Evaluation of the Quality of Drinking Water in Kerala State, India

The quality of tap water from water supplies from 14 districts of Kerala state, India was studied. Parameters like pH, water temperature, total dissolved solids, salinity, nitrates, chloride, hardness, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, fluoride, sulphate, phosphates, and coliform bacteria were enumerated. The results showed that all water samples were contaminated by coliform bacteria. About 20% of the tap water samples from Alappuzha and 15% samples from Palakkad district are above desirable limits prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards. The contamination of the source water (due to lack of community hygiene) and insufficient treatment are the major cause for the coliform contamination in the state. Water samples from Alappuzha and Palakkad have high ionic and fluoride content which could be attributed to the geology of the region. Water supplied for drinking in rural areas are relatively free of any contamination than the water supplied in urban area by municipalities, which may be attributed higher chances of contamination in urban area due to mismanagement of solid and liquid wastes. The study highlights the need for regular bacteriological enumeration along with water quality in addition to setting up decentralised region specific improved treatment system.

Synthesis and Characterization of Fly Ash Geopolymer Sand

Geopolymers are an alternative binder to portland cement in the manufacture of mortars and concrete, as its three-dimensional aluminosilicate network imparts excellent mechanical properties. Use of geopolymers in place of ordinary portland cement is favored owing to the possible energy and carbon dioxide savings. River sand is another construction industry material that needs development of a sustainable alternate in India. Geopolymerization of fly ash amorphous silica mixtures is employed to produce fine aggregates as a possible replacement to river sand. Geopolymerization of fly ash amorphous silica mixtures in 10M NaOH solution at 100 degrees C for 7days produced fine aggregates termed fly ash geopolymer sand (FAPS)] that had comparable grain size distribution, specific gravity, and improved frictional resistance with river sand. The FAPS particles exhibited more alkaline pH (12.5) and higher total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration (TDS=747 mg/L) in comparison to the river sand specimen (pH=7.9 and TDS=32.5 mg/L). However, when used as fine aggregate in mortar, FAPS-mortar specimens develop similar pH, lower TDS, similar compressive strength, and modulus in relation to river sand-mortar specimens. The experimental results suggest that FAPS particles have the potential to replace river sand in the manufacture of mortar and concrete.

Changes in the chloride content of ground water in Pinellas County, Florida between 1947 and 1956

In December 1956 the U. S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Florida Geological Survey and the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas County, collected waterlevel and chloride content of water in 94 wells in Pinellas County. First sampled in 1947, resampling and reanalyzing the water from these wells was used to determine the change in the chloride content of the ground water from 1947 to 1956. The chloride content of ground water is generally a reliable indication of the contamination of ground water by sea water, as 90 percent of the dissolved solids of sea water are chloride salts. (PDF contains 15 pages.)

Aspects of ecology of Owena reservoirs: implication on fish production

The article gives physical description of Owana reservoir, Nigeria. The reservoir was chemically and thermally stratified partial mixing of the water was observed during the rains. The concentration of major ions in the water showed distinct peculiarities. The captions (Na super(+), K super(+)Ca super(H),Ca super(Z), Mg super(++)) SO sub(4) super(2-) were relatively low. The water had high dissolved oxygen, it was acidic and also had low values of alkalinity, conductivity and total dissolved solids. About 61 plankton taxa belonging to 21 species were identified. The reservoir supports a commercial fishery of about fifteen fishermen with about fifteen species of fish caught daily with the aid of traps set and cast nets. Effective management of the lake will enhance fish production

Predicting the fisheries potentials of inland reservoirs and lakes: a case study of Kubanni Reservoir, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

The depth, alkalinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity of Kubanni Reservoir were monitored biweekly between December 2003 and April 2004. The range values and their means were 0.8-4.64m, 42-67mg/l, 52-71mg/l and 104-142 mhos/cm; 2.8m, 42.6mg/l, 59.8mg/l and 119.6 mhos/cm respectively. Total Dissolved solids correlated significantly (P<0.05) with depth and conductivity while alkalinity correlated highly and significantly(P<0.05) with conductivity, total dissolved solids but negatively correlated with depth. The electrical conductivity was positively and highly correlated with depth while Morpho-Edaphic Index (MEI) which increased with depth decrease correlated positively with conductivity. Based on the average value of the MEI the potential fish catch of the reservoir was estimated to be 38kg/ha. This estimate was compared with other values obtained from other African reservoirs/lakes and management considerations under "private liability company" are proffered

