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Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey
Work Package 1: Geochemical controls on polluting substances
Jasper Griffioen
Objective of WP 1
• review all relevant information to determine threshold values for potentially harmful substances in gw
1. geochemical processes controlling behaviour 2. (eco)toxicological effects
3. analytical practice
4. sampling and monitoring
• products:
1. database of references
2. groundwater database
Contents of the WP1 report
1. Intro
2. Techniques for data-mining
3. Geochemical processes - a brief overview
4. Hydrogeological units and major gw composition 5. Behaviour and occurrence of inorganic substances 6. ,, ,, ,, ,, organic ,,
7. Environmental chemistry of emerging substances 8. (Eco)toxicological impacts
9. Analytical
10. Sampling and monitoring
Chapter 4:
Hydrogeological units and gw composition:
German case study
Chapter 5: Review of geochemical controls for inorganic substances
• Contents:
• General geochemistry (rock and mineral contents)
• Aqueous chemistry (all types of reactions)
• Natural concentrations in gw:
• what is usual
• where occur elevated concentrations and why
• Anthropogenic contamination: when, how much and how
• Summarising table on controls in hydrogeol. environments
Example: Controls on As
Mobilisation process Mechanism details Natural waters Anthropog. / polluted desorption at high to near neutral pH
under aerobic conditions
anion competition and mineral weathering
arid regions with high evaporation rates desorption/ dissolution due to change
to reducing conditions
desorption due to reduction of As(V) to As(III)
river valleys and deltas with high burial rates and organic C
desorption at near-neutral pH under aerobic conditions
reduction of surface area of oxide minerals by
“ageing”
?
desorption under strong reducing conditions
reduction binding strength due to reductive dissolution of oxides
river valleys and deltas with high burial rates and organic C
dissolution due to a change to aerobic conditions
pyrite oxidation Mining (Acid Mine Drainage),
lowering of groundwater table
contaminant source - application of arsenical
pesticides alkaline, high temperature and mixing/ dillution geothermally influenced
groundwater Immobilisation process
adsorption at acidic to near neutral pH under aerobic conditions
fluvial aquifers Mining areas