Salinity contamination response to changes in irrigation management. Application of geochemical codes

Salinity contamination caused by irrigation has been widely studied but the analysis of geochemical processes regarding agronomic variables has not adequately been considered yet. The research presented here analyzes the influence of changes in irrigation management on salinity contamination, through the use of geochemical modeling techniques, in an agricultural basin during the hydrological year of 2001 and within the period 2005-2008. The results indicate that the changes implemented in irrigation management reduced the masses of salts exported in 72%, although water salinity increased by 25% (this salinity level does not restrict its use for irrigation). The different ionic ratios in drainage water, the results of the salinity balances, and the results of geochemical calculations (mass balances and speciation-solubility) indicate, mainly, precipitation of calcite, dissolution of gypsum and halite and cation exchange. The salt contamination index decreased from approximately 70% to levels close to those presented in modern irrigation areas, indicating that the changes in irrigation management were effective. Petrocalcic genesis and punctual sodification of soils can constitute an agroenvironmental problem that requires adequate management of irrigation and drainage considering future modernization of irrigation areas

Tracing U mobility in deep groundwater using Ra isotopes

The mobility of natural U is compared among four boreholes in a fractured granite using Ra isotopes and geochemical modelling. Rn-222/Ra-226 activity ratios (ARs) spanning an order of magnitude underline differences in reactive surface area. (Ra-224/Ra-228)(ARs) up to 9 indicate recent changes in hydrogeochemistry, and (Ra-226/Ra-228)(ARs) 0.6-30 indicate variable deposition of U. Dissolved U is related to dissolution of a solid U(VI) phase by groundwater with HCO3- > 20 mg.L-1. U reduction is hindered by Ca2UO2(CO3)(3)(0)

Las aguas termales de Fitero (Navarra) y Arnedillo (Rioja). l. Análisis geoquímico de los estados de equilibrio-desequilibrio en las surgencias

The analysis of the different chemical features between the thermal springs of Fitero (Navarra) and Amedillo (Rioja), and between those thermal waters and other non-thermal ones in this area, has completed the geochemical characterization of both thermal manifestations. This characterization appear to confirm the existence of mixture phenomena in Fitero (in low proportions) and the narrow compositional range between the thermal springs considered in Amedillo. Taken into account the different geochemical variations of the studied waters, we have related their compositional characters with circulation through different litologies. So, thermal waters are associated to evaporitic materials (Keuper facies) with more saline characters for the Arnedillo thermal waters. On the other hand, the speciation-solubility analysis with WATEQ4F (Ba1l et al., 1987) of the spring chemical compositions and the study of associated deposits have allowed to stablish the physicochemical state at spring condition, a previous stage to determinate the thermodynamic water-rock interactions in the reservoir, at depth.El estudio de los caracteres geoquímicos diferenciales de las aguas termales de Fitero (Navarra) y Amedillo (Rioja), tanto entre ambos grupos como con respecto a otras surgencias no termales de la zona, ha permitido constatar la existencia de fenómenos de mezcla de aguas en Fitero, y las escasas variaciones composicionales entre las distintas surgencias termales de Amedillo. Los caracteres composicionales distintivos han sido relacionados con la circulación de las aguas a través de distintas litologías, 10 que ha permitido deducir que mientras que las aguas no termales se encuentran relacionadas con materiales calcáreos, las termales 10 están con materiales calcáreo-evaporiticos (facies Keuper), de carácter sulfatado en el caso de Fitero y clorurado, más salino, en Arnedillo. Por último, el análisis del quimismo de las aguas termales mediante un modelo de especiación-solubilidad, el WATEQ4F (Ball et al., 1987), en las condiciones de surgencia, así como el estudio de los depósitos asociados a las mismas, ha permitido estimar el estado fisicoquímico de los manantiales termales de Fitero y Amedi110, como paso previo al estudio de la interacción roca-fluido en el reservorio

Geochemistry, geothermometry and influence of the concentration of mobile elements in the chemical characteristics of carbonate-evaporitic thermal systems. The case of the Tiermas geothermal system (Spain)

The Tiermas low temperature geothermal system, hosted in the Paleocene-Eocene carbonates of the Jaca-Pamplona basin, has been studied to evaluate the geochemistry and the temperature of the waters in the deep reservoir. These waters are of chloride-sodium type and emerge with a temperature of about 37 degrees C. Two hydrogeochemical groups of waters have been distinguished: one with lower sulphate concentration and lower TDS (about 7500 ppm) and the other with higher sulphate content and TDS values (close to 11,000 ppm). There are also slight differences in the reservoir temperature estimated for each group. These temperatures have been determined by combining several geothermometrical techniques: (1) classical chemical geothermometers (SiO2-quartz, Na-K, K-Mg and Na-K-Ca), (2) specific geothermometers for carbonate systems (Ca-Mg), (3) isotopic geothermometers and, (4) geothermometrical modelling. The good agreement in the temperature obtained by these techniques, including the cationic geothermometers which are not usually considered suitable for this type of systems, allows establishing a reliable range of temperature of 90 +/- 20 degrees C for the low-sulphate waters and 82 +/- 15 degrees C for the high-sulphate waters. The mineral assemblage in equilibrium in the reservoir is assumed to be the same for both groups of waters (calcite, dolomite, quartz, anhydrite, albite, K-feldspar and other aluminosilicate phases); therefore, the differences found in the reservoir temperature and, mostly, in the geochemical characteristics of each group of waters must be due to the existence of two flow paths, with slightly different temperatures and intensity of water-rock interaction. Anhydrite is at equilibrium in the reservoir suggesting that, although this system is hosted in carbonates, evaporites may also be present. The dissolution of halite (and the consequent increase in the chloride concentration) conditions the chemical characteristics of the waters and the equilibrium situations in the reservoir and waters acquire their chloride-sodium affinity at depth and not during their ascent to the surface. Finally, a favourable tectonic structure for CO2 storage has been recognised in the Paleocene-Eocene carbonates of this area. Therefore, considering the characteristics of these waters (in equilibrium with calcite, dolomite and anhydrite in the reservoir), the results of this work are useful to understand some of the geochemical processes that might take place during the CO2 injection: 1) precipitation of carbonates and sulphates in the vicinity of the injection well due to desiccation of the waters and, 2) carbonate dissolution and sulphate precipitation in the long term

