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In this paper, we present a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) with a gold nanosensor functionalized with α-lipoic acid and thioguanine (Au–TA–TG) to detect whether the arsenic level of groundwater from hand tubewells in Bangladesh is above or below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline level of 10 μg/L. We analyzed the naturally occurring metals present in Bangladesh groundwater and assessed the interference with the gold nanosensor. A method was developed to prevent interference from alkaline metals found in Bangladesh groundwater (Ca, Mg, K and Na) by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. Most of the heavy metals present in the groundwater (Ni, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Fe II) did not interfere with the μPAD arsenic tests; however, Fe III was found to interfere, which was also prevented by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. The μPAD arsenic tests were tested with 24 groundwater samples collected from hand tubewells in three different districts in Bangladesh: Shirajganj, Manikganj, and Munshiganj, and the predictions for whether the arsenic levels were above or below the WHO guideline level agreed with the results obtained from laboratory testing. The μPAD arsenic test is the first paper-based test validated using Bangladesh groundwater samples and capable of detecting whether the arsenic level in groundwater is above or below the WHO guideline level of 10 μg/L, which is a step towards enabling the villagers who collect and consume the groundwater to test their own sources and make decisions about where to obtain the safest water.

[Display omitted] • A Dip-Type colorimetric paper-based sensor array with three organic dyes. • Discrimination of original bottled mineral waters from tap waters. • A discriminant model with an accuracy of > 95 % based on the analysis of 85 water samples. • A simple sensing device based on optical tongue concept with long-term stability and high reproducibility. Mineral water is a natural water that originated from an underground water table, a well, or a natural spring which is considered microbiologically intact. The revenue from the bottled mineral water industry will be USD 342.40 billion in 2023, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.24 %. Consequently, the discrimination of original bottled mineral water from tap water is an important issue that requires designing sensors for simple and portable identification of these two types of water. In this work, we have developed a Dip-Type colorimetric paper-based sensor array with three organic dyes (Bromothymol Blue, Bromophenol Blue, and Methyl Red) followed by chemometrics' pattern recognition methods (PCA and LDA) for discrimination of original bottled mineral waters from tap waters based on differences in ion variety and ion quantity. Forty brands of mineral water and twenty-six Tap water samples from different regions of Shiraz and other Iranian cities were analyzed by this sensor array. Moreover, these experiments were performed in two consecutive years to check the versatility of the sensor with seasonal changes in waters. This sensor array was able to discriminate these two water types from each other with an accuracy of > 95 % based on the analysis of 85 water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REEs) are widely distributed in low concentrations in all parts of the biosphere. REEs are not at all rare, their concentration in the earth's crust is close to 0.015%. REEs include the elements scandium, yttrium and the lanthanides from lanthanum to lutetium. REEs show similar physical and chemical properties. Today REEs are applied in industries and technologies, in agriculture as microfertilizers and feed additives and they are also used in medicine. REEs are dispersed especially as accessory minerals in pegmatites, granites and associated metamorphic volcanic rocks. Out of more than 250 kinds of minerals containing REEs, only bastnaesite and monazite are of economic importance. Their concentration in the soil varies widely and depends on their presence in parental materials, soil texture, organic matter content, pedogenetic processes and anthropogenic activities. REEs are found in small concentrations in surface stagnant and flowing waters as well as in underground waters. They are found in water in both suspended and dissolved form. REEs enter the atmosphere from various sources, largely owing to human activities. The majority of REEs in the atmosphere are carried by microscopic particles. The uptake and consequently accumulation of REEs in plants are affected by numerous biotic factors, such as plant species and genotype, and abiotic factors such as their concentration in the soil and some chemical and physical soil characteristics. They can enter plants via both root and foliage tissues. There are plant species called hyperaccumulators that are able to accumulate significant amounts of REEs without adverse consequences. RREs are not biogenic for higher plants or for other living organisms, but can influence their life processes. Experiments show that REEs can be beneficial for growth, yield and biochemical composition of cultivated plants. They can also alleviate some ecological stress in plants. It is not clear enough how they affect human and animal health. The wide-spread application of REEs in different industries as well as in agriculture lead to a constant increase of the concentrations of