Water

Research

26 pages, 2485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Water Quality of Groundwater of Sanghar District, Sindh, Pakistan: Chemical and Multivariate Analysis

by Abdul Qayoom Landar, Taj Muhammad Jahangir, Muhammad Yar Khuhawar, Muhammad Farooque Lanjwani and Faheem Yar Khuhawar

Water 2024, 16(6), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16060856 - 16 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1674

Abstract

Sanghar District is located in the central part of Sindh Province and shares a boarder with India to the east. This work examines the water quality of the groundwater of three subdistricts, Sanghar, Khipro, and Jan Nawaz Ali, mostly used for human consumption, [...] Read more.

Sanghar District is located in the central part of Sindh Province and shares a boarder with India to the east. This work examines the water quality of the groundwater of three subdistricts, Sanghar, Khipro, and Jan Nawaz Ali, mostly used for human consumption, cattle farming, and irrigation. A total of 74 representative samples were collected and analyzed for 26 different parameters, including anions, cations, trace, and toxic elements. The total dissolved salts (TDSs) contained in 41 samples (55.4%), the major cations, K, Na, Mg, and Ca, in 44.6–93.2% of samples, and the major anions, Cl, HCO₃, and SO₄, in 68.6–81.0% of samples were within the permissible guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). The samples containing elements Cr (24.0%), Pb (29.7%), Ni (39.2%), Cd (40.5%), As (10.8%), and F (39.18%) were above the permissible limits of the WHO. The groundwater samples were examined for water quality index (WQI), contamination index (C_d), chronic daily intake indices (CDIs), hazard quotient indices (HQ), principal component analysis (PCA), piper diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, and cluster analysis to ascertain nature of the groundwater present in the study area. The samples were also examined for suitability for irrigation by sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s index (KI), permeability index (PI), and Wilcox diagrams. Samples in the range of 0 to 58.33% were inappropriate for irrigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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14 pages, 4151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution and Origins of Hardness in Shallow and Deep Groundwaters of the Hebei Plain, China

by Yong Qian, Shijun Zhen, Chen Yue and Xiangxiang Cui

Water 2024, 16(2), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020310 - 17 Jan 2024

Viewed by 631

Abstract

Elevated hardness concentrations in groundwater have become a noteworthy concern in recent decades because long-term drinking of groundwater with high levels of hardness is an important factor resulting in chronic kidney diseases. In this study, the distribution and origins of groundwater total hardness [...] Read more.

Elevated hardness concentrations in groundwater have become a noteworthy concern in recent decades because long-term drinking of groundwater with high levels of hardness is an important factor resulting in chronic kidney diseases. In this study, the distribution and origins of groundwater total hardness (TH) in various sub-plains and different land-use areas of the Hebei Plain (HBP) were investigated. A total of 445 groundwater samples in the HBP were collected once in 2021, and twelve chemical parameters, including TH in groundwater, were analyzed. Results showed that TH-rich (>450 mg/L) shallow groundwater in both the central and littoral plains was more than twice that in the Piedmont plain. Similarly, TH-rich deep groundwater accounted for about 18% in the central plain but was negligible in the Piedmont plain. In the Piedmont plain, TH-rich shallow groundwater in urban areas was twice or more than in other land use types. By contrast, both TH-rich shallow and deep groundwaters in agricultural areas in the central plain were higher than those in rural areas. This was opposite to TH-rich shallow groundwater in the littoral plain. In the Piedmont plain, TH-rich shallow groundwater was mainly attributed to water-rock interaction, groundwater over-extraction, and the infiltration of domestic sewage and animal waste. In the central plain, both TH-rich shallow and deep groundwaters likely ascribed to the evaporite dissolution and seawater intrusion. By contrast, the leaching of agricultural fertilizers resulting in the dissolution of Ca-rich and Mg-rich minerals in the vadose zone was mainly responsible for the occurrence of TH-rich shallow groundwater in the littoral plain. Therefore, in order to limit elevated hardness concentrations in groundwater in the HBP, limiting shallow groundwater extraction and strengthening the supervision of the domestic sewage and animal waste in the Piedmont plain are recommended. Besides, restricting the use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the littoral plain is also recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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16 pages, 5900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Groundwater Hydrochemistry and Quality Assessment in Hutuo River Drinking Water Source Area of Shijiazhuang (North China Plain)

by Ziting Yuan, Yantao Jian, Zhi Chen, Pengfei Jin, Sen Gao, Qi Wang, Zijun Ding, Dandan Wang and Zhiyuan Ma

