Australia introduces groundwater analysis equipment

Australia has introduced a new device to protect its groundwater resources from pollution.

The device, called ATTA, is an atomic trace analyzer, a product of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in collaboration with the University of Adelaide.

ATTA will use laser physics to count the atoms of noble gases such as Argon and Krypton in groundwater.(Artwork: pca.state.mn.us).

According to scientists, ATTA will use laser physics to count atoms of noble gases such as Argon and Krypton, two types of particles found naturally in groundwater and ice cores.

By measuring their concentration in groundwater, it is possible to understand its age and origin.

Andre Luiten, director of the Institute of Advanced Photonics and Advanced Metrology Technology at Adelaide University, Andre Luiten, said Australia uses 30% of groundwater to provide water for human consumption, irrigation and mining .

With climate change as well as prolonged drought, groundwater is becoming less and less reliable and the use of groundwater is increasing. Therefore, it is important to ensure that groundwater resources are sustainable.

With ATTA equipment, in addition to groundwater analysis, it will also allow researchers to learn about Antarctica's climate history to help better understand the impact of climate change .

CSIRO researcher Dirk Mallants said the ATTA device will also help researchers determine the history of underground water formation, from decades, centuries to millions of years.

By determining the temporal history of groundwater, the researchers were able to better understand the source of the water, where it came from and the rate of its infiltration, so that they could make decisions. on sustainable exploitation of water resources.