Avaliação sazonal do grau de trofia em reservatórios do complexo hidrelétrico de Ribeirão das Lajes (Rio de Janeiro)

Com a demanda por energia elétrica nos dias atuais e a grande quantidade de bacias hidrográficas presentes no Brasil, a geração de energia hidrelétrica se tornou a principal forma de suprimento. Dentre as diversas mudanças ocorridas em represamento de rios, a redução na vazão da água influencia no acúmulo de nutrientes afetando diretamente na qualidade da água, podendo acarretar em um processo denominado eutrofização, caracterizado pelo aumento na quantidade de nutrientes em um sistema e contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de produtores primários (fitoplâncton e macrófitas aquáticas) em níveis acima do crescimento natural. Para identificar o estado de trofia dos reservatórios pertencentes ao Complexo Hidrelétrico de Ribeirão das Lajes (RJ) foi utilizada a metodologia de Lu e Lo (2002) de avaliação trófica fuzzy (ou difusa) sintética e não sintética, além da avaliação trófica através do índice de estado trófico de Carlson (1977). As classes de estado trófico utilizadas na metodologia é da OECD (1982) e utiliza transparência, concentrações de fósforo total e de clorofila-a como variáveis. Outras variáveis limnológicas como temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, turbidez, pH e sólidos dissolvidos totais foram utilizadas para caracterização dos reservatórios. As coletas foram realizadas em três momentos, no período seco de 2011, no período chuvoso de 2012 e no período seco de 2012. As análises fuzzy não sintéticas apontaram os reservatórios de Santana, Vigário e Ponte Coberta como oligotrófico/eutrófico durante o período de estudo. O reservatório de Ribeirão das Lajes foi classificado como oligotrófico nos períodos secos no ano de 2011 e 2012, e como mesotrófico no período chuvoso de 2012, assim como o reservatório de Tocos. Foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o período seco e o chuvoso em relação às concentrações de clorofila-a, transparência e turbidez, demonstrando influência sazonal no grau de trofia dos reservatórios, uma vez que clorofila-a e transparência são variáveis utilizadas em índices de estado trófico

Análise físico-química da qualidade das águas pluviais: estudo de caso - Instituto de Aplicação Fernando Rodrigues da Silveira , Rio Comprido RJ.

Com o desenvolvimento da espécie humana, a sociedade humana passou demandar quantidades cada vez maiores de diversos elementos naturais, principalmente a água. Por estar presente em uma pequena quantidade no planeta (3%), com relação a toda hidrosfera, as águas disponíveis para consumo humano (Ex: Mananciais) são as que mais sofrem com a ação antrópica. A degradação destes recursos se dá por fatores como: poluição, desperdício e falta de políticas públicas sobre conservação dos recursos hídricos. Buscando a implementação de estratégias para a melhor gestão dos recursos hídricos, a utilização de águas pluviais como fonte hídrica alternativa, ganha importância diante desse cenário. Além de uma fonte hídrica de fácil acesso em muitas regiões (com média anual de precipitação em 1589 mm na região da Tijuca Alerta Rio, 2013), estudos demonstram que sua qualidade permite sua utilização em atividades não potáveis, resultando na economia de águas que são tratadas e destinadas para consumo humano. Visando colaborar com as questões expostas anteriormente, a presente dissertação de mestrado buscou avaliar a qualidade das águas de chuva em uma determinada região e os fatores que possam interferir na qualidade das águas pluviais, como: tipo de material da superfície de captação, proximidade a focos de poluição atmosférica e período de estiagem antecedente ao evento pluviométrico. Para tal tarefa, foi instalado um sistema de captação de águas pluviais no Instituto de Aplicação Fernando Rodrigues da Silveira, localizado no bairro do Rio Comprido, região norte da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Os parâmetros físico-químicos para qualidade da água pH, turbidez, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, sólidos totais dissolvidos, potencial de oxi-redução e condutividade foram analisados com o auxílio da sonda multiparâmetro. Ao correlacionar a presença de sólidos na água de chuva com os períodos de estiagem, verificou-se que quanto maior o período de seca, maior a quantidade de sólidos nas amostras. Com relação aos marcos regulatórios (Portaria 2914/2011, MS; Padrões de potabilidade, OMS; CONAMA 357 e NBR 15.527) , os resultados para estes parâmetros ficaram de acordo com os limites exigidos pelas mesmas, exceto o pH. Com a análise dos resultados, recomenda-se estudos para determinar quais fatores podem estar interferindo na acidificação das águas coletadas no estudo.

