Articles tagged with Groundwater
A new study by OHSU researchers suggests that two types of iron nanoparticles can effectively degrade carbon tetrachloride, a toxic contaminant in groundwater. The study found that one type of nanoparticle quickly and effectively broke down carbon tetrachloride into harmless products.
A study by Kevin Svitana found that an underground aquifer containing toxic chemicals is being kept trapped beneath old riverbeds, preventing them from reaching the Ohio River. The unique interaction between the aquifer and river appears to be due to the presence of permeable sands and gravels in the subsurface geology.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are investigating the transport of arsenic in a headwater stream adjacent to an old mine site. The team has discovered that groundwater is releasing arsenic into the stream, but some of it is being retained in the streambed.
Researchers have discovered a link between sulfate and arsenic levels in groundwater, suggesting that adding sulfate can effectively sequester arsenic. This method could provide a simple yet reliable field test to identify safe drinking water from contaminated sources.
A study by Marshfield Clinic and USGS revealed that untreated city water in La Crosse contains various types of gastrointestinal viruses, including enteroviruses, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and norovirus. The presence of these viruses poses a risk to the drinking water supply, particularly in shallow sand and gravel aquifers.
Researchers at Temple University are developing metal oxide nanoparticles using ferritin protein to remove toxic metals like Chromium-6 and Technetium-7 from lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The nanoparticles can be activated by visible light, reducing chromium from hexavalent to trivalent, making it easier to filter out.
Research reveals high levels of toxic contaminants in New England rivers, affecting aquatic life and human health. Streams draining even small amounts of urban land show signs of degradation, while fish from rural areas accumulate higher mercury levels.
Researchers suggest Martian and Utah rocks formed underground when minerals precipitated from flowing groundwater, providing clues to the origin of 'blueberries' discovered on Mars. The study also sheds light on the search for evidence of past life on Mars.
A Stanford University study suggests that beach groundwater can be a source of pollution, contaminating the surf zone during extreme tides. The researchers found high levels of bacteria and nitrates in the aquifer beneath Huntington Beach, which was closed for two months in 1999 due to high bacterial counts.
Researchers developed a simple method for ultra trace determination of chlortetracycline and tylosin antibiotics in animal manures and surface/ground waters. Tests showed high concentrations of these antibiotics in swine manure samples, highlighting potential environmental pollution risks.
Researchers use ATTA, a highly sensitive method, to measure krypton-81 in groundwater, estimating ages of 200,000 to 1,000,000 years. The study reveals ancient water transported by air masses from the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting climate conditions different from today.
A study published in the Vadose Zone Journal examines how different soil types influence Cryptosporidium parvum's transport to groundwater. The research found that sandy soils allow rapid movement of pathogens, while structured soils with large macropores have limited breakthrough.
A recent study by the American Chemical Society found that MTBE alternatives pose a similar environmental threat to their predecessor, with TBA contamination occurring at a scale similar to MTBE. The researchers suggest that better storage tank design and leak detection techniques can prevent such threats.
An agricultural experiment from 1969 showed that nitrate fertilizer can persist in groundwater and streams for decades, influencing water quality. The study, conducted nearly 30 years later, confirmed this finding and highlights the need for long-term research on agricultural pollution.
A new computer model developed at Ohio State University provides a detailed understanding of how municipal wells in Woburn, Massachusetts, came to be contaminated with toxic chemicals. The results suggest that the contaminants likely originated from industrial properties and flowed into the nearby Aberjona River, raising concerns about...
Researchers found microbial communities with a pH level of 12.8, surpassing known natural environments. The microbes are related to bacteria found in highly alkaline waters and tufa columns around the world.
Researchers have developed a new approach to cleaning up contaminated aquifers by reducing pollutant density and separating contaminants from soil particles. The technique, known as 'density modified displacement,' can cut the cost of environmental remediation by up to 90%.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used an atomic force microscope to measure the sticking efficiency of live Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. They found that the bacteria were surprisingly robust and could withstand various conditions, which can help design more effective filters for water treatment.
