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• Stable isotopes of sulfate in wastewater, fertilizers and manure in the Upper Silesia are generally more homogeneous compared to the literature data. • Isotopic composition of sulfate from landfill leachates is enriched with heavy isotopes of S and O. • Isotopic studies of local sources of contamination reduce the uncertainty in the interpretation of sulfate sources in groundwater. Isotopic signatures of anthropogenic sulfate sources within the Upper Silesian urban area (southern Poland) were investigated to increase the reliability of the origin assessment of groundwater contaminants. To analyze δ34S and δ18O in sulfate, 64 samples were collected, representing several sulfate sources: synthetic and organic fertilizers, raw and treated wastewater, mine water, leachate from landfills, mine heaps, and industrial waste dumps. Additionally, 10 surface water samples were taken from contaminated rivers regarded as potential groundwater pollution sources. Results of δ34S and δ18O in sulfate derived from anthropogenic sources were compared with literature data, which indicated significant discrepancies for some contamination sources. The results were applied to assess SO 4 2- origin in groundwater samples from the Gliwice aquifer. Apart from the δ34S and δ18O data, the study included measurements of major ions, inorganic nitrogen forms, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in groundwater. Isotopic analyses of river water samples confirmed the impact of urbanized and industrialized areas on surface water pollution and possible influence on groundwater contamination. The values of δ34S and δ18O similar to wastewater were reported for most groundwater samples from the Gliwice carbonate aquifer. Groundwater contamination was also manifested by higher values of electrical conductivity and concentrations of chloride, sodium, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. The comparison of recent isotopic data on SO 4 2- sources with literature values clearly shows that it is very important to investigate local potential contamination sources to increase their reliability in determining the source of groundwater or river water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Groundwater within the unconfined or semi-confined parts of Triassic carbonate aquifers in Upper Silesia (Poland) contains high concentrations of sulphate (up to 290mg/L), sometimes in excess of drinking water limits (>250mg/L). To assess the influence of different possible sulphate sources, isotopic analyses of S and O were performed on groundwater sulphate and potential sulphate sources and combined with literature data. Three dominant sources of sulphate were delineated, based on the geological and literature study and supported by the mixing relations between inverse concentration of sulphate and its isotopic compositions. These sources are: (i) sulphate from rainfall; (ii) weathering of sulphide minerals in ore deposits in the aquifer-forming carbonate rocks; (iii) dissolution of sulphate evaporites in the Triassic sequence. Fortunately these three sources have distinctive S and O isotope compositions and thus their contributions to the total dissolved sulphate could be estimated. The application of linear mixing models for three sources in the dual isotope system allowed the impact of the three different sulphate sources on particular parts of the aquifers to be calculated. The average isotopic composition of sulphate in abstracted groundwater indicates that the most important source of sulphate is sulphide weathering, contributing about 50% of total sulphate. The second most significant source of sulphate input is rainfall and it is characterised by a mean contribution of 30%. Application of Monte Carlo analysis that incorporates the full variability in distributions of isotopic compositions for the three sources and all mixing fractions between them gave the most probable ranges of the dissolved in groundwater sulphate. This analysis indicated that the proportion of sulphate derived by sulphide oxidation is comparable with the estimations based on linear models. This study has shown that the water quality of these important groundwater resources is under threat from both natural sources, i.e. metal sulphide oxidation and gypsum dissolution. Analysis of the mathematical models analysis shows that the first process is the predominant source of sulphate in groundwater. However, the highest concentrations of dissolved sulphate are positively correlated with the increasing proportion of sulphate derived from gypsum dissolution. Moreover, one should keep in mind that natural processes might be anthropogenically accelerated due to variable water demands and groundwater abstraction. Eventually, the statistically second-order source of sulphate – rainfall might contain surface-derived contaminants, and its contribution to the total load of sulphate might indirectly indicate the vulnerability of aquifers for the pollution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The curative waters of HCO3-SO4-Mg-Na+H2S chemical type and 0.6-0.8 g/dm3 total dissolved solids are exploited in Horyniec Spa located at the northern boundary of the Carpathian Foredeep, near the Polish-Ukrainian border. Although these waters occur at relatively shallow depths (their aquifer is encountered about 30 m below the ground surface), they are quite well protected from surface pollutants by a cover of clayey sands. This paper revises and discusses the origin of specific chemical components of these waters based on the following analyses of stable isotopes: (a) δ34S in [image omitted] , H2S, and CaSO4·2H2O, (b) δ18O in [image omitted] , H2O, and CaSO4·2H2O, and (c) δ2H in H2O and CaSO4·2H2O. The most important process which takes place in the aquifer is the dissolution of gypsum present in the Miocene formation and subsequent bacterial reduction of sulphate ion to hydrogen sulphide in the presence of an organic matter. This process shifts both δ34S and δ18O of