Implications of using On-Farm Flood Flow Capture to recharge groundwater and mitigate flood risks along the Kings River, CA

Two large hydrologic issues face the Kings Basin, severe and chronic overdraft of about 0.16M ac-ft annually, and flood risks along the Kings River and the downstream San Joaquin River. Since 1983, these floods have caused over $1B in damage in today’s dollars. Capturing flood flows of sufficient volume could help address these two pressing issues which are relevant to many regions of the Central Valley and will only be exacerbated with climate change. However, the Kings River has high variability associated with flow magnitudes which suggests that standard engineering approaches and acquisition of sufficient acreage through purchase and easements to capture and recharge flood waters would not be cost effective. An alternative approach investigated in this study, termed On-Farm Flood Flow Capture, involved leveraging large areas of private farmland to capture flood flows for both direct and in lieu recharge. This study investigated the technical and logistical feasibility of best management practices (BMPs) associated with On-Farm Flood Flow Capture. The investigation was conducted near Helm, CA, about 20 miles west of Fresno, CA. The experimental design identified a coordinated plan to determine infiltration rates for different soil series and different crops; develop a water budget for water applied throughout the program and estimate direct and in lieu recharge; provide a preliminary assessment of potential water quality impacts; assess logistical issues associated with implementation; and provide an economic summary of the program. At check locations, we measured average infiltration rates of 4.2 in/d for all fields and noted that infiltration rates decreased asymptotically over time to about 2 – 2.5 in/d. Rates did not differ significantly between the different crops and soils tested, but were found to be about an order of magnitude higher in one field. At a 2.5 in/d infiltration rate, 100 acres are required to infiltrate 10 CFS of captured flood flows. Water quality of applied flood flows from the Kings River had concentrations of COC (constituents of concern; i.e. nitrate, electrical conductivity or EC, phosphate, ammonium, total dissolved solids or TDS) one order of magnitude or more lower than for pumped groundwater at Terranova Ranch and similarly for a broader survey of regional groundwater. Applied flood flows flushed the root zone and upper vadose zone of nitrate and salts, leading to much lower EC and nitrate concentrations to a depth of 8 feet when compared to fields in which more limited flood flows were applied or for which drip irrigation with groundwater was the sole water source. In demonstrating this technology on the farm, approximately 3,100 ac-ft was diverted, primarily from April through mid-July, with about 70% towards in lieu and 30% towards direct recharge. Substantial flood flow volumes were applied to alfalfa, wine grapes and pistachio fields. A subset of those fields, primarily wine grapes and pistachios, were used primarily to demonstrate direct recharge. For those fields about 50 – 75% of water applied was calculated going to direct recharge. Data from the check studies suggests more flood flows could have been applied and infiltrated, effectively driving up the amount of water towards direct recharge. Costs to capture flood flows for in lieu and direct recharge for this project were low compared to recharge costs for other nearby systems and in comparison to irrigating with groundwater. Moreover, the potentially high flood capture capacity of this project suggests significant flood avoidance costs savings to downstream communities along the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers. Our analyses for Terranova Ranch suggest that allocating 25% or more flood flow water towards in lieu recharge and the rest toward direct recharge will result in an economically sustainable recharge approach paid through savings from reduced groundwater pumping. Two important issues need further consideration. First, these practices are likely to leach legacy salts and nitrates from the unsaturated zone into groundwater. We develop a conceptual model of EC movement through the unsaturated zone and estimated through mass balance calculations that approximately 10 kilograms per square meter of salts will be flushed into the groundwater through displacing 12 cubic meters per square meter of unsaturated zone pore water. This flux would increase groundwater salinity but an equivalent amount of water added subsequently is predicted as needed to return to current groundwater salinity levels. All subsequent flood flow capture and recharge is expected to further decrease groundwater salinity levels. Second, the project identified important farm-scale logistical issues including irrigator training; developing cropping plans to integrate farming and recharge activities; upgrading conveyance; and quantifying results. Regional logistical issues also exist related to conveyance, integration with agricultural management, economics, required acreage and Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

Assessment of some physico-chemical parameters of River Ogun (Abeokuta, Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria) in comparison with national and international standards