Water 2024, 16(1), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010175 - 03 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1099

Abstract

The Hutuo River Drinking Water Source Area is an important water source of Shijiazhuang (North China Plain). Knowing the characteristics of groundwater chemistry/quality is essential for the protection and management of water resources. However, there are few studies focused on the groundwater chemistry [...] Read more.

The Hutuo River Drinking Water Source Area is an important water source of Shijiazhuang (North China Plain). Knowing the characteristics of groundwater chemistry/quality is essential for the protection and management of water resources. However, there are few studies focused on the groundwater chemistry evolution over the drinking water area. In this study, total of 160 groundwater samples were collected in November 2021, and the spatial distribution of groundwater chemistry and related controlling factors were analyzed using hydrological and multivariate analysis. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) was introduced to assess the groundwater quality. The results show that the hydrogeochemical types of groundwater are Ca-HCO₃ (78.1%), mixed Ca-Mg-Cl (20%), and Ca-Cl (1.9%) in the area. Graphical and binary diagrams indicate that groundwater hydrochemistry is mainly controlled by water–rock interaction (i.e., rock weathering, mineral dissolution, and ion exchange). Five principal components separated from the principal component analysis represent the rock–water interaction and agricultural return, redox environment, geogenic sources, the utilization of agricultural fertilizer, the weathering of aluminum silicates, and dissolution of carbonates, respectively. More than 70% of the samples are not recommended for irrigation due to the presence of high salt content in groundwater. EWQI assessment demonstrates that the quality of the groundwater is good. The outcomes of this study are significant for understanding the geochemical status of the groundwater in the Hutuo River Drinking Water Source Area, and helping policymakers to protect and manage the groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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11 pages, 2230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of and Factors Affecting Groundwater Fluoride in the Western Coastal Area of Hainan Island, South China

by Ruinan Liu, Xiwen Li, Xiujiu Yang and Ming Zhang

Water 2023, 15(20), 3678; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15203678 - 20 Oct 2023

Viewed by 867

Abstract

Hainan, a well-known center of tropical agricultural production in south China, has received little attention regarding groundwater fluoride contamination. This study investigates the occurrence of fluoride in the western coastal area of Hainan Island and discusses factors affecting groundwater fluoride contamination in various [...] Read more.

Hainan, a well-known center of tropical agricultural production in south China, has received little attention regarding groundwater fluoride contamination. This study investigates the occurrence of fluoride in the western coastal area of Hainan Island and discusses factors affecting groundwater fluoride contamination in various aquifers and areas with different land-use types using hydrochemistry and multivariate statistical analysis. A total of 100 groundwater samples were collected from the western coastal area of Hainan Island. The results show that the groundwater fluoride concentration is as high as 4.18 mg/L and that F⁻-high (>1 mg/L) groundwater accounts for 9% of total groundwater. The proportion of F⁻-high fissure water is about two times that of F⁻-high pore water. Among the different land-use types, the proportion of F⁻-high groundwater from highest to lowest is as follows: bare land > cultivated land > woodland > construction land > grassland. The main factor affecting fluoride in pore water is the leaching of fluorine/aluminum-containing minerals such as phlogopite and calcite in the vadose zone, which is characterized by the co-enrichment of fluoride and aluminum in pore water. The leading cause of fluoride in fissure water is the leaching of fluorine-containing fertilizers, and continuous irrigation promotes the cation exchange of sodium, strontium, and calcium, which is characterized by the co-enrichment of fluoride with sodium and strontium in fissure water. Consequently, it is advised to minimize the excessive use of fluoride fertilizers and increase groundwater quality monitoring in order to decrease the emergence of F⁻-high groundwater in the western coastal area of Hainan Island. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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16 pages, 2373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Groundwater Quality in Phreatic and Confined Aquifers of the Hebei Plain, China

by Yong Qian, Qinxuan Hou, Chunxiao Wang, Shijun Zhen, Chen Yue, Xiangxiang Cui and Chunyan Guo

Water 2023, 15(17), 3071; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173071 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 772

Abstract

This study aims to investigate hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Hebei Plain and to discuss factors controlling the groundwater quality. A total of 54 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for 31 hydrogeochemical parameters, and a fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method [...] Read more.