Mineral equilibria and thermodynamic uncertainties in the geothermometrical characterisation of carbonate geothermal systems of low temperature. The case of the Alhama-Jaraba system (Spain)

Geothermometrical characterisation of low-temperature, carbonate-evaporitic geothermal systems is usually hampered by the lack of appropriate mineral equilibria to successfully use most of the classical geothermometers and/or by the thermodynamic uncertainties affecting some of the most probable mineral equilibria in low temperature conditions. This situation is further hindered if the thermal waters are additionally affected by secondary processes (e.g., CO2 loss) during their ascent to surface. All these problems cluster together in the low-temperature Alhama-Jaraba thermal system, hosted in carbonate rocks, with spring temperatures about 30 degrees C and waters of Ca-Mg -HCO3/SO4 type. This system, one of the largest naturally flowing (600 Vs) low temperature thermal systems in Europe, is used in this paper as a suitable frame to assess the problems in the application of chemical geothermometrical techniques (classical geothermometers and geothermometrical modelling) and to provide a methodology that could be used in this type of geothermal system or in potential CO2 storage sites in similar aquifers. The results obtained have shown that the effects of the secondary processes can be avoided by selecting the samples unaffected by such processes and, therefore, representative of the conditions at depth, or by applying existing methodologies to reconstruct the original composition, as is usually done for medium to high temperature systems. The effective mineral equilibria at depth depend on the temperature, the residence time and the specific lithological/mineralogical characteristics of the system studied. In the present case, the mineral equilibria on which classical cation geothermometers are based have not been attained. The low proportion of evaporitic minerals in the hosting aquifer prevents the system from reaching anhydrite equilibrium, otherwise common in carbonate-evaporitic systems and necessary for the specific SO4-F geothermometer or the specially reliable quartz (or chalcedony) - anhydrite equilibrium in the geothermometrical modelling of these geothermal systems. Under these circumstances, the temperature estimation must rely on quartz (or chalcedony), clay minerals and, especially, calcite and dolomite. However, clay minerals and dolomite present important thermodynamic uncertainties related to possible variations in composition or crystallinity degree for clays and order/disorder degree for dolomite. To deal with these problems, a sensitivity analysis to the thermodynamic data for clay minerals has been carried out, comparing the results obtained when considering different solubility data. The uncertainties associated with dolomite have been addressed by reviewing the solubility data available for dolomites with different order degrees and performing specific calculations for the order degree of the dolomite in the aquifer. This approach can be used to find the most adequate dolomite thermodynamic data for the system under consideration, including medium-high temperature geothermal systems. Finally, the temperature estimation of the Alhama-Jaraba waters in the deep reservoir has been obtained from simultaneous equilibria of quartz, calcite, partially disordered dolomite and some aluminosilicate phases. The obtained value of 51 +/- 14 degrees C is within the uncertainty range normally affecting this type of estimations and is coherent with independent estimations from geophysical data

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation improves balance control in Parkinson's disease

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common basal ganglia degenerative disease, affects balance control, especially when patients change balance strategy during postural tasks. Bilateral chronic stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is therapeutically useful in advanced PD, and reduces the motor signs of patients. Nevertheless, the effects of STN stimulation on postural control are still debatable. Aims: To assess the impact of bilateral STN stimulation on balance control in PD and to determine how basal ganglia related sensorimotor modifications act on neurosensorial organisation of balance and motor postural programming. Methods: Twelve subjects aged 45–70 years underwent unified Parkinson's disease rating scale motor (part III) clinical tests, static and dynamic posturography, including sensory organisation and adaptation tests, shortly before and six months after bilateral implantation of electrodes into the STN. Results: The postoperative static test showed an improvement in postural control precision both in eyes open and eyes closed conditions. The dynamic test highlighted the decreased number of falls and the ability of the patients to develop more appropriate sensorimotor strategies when stimulated. The sensory organisation test showed an improvement of equilibrium score and, thus, a better resolution of sensorial conflicts. Conclusions: STN stimulation allowed a reduction in rigidity and therefore an improvement in the ability to use muscular proprioception as reliable information, resulting in vestibulo-proprioceptive conflict suppression. STN stimulation has a synergistic effect with levodopa for postural control. Accordingly, non-dopaminergic pathways could be involved in postural regulation and STN stimulation may influence the functioning of these pathways