these elements in the environment. Therefore, studies on the uptake, accumulation, distribution of REEs in cultivated plant species and their entrance into the food chain as well as their stimulating or toxic effect on living organisms, can be very significant in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a hardcopy of this article, printed in the Netherlands, an estimated 100 l of water have been used. Most of the water is required in the forestry stage, due to evapotranspiration (green and blue water). In addition, the water footprint during the industrial stage, as accounted for in this study, consists of evaporation from water obtained from ground water and surface water (blue water). In this study estimates are made of water requirements for producing paper using different types of wood and in different parts of the world. The water footprint of printing and writing paper is estimated to be between 300 and 2600 m/t (~2-13 l for an A4 sheet). These estimates account for paper recovery rates in different countries. This study indicates that by using recovered paper for the production of paper the global average water footprint of paper is only 60% of what it would be if no recovered paper would be used at all. Further savings may be achieved by increasing the recovery percentages worldwide. In addition, the global water footprint of paper can be reduced by choosing production sites and wood types that are more water-efficient. The results of this study suggest that the use of recovered paper may be particularly effective in reducing water footprints. This study is a first step towards a better understanding of the significance of the water footprint of paper and the effect of using recovered paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of toxic levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is a worldwide problem. Measurement of millions of samples in the field for arsenic is an analytical challenge and the first step to solve the problem. Here, we developed a novel electrochemical arsine sensor and system based on the cell: C(s)/I 3 − I 2 , AsH 3 (g/aq)//I 3 − , I 2 AgI(s)/Ag(s), where I 3 − /I 2 mediated AsH 3 (g/l) oxidation which occurred on the C(s) electrode. The sensor system requires 50 μL of 10 mM iodine solution and a small piece of filter paper placed inside a novel electrochemical cell. The cell exhibited highly efficient arsine mass transport with a limit of detection of 15 μg/L As(III) in water. A mathematical model of mass transfer of AsH 3 (g/aq) and following electrochemical reaction was developed and applied to explain the experimental data. Groundwater samples containing arsenic were measured to prove its utility in a field deployable instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Released effluent form paper mill percolates though soil and slowly mixes with ground water aquifers. Water samples were collected from 5 sampling stations (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) around the paper mill. Samples were analyzed for their water quality for various parameters. Statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the water quality for 5 monitoring stations. Water quality variables such as, TDS, Sulphate, Chloride exceeded WHO guidelines of drinking water. The pollution threat to ground water is from TDS, Sulphate and Chlorides, which are associated with pulp waste in the studied area. The study reveals that wastewater even from a single mill can affect the ground water quality of nearby area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ground water such as wells and springs, iron (Fe(II)) and manganese (Mn(II)) are the most commonly found dissolved chemical species. The presence of these metal ions can cause water to exhibit bad odors, taste poorly and to color or stain clothing. In this study, using filter paper made with cedar bark, we have examined the fundamental study on the removal of iron (Fe(II), Fe(III)) and manganese (Mn(II)), along with other metals (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and V(V)) found in groundwater. Recently, we have prepared functional filter paper made with cedar bark, as a new method for preventing the contamination of soluble organic compounds. It was found that filter paper with cedar bark adsorbs metal ions. Thus, we considered the application of metal adsorptive filter paper in the removal of iron and manganese in groundwater. Ferric ion demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity and was partly reduced to ferrous ion by the cedar bark. Ferrous ion maintained its oxidation state throughout the experiment, and showed relatively high adsorption capacity amongst the divalent cations. Adsorption behaviors of these ions were seen to obey the Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm, and it was concluded that the ability of filter paper made with cedar bark to reduce and absorb metals, would be promising in the treatment of groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a comment on a previous article discussing the regulatory design of the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) in British Columbia, Canada. The comment argues that the WSA's regulatory design took a science-forward approach and considered specific regional factors. It addresses criticisms of the WSA and emphasizes the importance of licensing groundwater use for assessing environmental impacts. The WSA allows for nuanced water management through regulation-making authorities, but challenges remain in implementing the regulations, including Indigenous water rights and government resources. Recommendations for improving the WSA's design include defining sustainability goals, regionalizing regulatory action, and long-term planning. Ongoing resourcing and consideration of Indigenous rights are necessary for the effective implementation of the WSA. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a reply to a comment on a previous article about applying a science-forward approach to groundwater regulatory design in British Columbia, Canada. The reply addresses three aspects of the comment: the need for legislation for data collection, the flexibility within the new regulatory regime, and the acknowledgement of Indigenous water rights. The authors of the reply appreciate the insider perspective provided by the comment authors, who were involved in the development of the regulatory regime. The reply also discusses the importance of a science-forward approach to groundwater regulation and the challenges faced in implementing it. It concludes by suggesting ways to course correct and improve the regulatory design in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: Metal pollution of soils is a great environmental problem. The major risks due to metal pollution of soil consist of leaching to groundwater and potential toxicity to plants and/or animals. The objective of this study is to evaluate by means of chemical and ecotoxicological approach the effects of paper mill sludge addition on the mobile metal fraction of polluted metal soils. The study was carried out on acidic soil derived from mining activities and thus polluted with heavy metals, and on two paper mill sludges having different chemical features. The results obtained by leaching experiments showed that the addition of a paper mill sludge, consisting mainly of carbonates, silicates and organic matter, to a heavy-metal polluted soil produces a decrease of available metal forms. The carbonate content seems to play a key role in the chemical stabilisation of metals and consequently in a decrease of toxicity of soil. The leached solutions have a non-toxic effect. The mild remediation by addition of sludge has moreover a lasting effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Characterization of porewater chemistry in low-permeability, clay-rich rocks provides insights into solute transport mechanisms and the origin and residence time of porewater. Extraction of porewater for chemical quantification is challenging, and several methods have been applied including squeezing, advective displacement, crush and leach, and a relatively new technique that extracts porewater by absorption into a cellulosic paper by capillary action. Here we compare porewater Cl− and Br− mass ratios from samples using the paper-absorption and crush-and-leach techniques. Samples were obtained from Upper Ordovician shales in the Michigan Basin in Ontario, the Opalinus Clay at the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory in Switzerland, and the Upper Ordovician Lorraine Group shale in southern Quebec. The data display consistent and reproducible differences among methods for Cl− and Br− mass ratios, with the paper-absorption method producing systematically lower Cl− : Br− ratios. The observed differences in Cl− : Br− ratios are attributed primarily to anion exclusion effects which are stronger for Br− than for Cl−, resulting in higher Br− concentrations in the largest pores that are preferentially sampled by the paper-absorption technique. In addition, calculations suggest that Cl− is more effective than Br− in forming ion pairs and clusters with neutral or positive charge which can enter the diffuse double layer. This causes a further decrease in the Cl− : Br− ratios for the mobile water. One important message from this work is that different extraction methods should not be expected to converge on a unique porewater Cl− : Br− ratio because each method reflects different proportions of the interlayer, diffuse double layer, and mobile fractions of porewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, selective, sensitive and visual detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosives residues in groundwater system has been a great challenge for human security. Herein, a visual fluorescence paper sensor for accurate and on-site detection of TNT in groundwater system by linking the recognition molecule onto the surface of the carbon quantum dots (CDs) was introduced. The fluorescence of CDs based nanosensor can be selectively and efficiently quenched by TNT through a photo-induced electron transfer effect between primary amino groups and TNT explosives. The fluorescence quantum yield of this kind of nanosensor is up to 32.25％ and the detection limit reaches as low as 0.213 μmol/L. The interference molecules, such as the nitrobenzene derivatives have no influence on the sensitive detection of TNT. Furthermore, the paper sensor based on the CDs probe has been prepared, which can efficiently detect TNT residues in groundwater system. This developed nanosensor possesses the great capability of on-site and visual detection of TNT residues in groundwater without any further processing step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frigault, J.S., and Giles, A.R. Understanding Fall Risk Factors for Inuvialuit Elders in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. Gallagher, C.P., and Lea, E.V. Overwintering Habitat of American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, in [...]

