sampled springs (Figure ). A stress‐activated oxidation process at the water‐rock interface may serve as an explanation for the observed common redox trend (Balk et al, ; Grant et al, ; Paudel et al, ; Singh et al, ). Moreover, the combined elemental increase may be the result of desorption from minerals' surface as iron oxide‐hydroxides.…”

Section: Modeling Pre‐seismic and Co‐seismic Geochemical Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

Boschetti

Barbieri

Barberio

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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The 2016 Mw ≥ 6.0 Amatrice‐Norcia earthquakes (central Apennines, Italy) and the related seismic sequence were associated with increases in arsenic and vanadium concentrations recorded in groundwater springs a few months before the earthquakes occurred. To evaluate these signals as reliable seismic precursors and effective predictive tools, we studied the geochemical processes that caused these anomalies. Using chemical and isotope models, we show that increased concentrations of arsenic and vanadium, a slight increase in boron concentrations, and a concomitant lowering of the boron isotope ratio may be due to mineral desorption (e.g., from iron oxides and/or clays). We argue that a displacing effect on the trace elements sorbed on minerals was triggered by an excess of deep CO2 in groundwater, which occurred prior to the main seismic event as a result of preseismic crustal dilation. Our observations confirm the pivotal role of CO2 in the release of trace elements by alteration of solid phases and provide a new understanding of earthquake‐related water chemical anomalies.

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Section: Modeling Pre‐seismic and Co‐seismic Geochemical Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

Boschetti

Barbieri

Barberio

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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“…They were also unable to observe any correlations between injected volumes, seismicity, and groundwater parameters [16]. Even for natural earthquakes, the relationship between groundwater contamination/gas emissions and earthquakes remain poorly defined due to the difficulty of differentiating between the wide range of anthropogenic and natural processes governing groundwater quality and methane emissions [28]. Nonetheless, methane and other gas emissions are linked to natural earthquakes and are suggested as potential warning signals for earthquake risk [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential increase in oil and gas well leakage due to earthquakes

Kang

Dong

Liu

et al. 2019

Environ. Res. Commun.

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Earthquakes occurring naturally or induced by human activities can damage surface and subsurface infrastructure. Oil and gas wells represent a category of subsurface infrastructure that can act as leakage pathways connecting oil and gas reservoirs, groundwater aquifers, and the atmosphere. The integrity of these wells can be compromised through a wide range of processes and contribute to groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality degradation. We estimate the increase in such subsurface leakage potential due to seismic activity through geospatial analysis of 579,378 oil and gas well and 196,315 earthquake (magnitudes greater than 1.0) locations in Oklahoma, California, and British Columbia. We perform density-based clustering analysis and point density mapping using ArcGIS. We combine the well and earthquake point density maps to identify hot spots of joint high well and earthquake densities. We find that oil and gas wells and earthquakes are clustered in space, with densities reaching ∼60 wells per km 2 and ∼40 earthquakes per km 2 in California. There are at least two hot spots where these clusters overlap in each state/province. In Oklahoma and British Columbia, the hot spots are more correlated with earthquake densities; while, in California, the hot spots are more correlated with well densities. Our findings indicate the need to investigate the role of earthquakes on wellbore leakage through additional analysis of earthquake characteristics, wellbore attributes, improved data collection, and empirical field studies for all oil and gas wells, including those that are abandoned. In particular, large scale geospatial analysis establishing the scope of the problem and empirical field studies focusing on identified hot spots are needed to understand potential environmental impacts of earthquakes, especially those induced by oil and gas activities.

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“…Variations in different properties of ground water prior to seismic events have been proven to be associated with the impending earthquakes [14].Changes in fluorescent intensity were observed in 1999 using synchronous scans of fluorescent spectra in water samples collected prior and post Izmit earthquake in Turkey . In water samples collected 7 weeks prior to the Izmit earthquake from different locations of Turkey showed remarkable rise in fluorescence intensity [3].…”

Section: Measurement Of Fluorescence Intensity Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Real Time Monitoring of Groundwater Fluorescence: Principle and Applicability in Nepal

Khadka

Oikonomou

Paudel

2020

J. Inst. Engineering

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As Nepal sits on the Indo-Eurasian plate boundary, it is highly susceptible to catastrophic earthquakes which have been posing a grave threat to the people of the country. Even though earthquake is one of the most destructive natural phenomena, its occurrence is still unpredictable. Advance warning of disastrous earthquakes is crucial so that the damage due to it is minimal. Different changes in the properties of groundwater prior to earthquake have been detected which can give important hints. Among them, the increase in fluorescent intensity of groundwater comprises a significant earthquake precursor. The positive holes, formed due to tectonic stresses in rocks with peroxy defects, interact with groundwater modifying the fluorescence intensity of water. In this study, we investigate the effect of seismic activity on the groundwater fluorescence intensity. The necessity of this examination for the country is also demonstrated. Taking into account the large variation in the groundwater quality and types of rock in Nepal, the investigation of fluorescent intensity using fluorometer may unravel different uncertainties and limitations. The simplicity of fluorometer in installation, methodology, maintenance, and its sensitivity up to large catchment area make it suitable for such investigation. Till now, variations of the groundwater fluorescent intensity have not been deeply studied in Nepal. This is of high importance in terms of earthquake forecast considering the high seismic activity in Nepal which lies on a very seismically active zone.

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Earthquake chemical precursors in groundwater: a review

Cited by 43 publications

References 146 publications

CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

Potential increase in oil and gas well leakage due to earthquakes

Real Time Monitoring of Groundwater Fluorescence: Principle and Applicability in Nepal

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Earthquake chemical precursors in groundwater: a review

Cited by 43 publications

References 146 publications

CO2 Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

CO2 Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

Potential increase in oil and gas well leakage due to earthquakes

Real Time Monitoring of Groundwater Fluorescence: Principle and Applicability in Nepal

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy

CO₂ Inflow and Elements Desorption Prior to a Seismic Sequence, Amatrice‐Norcia 2016, Italy