Hydrochemical Properties of Groundwater Used for Korea Bottled Waters in Relation to Geology

Abstract

Bottled waters have been becoming increasingly popular in Korea over the last two decades due to the high demand for safe drinking water. Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater is essential for understanding quality properties of bottled waters. We investigated hydrochemistry of 60 manufacture factories for bottled waters in relation to geology. The mean EC value is highest in groundwaters of Ogcheon metamorphic rocks (213.6 μS/cm) > Precambrian gneiss (177.8 μS/cm) > Cretaceous granite (160.4 μS/cm) > Jurassic granite (131.3 μS/cm) > Quaternary Jeju Island volcanic rocks (99.2 μS/cm). The groundwater types are commonly classified as Ca-HCO3, Ca-Na-HCO3, or Ca-Mg-HCO3 types depending on bed rocks. Based on correlation matrix, the groundwater chemistry was controlled by water–rock interactions. We established relationships between groundwater compositions and bedrock geology in Korea.

Silicon Fractionation of Soluble Silicon in Volcanic Ash Soils That May Affect Groundwater Silicon Content on Jeju Island, Korea

“…The SiO 2 concentration in mainland Korea's groundwater ranged from 0.79-29.2 mg L −1 (average of 10.3 mg L −1 ), and the average SiO 2 concentration in Gangwon Province's groundwater was the lowest at 6.0 mg L −1 . These results were consistent with those previously reported, showing that the SiO 2 concentration in groundwater derived from volcanic rocks on Jeju Island was higher than that from granite, gneiss, and metamorphic rocks [2,13]. The silica concentration in groundwater in Argentina, which is similarly of volcanic pyroclastic origin, ranges from 19.6-72.9 mg L −1 , similar to the silica content in Jeju Island's groundwater [27].…”

“…The silica concentration in groundwater in Argentina, which is similarly of volcanic pyroclastic origin, ranges from 19.6-72.9 mg L −1 , similar to the silica content in Jeju Island's groundwater [27]. Weathering in quartz, amorphous silica, and aluminosilicate minerals may have an effect on the Si concentration in groundwater [2,9,16,27]. In general, extrusive rocks (e.g., basalt, andesite) have a lower total Si content but are weathered more quickly than intrusive rocks (e.g., granite) [27,37].…”

“…About 92% of the drinking water on Jeju Island, the largest volcanic island in Korea, is supplied from groundwater [1]. In South Korea, bottled water is very popular and is produced from groundwater sources on Jeju Island [2]. As the consumption of bottled water increases, interest in the quality of the drinking water also grows.…”

Characterization of Aquifers in Metamorphic Rocks by Combined Use of Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Monitoring of Spring Hydrodynamics

“…Spring water hydrochemical facies, as well as relatively low mineralization, was in accordance with general characteristics of groundwater originating from magmatic and metamorphic rocks [53,54]. Mineralization was slightly higher than expected for pure silicate rocks (especially on K17), which is probably a consequence of the presence of carbonate minerals in the metamorphic rocks of the Jelenske vode area.…”

Major and Trace Element Geochemistry of Korean Bottled Waters

“…All δ 18 O and δ 2 H values are reported in the delta (δ) notation relative to the Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW), where δ (% ) = (R sample /R standard − 1) × 1000 and R represents 18 O/ 16 O or 2 H/ 1 H, respectively. The δ 18 O and δ 2 H values were calibrated using three international standards, i.e., VSMOW2 (0% for δ 18 O and 0% for δ 2 H), Greenland ice sheet precipitation (−24.76% for δ 18 O and −189.5% for δ 2 H), and standard light Antarctic precipitation (−55.5% for δ 18 O and −427.5% for δ 2 H) as well as three laboratory standards (−5.21% , −8.57% , and −12.23% for δ 18 O and −46.08% , −56.86% , and −87.56% for δ 2 H).…”