This study assessed the physico-chemical quality of River Ogun, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria. Four locations were chosen spatially along the water course to reflect a consideration of all possible human activities that are capable of changing the quality of river water. The water samples were collected monthly for seven consecutive months (December 2011 – June 2012) at the four sampling stations. pH, air temperature (℃), water temperature (℃), conductivity (µs/cm) and total dissolved solids (mg/L) were conducted in-situ with the use of HANNA Combo pH and EC multi meter Hi 98129 and Mercury-in-glass thermometer while dissolved oxygen (mg/L), nitrate (mg/L), phosphate (mg/L), alkalinity (mg/L) and hardness (mg/L) were determined ex-situ using standard methods. Results showed that dissolved oxygen, hydrogen ion concentration, total hardness and nitrate were above the maximum permissible limit of National Administration for Food, Drugs and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water during certain months of the study period. Results also showed that water temperature and conductivity were within the permissible limits of all the standards excluding FEPA. However, total dissolved solids and alkalinity were within the permissible limits of all the standards. Adejuwon and Adelakun, (2012) also reported similar findings on Rivers Lala, Yobo and Agodo in Ewekoro local government area of Ogun state, Nigeria. Since most of the parameters measured were above the maximum permissible limits of the national and international standards, it can be concluded that the water is unfit for domestic uses, drinking and aquacultural purposes and therefore needs to be treated if it is to be used at all. The low dissolved oxygen values for the first four months was too low i.e. < 5 mg/L. This is most likely as a result of the amount of effluents discharged into the river. To prevent mass extinction of aquatic organisms due to anoxic conditions, proper regulations should be implemented to reduce the organic load the river receives.

River salinity variations in response to discharge: examples from the western United States during the early 1900s

Major controls on river salinity (total dissolved solids) in the western United States are climate, geology, and human activity. Climate, in general, influences soil-river salinity via salt-balance variations. When climate becomes wetter, river discharge increases and soil-river salinity decreases; when climate becomes drier river discharge decreases and soil-river salinity increases. This study characterizes the river salinity response to discharge using statistical-dynamic methods. An exploratory analysis of river salinity, using early 1900s water quality surveys in the western United States, shows much river salinity variability is in response to storm and annual discharge. Presumably this is because river discharge is largely supported by surface flow.

Survey of plankton blooms and red tides and their interaction with environmental factors through monitoring satellite images

One of the most important marine ecological phenomena is red tide which is created by increasing of phytoplankton population, influenced by different factors such as climate condition changes, utrification hydrological factors and can leave sever and undesired ecological and economical effects behind itself in the case of durability. Coast line of Hormozgan is about 900km from east to west, within the range of geographical coordinates of 56 16 23.8, 26 58 8.8 to 54 34 5.33 and 26 34 32 eastern longitude and northern latitude, seven sampling stations were considered and sampled for a period of one year from October 2008 to October 2009. after the analysis of Satellite images, monthly, during the best time. In several stages, samplings were performed. In each station, three samples were collected for identification and determination of Bloom- creating species abundance. Cochlodinium polykrikoides was the species responsible for the discoloration which occurred at October 2008 in Hormozgan marine water. Environmental parameters such as sea surface temperature, pH, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen concentration, Total Dissolved Solids (T.D.S.), conductivity, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate and also chlorophyll a were measured and calculated. Kruscal Wallis test was used to compare the densities between different months, seasons and the studied stations. Mann-whitney test from Nonparametric Tests was used for couple comparison. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between physical and chemical data set and the abundance of Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Multivariate Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) also were used to obtain the models and equations of red tide occurrence relationship, environmental parameters and nutrient data. The highest density was 26 million cells per liter in Qeshm station. A meaningful difference was observed between sampling months and seasons but there was no between sampling stations which indicates that in favorable conditions, the occurrence of this phenomenon by the studied species is probable. Regarding to β coefficients of nitrate, temperature, phosphate, Total Dissolvable Solutions (T.D.S) and pH these parameters are effective on the abundance of this species and red tide occurrence. Increase in these factors can represent the effects and outcomes of human activities and increase in marine pollution.

Matrix effects in flow injection-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Matrix effects in now injection (FI) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been studied,and the results have been compared with those of continuous nebulization. The matrix element As and nu with higher ionization potential ( > 9eV) have enhancement effect on the analyte signal,and the heavier the analyte mass, the smaller the enhancement effects by Fl. The matrix elements Cu, In, Li, Na and Pb with lower ionization potential have suppression effect on the analyte signal. The heavier the matrix element mass, the more severe the suppression effects. The heavier the analyte mass, the smaller the suppression effects. The higher ionization potential of analyte, the more severe the suppression effects. Compared with continuous nebulization, the degree of suppression effect is smaller and the degree of the enhancement effect is larger by Fl.

