| title: | Geological sources and geochemistry of fluorides in Silurian-Ordovician aquifer system |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5683 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
1.10. Geology |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | TU Faculty of Biology and Geography |
| head of project: | Enn Karro |
| duration: | 01.01.2004 - 31.12.2006 |
| description: | The aim of the project is to find the geological reasons for the F-rich groundwater in the Silurian-Ordovician aquifer system and make a general scheme on the sequences of geochemical processes leading to fluoride concentrations exceeding limit values set by international drinking water standards. Using the hydrogeochemical modelling, the project makes evident the connections between the groundwater quality and the chemical and mineralogical composition of the water bearing rocks. To achieve the aims of the project, three connected with each other ways are established: (1) using internationally accepted methods groundwater chemistry will be studied in F-rich and adjacent parts of aquifer system (2) the chemical and mineralogical analysis of the rock matrix (optical, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy methods) and the laboratory leaching experiments of crushed rock samples will be performed and (3) using computer program PHREEQC the reaction paths of dominating geochemical processes leading towards thermodynamic equilibrium between pore water and host rock will be described and the results analysed. The results of the project enable to delimit the F-anomalies both in horisontal and vertical direction and to give the recommendations for well construction/reconstruction to guarantee safe water supply. Environmental Departments, water suppliers and consumers will benefit from gaining the understanding on the reasons and importance of the fluoride problem - the subject of active international scientific debate. The materials of the project will be used for training students at the Institute of Geology, University of Tartu. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Enn Karro | TU Faculty of Biology and Geography | research scientist | |
| 2. | Andres Marandi | TÜ tehnoloogia instituut | peaspetsialist | |
| 3. | Erik Puura | TÜ tehnoloogia instituut | direktor | |