This study aims to investigate hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Hebei Plain and to discuss factors controlling the groundwater quality. A total of 54 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for 31 hydrogeochemical parameters, and a fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method was used for assessing groundwater quality. Results show groundwater total hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and major ions excluding K⁺ in phreatic aquifers higher than that in confined aquifers. From the Piedmont plain to the littoral plain, phreatic aquifers towards the reducing environment, and the enhancement of water–rock interaction, ion exchange process, and evaporation probably resulted in the increase in groundwater TDS, major ions (excluding HCO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻), B, and Mn concentrations. Moreover, phreatic groundwater chemistry was mainly controlled by rock weathering changing into evaporite dissolution and seawater intrusion from the Piedmont plain to the littoral plain, according to the Gibbs diagram. The proportion of drinkable groundwater in confined aquifers was 1.6 times that in phreatic aquifers. In phreatic aquifers, the proportion of drinkable groundwater in the Piedmont plain was as high as 68%, but none of the drinkable groundwater occurred in the central and littoral plains. Groundwater quality in phreatic aquifers was mainly controlled by five factors, including the water–rock interaction, the marine geogenic sources, the agricultural pollution, the acidification, and the reductive environment. By contrast, groundwater quality in confined aquifers was mainly controlled by three factors, including the water–rock interaction and redox processes, agricultural pollution, and the input of external water. Therefore, in the Hebei Plain, groundwater in confined aquifers is more suitable for drinking purposes than in phreatic aquifers. Additionally, phreatic groundwater in the Piedmont plain should be protected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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18 pages, 4734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers by Integrating Statistical and Graphical Techniques: Quaternary Aquifer, West Nile Delta, Egypt

by Samia S. Hasan, Zenhom E. Salem and Ahmed Sefelnasr

Water 2023, 15(10), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15101803 - 09 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1688

Abstract

The Quaternary aquifer in the western Nile Delta is threatened by seawater intrusion. Few studies have integrated diverse techniques for the assessment of seawater intrusion in this aquifer. The present study aims to determine the geochemical processes and impact of seawater intrusion on [...] Read more.

The Quaternary aquifer in the western Nile Delta is threatened by seawater intrusion. Few studies have integrated diverse techniques for the assessment of seawater intrusion in this aquifer. The present study aims to determine the geochemical processes and impact of seawater intrusion on this aquifer. To accomplish this investigation, the integration of hydrogeochemical, statistical, multivariate statistical, and graphical tools were implemented on 75 groundwater samples and 5 soil samples. The physicochemical variables were analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), saturation index (SI), ionic ratios, ionic relationships, the seawater intrusion index (SWI) and the correlations among 16 hydrochemical parameters, to identify the influencing processes of groundwater quality in the study area. According to the statistical study, the groundwater is divided into four groups. Those are distributed, from north to south: Group1 (G1), Group2 (G2), Group4 (G4), and Group3 (G3). The samples of G1 and G2 are distinguished by Na–Cl chemical type. While G4 has two main ion associations, HCO₃–Ca–Mg and Cl–SO₄–Na, G3 is characterized by HCO₃–Cl–SO₄–Ca–Na type. The processes that affect the chemistry of the groundwater are the seawater intrusion, ion exchange, silicate and Ca-rich mineral weathering, and mineral deposition. G1 and G2 groups are primarily influenced by seawater incursion, evaporation, and the ion exchange mechanism. In addition, the weathering of silicate minerals has a substantial effect on G3 and G4 groups, resulting in the creation of carbonate minerals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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25 pages, 7201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Karst Groundwater in Heilongdong Spring Basin, Northern China

by Ming Gao, Xiangquan Li, Jiazhong Qian, Zhenxing Wang, Xinwei Hou, Changchang Fu, Jianfei Ma, Chunchao Zhang and Jinqiu Li

Water 2023, 15(4), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040726 - 12 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

Understanding the impact of natural processes and anthropogenic activities on geochemical evolution is vital for groundwater protection and utilization. This research was devoted to identifying the water quality status and the main controlling factors of the hydrochemical evolution of karst groundwater by combining [...] Read more.

