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.

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.