The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force
Chromium concentrations in seawater are less than 0.5 μg/L, but the Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal groundwater affected by Cr-bearing rocks/ores and/or human activities, coupled with the intrusion of seawater may reach values of hundreds of μg/L. A potential explanation for the stability of the harm...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/160 |
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| author | Ioannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos George D. Eliopoulos Maria Economou-Eliopoulos |
| author_facet | Ioannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos George D. Eliopoulos Maria Economou-Eliopoulos |
| author_sort | Ioannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chromium concentrations in seawater are less than 0.5 μg/L, but the Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal groundwater affected by Cr-bearing rocks/ores and/or human activities, coupled with the intrusion of seawater may reach values of hundreds of μg/L. A potential explanation for the stability of the harmful Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal aquifers is still unexplored. The present study is an overview of new and literature data on the composition of coastal groundwater and seawater, aiming to provide potential relationships between Cr(VI) with major components in seawater and explain the elevated Cr(VI) concentrations. It is known that the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) and the subsequent back-reduction of Cr(VI) processes, during the transport of the mobilized Cr(VI) in various aquifers, facilitate the natural attenuation process of Cr(VI). Moreover, the presented positive trend between B and Cr(VI) and negative trend between δ<sup>53</sup>Cr values and B concentration may suggest that seawater components significantly inhibit the Cr(VI) reduction into Cr(III), and provide insights on the role of the borate, [B(OH)<sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup> ions, a potential buffer, on the stability of Cr(VI) in coastal groundwater. Therefore, efforts are needed toward the prevention and/or minimization of the contamination by Cr(VI) of in coastal aquifers, which are influenced by the intrusion of seawater and are threatened by changes in sea level, due to climate change. The knowledge of the contamination sources, hotspots and monitoring of water salinization processes (geochemical mapping) for every coastal country may contribute to the optimization of agricultural management strategies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:53:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12a682f6197c49298098a0c91fc42bed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:53:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-12a682f6197c49298098a0c91fc42bed2023-12-03T12:14:59ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2021-02-0111216010.3390/min11020160The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving ForceIoannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos0George D. Eliopoulos1Maria Economou-Eliopoulos2Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National University of Athens, GR-15771 Zografou, GreeceDepartment of Chemistry, University of Crete, GR-70013 Heraklion, GreeceDepartment of Geology and Geoenvironment, National University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, GreeceChromium concentrations in seawater are less than 0.5 μg/L, but the Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal groundwater affected by Cr-bearing rocks/ores and/or human activities, coupled with the intrusion of seawater may reach values of hundreds of μg/L. A potential explanation for the stability of the harmful Cr(VI) in contaminated coastal aquifers is still unexplored. The present study is an overview of new and literature data on the composition of coastal groundwater and seawater, aiming to provide potential relationships between Cr(VI) with major components in seawater and explain the elevated Cr(VI) concentrations. It is known that the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) and the subsequent back-reduction of Cr(VI) processes, during the transport of the mobilized Cr(VI) in various aquifers, facilitate the natural attenuation process of Cr(VI). Moreover, the presented positive trend between B and Cr(VI) and negative trend between δ<sup>53</sup>Cr values and B concentration may suggest that seawater components significantly inhibit the Cr(VI) reduction into Cr(III), and provide insights on the role of the borate, [B(OH)<sub>4</sub>]<sup>−</sup> ions, a potential buffer, on the stability of Cr(VI) in coastal groundwater. Therefore, efforts are needed toward the prevention and/or minimization of the contamination by Cr(VI) of in coastal aquifers, which are influenced by the intrusion of seawater and are threatened by changes in sea level, due to climate change. The knowledge of the contamination sources, hotspots and monitoring of water salinization processes (geochemical mapping) for every coastal country may contribute to the optimization of agricultural management strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/160groundwatercontaminationchromium(VI)salinizationboratechromium isotopes |
| spellingShingle | Ioannis-Porfyrios D. Eliopoulos George D. Eliopoulos Maria Economou-Eliopoulos The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force Minerals groundwater contamination chromium(VI) salinization borate chromium isotopes |
| title | The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force |
| title_full | The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force |
| title_fullStr | The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force |
| title_short | The Cr(VI) Stability in Contaminated Coastal Groundwater: Salinity as a Driving Force |
| title_sort | cr vi stability in contaminated coastal groundwater salinity as a driving force |
| topic | groundwater contamination chromium(VI) salinization borate chromium isotopes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/2/160 |
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