Understanding the impact of natural processes and anthropogenic activities on geochemical evolution is vital for groundwater protection and utilization. This research was devoted to identifying the water quality status and the main controlling factors of the hydrochemical evolution of karst groundwater by combining hydrogeochemical indicators with multi-isotope analysis techniques in the Heilongdong Spring Basin, North China. The results showed that the karst groundwater in the area was of meteoric origin, and the dissolution of carbonate minerals was dominant in water–rock interactions. Meanwhile, the positive and negative cation exchange occurred in the process. The main hydrochemical types of karst groundwater were HCO₃-Ca·Mg and HCO₃-Ca in the recharge area, while the predominant hydrochemical types were the HCO₃·SO₄-Ca·Mg and HCO₃·SO₄-Ca in the runoff and discharge area. Under the influence of coal mining and other factors, the average concentrations of major ions kept rising in the runoff area where coal mines were distributed, and the SO₄²⁻ concentrations of the karst groundwater changed the most in the study area. In addition, sewage from agricultural production and domestic sources had also negatively impacted the quality of regional groundwater in the runoff and discharge area, as evidenced by the increasing NO₃⁻ and Cl⁻ contents in the Quaternary sediment groundwater, Permian bedrock groundwater and a small portion of karst groundwater. These results were helpful to explain the mechanism of gradual hydrogeochemical changes and provided a scientific basis for the effective management and utilization of karst groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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14 pages, 41566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Groundwater Quality Using APCS-MLR Model: A Case Study in the Pilot Promoter Region of Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Zone, China

by Zi Chen, Quanping Zhou, Jinsong Lv, Yuehua Jiang, Hai Yang, Hui Yang, Shijia Mei, Zhengyang Jia, Hong Zhang, Yang Jin, Lin Liu and Rujia Shen

Water 2023, 15(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020225 - 04 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1884

Abstract

Groundwater contaminant source identification is an endeavor task in highly developed areas that have been impacted by diverse natural processes and anthropogenic activities. In this study, groundwater samples from 84 wells in the pilot promoter region of the Yangtze River Delta integration demonstration [...] Read more.

Groundwater contaminant source identification is an endeavor task in highly developed areas that have been impacted by diverse natural processes and anthropogenic activities. In this study, groundwater samples from 84 wells in the pilot promoter region of the Yangtze River Delta integration demonstration zone in eastern China were collected and then analyzed for 17 groundwater quality parameters. The principal component analysis (PCA) method was utilized to recognize the natural and anthropogenic aspects impacting the groundwater quality; furthermore, the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model was employed to quantify the contribution of potential sources to each groundwater quality parameter. The results demonstrated that natural hydro-chemical evolution, agricultural activities, domestic sewage, textile industrial effluent and other industrial activities were responsible for the status of groundwater quality in the study area. Meanwhile, the contribution of these five sources obtained by the APCS-MLR model were ranked as natural hydro-chemical evolution

(18.89 %)

> textile industrial effluent

(18.18 %)

> non-point source pollution from agricultural activities

(17.08 %)

> other industrial activities

(15.09 %)

> domestic sewage

(4.19 %)

. It is believed that this contaminant source apportionment result could provide a reliable basis to the local authorities for groundwater pollution management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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14 pages, 3998 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Groundwater Quality in a Coastal Urbanized Area, South China: Impact of Land Use

by Chunyan Liu, Qinxuan Hou, Yetao Chen and Guanxing Huang

Water 2022, 14(24), 4131; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14244131 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2072

Abstract

Land use transformation accompanied with various human activities affects groundwater chemistry and quality globally, especially in coastal urbanized areas because of complex human activities. This study investigated the impact of land use on groundwater chemistry and quality in a coastal alluvial aquifer (CAA) [...] Read more.

Land use transformation accompanied with various human activities affects groundwater chemistry and quality globally, especially in coastal urbanized areas because of complex human activities. This study investigated the impact of land use on groundwater chemistry and quality in a coastal alluvial aquifer (CAA) of the Pearl River Delta where urbanization continues. A fuzzy synthetic evaluation method was used to evaluate the groundwater quality. Besides, factors controlling groundwater chemistry and quality in the CAA were discussed by using a principal components analysis (PCA). Nearly 150 groundwater samples were collected. All samples were filtered on-site and stored at 4 °C until the laboratory procedures could be performed. Nineteen chemical parameters including pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, total dissolved solids, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺, HCO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, NO₂⁻, Pb, Mn, Fe, and As were analyzed. Results show that groundwater chemistry in the CAA was dominated by Ca-HCO₃ and Ca·Na-HCO₃ facies. In addition, groundwater with NO₃ facies was also present because of more intensive human activities. In the CAA, 61.8% of groundwaters were fit for drinking, and 10.7% of groundwaters were undrinkable but fit for irrigation, whereas 27.5% of groundwaters were unfit for any purpose. Poor-quality groundwaters in urban and agricultural areas were 1.1–1.2 times those in peri-urban areas, but absent in the remaining area. Groundwater chemistry and quality in the CAA was mainly controlled by five factors according to the PCA. Factor 1 is the release of salt and NH₄⁺ from marine sediments, and the infiltration of domestic and septic sewage. Factor 2 is agricultural activities related to the irrigation of river water, and the use of chemical fertilizers. Factor 3 is the industrial pollution related to heavy metals and acid deposition. Factor 4 is the input of anthropogenic reducing sewage inducing the reductive dissolution of As-loaded Fe minerals and denitrification. Factor 5 is the I⁻ contamination from both of geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Therefore, in order to protect groundwater quality in coastal urbanized areas, repairing old sewer systems in urban areas, building sewer systems in peri-urban areas, limiting sewage irrigation and the amount of chemical fertilizers application in agricultural areas, as well as strengthening the supervision of the industrial exhaust gas discharge in urban and peri-urban areas are recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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13 pages, 2586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Controlling Natural Background Levels of Ammonium and Iodide in Shallow Groundwater of Coastal Aquifers, South China

by Lixin Pei, Xin Lu, Xiwen Li, Ming Zhang and Heqiu Wu

Water 2022, 14(22), 3737; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223737 - 17 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1211

Abstract

Assessing natural background levels (NBLs) in groundwater is crucial for evaluating groundwater pollution and the use of groundwater resources in coastal areas. This study assessed NBLs of iodide and ammonium in the shallow groundwater of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) by using a [...] Read more.

Assessing natural background levels (NBLs) in groundwater is crucial for evaluating groundwater pollution and the use of groundwater resources in coastal areas. This study assessed NBLs of iodide and ammonium in the shallow groundwater of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) by using a preselection method with Grubbs’ test, and discussed factors controlling NBLs in various groundwater units. Here, the preselection method consists of Cl/Br mass ratios versus Cl concentrations and the oxidation capacity, and the PRD is divided into four groundwater units. Results showed that NBL-iodide in groundwater unit A was 0.14 mg/L and >2 times greater than that in other groundwater units. Similarly, NBL-ammonium in groundwater unit A was 0.32 mg/L and also >2 times greater than that in other groundwater units. The release of iodide from both of organic-iodine in the vadose zone and iodine-rich minerals in aquifer sediments were the two main sources for the higher NBL-iodide in groundwater unit A compared to other units. By contrast, the occurrence of ammonium from organic-nitrogen in the vadose zone was the major source for the higher NBL-ammonium in groundwater unit A compared with the other units. Soluble iodide resulted from the mineralization of organic-iodine in Quaternary marine formation, and the release of iodide accompanied with reductive dissolution of iodide-loaded Fe (oxyhydr) oxides in aquifer sediments was the main driving force controlling the higher NBL-iodide in groundwater unit A compared with the other units. By contrast, the release of soluble ammonium from the mineralization of organic-nitrogen in marine formation entering into groundwater was the main driving force controlling the higher NBL-ammonium in groundwater unit A relative to the other units. These results enhance the knowledge on groundwater NBLs in coastal areas and improve groundwater resources management in coastal areas such as the PRD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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14 pages, 4680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthropogenic Influences on the Hydrochemical Characteristics of the Groundwater in Xiamen City, China and Their Evolution

by Zhenghong Li, Jianfeng Li, Yuchen Zhu, Yasong Li and Qichen Hao

Water 2022, 14(21), 3377; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213377 - 25 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1195