The System Assessment Capability (SAC) is an integrated system of computer models and databases that predicts the movement and fate of contaminants through the vadose zone, groundwater, and Columbia River. SAC assesses the impact of contaminants on human health, animals, and the environment, providing a comprehensive understanding of c...
A new approach suggests using nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. Researchers developed management zones based on soil properties and crop yield maps, showing increased yield in wet seasons without affecting grain yield or nitrate leaching in dry seasons.
A Cincinnati engineering study has found a potential remedy for Bangladesh's mass arsenic poisoning problem, suggesting deeper wells as a safer alternative. The research team recommends wells over 400 feet deep to reduce contamination risk.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the attraction between particles and surfaces using an atomic force microscope. This technique allows for the simulation of various environmental conditions and the quantification of sticking efficiencies, which can improve contaminant removal methods.
Researchers at MIT's Parsons Lab in Hawaii developed a technique to calculate the amount and distribution of groundwater flowing into coastal waters. The data will contribute to Kaeo Duarte's research on groundwater usage on Hawaii's dry western coast.
A geophysicist has developed a cost-effective method for finding underground contaminants by measuring voltage between metal spikes inserted into the ground. The technique shows promise in detecting organic compounds like cancer-causing substances that don't conduct electricity, potentially streamlining remediation processes.
Researchers used radium isotopes to measure seasonal changes in groundwater supply, finding highest input in summer and lowest in winter. This study provides valuable data on groundwater supply, crucial for addressing increasing water demands.
Researchers are studying the natural processes that clean up acid and heavy metal-contaminated water at a Massachusetts mine site. The UMass team is investigating the role of microorganisms in breaking down these pollutants, with the goal of demonstrating global importance of using bacteria to clean up the environment.
Researchers at Rutgers-Newark are using electrical imaging to monitor the performance of permeable reactive barriers, which remove contaminants from groundwater. The study aims to improve the understanding of iron wall impacts and develop a tool for long-term monitoring of underground technologies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simple and effective method to monitor chromium contamination in groundwater. By analyzing the isotopic ratios of hexavalent chromium, they can determine how much reduction has taken place and estimate the long-term reduction rate.
Groundwater contamination with naturally occurring arsenic poses a significant health risk in Bangladesh and West Bengal. The researcher aims to understand why arsenic levels are high in groundwater and how they will change over time and space.
A new bioremediation process, Bioavailability Enhancement Technology (B.E.T.), has been successfully tested at the Idaho National Laboratory's Test Area North. The technology accelerates the degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) in groundwater plumes, making it a cost-effective solution for cleaning up contaminated aquifers.
Recent Martian gullies and debris flows likely resulted from the melting of near-surface ground ice due to warming temperatures. The orientation of these features closely matches the predicted latitudinal distribution of warmest near-surface temperatures at high obliquity.
Chemical oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island used naturally occurring radium to estimate ground water input to coastal systems. The study found that ground water was a significant source of radium in Rhode Island salt ponds.
Researchers found that groundwater in aquifers is generally older than expected based on flow velocity, due to mixing between aquitards and aquifers. This discovery has significant implications for estimating water supply yields and predicting contaminant migration rates.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers may lead to more effective methods for cleaning up gasoline spills, which can contaminate groundwater. The research focuses on the role of iron reduction and methanogenesis in bioremediation, aiming to improve modeling and cleanup efficiency.
Virginia Tech researchers have created a Selective Ion Trap (SIT) device that can capture and preserve chromium six in the field, enabling faster and more accurate analysis of contaminated groundwater. The device uses a plastic membrane to trap chromium six without allowing it to transform into less reactive forms.
Researchers found average arsenic levels in Vietnamese wells exceeding three times the national health standard, with peaks up to 3,000 micrograms per liter. The study highlights a significant risk to over 11 million people living in rural areas, where untreated groundwater is consumed directly as drinking water.