sulfate ions towards higher concentration of heavy isotopes by several per mil in comparison to that in the original Miocene gypsum. The hydrogen sulphide generated this way (up to a concentration of 45 mg/dm3) is highly depleted in a heavy isotope by about 41 ‰ with respect to a sulphate ion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Gdaėsk region urban development and intensive take off have caused an increase in water exploitation. As a consequence of the changes of hydrogeological conditions, a deterioration of chemical and bacteriological quality of water has been observed. routine bacteriological quality control does not include some specific bacteria which are characteristic for the groundwater environment and can have negative influence on the physical and chemical properties of water. among such bacteria there are sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In the paper frequency of SRB occurrence in raw water from Cretaceous and Quaternary formations and in treated water has been described. it has been proved that bacterial consortium isolated from groundwater show preference to sodium lactate as a main source of carbon and energy. SRB have a negative influence on organoleptic properties of water quality and the technical condition of distribution net, the water should be disinfected. It has been proved that non-reagent methods, like UV radiation and microfiltration, are effective for SRB elimination from groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentration of sulphate, δ34S(SO4 2−), δ18O(SO4 2−O) values, in surface waters and groundwaters from crystalline rocks in mountainous Rudawy Janowickie Massif (RJ) in SW Poland, have been analysed. The RJ is located close to the area of the biggest anthropogenic emission source of sulphur compounds in Europe called the “Black Triangle”. The lowest concentration of sulphate ions dissolved in water (13 mg/l) were found in groundwaters at the highest altitude (750m asl). In the course of groundwater downward infiltration (hydraulic gradient) the concentration of sulphate ions increased with decreasing altitude. The highest concentrations of SO18 (100 mg/l in springs at metamorphic rocks and 60 mg/l in springs at granites) were observed at the foothills (altitudes 410 and 580 m asl, respectively). Likewise, the sulphur and oxygen isotope composition of sulphate ions showed systematic increasing trends with respect to the altitude decrease (from 3.45 to 11.05‰ and from −6.53 to 10.03‰, respectively). Three main sources of sulphate for the surface-water/groundwater systems in RJ have been isotopically discriminated. The high δ2O) values, in surface waters and groundwaters from crystalline rocks in mountainous Rudawy Janowickie Massif (RJ) in SW Poland, have been analysed. The RJ is located close to the area of the biggest anthropogenic emission source of sulphur compounds in Europe called the “Black Triangle”. The lowest concentration of sulphate ions dissolved in water (13 mg/l) were found in groundwaters at the highest altitude (750m asl). In the course of groundwater downward infiltration (hydraulic gradient) the concentration of sulphate ions increased with decreasing altitude. The highest concentrations of SO4 2− (100 mg/l in springs at metamorphic rocks and 60 mg/l in springs at granites) were observed at the foothills (altitudes 410 and 580 m asl, respectively). Likewise, the sulphur and oxygen isotope composition of sulphate ions showed systematic increasing trends with respect to the altitude decrease (from 3.45 to 11.05‰ and from −6.53 to 10.03‰, respectively). Three main sources of sulphate for the surface-water/groundwater systems in RJ have been isotopically discriminated. The high δ34S-δ18O sulphate showed waters from precipitation and peat bogs. The lower δ34S–δ18O sulphate originated due to decomposition of organic matter. The lowest δ34S–δ18O sulphates formed due to microbial ( Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) pyrite oxidation within the pyrite-deposit weathering zone. The highest contribution of anthropogenic sulphate have been observed at the top-hills and during low water levels at lower altitudes. The contribution of biogenic and geogenic sulphate relatively increased with the increasing distance (time?) of the water flow through rocks or/and increasing water level in springs. The isotope, hydrochemical and hydrogeological observations confirmed a negligible role of anthropogenic sulphur in the groundwaters analysed. This suggests significant improvement in the natural environment in the Western parts of Sudety Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal and spatial variations of the concentration and the isotopic composition of groundwater sulfate in an unconfined sandy aquifer covered by peatland have been studied to better understand the sources and biogeochemical processes that affect sulfate distribution in shallow groundwater systems influenced by organic rich sediments. The groundwater monitoring was carried out for one year at hydrogeological station Pożary located within the protected zone of the Kampinos National Park. Sulfur (δ34SSO4) and oxygen (δ18OSO4) isotopic composition of dissolved sulfates were analyzed together with oxygen (δ18OH2O) and hydrogen (δ2HH2O) isotopic composition of water and major ions concentration at monthly intervals. The research revealed three main sources of sulfates dissolved in groundwater, namely, (a) atmospheric sulfates—supplied to the aquifer by atmospheric deposition (rain and snow melt), (b) sulfates formed by dissolution of evaporite sulfate minerals, mainly gypsum—considerably enriched in 34S and 18O, and (c) sulfate formed during oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RIS), mainly pyrite—depleted in 34S and 18O. The final isotopic composition and concentration of dissolved SO42− in groundwater are the result of overlapping processes of dissimilatory sulfate reduction, oxidation of sulfide minerals, and mixing of water in aquifer profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]