Soil leachates from di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-contaminated soil to groundwater could potentially cause toxicity, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, and modifications in the phthalate, thus affecting health in nearby human populations. For this reason, the following study was accomplished, evaluating the effectiveness of soil remediation based on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure-like leachates from treated soil. Since there are not any environmental regulations for this emerging contaminant in country, simply reducing the DEHP concentration in soil or leachates was not sufficient for regulatory purposes to assure regulators of remediation success. As an alternative, acute toxicity was used as the cleanup criterion. This was done using the filter paper test of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Protocol No. 207 with earthworms, which was applicable, since the country in which the study was done is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and accepts its test protocols. In contaminated soil leachates, the earthworms exhibited a ruptured body wall with bloody wounds and expulsion of coelomic fluid, and those surviving worms showed a reduction in movement with practically null response to stimulus. Contaminated soil treated by chemical oxidation with 2.5% of hydrogen peroxide showed the greatest toxicity reduction, up to 94%, demonstrating the technical feasibility of this treatment method. The soil treated by bioremediation (simulation of landfarm operation) was also effective after five months of treatment, showing no significant difference with the negative control (uncontaminated soil). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current status and annotated checklist of fresh- and brackish-water amphipod species inhabiting the inland waters (streams, lakes, ponds, lagoons, subterranean waters, etc.) of Turkey is presented. Totally, 171 papers, 3 books, 3 book chapters, 5 conference papers, 2 projects, 3 PhD and 3 MSc thesis were examined in the present study. As the result of the previous records, 201 taxa comprising 121 amphipods (16 families, 31 genera), 27 isopods (9 families, 13 genera), 9 mysids (1 family, 5 genera), 4 tanaids (3 families, 4 genera) and 40 decapods (16 families, 18 genera) were compiled. All the previously recorded localities of each taxon were listed in detail. The endemic taxa and the doubtful records were indicated and discussed. Twenty maps showing the distribution of reported species were also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 252 chemicals were identified by SNTS in groundwater from four regions with diverse contamination histories. • A novel and robust systematic machine learning-based workflow for predicting chemical indicators was proposed. • The proposed workflow showed good predictive ability (Q2) of 0.897. • 51 chemical indicators for tracking groundwater contamination sources were suggested. In this study, the strong analytical power of gas chromatography coupled to a high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) in suspect and non-target screening (SNTS) of organic micropollutants was combined with machine learning tools for proposing a novel and robust systematic environmental forensics workflow, focusing on groundwater contamination. Groundwater samples were collected from four different regions with diverse contamination histories (namely oil [OC], agricultural [AGR], industrial [IND], and landfill [LF]), and a total of 252 organic micropollutants were identified, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, phenols, organophosphate flame retardants, transformation products, and others, with detection frequencies ranging from 3 % to 100 %. Amongst the SNTS identified compounds, a total of 51 chemical indicators (i.e., OC: 13, LF: 12, AGR: 19, IND: 7) which included level 1 and 2 SNTS identified chemicals were pinpointed across all sampling regions by integrating a bootstrapped feature selection method involving the bootfs algorithm and a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model to determine potential prevalent contamination sources. The proposed workflow showed good predictive ability (Q2) of 0.897, and the suggested contamination sources were gasoline, diesel, and/or other light petroleum products for the OC region, anthropogenic activities for the LF region, agricultural and human activities for the AGR region, and industrial/human activities for the IND region. These results suggest that the proposed workflow can select a subset of the most diagnostic features in the chemical space that can best distinguish a specific contamination source class. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a hydrogeological survey aimed to substantiate the engineering recultivation of accumulation ponds of lignin mud by inwashing it with coal ash. The ash bed causes compression consolidation of lignin bed, leading to an increase in the pond seal margin. The mass exchange between the ash and the lignin mud is accompanied by changes in the hydrogeochemical conditions: the mineralization of the liquid phase of technogenic soils increases by a factor of up to 8, and the concentration of microcomplex increases to very high values. The analysis of the qualitative state of groundwater showed it to be tolerant to the effect of accumulation ponds. The moderate deviation from the local natural background is due to other pollution sources. The applied recultivation technology is effective and environmentally safe, though it needs modernization. The alternative technology, proposed by OOO VEB-Inzhiniiring, i.e., grouting the pond content, is extremely hazardous, and the implementation of the project involves considerable environmental risk because of the possible loss of pond containment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces winners of the Best Paper awards of "Water International" including a paper on polycentrism and pitfalls by Hans Komakech and Pieter van der Zaag and groundwater irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa by Karen G. Villholth.

The present study first describes the variations in concentrations of 12 chemical elements in groundwater relative to salinity levels in Southern Quebec (Canada) groundwater systems, and then uses this data to develop an empirical predictive model for evaluating groundwater chemical composition relative to salinity levels. Data is drawn from a large groundwater chemistry database containing 2608 samples. Eight salinity classes were established from lowest to highest chloride (Cl) concentrations. Graphical analyses were applied to describe variations in major, minor, and trace element concentrations relative to salinity levels. Results show that the major elements were found to be dominant in the lower salinity classes, whereas Cl becomes dominant at the highest salinity classes. For each of the major elements, a transitional state was identified between domination of the major elements and domination of Cl. This transition occurred at a different level of salinity for each of the major elements. Except for Si, the minor elements Ba, B, and Sr generally increase relative to the increase of Cl. The highest Mn concentrations were found to be associated with only the highest levels of Cl, whereas F was observed to be more abundant than Mn. Based on this analysis of the data, a correlation table was established between salinity level and concentrations of the chemical constituents. We thus propose a predictive empirical model, identifying a profile of the chemical composition of groundwater relative to salinity levels, to help homeowners and groundwater managers evaluate groundwater quality before resorting to laborious and costly laboratory analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has increased in recent years, due to recognition of widespread environmental presence, recognition of a chemical structure that confers resistance to degradation, and reported health concerns. Historical common exposure sources include food, drinking water, occupational circumstances, and products in commerce (e.g., carpeting, clothing, paper products). Early-2000's data showed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was present in blood samples from nearly all the U.S. general population (>99%). Alterations in industrial manufacturing processes, increased regulatory scrutiny, and advanced water treatment options have reduced the reported human body burden of PFAS in the U.S., including for PFOA. Human serum concentrations of PFOA, which do not identify the source(s) of exposure, have exhibited a substantial decrease (~63%) between the 1999-2000 and the 2013-2014 NHANES monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With respect to both noncancer and potential cancer effects that may be associated with reported serum levels of PFOA, conclusions regarding an absence of effects, or insufficient information to suggest adverse effects, prevent a consistent conclusion about the occurrence and magnitude of human health effects. In the last several years, a number of state and federal agencies have developed health advisories or guideline values for drinking water exposure that are in the sub-ppb range. In 2016, a USEPA Health Advisory of 0.07 ppb was released, which stands in contrast to 2016 Health-based Values from Health Canada ranging from 0.2 ppb (PFOA) to 30 ppb, and a few other U.S. states with values even less than that of USEPA (e.g., MN, NJ, VT). Further work is necessary to distinguish in transparent fashion between drinking water levels that intentionally are set on a conservative basis to protect human health vs exposure levels that may be associated with tangible adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewer networks play a pivotal role in our everyday lives by transporting the stormwater and urban sewage away from the urban areas. In this regard, Sewer Overflow (SO) has been considered as a detrimental threat to our environment