关中盆地东部浅层地下水水化学与CFC年龄研究

Hydrochemistry, isotope and CFCs were used to determine groundwater transport in the eastern part of the Guanzhong Basin. In this paper, we systematically collected water samples and measured major ions, 2H-18O and CFCs in surface water and shallow groundwater. Groundwater in this region can be divided into three categories based on total dissolved solids (TDS): fresh water with TDS < 1g/L, brackish water with TDS between 1～3g/L, and saline water with TDS > 3g/L. Saline water is mainly located in the north of the Wei River, and saline groundwater is not in the south. Tributaries in the south of the Wei River and underlain groundwater had similar 2H-18O values, indicating a close hydraulic connection between them. Tributaries in the north of the Wei River characterized certain extent of evaporation, and 2H-18O values deviated to a differing extent between surface water and groundwater, indicating that surface water in the north bank of the Wei River has little hydraulic connection with underlain groundwater. The CFCs age of groundwater from the piedmont recharge area was young, and became older toward the Wei River valley. Vertically, the CFCs age of groundwater increased with well depth. The shallow groundwater is mainly composed of young water with ages < 60 years and old water with ages > 60 years. Young water is in a larger proportion. The NO3-N concentration positively correlates with the CFC-12 concentration in the groundwater, which indicates that young water is subjected to be contaminated. Keyword: Guanzhong Basin , shallow groundwater, isotope, CFC

流体地球化学：成因、流动和流体-岩石相互作用及塔里木盆地实例研究

Geofluid in sedimentary basins is related to petroleum generation, migration, accumulation and preservation, and is a topic of geological frontier. By integrating the multi-discipline methods of petroleum geochemistry, sedimentology, hydrogeology, petroleum geology and experimental geochemistry, the thesis has carried out experiments of microcline dissolution in solutions with organic acids, crude oil, brines with high total dissolved solids (TDS), and has dealt with Al distribution between the crude oil and the brines after the experiments. Cases for study includes Central Tarim, Hetianhe Gas Field and Kucha forland basin with data containing fluid chemistry and isotopic compositions, thin sections of sandstones and carbonates, homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions, isotopic compositions of bulk rock and autigenic minerals. The aims are to elucidate fluid origin and flow in the three areas, effect of hydrocarbon emplacement on diagenesis, and to show occurrence of microbe-mediated, and thermochemical sulfate reduction in the Tarim Basin. Microcline dissolution experiments show that after 100 hour, part of the dissolved Al distributes in the crude oil, and the Al concentrations in the crude oil rise when organic acids are added. The result can be used to explain that most oilfield waters in the Tarim Basin are characterized by less than 3mg/L Al. Crude oil added to the solutions can enhance microcline dissolution, which is also observed in the case - Silurian sandstones with early crude oil emplacement in the Central Tarim. Al and Si have higher concentrations in the experiments of oxalic acid than of acetic acid under the same pH conditions, suggesting that there exist Al-oxalate and Si-oxalate complexes. Presence of acetate can enhance the activity of Ca and Al, but Al concentrations have not been increased significantly due to formation of small Al-acetate complex during the experiments. Relationships between δD and δ~(18)O in conjunction with chemistry of oilfield waters show that the waters are evaporated connate waters, which subsequently mixed with meteoric water, and were influenced by water-rock interactions such as salt dissolution, dolomitization of calcite, albitization of feldspar. In the Hetianhe Gas Field where salt dissolution took place, δD and δ~(18)O values can be used to trace nicely meteoric water recharge area and flow direction, but TDS can not. Part of the waters have high TDS but very light δD and δ~(18)O. When combined with paleo-topography, or fluid potentials, meteoric water is suggested to flow eastward in the Hetianhe Gas Field, which is the same with the Central Tarim. Whist in the Kuche forland basin, meteoric water may have permeated Cambrian-Ordovician strata. Relationship between ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr and 1/Sr can be used to indicate migration and mixing of brines from carbonate strata (low ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio but high Sr content), clastic strata (high ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio but low Sr content) and crystalline basement (high ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratio and heavy δ~(18)O value). Using this approach, it can be found that ~(87)Sr-depleted brine from Ordovician carbonates have migrated up to and mixed with ~(87)Sr-enriched waters from Silurian and Carboniferous sandstones, and that Silurian brines have mixed with meteoric water. In the Kuche forland basin, brines from the Cambrian and Ordovician carbonates have higher ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios than those from the overlying sandstones, when combined with chemistry, δ~(15)N and ~3He/~4He ratios of the coexisting natural gases, suggesting that the brines were derived from the basement. There exists some debate on the effect of hydrocarbon emplacement on mineral diagenesis. Case-study from Silurian sandstones in the Central Tarim show that quartz has kept overgrowing secondarily when oil saturation was decreased by meteoric water flushing subsequently to hydrocarbon emplacement. Silicon precipitates on the water-wet quartz surface, leading to decreased Si concentration close to the surface. A Si grads can result in Si diffusion, which supplies Si for quartz overgrowth. Hydrocarbon oxidation-sulfate reduction is an important type of organic-inorganic interaction. Not only can it make secondary alteration of hydrocarbons, but generate H_2S and CO_2 gases which can improve reservoir property. Thermochemical sulfate reduction took place at the temperatures more than 125 ℃ to 140 ℃ in the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonates, the products - H_2S and CO_2 gases migrated up to the Silurian, and precipitated as pyrite and calcite, respectively. The pyrite has an average δ~(34)S value close to those of Ordovician seawater and anhydrite, and calcite has δ~(13)C value as low as -21.5‰. In the Hetianhe Gas Field, sulfate reduction bacteria carried by meteoric water flowing eastward may have preferentially depleted ~(12)C of light hydrocarbon gases, and results in heavier δ~(13)C values of the residual hydrocarbon gases and higher molar CO_2 in the natural gases in the west than in the east. Coexisting pyrite has δ~(34)S values as low as -24.9‰.

