Search results for " elements"

Behavior of rare earth elements in an aquifer perturbed by CO2 injection: Environmental implications

2019

International audience; Three cubic-meters of CO2-saturated water was injected into a subsurface fractured aquifer in a post-mined area, using a push-pull test protocol. Groundwater samples were collected before and after CO2-injection to quantify geochemical changes. CO2-injection initially reduced the pH of water from 7.3 to 5.7, led to the enrichment of major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, and alkalinity), and dissolved trace metals (including Fe, Mn, As, and Zn) in the groundwater. Rare earth elements (REE) and yttrium concentrations were also measured in these samples before and after CO2 perturbation, to evaluate their behavior. An enrichment of total Y plus REE (REY) occurred. REY fractionation w…

Passive degassing at Nyiragongo (D.R. Congo) and Etna (Italy) volcanoes

2014

Volcanoes are well known as an impressive large natural source of trace elements into the troposphere. Etna (Italy) and Nyiragongo (D.R. Congo) are two stratovolcanoes located in different geological settings, both characterized by persistent passive degassing from their summit craters. Here, we present some results on trace element composition in volcanic plume emissions, atmospheric bulk deposition (rainwater) and their uptake by the surrounding vegetation, with the aim to compare and identify differences and similarities between these two volcanoes. Volcanic emissions were sampled by using active filter-packs for acid gases (sulfur and halogens) and specific teflon filters for particulat…

A christmas gift: Signature of the 24th December 2018 eruption of Mt. Etna on the chemical composition of bulk deposition in eastern sicily

2020

The eruption of Mt. Etna which occurred on December 24th 2018 was characterized by strombolian activity and fire fountains, emitted by the New South-East Crater and along a fissure that propagated towards the SE. The influence of volcanic emissions on atmospheric deposition was clearly detectable at several kilometres from the source. Wet and dry (bulk) deposition samples were collected each month, through a network of eleven collectors, in the areas of Milazzo, and Priolo between June 2018 and June 2019. They were analysed for major ions and trace elements concentrations. The pH values range from 3.9 to 8.3, while the EC values range from 7 to 396 μS cm-1. An extensive neutralization of th…

Geochemical characterisation of the alkaline and hyperalkaline groundwater in the Othrys Ophiolite Massif, central Greece

2021

The complex geology of Greece includes two important parallel running ophiolitic belts. The Othrys Massif in central Greece belongs to the westernmost of them. In the current study, 33 water samples from cold hyperalkaline and hypothermal (T < 40°C) alkaline springs and 30 gas samples (either dissolved or free) were collected at 17 different sites in and around this wide ophiolite outcrop, aiming to determine the origin of fluids and evidence gas-water-rock interaction processes taking place in the area. Water samples were analysed for their chemical (major ions and trace elements) and isotope (d18O-H2O, d2H-H2O) composition. They can be subdivided into alkaline (pH <11) of both Mg-Ca…

A study of major and trace element accumulation in humic acids

2015

It has been widely studied recent as well as historic accumulation of elements in peat profiles depending on intensity of anthropogenic pollution and thereby peat profiles serve as archives for research of environmental change. Peat ability to accumulate major and trace elements depends on the character of element supply, potency of metal ions to bind functionalities in the peat structure, pH reaction, oxygen presence, presence of complexing compounds, inorganic ions and many other factors. The aim of this study is to assign major and trace element distribution in humic acids (HA) for two well characterized ombrotrophic peat profiles of Eipurs and Dzelve Bog and analyse factors affecting el…

Trace elements mobility in soils from the active hydrothermal area of Nisyros (Greece)

2014

Nisyros Island, Greece, is a stratovolcano known for its intense hydrothermal activity. On June 2013, during a multidisciplinary field campaign, soil samples were collected in the caldera area to determinate the main mineralogical paragenesis and to investigate the distribution of trace elements concentrations and the possible relationship to the contribution of deep originated fluids. Soil samples were analysed with XRD and for the chemical composition of their leachable (deionized water) and near total (microwave digestion) fraction both for major and trace elements. All data were compared to a local background soil. The results allow to divide the samples in 2 groups: Lakki Plain and Ste…

Using the Trace Element Contents in Bronchoalveolar Lavages to Probe the Human Exposure to Inhaled Particulates

2013

Explosive volcanic eruptions eject large volumes of high surface area, metal-rich dust and ash into the atmosphere. In areas near major volcanic eruptions, humans often interact with these materials and may bioaccumulate heavy and toxic metals. To evaluate these interactions, we examine bronchoalveolar lavage samples (BAL) collected from people exposed to the paroxysmal 2001 Etna eruption. BAL samples reveal a strong enrichment of many toxic heavy metals and the capacity for trace elements released from inhaled particles to induce crystallisation of phosphatic microcryst biominerals in intraaveolar spaces. BAL rare earth element (REE) concentration patterns normalised to shale reveal a ‘V-s…

Comparison between the MHFEM formulation and a 2nd spatial order FV formulation of the linear ground problem

2008

Comparison of different 2nd order formulations for the solution of the 2D groundwater flow problem over irregular triangular meshes

2009

Mixed and Mixed Hybrid Finite Elements (MHFE) methods have been widely used in the last decade for simulation of groundwater flow problem, petroleum reservoir problems, potential flow problems, etc. The main advantage of these methods is that, unlike the classical Galerkin approach, they guarantee local and global mass balance, as well the flux continuity between inter-element sides. The simple shape of the control volume, where the mass conservation is satisfied, makes also easier to couple this technique with a Finite Volume technique in the time splitting approach for the solution of advection-dispersion problems. In the present paper, a new MHFE formulation is proposed for the solution …

Wooden, gypsum and cork floor in the Sicilian construction tradition

2014

This presentation deals with a part of a wider and more complex outline of the Sicilian construction tradition characterised by the presence of gypsum technologies. Gypsum is a very common material used in the island for the realisation of all building elements; its use is commonly spread throughout Sicily thanks to several and wide superficial out crops located in some parts of the island that make this material very easy to find. This presentation is particularly focused on wooden and gypsum floors found and analysed during searches and surveys in the regional area. Outline on criteria for some consistent and appropriate consolidation and restoration interventions are here proposed.