Hydrogeochemical investigation of ground and surface water in the Neogene - Quaternary sediments

Abstract

Geochemical investigations in order to identify the mineral deposits, as well as the sources of water supply of rural settlements included in the area of Bela Crkva, between the Nera and the Karaš rivers, draining the Neogene and Quaternary sediments. During the prospecting, water samples were collected from surface water streams, springs, wells, drills, water reservoirs, as well as the samples of stream sediments and rocks. Hydrogeochemical investigations are of significance, where, in the water of Vrsac hills, elevated levels of radionuclides U, Ra and Rn, and other toxic elements were detected with values above maximum allowed concentrations for drinking water. The wells of rural households had increased levels of Fe and Mn, as well as the increased mineralization, conductivity, and nitrogen cycle. The concentration of heavy metals in water wells was increased in the most settlements around Bela Crkva, as well as in Češko Selo, Banatska Subotica, Kuštilj, Jablanka and Karaš river. From the water accumulations formed in the Quaternary sediments southwest from Bela Crkva, samples of water, mud, overbank sediments, and A-horizon were collected. The water samles were determined on: Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, NH4, NO3, SO4, HCO3, Cl, F, Ep, Eh, pH value, mineralization, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, H2S, O2, CO2, U, Ra, Rn, As, Hg, Br. In the solid samples, Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, and other elements, as well as the content of 238U, 232Th and 40K were determined. Test results are presented in tables, diagrams, and hydrogeochemical maps.

Keywords

• hydrogeochemistry
• prospecting
• radioactivity
• toxical elements
• neogene and quaternarysediments