G.A. Chelnokov

REE geochemistry in groundwater of the Sikhote Alin fold region (Russian Far East)

Analysis of the distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements in the groundwater of the Sikhote Alin fold region reveals that their concentrations, geochemistry, and fractionation ability vary in different groundwater types depending on many factors, including the pH–Eh parameters and mineralization of the solutions and the composition of the host rocks. The results of monitoring of changes in the REE concentrations in the groundwater of the region over ten years provides the opportunity to establish the range of their variations. Inorganic forms of REE migration are rated for all geochemical types of water in the meteoric–surface–ground water system.

REE fractionation in the rivers of eastern and southern Sikhote Alin with natural and anthropogenic anomalies

The behavior of REE in the rivers of eastern and southern Sikhote Alin (Primorye) is discussed. The high-resolution ICP-MS (HR-ICP-MS) technique is used for determining the REE concentrations and degree of REE fractionation in the background unpolluted rivers and in the Rudnaya River, affected by mining industry waste products. In addition, water streams from tailing storages (Dal’negorsk) and from the rivers of Vladivostok are subjected to study. It is shown that the studied rivers differ from each other in the studied parameters and in migration forms. These differences are explained by the different degrees of chemical denudation of rocks in their drainage areas by and anthropogenic impacts on the surface water streams.

Hydrochemistry and genesis of thermal waters of the Goryachii Klyuch spring in Primorskii Krai (Far East of Russia)

This report presents original data on the hydrochemical, isotope, and microbiological composition of nitric thermal waters of the Goryachii Klyuch spring (Primorskii Krai). The first-performed year-round surveys of the conditions of the spring water and the environment have shown that the ground waters heated over 30°C in fractured siliceous Upper-Permian rocks suffered no significant seasonal variations in their temperature and discharge during a year, and the slight seasonal variations in the chemical composition of the waters were caused by the interactions in the water-rock system. The isotope studies (δ18O, δ2H, and 3H) have shown that the thermal waters were of atmospheric genesis and with a long-term circulation period of >50 years. The processes of the transition of elements to the solution were decelerated at the absence of soluble rocks and aggressive gases, which caused the low mineralization of the waters. The water temperature was determined by the depth of their circulation amounting to 1–2 km. It was found that the processes of the carbon and nitrogen cycles involving microorganisms were the most intense in the thermal waters.

Geochemistry of the mineral waters and gases of the Mukhen deposit, Far East

This work reports new hydrochemical data on the two types of cold high p CO2 groundwaters from the Mukhen deposit (Khabarovsk district). The first type is classed with HCO3-Ca-Mg waters with a relatively low TDS (up to 1.7 g/l) and high concentrations of Fe2+, Mn2+, Ba2+, and SiO2. The second type is of HCO3-Na composition with high TDS (up to 14 g/l) and elevated Li+, B, Sr2+, Br−, and I−. New oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) isotopic data on the waters and carbon (δ13C) isotopic data on the gas phase, together with a detailed geological and hydrogeological analysis of the study area, allowed us to decipher the origin of both the mineral waters. Based on the tritium content (3H) in the ground and surface waters of the area, the duration of the mineral water circulation was estimated. It was established that the both types of groundwaters were formed during interaction of meteoric water with bedrock under active influence of CO2, however HCO3-Na groundwaters have longer residence time than HCO3-Ca-Mg groundwaters.

Geochemical features of major and rare-earth element behavior in the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi hydrothermal systems of Kamchatka

This paper presents original data on the content and distribution of major and rare-earth elements in the modern hydrothermal systems of the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi thermal water deposits. In spite of the similar geochemical type of the waters, the individual sites of the hydrothermal systems differ in the major component composition, which is caused by the time of water–rock interaction, temperature control, and the possible influence of seawater intrusions. The REE concentrations in the studied thermal waters are extremely low (a few tenths of ppb). A distinctive feature of these thermal waters is the presence of a positive Eu anomaly. The possible reasons for its appearance are discussed. Calculation of REE speciation shows that the main parameters controlling the formation of the REE complexes in the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi hydrothermal systems are their individual chemical properties, as well as pH, Eh, and temperature of the aqueous solution.

