Earth and Ocean Sciences

Nitrate (NO3−) loss from agriculture to shallow groundwater and transferral to sensitive aquatic ecosystems is of global concern. Denitrifying bioreactor technology, where a solid carbon (C) reactive media intercepts contaminated groundwater, has been successfully used to convert NO3− to di-nitrogen (N2) gas. One of the challenges of groundwater remediation research is how to track denitrification potential spatially and temporally within reactive media and subsoil. First, using δ15N/δ18O isotopes, eight wells were divided into indicative transformational processes of ‘nitrification’ or ‘denitrification’ wells. Then, using N2/argon (Ar) ratios these wells were divided into ‘low denitrification potential’ or high denitrification potential’ categories. Secondly, using falling head tests, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in each well was estimated, creating two groups of ‘slow’ (0.06 m day−1) and ‘fast’ (0.13 m day−1) wells, respectively. Thirdly, two ‘low denitrification potential’ wells (one fast and one slow) with high NO3− concentration were amended with woodchip to enhance denitrification. Water samples were retrieved from all wells using a low flow syringe to avoid de-gassing and analysed for N2/Ar ratio using membrane inlet mass spectrometry. Results showed that there was good agreement between isotope and chemical (N2/Ar ratio and dissolved organic C (DOC)) and physio-chemical (dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity and pH) parameters. To explain the spatial and temporal distribution of NO3− and other parameters on site, the development of predictive models using the available datasets for this field site was examined for NO3−, Cl−, N2/Ar and DOC. Initial statistical analysis was directed towards the testing of the effect of woodchip amendment. The analysis was formulated as a repeated measures analysis of the factorial structure for treatment and time. Nitrate concentrations were related to Ksat and water level (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively), but did not respond to woodchip addition (p = 0.09). This non-destructive technique allows elucidation of denitrification potential over time and could be used in denitrifying bioreactor technology to assess denitrification hotspots in reactive media, while developing a NO3− spatial and temporal predictive model for bioreactor site specific conditions.

Large quantities of construction and demolition waste (C&D) are produced globally every year, with little known about potential environmental impacts. In the present study, the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) was used as the first biomonitor of metals (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, Tl, V and Zn) on wetlands post infilling with construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The bioaccumulation of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Sb, Se and Tl were found to be significantly elevated in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to unimproved pastures (control sites), while Mo, Se and Sr had significantly higher concentrations in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to known contaminated sites (mining locations), indicating the potential hazardous nature of C&D waste to biota.

Large quantities of construction and demolition waste (C&D) are produced globally every year, with little known about potential environmental impacts. In the present study, the slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Mollusca: Gastropoda) was used as the first biomonitor of metals (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, Tl, V and Zn) on wetlands post infilling with construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The bioaccumulation of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Sb, Se and Tl were found to be significantly elevated in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to unimproved pastures (control sites), while Mo, Se and Sr had significantly higher concentrations in slugs collected on C&D waste when compared to known contaminated sites (mining locations), indicating the potential hazardous nature of C&D waste to biota.

Karst Coastal aquifer Saltwater wedge Tidal influence Burren (Ireland) Hydraulic gradient s u m m a r y Spatial and temporal changes in saltwater wedges in coastal karst aquifers are still poorly understood, largely due to complex mixing processes in these heterogeneous environments, but also due to anthropogenic forcing such as pumping, which commonly affect natural variations in wedges. The purpose of this study was first to characterize the hydrodynamic functioning of a karst aquifer in an oceanic temperate climate with little anthropogenic pressure but strongly influenced by a high tidal range and second, to evaluate the extent and movements of a saltwater wedge influenced by both the tide and the natural recharge of the aquifer. Variations in specific conductivity combined with water chemistry results from six boreholes and two lakes located in the Bell Harbour catchment (western Ireland) enabled us to assess the extent of the intrusion of the saltwater wedge into the aquifer as a function of both karst recharge and tidal movements at high/low and neap/spring tidal cycles. The marked spatial disparity of the saltwater wedge was analysed as a function of both the hydrodynamic and the structural properties of the karst aquifer. Results showed that the extent of the saltwater wedge depended not only on the intrinsic properties of the aquifer but also on the relative influence of the recharge and the tide on groundwater levels, which have opposite effects. Recharge in the Burren area throughout the year is large enough to prevent saltwater intruding more than about one kilometre from the shore. A strong tidal amplitude seems to be the motor of sudden saltwater intrusion observed in the aquifer near the shore while the position of the groundwater level seems to influence the intensity of the salinity increase. Competition between recharge and the tide thus controls the seawater inputs, hence explaining temporal and spatial changes in the saltwater wedge in this coastal karst aquifer.