A hypothesis for the geochemical anomaly in the North Creek Watershed /

A regional geochemical reconnaissance by bottom stream sediment sampling, has delineated an area of high metal content in the north central sector of the North Creek Watershed. Development of a geochemical model, relating to the relative chemical concentrations derived from the chemical analyses of bottom sediments, suspended sediments, stream waters and well waters collected from the north central sector, was designed to discover the source of the anomaly. Samples of each type of material were analysed by the A.R.L. Direct Reading Multi-element Emission Spectrograph Q.A. 137 for elements: Na, K, Ca, Sr, Si, As, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Ti, Ag, Mo, Be, Fe, AI, Mn, Cu, Cr, P and Y. Anomalous results led to the discovery of a spring, the waters of which carried high concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Ni, Ti, Ag, Sr and Si. In addition, the spring waters had high concentrations of Na, Ca, Mg, 504 , alkalinity, N03' and low concentrations of K, Cl and NH3. Increased specific conductivity (up to 2500 ~mho/cm.) was noted in the spring waters as well as increased calculated total dissolved solids (up to 2047 mg/l) and increased ionic strength (up to 0.06). On the other hand, decreases were noted in water temperature (8°C), pH (pH 7.2) and Eh (+.154 volts). Piezometer nests were installed in the anomalous north central sector of the watershed. In accordance with the slope of the piezometric surface from wells cased down to the till/bedrock interface, groundwater flow is directed from the recharge area (northwest of the anomaly) towards the artesian spring via the highly fractured dolostone aquifer of the Upper Eramosa Member. The bedrock aquifer is confined by the overlying Halton till and the underlying Lower Eramosa Member (Vinemount Shale). The oxidation of sphalerite and galena and the dissolution of gypsum, celestite, calcite, and dolomite within the Eramosa Member, contributed its highly, dissolved constituents to the circulating groundwaters, the age of which is greater than 20 years as determined by tritium dating. Groundwater is assumed to flow along the Vinemount Shale and discharge as an artesian spring where the shale unit becomes discontinuous. The anomaly is located on a topographic low where bedrock is close to the surface. Thermodynamic evaluation of the major ion speciation from the anomalous spring and surface waters, showed gypsum to be supersaturated in these spring waters. Downstream from the spring, the loss of carbon dioxide from the spring waters resulted in the supersaturation with respect to calcite, aragonite, magnesite and dolomite. This corresponded with increases in Eh (+.304 volts) and pH (pH 8.5) in the anomalous surface waters. In conclusion, the interaction of groundwaters within the highly, mineralized carbonate source (Eramosa Member) resulted in the characteristic Ca*Mg*HC03*S04 spring water at the anomalous site, which appeared to be the principle effect upon controlling the anomalous surface water chemistry.