Physicochemical Quality Evolution of Groundwater from the Area of an Chemical Platform

Abstract

The most important natural resource which cannot be optimally used and sustained unless its quality is properly assessed, is groundwater. In the present study, the physicochemical variations of groundwater from the area of an chemical platform were determinate. The physicochemical parameters determined for the groundwater were evaluated by comparing the results obtained with the the limits allowed under current legislation. For this study were examining 16 drillings for a period of five years. Water samples were collected quarterly from each sampling point in the study. The physico-chemical quality indicators analyzed for each source were: pH, chlorides, sulfates, bicarbonates, carbonates, sodium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, filterable residue, suspended matter, mercury and CCO-Mn.Interpretation of physicochemical data revealed that groundwaters studied was neutral to slightly alkaline. The cations such as sodium (Na+) for all groundwaters studied it was in general found above the limit imposed under the laws in vigor in almost all studied drillings except drillings generally located upstream of the industrial platform. The anions such as chlorides (Cl-) exceeded, in general, the limit allowed under current legislation. The filterable residue concentration was observed in all the studied drillings and the parameter such as sulfate (SO42-), were within the limit allowed under current legislation for the most all studied drillings, for the whole period investigated. In general, the sulfate quality indicator exceeds the required limit, for drilling located downstream and in vicinity of the chemical platform.