The chemistry and quality of water from the artesian wells of the Jurassic aquifer in Krakow

Selected quality parameters of groundwater from four artesian wells of the Jurassic aquifer located in the center of Krakow (Cracow) are presented. Water from these public wells i.e. Nadzieja, Jagielloński, Królewski and Lajkonik, during 20 years of exploitation, has had constant bacteriological purity and rather constant chemical composition. A comparison of nitrates concentration in the investigated wells with Quaternary wells located in the same area, and with municipal drinking water in Krakow shows that water from the above-mentioned four wells is characterized by the lowest concentration of NO3−  ions. Very low nitrate and nitrite concentration suggests that despite passage of time the chemical composition of water from the investigated intakes is not affected by anthropogenic pollution because of isolation of water reservoir due to geological conditions

Use of the far infrared spectroscopy for NaCl and KCl minerals characterization : a case study of halides from Kłodawa in Poland

The paper presents research on chloride minerals of natural origin from Kłodawa (Poland), i.e., colorless, blue and purple halite as well as colorless sylvite. Selected samples of minerals were studied by chemical analysis (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, titration methods) and crystallographic measurements. Then, for the tested halides, research was carried out using far-infrared spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the simple way of distinguishing NaCl and KCl minerals using far-infrared spectroscopy, known in the literature. The novelty is that the article presents for the first time the experimental far infrared spectra of natural blue and purple halite. It was observed that the blue (178 cm−1) and purple (176 cm−1) halites have the strongest infrared band slightly shifted towards higher wavenumbers compared to colorless halite (174 cm−1). As part of the work, the infrared spectra of the crystal structure models of sodium and potassium chloride were calculated for the first time using the density functional theory (with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G* basis set, 125-atom model). The proposed approach can be used not only as a powerful method differentiating NaCl and KCl minerals, but it can also help with understanding of different defects in crystal lattices for naturally occurring halides and crystals of other minerals

High Content of Boron in Curative Water: From the Spa to Industrial Recovery of Borates? (Poland as a Case Study)

Boron minerals are a sought-after raw material. The European Union’s total dependence on imported borates means that this has been a critical material since 2014. Due to the increased use of borates in modern economies, data on the predicted boron demand in the coming years indicate that it may become a critical element on a global scale. Formerly, the high boron content in groundwater was the basis for qualifying it as medicinal water (boric water). Nevertheless, the current information on the potential toxicity of boron and the narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity of boron in the human body has caused a tightening of the limits of this element in water intended for human consumption. For this reason, metaboric acid has lost its position as a specific component of curative waters. However, despite the fact that boron is not currently a specific component of curative waters, it is found in measureable concentrations in Polish medicinal water considered therapeutic based on other valuable specific components. High boron content in curative water may be the cause of the problems in some spas when obtaining certificates confirming the therapeutic properties of waters. Literature data indicate that waters with high boron content (above 25 mg/L) should not be freely available for drinking in pump rooms and other places in health resorts. To identify the situation with Polish health resorts, the content of boron in 248 curative water samples was analyzed. In 154 of these samples, the boron concentration was relatively low and did not exceed 5 mg/L. However, in the remaining 94 samples, the boron content exceeded 5 mg/L, and 38 samples had boron content exceeding 30 mg/L. Ten of the 248 samples of curative water had a boron concentration above 100 mg/L, which may be a potential source of boron for industrial recovery. The highest concentration of boron was noticed in a water sample from the Wysowa health resort and was 187.6 mg/L. Unfortunately, most of water intakes with a high concentration of boron (above 100 mg/L) are low-yielding wells. Based on the data collected, Rabka appears to be the best candidate for small-scale boron production in terms of boron content and water resources values

Use of the Far Infrared Spectroscopy for NaCl and KCl Minerals Characterization—A Case Study of Halides from Kłodawa in Poland

The paper presents research on chloride minerals of natural origin from Kłodawa (Poland), i.e., colorless, blue and purple halite as well as colorless sylvite. Selected samples of minerals were studied by chemical analysis (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, titration methods) and crystallographic measurements. Then, for the tested halides, research was carried out using far-infrared spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the simple way of distinguishing NaCl and KCl minerals using far-infrared spectroscopy, known in the literature. The novelty is that the article presents for the first time the experimental far infrared spectra of natural blue and purple halite. It was observed that the blue (178 cm−1) and purple (176 cm−1) halites have the strongest infrared band slightly shifted towards higher wavenumbers compared to colorless halite (174 cm−1). As part of the work, the infrared spectra of the crystal structure models of sodium and potassium chloride were calculated for the first time using the density functional theory (with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G* basis set, 125-atom model). The proposed approach can be used not only as a powerful method differentiating NaCl and KCl minerals, but it can also help with understanding of different defects in crystal lattices for naturally occurring halides and crystals of other minerals

Assessment of the quality of surface water from selected area of active oil exploitation

Tyt. z nagłówka.Bibliogr. s. 74-[76].In this work, the studies of various physico-chemical parameters of surface waters originated from the selected area of oil exploitation in the south of Poland are presented. The water samples were collected from streams and ponds or directly from surface tanks situated in the vicinity of operating wells. The observed values of different parameters like pH, odor, color, turbidity, electroconductivity, concentration of sulfate, chloride, nitrate, iron, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, alkanity, dissolved oxygen or petroleum contamination of samples were compared with standard values recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the relevant Polish Regulation. Preliminary studies show that investigated surface waters are slightly affected by anthropogenic pollution. The main two sources of contamination of water from the study area are agriculture and mining industry.Dostępny również w formie drukowanej.KEYWORDS: surface water, oil exploitation, quality of water, chemistry of water, environment protection

Chemistry of Reservoir Fluids in the Aspect of CO2 Injection for Selected Oil Reservoirs in Poland

Worldwide experiences related to geological CO2 storage show that the process of the injection of carbon dioxide into depleted oil reservoirs (CCS-EOR, Carbon Capture and Storage—Enhanced Oil Recovery) is highly profitable. The injection of CO2 will allow an increasing recovery factor (thus increasing CCS process profitability) and revitalize mature reservoirs, which may lead to oil spills due to pressure buildups. In Poland, such a solution has not yet been implemented in the industry. This work provides additional data for analysis of the possibility of the CCS-EOR method’s implementation for three potential clusters of Polish oil reservoirs located at a short distance one from another. The aim of the work was to examine the properties of reservoir fluids for these selected oil reservoirs in order to assure a better understanding of the physicochemical phenomena that accompany the gas injection process. The chemical composition of oils was determined by gas chromatography. All tested oils represent a medium black oil type with the density ranging from 795 to 843 g/L and the viscosity at 313 K, varying from 1.95 to 5.04 mm/s. The content of heavier components C25+ is up to 17 wt. %. CO2–oil MMP (Minimum Miscibility Pressure) was calculated in a CHEMCAD simulator using the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation of state (SRK EoS). The oil composition was defined as a mixture of n-alkanes. Relatively low MMP values (ca. 8.3 MPa for all tested oils at 313 K) indicate a high potential of the EOR method, and make this geological CO2 storage form more attractive to the industry. For reservoir brines, the content of the main ions was experimentally measured and CO2 solubility under reservoir conditions was calculated. The reservoir brines showed a significant variation in properties with total dissolved solids contents varying from 17.5 to 378 g/L. CO2 solubility in brines depends on reservoir conditions and brine chemistry. The highest calculated CO2 solubility is 1.79 mol/kg, which suggest possible CO2 storage in aquifers