In south west of Western Australia there are naturally occurring acid saline groundwaters (pH<4, TDS> 30000 mg/L). The surface water can be alkaline and saline through various reduction reactions. With the clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, it has increased recharge to groundwater, watertables have risen and increased baseflow to surface water bodies. With the increase of baseflow of acid saline groundwaters to some surface waters, it has led to acidification of these water bodies. I am trying to simulate the process of acidification of surface waters by gradually adding acid saline groundwater solution to a surface water solution and modelling the changes in water quality. I am interested in the fate of metals particularly Al+++ due to its environmental toxicity. Can this be done?
Fate of Al+++ in environment
in The Geochemist's Workbench
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In south west of Western Australia there are naturally occurring acid saline groundwaters (pH<4, TDS> 30000 mg/L). The surface water can be alkaline and saline through various reduction reactions. With the clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, it has increased recharge to groundwater, watertables have risen and increased baseflow to surface water bodies. With the increase of baseflow of acid saline groundwaters to some surface waters, it has led to acidification of these water bodies. I am trying to simulate the process of acidification of surface waters by gradually adding acid saline groundwater solution to a surface water solution and modelling the changes in water quality. I am interested in the fate of metals particularly Al+++ due to its environmental toxicity. Can this be done?
acid Groundwater (in mg/l)
Ca++ 132
Mg++ 1355
Na+ 12500
K+ 241
SO4-- 2960
Cl- 20400
Br- 42
Al total 122
Fe total 37
Mn total 0.94
pH 3.48
Surface waters
Ca++ 454
Mg++ 2490
Na+ 18300
K+ 249
HCO3- 265
SO4-- 4380
Cl- 30400
pH 8.1
O2(aq) 1.36