Biodegradation and Mineral Weathering Controls on Bulk Electrical Conductivity in a Shallow Hydrocarbon Contaminated Aquifer

Abstract

Geochemical and stable carbon isotope data from closely spaced vertical intervals in a hydrocarbon-impacted aquifer were used to assess the relationship between biodegradation, mineral weathering, and enhanced bulk conductivity zones. The results show that depth zones of enhanced bulk conductivity in the contaminated aquifer had higher total dissolved solids (TDS) compared to background groundwater. The higher TDS in contaminated groundwater were due to elevated ion concentrations from enhanced mineral weathering. Depth intervals with higher concentrations of major cations overlapped with zones with higher total petroleum hydrocarbons, which were the same zones where reduction of nitrate, iron, manganese, sulfate, and methanogenesis was occurring. Hence, the zones of higher bulk conductivity may be explained by mineral weathering related to hydrocarbon biodegradation. Our results suggest that biodegradation of hydrocarbons may impart changes to the aquifer geochemistry that can be indirectly observed using geophysical techniques. We therefore argue for inclusion of geophysical investigations as part of natural attenuation assessment programs.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Aquifers; Contamination; Electric Conductivity; Groundwater; Hydrocarbons; Isotopes; Minerals; Weathering; Bulk Conductivity; Major Ions; Mineral Weathering; Stable Isotopes; Biodegradation; Carbon; Cation; Ground Water; Hydrocarbon; Iron; Manganese; Mineral; Nitrate; Petroleum; Sulfate; Aquifer Pollution; Geochemistry; Hydraulic Conductivity; Petroleum Hydrocarbon; Aquifer; Article; Dissolution; Geochemical Analysis; Methanogenesis; Priority Journal; Reduction; Solid; Water Contamination; Water Sampling; Biodegradation, Environmental; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh Water; Michigan; Water Pollutants, Chemical

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0169-7722

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2005 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 2005

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS