Human Activity and Hydrogeochemical Processes Relating to Groundwater Quality Degradation in the Yuncheng Basin, Northern China

Abstract

Groundwater quality degradation has raised widespread concerns about water supplies and ecological crises in China. In this study, hydrogeochemistry, environmental stable isotopes (δ18O, δD), and principal component analysis were conducted together to reveal the mechanism’s response to the hydrogeochemical and quality degradation of groundwater in Yuncheng Basin, Northern China, so that reasonable water resource management strategies can be developed. The study reveals that groundwater faces a tremendous risk of quality decrease during the past decade: (1) the hydrochemical facies of groundwater shows that the bicarbonate and chloride type water was replaced with sulfate type water and the occupying area of SO4·Cl-Na, SO4·HCO3-Na type water expanded dramatically in shallow and intermediate-deep aquifers. (2) Major ion chemistry and hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions indicate that the major hydrogeochemical processes responsible for groundwater quality deterioration include the dissolution of evaporates (i.e., halite, gypsum, and mirabilite), ion exchange, and evaporation process. Additionally, (3) anthropogenic activities (overutilization of fertilizer) have resulted in nitrate contamination, and have thereby led to groundwater quality degradation.

Spatio-Temporal Variations of Hydrochemical and Microbial Characteristics in Karst Water in Samcheok, South Korea

“…When a HCO3/Ca ratio is between 1:1 and 2:1, silicate weathering is the dominant process. On the other hand, when the ratio is between 2:1 and 4:1, carbonate weathering is the dominant process [27,30,31]. In the dry season (February and April 2020), most samples were plotted between HCO3/Ca ratios of 1:1 and 2:1, which indicated the dominance of silicate weathering.…”

Hydrochemistry and Entropy-Based Groundwater Quality Assessment in the Suining Area, Southwestern China

“…So far, groundwater has been contaminated by nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, heavy metal elements, etc., seriously threatening to human health [4][5][6][7][8]. Comprehensive investigations of groundwater chemistry, mechanism analysis, and quality evolution can provide robust information for groundwater protection, which have been carried out globally [9][10][11].…”

Hydrogeochemical Features and Genesis of Confined Groundwater and Health Perspectives for Sustainable Development in Urban Hengshui, North China Plain

“…Generally, the natural groundwater chemistry is determined by the hydrochemical components of recharge water, lithology of aquifers along the groundwater flow path, residence time, groundwater hydrodynamic, and evaporation [17][18][19][20][21]. ese factors are fundamental for the natural formation and evolution of groundwater chemical components [22][23][24][25], while anthropogenic factors from all aspects of human society including domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities can dramatically modify the composition of groundwater chemistry through direct pollutants input or indirect change of the hydrogeochemical conditions of natural mechanisms [26][27][28][29][30][31]. e driving forces from the human community to the evolution of groundwater chemistry have more significant influences on the phreatic aquifers rather than the confined aquifers due to the protection of aquitards.…”