Karst Coastal aquifer Saltwater wedge Tidal influence Burren (Ireland) Hydraulic gradient s u m m a r y Spatial and temporal changes in saltwater wedges in coastal karst aquifers are still poorly understood, largely due to complex mixing processes in these heterogeneous environments, but also due to anthropogenic forcing such as pumping, which commonly affect natural variations in wedges. The purpose of this study was first to characterize the hydrodynamic functioning of a karst aquifer in an oceanic temperate climate with little anthropogenic pressure but strongly influenced by a high tidal range and second, to evaluate the extent and movements of a saltwater wedge influenced by both the tide and the natural recharge of the aquifer. Variations in specific conductivity combined with water chemistry results from six boreholes and two lakes located in the Bell Harbour catchment (western Ireland) enabled us to assess the extent of the intrusion of the saltwater wedge into the aquifer as a function of both karst recharge and tidal movements at high/low and neap/spring tidal cycles. The marked spatial disparity of the saltwater wedge was analysed as a function of both the hydrodynamic and the structural properties of the karst aquifer. Results showed that the extent of the saltwater wedge depended not only on the intrinsic properties of the aquifer but also on the relative influence of the recharge and the tide on groundwater levels, which have opposite effects. Recharge in the Burren area throughout the year is large enough to prevent saltwater intruding more than about one kilometre from the shore. A strong tidal amplitude seems to be the motor of sudden saltwater intrusion observed in the aquifer near the shore while the position of the groundwater level seems to influence the intensity of the salinity increase. Competition between recharge and the tide thus controls the seawater inputs, hence explaining temporal and spatial changes in the saltwater wedge in this coastal karst aquifer.

Ireland Galway bay submarine groundwater discharge karst hydrogeology nutrients a b s t r a c t Submarine Groundwater Discharge is now a phenomenon of global interest, as studies show that it represents both a significant proportion of the fresh water input to the ocean, and a significant contribution to the loads of many substances. At present, little monitoring of groundwater in Ireland is carried out at its point of entry to seawater, and consequently the volumes of fresh water, and the loads of nutrients and contaminants being carried into Irish coastal waters by submarine and intertidal groundwater discharge (SiGD), are unknown. SiGD is the principal source of fresh water entering Irish coastal waters between the major west coast estuaries of the Corrib and the Shannon. Calculations of the volume of submarine SiGD delivered to southern Galway bay in winter indicate it equals 10e25% of the discharge of the R. Corrib, and that its nutrient load may be of the same order of magnitude as that from the R. Corrib. This coastal karst area includes important commercial shellfish waters, which may be strongly impacted by SiGD.

Coastal hydrogeologists and oceanographers now recognize the potentially significant contribution that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) could make to the coastal ocean. SGD may be both volumetrically and chemically important to coastal water and chemical budgets. A worldwide compilation of observed SGD shows that groundwater seepage from the land to the ocean occurs in many environments along the world's continental margins. Further, SGD has a significant influence on the environmental condition of many nearshore marine environments and provides a strong motivation for improved assessments. Our review reveals a critical lack of data from coastal zones of almost all parts of the world, especially in South America, Africa and parts of Asia, making a comprehensive compilation incomplete. SGD should be paid more attention with regard to water and dissolved material budgets at the local and global scales. SGD intercomparison experiments and coastal typologies (classification) may enable evaluation of the accuracy of the SGD estimates and up-scaling of SGD to a global scale.

The true efficacy of a programme of agricultural mitigation measures within a catchment to improve water quality can be determined only after a certain hydrologic time lag period (subsequent to implementation) has elapsed. As the biophysical response to policy is not synchronous, accurate estimates of total time lag (unsaturated and saturated) become critical to manage the expectations of policy makers. The estimation of the vertical unsaturated zone component of time lag is vital as it indicates early trends (initial breakthrough), bulk (centre of mass) and total (Exit) travel times. Typically, estimation of time lag through the unsaturated zone is poor, due to the lack of site specific soil physical data, or by assuming saturated conditions. Numerical models (e.g. Hydrus 1D) enable estimates of time lag with varied levels of input data. The current study examines the consequences of varied soil hydraulic and meteorological complexity on unsaturated zone time lag estimates using simulated and actual soil profiles. Results indicated that: greater temporal resolution (from daily to hourly) of meteorological data was more critical as the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil decreased; high clay content soils failed to converge reflecting prevalence of lateral component as a contaminant pathway; elucidation of soil hydraulic properties was influenced by the complexity of soil physical data employed (textural menu, ROSETTA, full and partial soil water characteristic curves), which consequently affected time lag ranges; as the importance of the unsaturated zone increases with respect to total travel times the requirements for high complexity/resolution input data become greater. The methodology presented herein demonstrates that decisions made regarding input data and landscape position will have consequences for the estimated range of vertical travel times. Insufficiencies or inaccuracies regarding such input data can therefore mislead policy makers regarding the achievability of water quality targets.

An appraisal of unsaturated zone conservative vertical travel times (Ttv) offers a more realistic timescale for expected water quality improvements in response to agricultural mitigation measures. Using actual soil profile data for such estimations is avoided as the standardised laboratory techniques involved are time consuming and laborious (e.g. water retention curve (WRC) data using 0-15 bar pressure plates). Instead estimates of Ttv are often made assuming saturated conditions, using generic values of saturated hydraulic conductivity (ks) and effective porosity (ne). Such an assumption may lead to misleading estimates of Ttv and false assertions with respect to meeting water quality targets. This study estimated Ttv in six layered soil (Ballymacart, Waterford, South Ireland) to 1.25 m depth using different levels of complexity: 1) generic ks and ne values and effective Darcian assumptions were used, 2) modelled ks and ne using the RETC model (input data were soil texture, bulk d...

