Integrated socio-hydrogeological approach to tackle nitrate contamination in groundwater resources. The case of Grombalia Basin (Tunisia)

Ré, Viviana; Sacchi, Elisa; Kammoun, S.; Tringali, Chiara; Trabelsi, Rim; Zouari, Kamel; Daniele, Salvatore

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.151

Cited by 79 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Applying alternative manure treatment facilities as a means to reduce nitrogen arrival to the environment should then be taken. Irrigator communities (or water user’s associations, where actors are diverse), such as that existing in the Baix Ter area, stand as legal and binding agents necessary to achieve proper adaptation strategies (Garrido and Llamas 2009 ; Re 2015 ; Re et al 2017 ).…”

Section: Climate Change Effects On Groundwater Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater nitrate pollution and climate change: learnings from a water balance-based analysis of several aquifers in a western Mediterranean region (Catalonia)

Mas‐Pla

Menció

2018

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Climate change will affect the dynamics of the hydrogeological systems and their water resources quality; in particular nitrate, which is herein taken as a paradigmatic pollutant to illustrate the effects of climate change on groundwater quality. Based on climatic predictions of temperature and precipitation for the horizon of 2021 and 2050, as well as on land use distribution, water balances are recalculated for the hydrological basins of distinct aquifer systems in a western Mediterranean region as Catalonia (NE Spain) in order to determine the reduction of available water resources. Besides the fact that climate change will represent a decrease of water availability, we qualitatively discuss the modifications that will result from the future climatic scenarios and their impact on nitrate pollution according to the geological setting of the selected aquifers. Climate effects in groundwater quality are described according to hydrological, environmental, socio-economic, and political concerns. Water reduction stands as a major issue that will control stream-aquifer interactions and subsurface recharge, leading to a general modification of nitrate in groundwater as dilution varies. A nitrate mass balance model provides a gross estimation of potential nitrate evolution in these aquifers, and it points out that the control of the fertilizer load will be crucial to achieve adequate nitrate content in groundwater. Reclaimed wastewater stands as local reliable resource, yet its amount will only satisfy a fraction of the loss of available resources due to climate change. Finally, an integrated management perspective is necessary to avoid unplanned actions from private initiatives that will jeopardize the achievement of sustainable water resources exploitation under distinct hydrological scenarios.

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Section: Climate Change Effects On Groundwater Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater nitrate pollution and climate change: learnings from a water balance-based analysis of several aquifers in a western Mediterranean region (Catalonia)

Mas‐Pla

Menció

2018

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Groundwater contamination is a widespread global issue, exacerbated by diffuse overexploitation of water resources, and sometimes by severe health issues arising from human intake of contaminated water. A wide variety of sources can generate groundwater pollution: agricultural and industrial activity, mining, and wastewater mismanagement all contribute to the contamination of this water resource [1, 2, 3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation tests of in situ groundwater denitrification with aquifer-buried biocathodes

Cecconet

Bolognesi

Callegari

et al. 2019

Heliyon

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Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) application was proposed for a variety of specific uses, due to these systems’ characteristics: electrodes can act as virtually inexhaustible electron acceptors/donors, offering a growth-support surface for microorganisms, and stimulating naturally-occurring microbial degradation activities. In situ, groundwater denitrification therefore seems to be a potential candidate for their use. In this study, buried biocathodes were operated in laboratory settings for the simulation of in situ groundwater denitrification. Two alternative configurations were tested: biocathode buried in sand, and biocathode buried in gravel. A control test with a biocathode in absence of sand/gravel was also performed. In all the cases, biocathodes were driven by power supply or potentiostat to guarantee a steady electron flux to the cathode. The presence of sand and gravel strongly influenced the denitrification process: in both configurations, accumulation of intermediate N-forms was detected, suggesting that the denitrification process was only partially achieved. In addition, a significant decrease (in the 20–36% range) in nitrate removal rates was measured in sand and gravel setups compared to the control reactor; this issue could be attributed to lack of recirculation that limited contact between substrate and electrode-adherent biofilm. Biocathodes buried in gravel obtained better results than those buried in sand due to the lower packing of the medium. The results of this study suggest that, in order to achieve successful in situ treatment, special design of submerged-biocathodic BESs is necessary.

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“…Water resources are one of the primary factors that determine the degree of regional economic development. In turn, the development of the region will also affect local water quality and quantity [1]. In many developing countries, where agriculture is a fundamental part of the economy [2], rapid industrialization is resulting in greater pressure on water resources [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Groundwater Vulnerability and Human Health Risk in the Limin District, Harbin, China

Huang

Zuo

et al. 2018

Water

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This study aimed to analyze the variations in groundwater quality, vulnerability and potential health risk from 2006 to 2016 in the Limin District, Harbin, China. Groundwater geochemical characteristics were described using statistical analysis and Piper diagrams. A modified DRASTIC model that combined factors of intrinsic aquifer vulnerability and land use was applied to assess groundwater vulnerability. The weights of parameters were adjusted by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to optimize the model. The non-carcinogenic health risk was estimated by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) model. Results suggested that concentrations of NH 4-N, Fe and Mn in groundwater exceeded the limits both in 2006 and in 2016. The concentration of Fe in the groundwater showed more significant variation between 2006 and 2016 than the other parameters. Very high vulnerability zones increased from 6.3% in 2006 to 16.9% in 2016, and distributed on agricultural land, indicating that agriculture was still a major source of pollution. Mn and NO 3-N contributed the most to human health risks in 2006 and 2016, respectively. This study highlights the influence of groundwater quality variation in decadal exploitation on human health.

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Integrated socio-hydrogeological approach to tackle nitrate contamination in groundwater resources. The case of Grombalia Basin (Tunisia)

Cited by 79 publications

References 28 publications

Groundwater nitrate pollution and climate change: learnings from a water balance-based analysis of several aquifers in a western Mediterranean region (Catalonia)

Groundwater nitrate pollution and climate change: learnings from a water balance-based analysis of several aquifers in a western Mediterranean region (Catalonia)

Simulation tests of in situ groundwater denitrification with aquifer-buried biocathodes

The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Groundwater Vulnerability and Human Health Risk in the Limin District, Harbin, China

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