Multiple stable isotopes and geochemical approaches to elucidate groundwater reactive transport paths in mining cities: A case from the northern Anhui, China

Ju, Qiding; Hu, Youbiao; Liu, Qimeng; Chen, Kai; Zhang, Haitao; Wu, Youmiao

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169706

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Groundwater chemical composition involves the spatial and temporal variations due to precipitation, water-rock interaction, evaporation, redox reactions, recharge water quality, reactions of ion exchange, sorption, dissolution, climate, the grade of chemical weathering of different types of rock, mixing processes, etc. Hydrogeochemical analysis techniques in combination with stable isotope analysis (e.g., 18 O and 2 H), radioisotopes (e.g., 3 H and 14 C), and statistical techniques (e.g., Principal-Component-Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical-Cluster-Analysis (HCA)) are often applied as effective methods to provide significant information regarding similarities among groundwater samples and/or hydrochemical variables, the groundwater residence times in aquifers, the source of groundwater in reservoirs, the groundwater movement's rate and direction, hydrochemical reactions in aquifers, climatic conditions during the recharge, hydraulic connection between different water sources, geological structure of aquifers, and anthropogenic impacts on aquifers (Zouari et al 2011;Fang 2019;Acikel and Ekmekci 2021;Okofo et al 2022;Zhao et al 2022;Nayak et al 2023;Ju et al 2024;Hamma et al 2024; amongst many others). These analysis techniques play a crucial role in enhancing our comprehension of hydrogeological systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origin and evolution of groundwater in the Goharzamin mine area using hydro-geochemical and isotopic analyses

Saberinasr,

Kalantari,

Ghelichpour

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Determining the source of groundwater infiltrating mine pits is one of the most interesting challenge for mining engineers and designers. The uncontrolled groundwater flow will delay the planned schedule and have a negative impact on extraction costs and mining operations. Determining the groundwater source by hydrochemical and isotopical interpretations in the Goharzamin iron mine, located in south-central Iran, plays a significant role in comprehending hydrochemical and hydrogeological processes and designing an effective dewatering system in this mining area. Through three phases of groundwater sample collection from seepages and boreholes, a total of 75 samples were gathered for analysis, including 12 samples containing heavy metals and stable isotopic data (D and 18O), 5 samples containing 14C and 13C, and another 5 samples containing 3H data. Results indicated that all samples belonged to saline and brackish water categories (EC > 4 mS cm− 1), with a predominant sequence of Cl−-SO42−-HCO3−-NO3−, and Na+-Ca2+-Mg2+-K+ for anions and cations, respectively. Conservative tracers (Cl, Br, and B) and stable isotopes demonstrated that Kheirabad Salt Lake (located approximately 13 km north of the mine) is unlikely to be the source of groundwater. Radiocarbon and tritium age dating suggested that the majority of groundwater in the mining area was infiltrated during the Holocene and late Pleistocene epochs (paleowater) rather than being replenished by recent rainfall. Hydrochemical variations observed in samples collected during the wet season are generally attributed to the mixing of surface water and groundwater at fractures around the mine pit.

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