Spatial Variation of Water Chemistry in Aries River Catchment, Western Romania

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.

Metal Contents and Pollution Indices Assessment of Surface Water, Soil, and Sediment from the Arieș River Basin Mining Area, Romania

“…Ros , ia Poieni mine is mostly known for the Cu deposits and Ros , ia Montană mine for its Au and Ag contents (Table 1); thus, the tailings and deposits from S , tefanca Valley, S , esei Valley, Covina Valley, Lalishei Valley, and Ros , ia Rivulet are correlated as direct potential sources of solute and sediment-associated metal contaminants [27]. Therefore, the Aries , River catchment area presents a higher vulnerability, and several studies have analyzed the watershed status in order to identify decontamination techniques and to develop environmental strategies [22,23]. A previous study analyzing surface waters next to the tailing impoundments and connected to Ros , ia Montană and Ros , ia Poieni mining areas identified a low spatial variation for some metals, such as Cd, Mn, Ni and As, but also a high one for Fe, Cr, Co, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Al, indicating a major impact on the chemical composition of the Aries , River catchment over time, without major improvements of water quality, even after ceasing mining activity [23].…”

“…Therefore, the Aries , River catchment area presents a higher vulnerability, and several studies have analyzed the watershed status in order to identify decontamination techniques and to develop environmental strategies [22,23]. A previous study analyzing surface waters next to the tailing impoundments and connected to Ros , ia Montană and Ros , ia Poieni mining areas identified a low spatial variation for some metals, such as Cd, Mn, Ni and As, but also a high one for Fe, Cr, Co, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Al, indicating a major impact on the chemical composition of the Aries , River catchment over time, without major improvements of water quality, even after ceasing mining activity [23]. The potential for water diffusing pollution from quarries, mines, blank depositions, and decantation ponds in the Aries , River basin was investigated using GIS simulations.…”

“…The S , esei Valley, Ros , ia Rivulet, Buciumanilor Valley sub-basins, and the Abrud River basin were identified as the zones with the highest exposure to pollution with metals [28]. At the present moment, with a surface of 15.7 km 2 and a storage of about 100 million m 3 of tailings [23], only 2 tailing impoundments out of 11 are still in use for storing waste from the processing of the porphyry copper deposit mined in open pit: S , tefanca and S , esei (Figure 2). S1).…”

“…Although there are some studies conducted in the area based on the possible impact of the potential environmental risk of mining [20][21][22][23], no studies have been completed on the integrated assessment of metal pollution in the Aries , River basin. This study's hypothesis is based on the fact that in the Aries , River basin, the impact of metal pollution is expected to decrease over time as a result of the region's limited or ceased mining activities, leaving the remaining pollution that could be remediated by natural attenuation or by in situ treatments.…”

Special Issue on Heavy Metals in the Environment—Causes and Consequences

“…The study by Moldovan et al [7] demonstrates a very strong Pb, Fe, and Mn contamination of the Aries river (eastern Romania) that drains former mining areas. This takes place despite the fact that industrial activity has been discontinued in that area.…”