Probabilistic Contaminant Source Assessment-Getting the Most Out of Field Measurements.

This paper describes a methodology for undertaking probabilistic investigations into the locations at which contaminants have leaked into a groundwater system. The methodology is built with highly parameterized, stochastic history-matching in mind. It is able to reduce uncertainties associated with estimates of subsurface hydraulic properties at the same time as it reduces uncertainties associated with inferences of contaminant sources.

Sustainable Yield of a Hydrothermal Area: From Theoretical Concepts to the Practical Approach.

Sustainable use of groundwater in the hydrothermal area of Viterbo (Central Italy) was analyzed. In this area, multipurposes utilization of groundwater coexists: several thermal springs and wells supply spas and public pools, cold and fresh water is used for irrigation and drinking-water. Starting from theoretical concepts, a management plan has been developed to ensure groundwater sustainability in response to the increased demand of withdrawal from thermal wells, by integrating previous hydrogeological studies, new investigations and a new finite-difference model.

The Arsenite Oxidation Potential of Native Microbial Communities from Arsenic-Rich Freshwaters.

Microorganisms play an important role in speciation and mobility of arsenic in the environment, by mediating redox transformations of both inorganic and organic species. Since arsenite [As(III)] is more toxic than arsenate [As(V)] to the biota, the microbial driven processes of As(V) reduction and As(III) oxidation may play a prominent role in mediating the environmental impact of arsenic contamination. However, little is known about the ecology and dynamics of As(III)-oxidizing populations within native microbial communities exposed to natural high levels of As.