Assessing Strontium and Vulnerability to Strontium in Private Drinking Water Systems in Virginia

Abstract

A total of 1.7 million Virginians rely on private drinking water (PDW) systems and 1.3 million of those people do not know their water quality. Because most Virginians who use PDW do not know the quality of that water and since strontium poses a public health risk, this study investigates sources of strontium in PDW in Virginia and identifies the areas and populations most vulnerable. Physical factors such as rock type, rock age, and fertilizer use have been linked to elevated strontium concentrations in drinking water. Social factors such as poverty, poor diet, and adolescence also increase social vulnerability to health impacts of strontium. Using water quality data from the Virginia Household Water Quality Program (VAHWQP) and statistical and spatial analyses, physical vulnerability was found to be highest in the Ridge and Valley province of Virginia where agricultural land use and geologic formations with high strontium concentrations (e.g., limestone, dolomite, sandstone, shale) are the dominant aquifer rocks. In terms of social vulnerability, households with high levels of strontium are more likely than the average VAHWQP participant to live in a food desert. This study provides information to help 1.7 million residents of Virginia, as well as populations in neighboring states, understand their risk of exposure to strontium in PDW.

Toxic Metals, Non-Metals and Metalloids in Bottom Sediments as a Geoecological Indicator of a Water Body’s Suitability for Recreational Use

“…Strontium (Sr) is a naturally occurring alkaline earth metal exhibiting high mobility and reactivity. Its presence in the environment is also associated with human activities, e.g., nuclear fallout, mineral fertilizers and industrial activity [118]. Excessive strontium intake can cause abnormal skeletal development, bone calcification and increased bone fragility [119].…”

Potential Impacts of Shale Gas Development on Inorganic Groundwater Chemistry: Implications for Environmental Baseline Assessment in Shallow Aquifers

“…However, the greatest risks to human health are related to the high concentrations of Ba, radioactive Ra (Ra-226 and Ra-228), B, and F. As shown in Figure , the levels of Ba, Ra, and B in flowback/produced waters can exceed the WHO drinking water standards by more than 3 orders of magnitude. Although there is no WHO guideline for Mn and Sr, concentrations as high as tens of ppm Mn and thousands of ppm of Sr may pose a risk to human health , (Figure ). Elevated concentrations of the alkaline earth elements Sr, Ba, and Ra in flowback/produced waters have been attributed to (1) the limited precipitation of sulfate minerals (e.g., barite, celestite) due to strongly reducing conditions and elevated temperatures in the reservoir and (2) the increased competition for sorption sites on clay minerals and organic matter due to high ionic strength of the fluids. ,, There is still a debate whether Ba and Ra in flowback/produced water are derived from formation brines or are released from black shales during hydraulic fracturing. − Elevated B concentrations are thought to result either from carbonate dissolution or desorption from clays. , To our knowledge, no information is currently available regarding the mobilization of F and Mn in flowback/produced waters.…”

Short-time numerical simulation of ultrasonically assisted electrochemical removal of strontium from water

“…Strontium (Sr) is a naturally occurring element found in many sedimentary rocks and some calcite minerals. Significant anthropogenic sources include industrial activities, fertilizers, and nuclear fallout (Scott et al, 2020). Sr concentrations greater than 1.5 mg L -1 in water can cause strontium rickets and other health problems in humans, especially in children (Epa et al, n.d.;Peng et al, 2021;Scott et al, 2020).…”

“…Significant anthropogenic sources include industrial activities, fertilizers, and nuclear fallout (Scott et al, 2020). Sr concentrations greater than 1.5 mg L -1 in water can cause strontium rickets and other health problems in humans, especially in children (Epa et al, n.d.;Peng et al, 2021;Scott et al, 2020). Elevated Sr concentrations have been reported in drinking water worldwide, with concentrations as high as 52 mg L -1 in groundwater in the northern USA (Luczaj and Masarik, 2015;Peng et al, 2021;Scott et al, 2020).…”

“…Sr concentrations greater than 1.5 mg L -1 in water can cause strontium rickets and other health problems in humans, especially in children (Epa et al, n.d.;Peng et al, 2021;Scott et al, 2020). Elevated Sr concentrations have been reported in drinking water worldwide, with concentrations as high as 52 mg L -1 in groundwater in the northern USA (Luczaj and Masarik, 2015;Peng et al, 2021;Scott et al, 2020). One of the possible remediation technologies for Sr is an electrochemical process (Kamaraj and Vasudevan, 2015).…”