Nitrate (NO 3 − ) loss from agriculture to shallow groundwater and transferral to sensitive aquatic ecosystems is of global concern. Denitrifying bioreactor technology, where a solid carbon (C) reactive media intercepts contaminated groundwater, has been successfully used to convert NO 3 − to di-nitrogen (N 2 ) gas. One of the challenges of groundwater remediation research is how to track denitrification potential spatially and temporally within reactive media and subsoil. First, using ␦ 15 N/␦ 18 O isotopes, eight wells were divided into indicative transformational processes of 'nitrification' or 'denitrification' wells. Then, using N 2 /argon (Ar) ratios these wells were divided into 'low denitrification potential' or high denitrification potential' categories. Secondly, using falling head tests, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ) in each well was estimated, creating two groups of 'slow' (0.06 m day −1 ) and 'fast' (0.13 m day −1 ) wells, respectively. Thirdly, two 'low denitrification potential' wells (one fast and one slow) with high NO 3 − concentration were amended with woodchip to enhance denitrification. Water samples were retrieved from all wells using a low flow syringe to avoid de-gassing and analysed for N 2 /Ar ratio using membrane inlet mass spectrometry. Results showed that there was good agreement between isotope and chemical (N 2 /Ar ratio and dissolved organic C (DOC)) and physio-chemical (dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity and pH) parameters. To explain the spatial and temporal distribution of NO 3 − and other parameters on site, the development of predictive models using the available datasets for this field site was examined for NO 3 − , Cl − , N 2 /Ar and DOC. Initial statistical analysis was directed towards the testing of the effect of woodchip amendment. The analysis was formulated as a repeated measures analysis of the factorial structure for treatment and time. Nitrate concentrations were related to K sat and water level (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively), but did not respond to woodchip addition (p = 0.09). This non-destructive technique allows elucidation of denitrification potential over time and could be used in denitrifying bioreactor technology to assess denitrification hotspots in reactive media, while developing a NO 3 − spatial and temporal predictive model for bioreactor site specific conditions.

Inside this issue: Integrated Con-structed Wetlands 2 Clara bog ; GW de-pendent ecosystem 4 Conservation status of turloughs 9 Hydrology of turloughs 12 Turlough conduits using geophysics 17 High ammonia at Lough Owel 22 What&#39;s new in hydrogeology? 24 Aquifer parameters database 25 WFD implementa-tion reports out 29 GW quality in Ireland 2007-2009 30 Nutrient status in water bodies 34 Iron pans in Mayo; implications 40 Geothermal Assoc news 43 IAH news 44 July 2011 Issue 49 Groundwater Newsletter In this issue of the Groundwater Newsletter, we take a look at wetlands, both those constructed for the purposes of treatment of waste water, for which the EPA has just published a guidance document (Donal Daly, pg 2); and those that are dependent on groundwater. Under the latter category, Shane Regan outlines his current research at Clara Bog, one of the best preserved raised bogs in Ireland which is dependent on groundwater and is not without its share of pressures; and Laurence Gill,...

Globally numerous regions have been identified with elevated arsenic within groundwater which can result in potential adverse health risks. In Ireland, a previous national-scale research assessment of groundwater identified isolated clusters of elevated arsenic and indicated that lithology was a major controlling factor on arsenic in groundwater. Complementary comparisons of national-scale and regional-scale groundwater assessments of arsenic are lacking in Europe when compared to other global regions. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the value of a regional-scale groundwater hydrochemistry dataset with an existing national-scale approach, describe anomalies that can become the focus of attention for public health and economic reasons, and to provide a wider context for arsenic in groundwater within Ireland and Europe. Regional-scale data using 470 locations comprising 1,493 analyses using several hydrochemical parameters (arsenic, pH, conductivity, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and total hardness) in south west Ireland were integrated with geological, hydrogeological, and land use datasets. Statistical analysis was performed using a combination of methods including score tests of geological groups using an empirical cumulative distribution function plot in addition to spatial analysis. Results revealed that hydrochemical parameters exhibited different spatial clusters, which was generally associated with lithology. Arsenic was elevated in sandstone derived bedrock. Weak correlation of arsenic with other hydrochemical parameters were observed and redox-sensitive elements like manganese and iron showed a greater diversity in spatial occurrence. This study has shown that the variation of hydrochemical parameters are controlled by regional geology. Finally, the paper focuses on anomalies identified by concentrations of individual ions or statistical associations in the context of, for example, historical mineral exploration and mining in the area and also discusses whether groundwater chemistry sampling on this scale can assist in future mineral exploration, as well as guiding the future development of high quality public and private water supplies.