Geochemistry of carbonated mineral waters from the Fadeevskoe deposit of the Primorye region

The geochemical study of bed rocks, underground and surface waters, and associated gases in the Fadeevskoe deposit of carbonated waters (Sikhote Alin, Primorye region) revealed that the chemical composition of these waters is formed in the zone of active water exchange in the limited area of the discharge zone, where hydro carbonate calcic waters with mineralization of up to 1 g/1 are formed in largely potassic-sodic rocks. Calculations of the saturation indices show that the mineral waters are characterized by the early stage of Ca saturation, being undersaturated with carbonates and aluminosilicates. The main factors that influence the water mineralization are the excess carbon dioxide in water and the circulation time. The oxygen and carbon isotope ratios indicate the atmospheric genesis of the aqueous component (δ2H = —117; δ18O = —15.4%o) and the carbon isotope content in the CO2 implies the mantle nature of the carbon dioxide (δ13C = -9.9%o).

Biosorption of Rare-Earth Elements and Yttrium by Heterotrophic Bacteria in an Aqueous Environment

This paper reports the results of the experimental determination of the coefficient of sorption of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) under conditions of acidic pH using several strains of heterotrophic bacteria (Microbacterium sp., Curtobacterium sp., Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus pumilis) that are widespread in natural and technogenic waters of the Far East (Russia). Insignificant fractionation between heavy and light rare-earth elements, negative cerium and dysprosium anomalies, and a positive europium anomaly were revealed. The selectivity of REY biosorption by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as inertia of the biosorption process under more acidic conditions of the medium, were shown.

The Chemical Composition of the Nitrogen Thermal Waters of the Khoja-Obi-Garm (Tajikistan) Balneoclimatic Resort

This paper presents new data on the contents of macro- and microcomponents from low-mineral nitrogen thermal water located within the Khoja-Obi-Garm resort (Tajikistan). It was found that these thermal groundwaters contain high contents of F, Si, Li, Al, Rb, Sr, and Cs. Detailed study of the geological and hydrogeological settings of the resort, along with thermodynamic simulations allows us reveal the sources of chemical elements in these waters. A comparison of thermal groundwater from Khoja-Obi-Garm spa with the thermal waters of other regions of Eurasia was carried out; new data on the rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) concentrations in the studied thermal water are presented as well.

Unique СО2–saturated mineral waters of the Mukhen deposit (Khabarovsk Krai): Composition and genesis

The results of studies of the ion-salt, gas, and isotopic compositions of unique СО2–saturated cold mineral waters from the Mukhen deposit, as well as the results of calculation of equilibrium in the water-rock system, are presented. Taking these data and the geological structure of the territory into account, it was shown that the source of water solutions is atmospheric precipitates and the source of СО2 is buried rocks that undergo metamorphism. The long-term interaction in the water–rock–СО2 system has provided uniquely high salinity to these waters. The scale formation of secondary minerals (clays of different composition and Ca and Mg carbonates) in the system determined НСО3–Na and an atypical isotopic composition of the waters. The concept developed has established that СО2–saturated mineral waters are formed as a result of migration of СО2 from the deeper crustal zones through the zones of tectonic faults and the subsequent chemical interaction with infiltration waters, rather than because of magmatic or volcanic activity.

Genesis of the Mineral Groundwaters of the Razdol'nenskii Occurrence in Primorye

Original isotopic and chemical data are reported on the groundwater and gases from the unique occurrence of mineral water in the coastal zone of southern Primorye. Results of the δ18O and δ2H analysis of the underground and surface water of the area integrated with their δ13C composition made it possible to solve the problem of the genesis and evolution of groundwater and gases in the coastal part of the Sea of Japan. It was established that meteoric waters penetrate into the Mesozoic terrigenous rocks and changed their chemical composition under the influence of transformation of organic matter from the host rocks. CO2 released owing to reactions provides multiple enrichment of the water in HCO3 and stimulates Na influx via dissolution of aluminosilicates.