Measuring horizontal strain is crucial for understanding how aquifers respond to pumping, as it affects both vertical and horizontal compression. Scientists have found that aquifer compression occurs in a horizontal direction, leading to land subsidence.
Researchers can detect regional groundwater flow paths in the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer using radiogenic isotope ratios. By analyzing variations in strontium-87 and strontium-86, they identified faster and slower flow zones aligned with sediment-filled valleys.
Researchers present findings on the geological evolution of the North American Cordillera, including the Cascadia subduction zone's impact on earthquake hazards. They also explore tectonic movement and its implications for densely populated areas in the Pacific Northwest.
A Purdue University chemist has developed a method that uses high-energy ultraviolet rays to remove the gasoline additive MTBE from contaminated ground water. The technique involves exposing tainted water to UV rays, oxygen, and titanium dioxide, which eventually turns the compound into carbon dioxide.
The South Central Section of the Geological Society of America will explore the effects of animal waste on groundwater quality. Scientists will present studies on the survival rate of bacteria in groundwater, hydrogeologic investigations revealing interbasin recharge's impact on nutrient loads.
A new study estimates that up to 9,000 community water wells in 31 states may be contaminated with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) due to their proximity to leaking underground storage tanks. This could pose a risk to the approximately 90 million people who obtain drinking water from these wells.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that microorganisms can break down urea and promote the formation of calcite, trapping radioactive strontium-90. This process could be used to contain contaminant until it decays away, potentially providing a cheaper and safer alternative to surface extraction.
Researchers found that people in urban areas are more likely to live in areas with contaminated groundwater, particularly in the eastern half of the US. Untreated groundwater was four times more likely to exceed drinking-water criteria in urban areas than rural areas.
Researchers developed an optimization tool to reduce long-term sampling and monitoring costs at contaminated groundwater sites. The methodology combines simulation and plume-interpolation tools to accurately quantify contaminant mass while minimizing costs.
Researchers have detected fluorocarbon- and hydrocarbon-based surfactants in groundwater at military bases in Florida and Nevada. The presence of these surfactants poses concerns about their impact on human health and the environment, as they are resistant to degradation and may also contaminate other pollutants.
The USGS report found complex mixtures of nutrients and pesticides in streams with significant agricultural or urban development. However, concentrations of individual pesticides were often lower than current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards.
Scientists are investigating the hydrogeology of the West Siberian Basin to better track and predict the future path of radioactive waste from nuclear weapons material production. This research aims to inform remediation strategies at three former plutonium production sites, influencing both human health and ecosystem safety.
Researchers found that dissolved humic material can bind radionuclides, speeding contaminant migration. This process has significant implications for existing and future waste facilities, as low levels of humics in groundwater can facilitate transport.
Pacific Northwest researchers have developed In-Situ Redox Manipulation (ISRM) to remove deadly contaminants from groundwater. ISRM has been shown to be effective in removing chromate, technetium, and chlorinated solvents at levels below drinking water standards.
Researchers employ phytoremediation approach using poplar trees to remediate contaminated sites, drawing polluted groundwater to their roots where contaminants are rendered harmless. The method's effectiveness and limitations remain areas of study, with ongoing research aiming to improve its applications for environmental cleanup.
A unique strategy aims to use computer-examined variables and prescribe chemical regulations for specific areas to benefit the environment and agriculture. The nation's first 'smart' environmental regulations for ground water contamination by agricultural runoff are being created as part of Indiana's pesticide management plan.
Stanford researchers have successfully used native bacteria to reduce TCE levels in groundwater by 96-98% through in situ bioremediation. This method conserves water and reduces pumping costs, but requires hydrogen peroxide as a catalyst.
The Weizmann Institute groundwater sampler, MLS, tracks microscopic particles to assess pollution spread and identify contaminated layers. It has been used to study the saltiness of the Sea of Galilee and help pinpoint areas where bacteria can clean up pollutants.