Compound-Specific Isotope Analyses to Assess TCE Biodegradation in a Fractured Dolomitic Aquifer.

The potential for trichloroethene (TCE) biodegradation in a fractured dolomite aquifer at a former chemical disposal site in Smithville, Ontario, Canada, is assessed using chemical analysis and TCE and cis-DCE compound-specific isotope analysis of carbon and chlorine collected over a 16-month period. Groundwater redox conditions change from suboxic to much more reducing environments within and around the plume, indicating that oxidation of organic contaminants and degradation products is occurring at the study site. TCE and cis-DCE were observed in 13 of 14 wells sampled.

Sediment color tool for targeting arsenic-safe aquifers for the installation of shallow drinking water tubewells.

In rural Bangladesh, drinking water supply mostly comes from shallow hand tubewells installed manually by the local drillers, the main driving force in tubewell installation. This study was aimed at developing a sediment color tool on the basis of local driller's perception of sediment color, arsenic (As) concentration of tubewell waters and respective color of aquifer sediments. Laboratory analysis of 521 groundwater samples collected from 144 wells during 2009 to 2011 indicate that As concentrations in groundwater were generally higher in the black colored sediments with an average of 239 μg/L.

Hydrogeology, chemical and microbial activity measurement through deep permafrost.

Little is known about hydrogeochemical conditions beneath thick permafrost, particularly in fractured crystalline rock, due to difficulty in accessing this environment. The purpose of this investigation was to develop methods to obtain physical, chemical, and microbial information about the subpermafrost environment from a surface-drilled borehole. Using a U-tube, gas and water samples were collected, along with temperature, pressure, and hydraulic conductivity measurements, 420 m below ground surface, within a 535 m long, angled borehole at High Lake, Nunavut, Canada, in an area with 460-m-thick permafrost.

Determination of bromine stable isotopes using continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

A new methodology for bromine stable isotope determination by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) was developed. The technique was tested on inorganic samples. Inorganic bromide was precipitated in the form of silver bromide by using silver nitrate in a standard methodology.

Determination of inorganic chlorine stable isotopes by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Chlorine stable isotope analyses of inorganic samples were conducted using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) coupled with gas chromatography (GC). Inorganic chloride was precipitated in the form of silver chloride (AgCl) by using silver nitrate in a standard methodology. Chlorine stable isotope analysis was carried out on methyl chloride (CH3Cl) after converting AgCl into CH3Cl by reacting it with methyl iodide (CH3I).

Stable hydrogen, carbon and chlorine isotope measurements of selected chlorinated organic solvents.

Stable hydrogen isotopes of two chlorinated solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), provided by five different manufacturers, were determined and compared to their carbon and chlorine isotopic signatures. The isotope ratio for delta2H of different TCEs ranged between +466.9 per thousand and +681.