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Influence of Mineral Deposition on the Retention of Potentially Hazardous Elements in Geothermal Spring Sediments

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  • Yafeng Wang

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Hefa Cheng

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

Abstract

Geothermal springs are known to contain a variety of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs), which may threaten human health. Their release on Earth’s surface is largely dependent on the retention by the sediments at the spring outflux. In this study, the hot spring waters and the sediments at the corresponding sites were collected from the Nagqu geothermal field on the Tibetan Plateau. The water geochemistry and sediment mineralogy were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The association of PHEs with minerals was analyzed. The results indicate that while the concentrations of PHEs were highly elevated, Be, As, and Tl in some hot springs exceeded the criteria for class III groundwater in China by up to 2, 2, and 19 times, respectively. Cs occurred at relatively high levels, up to 776 μg/L. As, Co, Se, Tl, and U in the hot spring waters were probably captured by iron sulfide minerals in the sediments, while Be and Cs were strongly retained by the carbonate minerals. The releases of V and Cr were apparently regulated by the clay minerals. Overall, the mobility of PHEs from the geothermal springs is controlled by the deposition of minerals at the spring vents.

Suggested Citation

  • Yafeng Wang & Hefa Cheng, 2023. "Influence of Mineral Deposition on the Retention of Potentially Hazardous Elements in Geothermal Spring Sediments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8040-:d:1147401
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olatunde S. Durowoju & John O. Odiyo & Georges-Ivo E. Ekosse, 2016. "Variations of Heavy Metals from Geothermal Spring to Surrounding Soil and Mangifera Indica –Siloam Village, Limpopo Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Qian Zhao & Qinghai Guo & Li Luo & Ketao Yan, 2021. "Tungsten Accumulation in Hot Spring Sediments Resulting from Preferred Sorption of Aqueous Polytungstates to Goethite," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-18, November.
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