Abstract

This study analyzed the anthropogenic influences on the hydrochemical composition characteristics of the groundwater in Xiamen City, Fujian province, China, and their evolution. Based on the hydrochemical data of the groundwater of 1993 and 2019–2021, this study identified the indices of the anthropogenic [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the anthropogenic influences on the hydrochemical composition characteristics of the groundwater in Xiamen City, Fujian province, China, and their evolution. Based on the hydrochemical data of the groundwater of 1993 and 2019–2021, this study identified the indices of the anthropogenic influences using mathematical and statistical analysis methods, such as contrast coefficient, standard deviation, and Mahalanobis distance. The analytical results are summarized as follows: (1) the number of the indices affecting the groundwater quality in Xiamen increased from nine in 1993 to 15 in 2019, and the six increased indicators included NO₃⁻, Pb, NH₄⁺, Al³⁺, NO₂⁻ and Cu (the contribution rates to poor-quality were 26.0%, 16.3%, 10.6%, 4.1%, 0.8% and 0.8%, respectively) which were related to the input of human activities. During this period, the number of hydrochemical types increased from 19 in 1993 to 28 in 2019, with a decrease in the water of the HCO₃ type and an increase in the water of Cl and SO₄ types; (2) In 2019, NO₃⁻ had higher content than SO₄²⁻ in the groundwater and became a major anion, forming the water of NO₃ type; (2) as indicated by the analytical results obtained using the Mahalanobis distance method, areas with strong anthropogenic influences include densely populated areas and areas with intensively distributed industrial enterprises, while anthropogenic influences are very weak in the northern forest land area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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17 pages, 2523 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Key Factors Dominating the Groundwater Chemical Composition in a Grain Production Base: A Case Study of Muling–Xingkai Plain, Northeast China

by Chen Su, Zhuang Li, Wenzhong Wang, Zhongshuang Cheng, Zhaoxian Zheng and Zongyu Chen

Water 2022, 14(14), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14142222 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2517

Abstract

Groundwater quality in the Muling–Xingkai Plain (MXP) is closely related to food security and human health. The chemical composition of groundwater in MXP has attracted great attention. A total of 168 groundwater samples were collected in MXP, and principal component analysis, chemical ion [...] Read more.

Groundwater quality in the Muling–Xingkai Plain (MXP) is closely related to food security and human health. The chemical composition of groundwater in MXP has attracted great attention. A total of 168 groundwater samples were collected in MXP, and principal component analysis, chemical ion analysis and stable isotopic analysis were used to explore key factors affecting the chemical composition and hydrochemical evolution process of groundwater. Results show sources of chemical ions in groundwater are silicate minerals, carbonate minerals and domestic sewage. Domestic sewage is responsible for groundwater with high levels of Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻, but a reduction environment can lead to groundwater with a high level of NH₄⁺ due to nitrification. Human activity and soil media together influence groundwater chemical composition. Groundwater with a high level of chemical ions is mainly collected from wells near river channels, where coarse-textured soils are overlying aquifers. The black soil far away from river channels can retard the infiltration of wastewater. Agricultural activities do not directly lead to deterioration of groundwater qualities, and agricultural non-point-source pollution does not occur in MXP. Nearly 70% of the population in MXP is living in the southern plain, where the influence of sewage on groundwater chemical composition is obvious. Thus, shallow groundwater far away from river channels is the best choice for irrigation. Some measures should be implemented to control the discharge of domestic sewage for the protection of groundwater. In addition, it is necessary to avoid the transformation of the redox environment of groundwater in the northern plain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Chemistry and Quality in Coastal Aquifers)

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