Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2022
Volume
Vol. 48
Number
No 4
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 48 (2022)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Delineation of wellhead protection area based on the analytical elements method (AEM) - a case study with comparative research
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Nikiel, Maciej; Zdechlik, Robert
The delineation of protection zones for groundwater intakes is a difficult task resulting from the significant variability of regional and local environmental conditions. Different methods are used, both simple (analytical or graphic), giving estimated results, and the most reliable, but also the most time-consuming ones, based on numerical groundwater flow models. An alternative method for the delineation of protection zones is the analytical elements method (AEM), which gives solutions like those obtained using FDM/FEM modelling methods with a relatively low degree of complexity. The estimated ranges of protection zones obtained with the use of four methods are presented for the selected test area (groundwater intake around Olesno). Results obtained with the use of the FDM model were taken as reference and CFR and SimpleWHPA were used as simplified methods. Comparative studies indicate that the results obtained by the CFR method differ significantly from the results of other methods, and their reliability is low. The results of the SimpleWHPA method are satisfactory, given the relative simplicity of the method. On the other hand, the results obtained with the AEM are close to the results obtained with the FDM treated as a reference. Considering that AEM is less time-consuming than FDM (which requires the most effort for proper model preparation), the use of AEM in the practice of protection zone delineation seems to be an interesting alternative.
The environmental fate of metals from zinc and lead mining area in surface water (Przemsza River, southern Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Pierri, Dorota; Rutkowski, Marcin
The chemical composition of surface waters of the Przemsza River flowing through Upper Silesia (in southern Poland) is strongly affected by Zn and Pb ore, and less by Carboniferous hard coal deposits. The chemical type of surface water is Ca-HCO$_{3}$. In the waters, three groups of metals and metalloids were found that directly interfere with the mineralization of the deposit. Although genetically related to the same deposit, each group exhibits a different fate in the environment. A typical deposit association is Pb-Zn-Ag-As-Sb-Hg. The first group of metals in surface waters is consistent with the typical association of the ore Zn-Pb-Cd-(Tl), the second includes Ag-Sb-Hg, and the third includes the additives in the zinc and lead ore Co-Ni-Mo-Mn: $\left[ (Ca \rightleftarrows Na) + (HCO_3 or SO_4 \rightleftarrows Cl) \right]+ \left[ Zn - Pb - Cd - (Tl) \right]$ $+ \left[ Ag - Sb - Hg\right] + \left[ Co- Ni - Mo - Mn\right]$. Depending on the pH-Eh conditions, metals and metalloids precipitate out of the solution or sorb on solid particles. The concentrations of individual groups of metals are interdependent but show different environmental fates along the river course. The natural process of the enrichment of surface waters with Zn-Pb-Cd-(Tl) is by water circulation in a rock matrix naturally rich in the metals and draining groundwaters by the river. Under oxidizing and slightly alkaline conditions, Ag-Sb-Hg incorporated into the soluted chemical compounds, may, when the physicochemical parameters of the waters change, be adsorbed and/or precipitated. The presence and ratio of concentrations of Co-Ni-Mo-Mn with respect to zinc are almost identical, differing only in concentration.
Transport parameters of selected neonicotinoids in different aquifer materials using batch sorption tests
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Pietrzak, Damian; Kania, Jarosław; Kmiecik, Ewa
Contamination of surface and groundwater by neonicotinoids is a global problem and requires comprehensive action by individual countries in order to identify in detail the processes affecting the transport of these pesticides, their properties, and their harmfulness to the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the transport (expressed by sorption parameters) of selected neonicotinoids in the aquatic environment, using batch tests. Tests were carried out for acetamiprid individually and a mixture of five neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam), for three different aquifer materials and quartz sand. Based on the obtained values of the sorption parameters, the greatest sorption of neonicotinoids was observed on soil with the highest content of organic matter and clay minerals content, while no sorption of these pesticides was observed on quartz sand. In addition, it was noticed that individual neonicotinoids undergo sorption to a different degree - thiacloprid was the most sorbed (<i>R</i>-value in the range 3.13–26.03), while thiamethoxam was the least (R-value in the range 1.89–8.41).
New filtration parameters from X-ray computed tomography for tight rock images
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Krakowska-Madejska, Paulina I.
New parameters are proposed to evaluate the filtration properties of rocks obtained on the basis of 3D interpretation of images from X-ray computed tomography. The analyzed parameters are: global average pore connectivity, average blind pore connectivity, blind pore coefficient per object and blind pore coefficient per branch. The 3D pore space from computed X-ray tomography must be subjected to a process of pore space transformation into a skeleton. Then, the presented parameters can be evaluated, taking into consideration the pore channels (branches), pore channel connection points (junctions) and blind pores (pore without connection to the other pore). The calculations were made for low porosity sandstones, mudstones, limestones, and dolomites which differ in terms of age and depth of present deposition. The global average pore connectivity reflects the degree of development of the pore space in which the formation fluid can flow. The higher the global average pore connectivity, the most complex the pore structure can be expected. The higher the parameter of the average blind pore connectivity, the worse are the filtration properties of the rock. The higher the concentration of blind pore coefficient per object or branch, the worse the filtration properties of the rock. Moreover, new parameters were compared with the Euler characteristic and coordination number, revealing a high consistency.
Preliminary studies of photolysis and TiO2-montomorillonite-immobilised photocatalysis processes for the degradation of organic pollutants in water treatment
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2022) Pamuła, Justyna; Karnas, Magdalena; Styszko, Katarzyna
Organic compounds are the most diverse group of contaminants. The largest anthropogenic source of these contaminants in water is municipal and industrial wastewater. One of the indicators of surface water pollution is biological oxygen demand ($BOD$). Purifying water from organic micropollutants is a serious challenge and requires the development of newer and more effective methods. The removal of such contaminants is most effective only in advanced oxidation processes (AOP), which include UV photolysis and photocatalysis. The presented results are from preliminary research to evaluate the effectiveness of water treatment by ultraviolet (UV) photolysis and photocatalysis. Treatment efficiency was evaluated on the basis of changes in the BOD index before and after the advanced oxidation process of raw water. The values of the $BOD_{5}$ index determined in accordance with PN-EN 25813:1997. The exposure time of the samples was a maximum of 60 minutes. The tested material was water samples taken from the Rudawa River, which is one of the drinking water sources for Krakow. The initial $BOD_{5}$ value (expressed as concentration of $O_2$) for all samples was about 8 mg/L but it has decreased to over 2 mg/L due to AOP processes. This means that after an hour, more than 75% of organic compounds present in the raw water were removed. For photocatalysis ($TiO_{2}$-MMT), the exposure time of the samples was a maximum of 35 minutes. Water samples taken from the Rudawa River were also used as test material. The initial $BOD_{5}$ value for all samples was about 9 mg/L but it has decreased to about 4 mg/L due to the photocatalysis process. This means that after 35 minutes, 55% of the organic compounds present in the raw water were removed.