Environmental relevance monitoring and assessment of ochreous precipitates, hydrochemistry and water sources from abandoned coal mine drainage.

This study investigated the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of ochreous precipitates and mine water samples from abandoned Upper Carboniferous hard coal mines in an extensive former mining area in western Germany. Mine water characteristics have been monitored and assessed using a multi-methodological approach. Thirteen mine water discharge locations were sampled for hydrochemical analysis, with a total of 46 water samples seasonally collected in the whole study area for stable isotopic analyses.

Monitoring nitrate reduction: hydrogeochemistry and clogging potential in raw water wells.

The mainly agricultural input of NO and compliance with drinking water guideline values pose major challenges for many water suppliers. Additionally, associated changes in hydrochemistry, especially concerning products of NO reduction (Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, SO, HCO) and subsequent reactions, can have a major influence on mineral saturation states and well yield: well productivity can be strongly reduced by mineral precipitation and silting. To evaluate hydrogeochemical evolution and clogging potential for a given well field, thorough hydrochemical and geochemical investigations are required.

Forecasting nitrate evolution in an alluvial aquifer under distinct environmental and climate change scenarios (Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany).

When investigating future nitrate (NO) concentrations in groundwater, climate change has a major role as it determines the future water budget and, in turn, the conditions in the aquifer which will finally have a decisive effect on NO concentrations. In this study, the different effects on water balance and NO concentration under three projected climate scenarios - RCP 2.6, RCP 4.