and health, which results from the wastewater discharge into the environment. In order to grapple with such deleterious phenomenon, numerous studies have been conducted; however, there has not been any review paper that provides the researchers undertaking research in this area with the following inclusive picture: (1) detailed-scientometric analysis of the research undertaken hitherto, (2) the types of methodologies used in the previous studies, (3) the aspects of environment impacted by the SO occurrence, and (4) the gaps existing in the relative literature together with the potential future works to be undertaken. Based on the comprehensive review undertaken, it is observed that simulation and artificial intelligence-based methods have been the most popular approaches. In addition, it has come to the attention that the detrimental impacts associated with the SO are fourfold as follows: air, quality of water, soil, and business and structure. Among these, the majority of the studies' focus have been tilted towards the impact of SO on the quality of ground water. The outcomes of this state-of-the-art review provides the researchers and environmental engineers with inclusive hindsight in dealing with such serious issue, which in turn, this culminates in a significant improvement in our environment as well as humans' well-beings. • A detailed scientometric analysis of the research carried out on sewer overflow hitherto is undertaken. • All different types of methodologies used in the previous studies are thoroughly investigated. • The aspects of environment impacted by the SO occurrence are reviewed. • The gaps existing in the relative literature together with the potential future works to be undertaken are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a discussion of a paper on sulfur isotopes in the mineral springs in the Polish Carpathians.

In this paper, we present a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) with a gold nanosensor functionalized with α-lipoic acid and thioguanine (Au-TA-TG) to detect whether the arsenic level of groundwater from hand tubewells in Bangladesh is above or below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline level of 10 μg/L. We analyzed the naturally occurring metals present in Bangladesh groundwater and assessed the interference with the gold nanosensor. A method was developed to prevent interference from alkaline metals found in Bangladesh groundwater (Ca, Mg, K and Na) by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. Most of the heavy metals present in the groundwater (Ni, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Fe II) did not interfere with the μPAD arsenic tests; however, Fe III was found to interfere, which was also prevented by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. The μPAD arsenic tests were tested with 24 groundwater samples collected from hand tubewells in three different districts in Bangladesh: Shirajganj, Manikganj, and Munshiganj, and the predictions for whether the arsenic levels were above or below the WHO guideline level agreed with the results obtained from laboratory testing. The μPAD arsenic test is the first paper-based test validated using Bangladesh groundwater samples and capable of detecting whether the arsenic level in groundwater is above or below the WHO guideline level of 10 μg/L, which is a step towards enabling the villagers who collect and consume the groundwater to test their own sources and make decisions about where to obtain the safest water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Springs are interfaces between groundwater and surface habitats and may play an important role in the study of subterranean animals. In this systematic evidence review and meta-analysis, we explore whether observations of stygobionts in springs are relevant and more common than observations of epigean animals in groundwater. We searched the Web of Science database for papers on groundwater fauna and spring fauna. For each paper we found, we recorded whether the paper reported the occurrence of typical stygobionts in springs, of surface animals in groundwater, or of the same taxa in both habitats. If so, we recorded how many such species were reported. We also recorded the scientific discipline of each study and the year of publication. Our search yielded 342 papers. A considerable number of these papers reported stygobionts in springs: 20% of papers dealing with groundwater fauna and 16% of papers dealing with spring fauna reported the occurrence of stygobionts in spring habitats. Both the number of papers that mentioned stygobionts in springs, and the number of stygobiont species that were documented in springs, were higher than equivalent measures for the occurrence of surface fauna underground. We also detected a positive relationship between year of publication and the number of reports of stygofauna in springs. To broaden the insights from biological research on underground environments, we suggest that springs should be considered not only