Pollution-related acidification in the urban aquifer, Birmingham, UK |
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| Authors: | M Ford J H Tellam and M Hughes |
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| Institution: | Hydrogeology Section, School of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK |
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| Abstract: | Comparison of groundwater quality data ten years apart and sampling of shallow level water and soil gas CO2 indicates that the groundwaters below Birmingham are becoming more acidic. Six potential causes are considered: (1) rise of water level into the carbonate-poor upper levels of the sandstone aquifer; (2) oxidation of the Quaternary deposits overlying the aquifer; (3) inorganic acid spills; (4) other acidic recharge; (5) oxidation of inorganic pollutants; (6) degradation of industrial organic pollutants. Chemical and hydrogeological data suggest that (3), (5) and (6) are dominant in different parts of the city. The rate of fall in pH of 0.6 units over ten years is worrying with regard to increased solubility of toxic metals. |
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