Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada
Increased rates of acid deposition derived from the burning of fossil fuels over the last century have resulted in the acidification and increase in aluminum (Al) levels in freshwaters and soils in sensitive areas. While the acidification of surface waters such as lakes and rivers has been extensive...
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2021
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:752ecab29a9148fa96cc1121b013c1dc 2023-05-15T15:31:07+02:00 Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada Kristin A. Hart Gavin W. Kennedy Shannon M. Sterling 2021-06-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3390/w13111578 https://doaj.org/article/752ecab29a9148fa96cc1121b013c1dc EN eng MDPI AG https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/11/1578 https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4441 doi:10.3390/w13111578 2073-4441 https://doaj.org/article/752ecab29a9148fa96cc1121b013c1dc Water, Vol 13, Iss 1578, p 1578 (2021) aluminum groundwater quality groundwater-surface water interaction cold-water fish Atlantic salmon freshwater quality Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 article 2021 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3390/w13111578 2022-12-31T11:32:36Z Increased rates of acid deposition derived from the burning of fossil fuels over the last century have resulted in the acidification and increase in aluminum (Al) levels in freshwaters and soils in sensitive areas. While the acidification of surface waters such as lakes and rivers has been extensively studied, the acidification status and resulting Al concentrations in groundwater are poorly understood. Here we aim to describe the distribution of Al in groundwater across the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We investigate the hydrogeological conditions that influence Al concentrations in groundwater and compare Al concentrations to legislated threshold levels for human and aquatic health. We found groundwater Al concentrations to be highest in areas underlain by plutonic and metamorphic bedrock types as well as surficial aquifers, with pH and organic carbon concentrations having the strongest correlation with groundwater Al concentrations. Few samples exceed the maximum acceptable concentration of 2900 µg/L released by Health Canada (2021), but these exceedances are important to highlight given the challenges with respect to Al treatment in private domestic wells and our evolving understanding of Al impacts to human health. High concentrations of Al in groundwater may also be exported to surface waters such as rivers and lakes, where they can be harmful to aquatic populations such as Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). We recommend that private well owners test their water supplies for Al, and that further studies on Al export from groundwater to surface water be carried out in the most high-risk areas coincident with important Atlantic salmon river watersheds. Article in Journal/Newspaper Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Canada Water 13 11 1578 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
aluminum groundwater quality groundwater-surface water interaction cold-water fish Atlantic salmon freshwater quality Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 |
spellingShingle |
aluminum groundwater quality groundwater-surface water interaction cold-water fish Atlantic salmon freshwater quality Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 Kristin A. Hart Gavin W. Kennedy Shannon M. Sterling Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
topic_facet |
aluminum groundwater quality groundwater-surface water interaction cold-water fish Atlantic salmon freshwater quality Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 |
description |
Increased rates of acid deposition derived from the burning of fossil fuels over the last century have resulted in the acidification and increase in aluminum (Al) levels in freshwaters and soils in sensitive areas. While the acidification of surface waters such as lakes and rivers has been extensively studied, the acidification status and resulting Al concentrations in groundwater are poorly understood. Here we aim to describe the distribution of Al in groundwater across the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We investigate the hydrogeological conditions that influence Al concentrations in groundwater and compare Al concentrations to legislated threshold levels for human and aquatic health. We found groundwater Al concentrations to be highest in areas underlain by plutonic and metamorphic bedrock types as well as surficial aquifers, with pH and organic carbon concentrations having the strongest correlation with groundwater Al concentrations. Few samples exceed the maximum acceptable concentration of 2900 µg/L released by Health Canada (2021), but these exceedances are important to highlight given the challenges with respect to Al treatment in private domestic wells and our evolving understanding of Al impacts to human health. High concentrations of Al in groundwater may also be exported to surface waters such as rivers and lakes, where they can be harmful to aquatic populations such as Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). We recommend that private well owners test their water supplies for Al, and that further studies on Al export from groundwater to surface water be carried out in the most high-risk areas coincident with important Atlantic salmon river watersheds. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Kristin A. Hart Gavin W. Kennedy Shannon M. Sterling |
author_facet |
Kristin A. Hart Gavin W. Kennedy Shannon M. Sterling |
author_sort |
Kristin A. Hart |
title |
Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
title_short |
Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
title_full |
Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
title_fullStr |
Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
title_full_unstemmed |
Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada |
title_sort |
distribution, drivers, and threats of aluminum in groundwater in nova scotia, canada |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.3390/w13111578 https://doaj.org/article/752ecab29a9148fa96cc1121b013c1dc |
geographic |
Canada |
geographic_facet |
Canada |
genre |
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar |
genre_facet |
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar |
op_source |
Water, Vol 13, Iss 1578, p 1578 (2021) |
op_relation |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/11/1578 https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4441 doi:10.3390/w13111578 2073-4441 https://doaj.org/article/752ecab29a9148fa96cc1121b013c1dc |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3390/w13111578 |
container_title |
Water |
container_volume |
13 |
container_issue |
11 |
container_start_page |
1578 |
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1766361606196822016 |