as simple sampling points of stygobionts but also as core stygobiont habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic in groundwater above 0.05 mg/l was found in 61 out of the total of 64 districts, and 433 out of the total of the 496 thanas in Bangladesh. Groundwater arsenic contamination in Bangladesh is reported to be the biggest arsenic calamity in the world in terms of affected population. Water in around 65% of the areas of Bangladesh contain iron in excess of 2 mg/l, and arsenic has been found to co-exist with iron in many situations. Thus the presently used iron removal plants that operate on the principle of aerating ferrous iron to convert it into ferric iron for precipitation can be a cost-effective solution for treating both iron and arsenic together in the context of Bangladesh. This study investigates the efficiency of 60 arsenic and iron removal plants (AIRPS) presently operating in different geo-hydrological conditions of Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses several research on groundwater. "Methods to Determine Storativity of Infinite Confined Aquifers From a Recovery Test," by Djaouida Chenaf and Robert P. Chapuis; "Implications of Observed and Simulated Ambient Flow in Monitoring Wells," by Alper Elci, Fred J. Molz III and W. R. Waldrop; "Analytical Model for Aquifer Response Incorporating Distributed Stream Leakage," by Garey A. Fox, Paul DuChateau and Deana S. Durnford.

Land subsidence has become a widespread engineering geological problem, which can quickly induce many derived disasters. Over-exploitation of groundwater is one of the main factors of urban land subsidence. There is severe land subsidence in Jining, mainly induced by groundwater over-extraction. Therefore, the numerical simulation method is used in this paper to analyze and predict the law of land subsidence in Jining. Combined with the engineering geological and hydrogeological conditions of Jining City, a three-dimensional fluid–solid coupling model of land subsidence was established by using COMSOL software. The numerical results were verified using site monitoring data. The article predicts the land subsidence in the study area in 2030. In 2030, the maximum land subsidence is 224 mm. And this paper analyzes the land subsidence pattern under different groundwater extraction amounts. The results show that the land subsidence in the study area is effectively alleviated under the condition of reducing water extraction by 30%. It provides a basis for preventing and controlling land subsidence in Jining city. It is proved that land subsidence caused by groundwater extraction positively correlates with the pumping time and amount of water pumped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Special Issue is intended to highlight both recent work to advance the physical understanding of transboundary aquifers and factors relevant in successful collaboration on transboundary groundwater resource use. The collected papers address: (1) the identification and prioritization of the needs and strategies for sustainable groundwater development and use, along with the complexities introduced by working across borders with differing governance frameworks, institutions, cultures, and sometimes languages; (2) the characterization of the physical framework of the aquifer, stressors on the aquifer system, and how those stressors influence the availability of groundwater in terms of its quantity and quality; and (3) the incorporation of stakeholder input and prioritization directly into the process of aquifer assessment and model building. The papers provide insights into the state of knowledge regarding the physical characterization of important transboundary aquifers, primarily along the U.S.–Mexico border and the opportunities for greater stakeholder involvement in resource evaluation and prioritization. They point the way towards a future focus that combines both of these aspects of transboundary aquifer assessment for informing groundwater management discussions by policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work analyzed water leached from soil treated with leachate from plant biomass ash. The ash was generated by industrial boilers used in the pulp and paper industry. Experiments were carried out in columns filled with soil, and the ash was then added to the soil to simulate field conditions. The ash was applied at 30 and 60 tons per hectare rate. The simulated rainwater was prepared for three scenarios: pH 3.0, 6.5 and 8.0. Each leaching experiment simulated an annual precipitation of 2,045 mm. The results showed that the parameter that demands more attention is aluminum concentration. In this context, in acidic conditions (pH 3.0) and with a significant amount of ash added (60 tons per hectare), the level of aluminum may reach the maximum level for drinking water. Despite the potential impact of aluminum, the use of ash from plant biomass in soil for agricultural purposes may serve as an alternative strategy for disposal of this waste.