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Comprehensive Biogeochemical Analysis of Nitrogen Transformation Parameters

  • HYDROCHEMISTRY, HYDROBIOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
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Abstract

The potential for nitrogen attenuation in anoxic groundwater by examining the concentration and distribution patterns of electron acceptors, electron donors and microbiological parameters was assessed. Research was carried out for 25 monitoring bores in two anoxic alluvial aquifers Kovin-Dubovac and Knićanin-Čenta during the four years monitoring period (2010–2013). Nitrate and nitrite concentrations were mostly undetectable while ammonium, ferrous and total organic carbon concentrations were increased with sporadic sulfide appearance. Piper diagrams qualified these groundwaters as predominantly Ca2+(Mg2+)–\({\text{HCO}}_{3}^{ - }\) type. By Alekin classification waters belong to \({\text{C}}_{{\text{I}}}^{{{\text{Ca}}}}\) type. The multiple electron donors (organic carbon, iron minerals and sulfide) and spatial and temporal variability of alternative electron acceptors proved to be determining factors of dominant nitrogen reduction path way. Concentrations trends of chemical and microbiological parameters revealed the conditions suitable for nitrogen conservation and they are presented via developed maps and BART test results. Statistical analysis was evaluated by Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Dendograms.

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ACKNOWLDGMENTS

The research was financially supported by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Serbia under the Project “Methodology for the Assessment, Design and Maintenance of Groundwater Sources in Alluvial Environments Depending on the Aerobic State,” no. TR37014.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for the Development of Water Resources, 11226, Pinosava-Belgrade, Serbia

    Marija Perovic, Vesna Obradovic, Vesna Zuber-Radenković & Milan Dimkić

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Boris Obrovski, Mirjana Vojinovic-Miloradov & Milan Dimkić

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  1. Marija Perovic
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Correspondence to Marija Perovic, Vesna Obradovic or Boris Obrovski.

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Marija Perovic, Obradovic, V., Zuber-Radenković, V. et al. Comprehensive Biogeochemical Analysis of Nitrogen Transformation Parameters. Water Resour 47, 156–170 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807820010121

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